Dead if You Don’t

67

Sunday 13 August

10.00–11.00

Kipp Brown sat in his den at his computer. He entered the codes for his client account and checked the balance. It was over £15 million. £15,758,002, precisely.

The consequences of moving any of this to his own personal account were dire. Regardless of the moral justification, this was money entrusted to him by clients for investment purposes. Taking even one penny of it would be fraud. If discovered, he would be stripped of his licence and face a prison sentence. The idea of taking two and a half million was unthinkable.

As was the idea of doing nothing to save his son.

So long as he concealed the transactions, making it look like he was placing the money in securities of some kind, and then replaced it before anyone asked any questions, it would be OK, he’d get away with it. If any of his colleagues questioned the transactions he’d be able to explain them away. Just so long as he replaced the money quickly.

And he could! He could replace that money easily, of course he could. All he would need would be a good week on the casino tables, on the horses and online. He could replace it and no one would be any the wiser.

He logged out, feeling a bit more hopeful.