The Resistance

me what you meant when you asked about grants? I hope you weren’t attempting to bypass official channels?’
    Richard bristled. ‘Of course not,’ he said quickly. ‘I do apologise – I thought I was talking to Adrian.’
    ‘You and Adrian discussed research grants?’
    ‘No,’ he said, feeling his anger grow. ‘I just wanted him to put me in touch with the grant department.’
    ‘Yes. Yes, I see.’
    Richard felt a trickle of sweat make its way down the back of his neck.
    ‘And how is your grandson getting on?’ Hillary continued.
    ‘Peter? He’s doing well. Very well, in fact.’
    ‘I’m pleased. We were talking about him yesterday, as it happens,’ she said. ‘Thought it might be a good idea to hold a press conference. Peter Pincent signs the Declaration at Pincent Pharma, something like that. It wouldn’t be a bad thing to demonstrate once and for all that his links with the Underground have been severed.’
    Richard cleared his throat, then let his neck drop backwards as he took a moment to think. He had always viewed life, including human relationships, as a game of chess: the trick was to think three steps ahead, to use people to their best advantage, to always have one eye on the final win, on the absolute conquest. But usually he knew his opponent. Right now, he felt unarmed.
    ‘A press conference?’ he asked carefully, sitting up straight again, asserting his dominance if only to himself. ‘That’s an interesting idea. But not one that we should rush into, I suspect.’
    ‘Rush?’ Hillary asked, her voice betraying nothing. ‘No, nothing should be rushed. But I understand that Peter will be sent his Declaration shortly. So will the girl. The Authorities are keen to . . . tie up loose ends. And since I have no doubt that your grandson will be signing forthwith, I can’t see that anyone is rushing, can you? We thought next week would be ideal. Perhaps you’d like to arrange it?’
    ‘Next week?’ The blood drained from Richard’s face.
    ‘Next week,’ Hillary confirmed curtly. ‘Now, there was another thing. Adrian’s notes suggest that a new version of Longevity, Longevity 5.4, is finally ready for launch. Is this correct?’
    Richard, still preoccupied by the idea of Peter signing the Declaration in front of the press in only one week’s time, nodded vaguely. ‘Longevity 5.4,’ he said. ‘Yes, that’s right. But we prefer to call it Longevity+. Longevity, only better.’
    ‘Indeed,’ Hillary responded. ‘The Authorities would like to see it released.’
    ‘Or,’ Richard said, spotting an opportunity, ‘we could launch Longevity+ at the same time that Peter signs his Declaration. Of course, next week will be too soon, I’m afraid – there’s testing to be completed, details to be finalised. But we could look at a date some time next month instead?’
    ‘Out of the question. Anyway, according to Adrian’s notes, the testing has already been done. But I do like the idea of combining the two. Shall we set a date now? Which day next week suits you best?’
    ‘ Some testing has been done,’ Richard said icily. ‘There is still more to do.’
    ‘Then we can make a preliminary announcement,’ Hillary said.
    ‘We?’
    ‘We. After all, Richard, it is the Authorities’ licence that has enabled the development of this drug, is it not? And it was the Authorities who granted Peter Legal status.’
    Richard could feel himself getting hot. No one cornered Richard Pincent like this. No one. ‘Peter was not granted Legal status by anyone,’ he said tightly. ‘“A Life for a Life”, remember. The Authorities didn’t have any alternative. And next week is too soon. If you and I are going to announce anything, I need more time.’
    There was a pause, then he thought he heard Hillary sigh. ‘There is no more time,’ she said, her voice a little less combative. ‘The week after next sees the World Energy Forum. If we are to have any leverage, we need an announcement before then.’
    Suddenly, Richard saw a chink in her armour. A chink that could mean he was back in control of the game. ‘You’re saying that you need Pincent Pharma to bail you out at the Forum, to give you negotiating power?’
    ‘And you need me to approve the drug. To approve your methods.’
    Richard paused. ‘Our methods?’
    ‘Adrian’s notes are very enlightening. I just hope you’re not contravening the Protection of Surpluses Bill, Richard. You’ll know that corporate crime