papers out of the first file and put them into the copier. She pushed the 'Print' button and watched the machine make two perfect copies of every page. Mitch's meeting with Mulholland went well. They shook hands at the end and arranged another meeting next week. The lift stopped on the fifth floor and Tammy walked in. It was empty except for Mitch. When the door closed he said, 'Any problems?' 'No. Two copies are locked away.' 'How long did it take?' 'Thirty minutes.' The lift stopped on the fourth floor and she picked up the empty briefcase. 'Midday tomorrow?' she asked. 'Yes,' he replied. The door opened and she disappeared on to the fourth floor. He rode alone down to the ground floor and walked, with a briefcase in each hand, looking just as a lawyer should, back to his office.
Chapter 15 Secret Talks A week later Mitch was having lunch with the partners in their fifthfloor dining-room. Each year every associate member was invited twice. Throughout lunch Mitch knew that he was being watched very closely. They were looking for any signs that he was a less keen member of the firm than he used to be. So he forced himself to smile and to eat the food they offered him. It was impossible for him to forget the pictures of him and the girl in the sand. Had they all seen the pictures? Had they passed them around this table? Oliver Lambert had never been so charming. He told stories about past members of the firm, congratulated Mitch on the hours he was working and the amount of money he was earning 40
