Free Lovers and Liars by Sally Beauman Page B

you say. He stays well clear of the subsequent presidential election. One month after the inaugur’ation, what do we find? John Hawthorne kissing hands with -the Queen. His Excellency the Ambassador. A very unexpected appointment, Gini, don’t you agree? Run that one past me. Explain that as a career move.’
    Gini shrugged. ‘I can understand why the Clinton administifion might offer him the job - I can see them in the Oval (,)ffice saying, How do we get rid of Hawthorne, how do you bury America’s crown prince? I can see that. But for Hawthorne to accept 1he posting to London? All his life this man’s been like a lWat-seeking missile, straight on target to the White House-!
    i’And then he veers off,’ Jenkins cut in. ‘Of course, one could “y that being ambassador to Britain is a prestigious post. Other ‘people even saw it as an effective launch-pad to the presidency Joseph Kennedy, for one.’
    ;., Aaybe so* But that was over fifty years ago. Times change. ambassadorships go to yesterday’s men, or women. As ,_,*I-reward for services rend
    ered. In American terms right now, ‘fUwthorne’s invisible. Ambassadors don’t make headlines. All posting does for him is delay any political comeback. It cuts off from the power centre. I’d say he has to have accepted
    t. He knows it’s over. Maybe he wants it to be over. Politically, orne’s all washed up.’
    Zhere was a pause. Jenkins savoured the moment, then seemed decide he had held out long enough. He leaned forward, smoke at them both.
    g cigar
    ppose I told you that Hawthorne wasn’t washed up? Suppose you that Hawthorne was having second thoughts, that he -d
    wishi he’d never abandoned that golden careerT ‘d say he, s left it too late.’
    ‘Are you sure?’ Jenkins smiled. ‘After all, make the calculations: Fs suppose Clinton enjoys office for two full terms. That takes to the year 2000. By which time John Hawthorne will be in his
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    mid-fifties. He’s a man, in any case, who looks a good ten years younger than his age. Would you rule him out of the presidential running then - a man of his looks and abilities, a man with his connections? If you would, I’m not sure I’d agree.’
    ‘OK,’ Gini said. ‘I agree. Up to a point. It’s feasible Hawthorne could make a comeback further down the road. But not without ot if he remains here too long. re-establishing his American base. N
    If he does that, he’s dead in the water.’ She paused. Jenkins was watching her, smiling. Gini, who knew his techniques, realized that she had been given, and missed, a clue.
    ‘Connections,’ she said, leaning forward. ‘Oh, I see, Nicholas. You mean it might not just be a question of Hawthorne’s own ambitions? You mean there are other people promoting Hawthorne’s political future as well?’
    ‘Well, my dear Gini, I’d say so, wouldn’t you? His father, for one. That goes without saying, and old SS should never es
    be underestimated, wheelchair or no. I’ve heard other nam mentioned as well, powerful names representing powerful vested interests. Still-‘
    He broke off, and leaned back in his chair, drawing on his cigar. ‘We don’t need to concentrate on those details, not for now. I didn’t bring you both here today to discuss them. John Hawthorne may or may not have an illustrious political future. Right now, he’s
    an one of his country’s most senior ambassadors, a man with
    unblemished reputation. And - unlike you - I have been hearing stories about him. Very interesting stories. Revelatory, you might say. Your job will be to discover if they’re true. If they are, then Hawthorne will have no political future at all.’
    He paused, looking from Pascal to Gini. The end of his cigar glowed. Gini hesitated, puzzled by Pascal’s silence. She glanced across at him, then turned back to Jenkins.
    ‘You mean Hawthorne has an enemy?’ ‘Oh, very much so.’
    ‘That doesn’t necessarily mean much. Men in Hawthorne’s position breed