Snatched Read Free

overruled by the politicians. Nev is eternally grateful for his efforts, sees them as a noble failure.’
    Simberdy had stood up to make his later points and, very wearied by the tiny effort, tried to arrange himself so that his great, buff-cardiganed gut was supported by the edge of the table, like Humpty Dumpty on the wall. His ample cheeks glowed puce. ‘We must not forget Falldew and should try to counter him, pre-empt his malevolent plans, whatever they may be, and look to the future. The local Press, in commending us recently, rightly said our management group was now lean and fit and strong. “Bracingly lean” was the phrase, I recall,’ he said, bracingly leaning his belly on the fine old timber, ‘and—’

Three
    But this was the moment that Keith Jervis erupted into the Octagon Room with his news and stains.
    Simberdy, still on his feet, radiating delight from Press praise, stared at Jervis and said, mildly: ‘You speak of channels, Keith, but I’m not sure this is the way to approach your Director and his Keepers, Curators, and Museum Secretary. This
is
our Hebdomadal Conclave, you know.’
    â€˜Never fear, this is a ructions that can still be kept in bounds,’ Jervis replied.
    â€˜You spoke of the withdrawal of the museum staff,’ Simberdy said. ‘Withdrawal to where?’ He was seated again now, panting slightly.
    â€˜I was cut off,’ Jervis said. ‘Was involved at the earliest, then couldn’t reach the refuge. Became separated from the other porters. Cornered, like a cop at a Millwall game, such as in the papers. Hence, the personal damage.’
    â€˜My God, yes, the Press,’ Simberdy whispered, as though a reporter might be under the table. ‘This disaster, whatever it is, must not get out. It could ruin the previous good publicity, and the Japanese might turn extremely inscrutable.’
    Pirie mentioned the noise.
    â€˜We must go to them,’ Ursula Wex said very loudly, perhaps eager to emphasize her loyalty to the new, slimmer Hulliborn, after her possibly unpopular defence of Neville Falldew. She picked up the full water carafe, a modern, worthless thing, and held it by the neck like a club, drops of the liquid dribbling out down her sleeve and on to her shoes. She was small, slightly built, brilliant, off-and-on combative, mostly gentle.
    â€˜Which refuge, Jervis?’ Simberdy asked.
    â€˜Like I mentioned, Coins and so on,’ Jervis said. ‘The Secure Room? The Chief Porter – staff – pulled the grille down after them, self-locking.’
    â€˜Presence of mind,’ Beresford said. ‘Good for Hamilton. Some of these NCO types – remarkable leadership qualities.’
    â€˜They’re like animals in a cage,’ Jervis said. ‘Or the Black Hole. I mean, four in that tiny place, only intended for historic moolah: shekels, doubloons, ducats.’
    â€˜We should go to them,’ Ursula Wex shouted, waving the carafe.
    â€˜I was trapped,’ Jervis replied. ‘Caught in the killing fields between Urban Development, History of, and
Draped
Snatch.
’
    â€˜Vintag’s
Serenity
statue,’ Quentin Youde said.
    â€˜Obviously, I knew I had to get an account of the incident through to management, regardless—’
    â€˜Sterling,’ Beresford said.
    â€˜â€”Regardless of not being staff. To date,’ Jervis replied.
    Ursula went to the door and pushed past Jervis. She listened for a second, then turned her head back and snarled to the meeting, ‘Yes, downstairs, bloody
sans culottes
.’
    â€˜How it all started,’ Jervis said.
    â€˜What do you mean?’ Simberdy said.
    â€˜
Sans culottes
?’ Jervis asked. ‘French Revo term for the republican poor. Literally, no trousers. Supposed not to be able to afford them.’
    â€˜I know that, you self-educated, ungrammatical ponce,’ Simberdy said. ‘But why did you say