your answer as a yes,’ Zara said.
Large smiled. ‘You can take it as whatever you like and then you can shove it up your big fat arse.’
‘Listen, Norman,’ Zara snapped. ‘Nothing would make me happier than to kick you out of here and never see you and that ridiculous moustache again. But you know about CHERUB, you’ve worked here most of your life and that means we’re obliged to help you out.’
‘Only so you can keep tabs on me,’ he snorted.
‘You’ve known that we’ll keep tabs on you since you were ten years old,’ Zara said. ‘What’s the saying? Once you know, we can’t let go. Now the question is, are we going to have to go through the charade of a disciplinary hearing, or can I expect a resignation letter?’
‘You write the letter and I’ll sign it.’
‘Good,’ Zara said. ‘You own your house jointly with Gareth, don’t you?’
Large nodded. ‘He’s doing a fifty-mile commute every day so he’s after moving anyway.’
‘CHERUB has steadily been buying up that row of houses to use as staff quarters,’ Zara said. ‘We’ll pay you twenty per cent over market value which should cover your moving costs. You can have three months’ severance pay and I’ll guarantee to write you a good job reference if you want to work elsewhere within the security or intelligence business. But don’t expect any kind of help if you apply for a job that involves kids. I won’t have that on my conscience.’
Large grunted.
Zara put her hands on her hips and stiffened her voice. ‘Considering that you’ve attempted to blackmail a twelve-year-old girl and strangle Kyle, I think we’re being very generous. And this isn’t a negotiating position. You can take my offer right now, or we’ll go through the disciplinary process and you’ll come out with diddly squat.’
‘Whatever.’ Large sounded like a spoilt kid as he crumpled his plastic cup and threw it at a waste bin. ‘Just give me something to sign.’
‘Excellent,’ Zara said. ‘The nurse said it’s probably best if you stay here and rest for an hour or so. They’ve taken a head X-ray, but they doubt there’s any lasting damage. If you have any belongings over in the instructors’ building I can send someone to collect them.’
Large shook his head. ‘There’s a few pairs of muddy boots, but you’re welcome to ’em.’
‘Like all ex-cherubs you’ll be welcome to return to campus for reunions and anniversary events, but your regular access will be revoked as soon as you step off the grounds.’
Zara reached out to shake hands, but Large kept his arms at his side.
‘Maybe you don’t believe me when I say this, Norman,’ Zara said after a pause, ‘but I’m truly sorry that your career had to end like this. I wish you luck with whatever you choose to do and you’re welcome to call me at any time if you think I can help you.’
Large didn’t respond and Zara thought he was being rude. But as soon as she left the room, Norman Large tipped his head and started to cry.
*
The photographs had dropped from Kyle’s pocket when he ran from Mr Large’s living-room. They’d been picked up by the security team and handed to Zara as evidence. Most pictures were of James and Hayley, but Bruce and Kerry were identifiable on some shots taken inside the steakhouse and there was even a pic Bruce had snapped while testing the camera inside the mini-bus which revealed Callum, Connor and Rat. Andy was the only one who got off.
The chairman’s office had recently been redecorated. Zara’s glass desk, iMac and Herman Miller chairs made the room feel less intimidating than the leather and oak of her predecessor. There weren’t enough seats, so major perps Lauren, Kyle and James were told to sit down, while Kerry, Bruce, Callum, Connor and Rat stood in line behind them.
Strict discipline was important because cherubs have to perform to the highest standards when they’re out on mission. But Zara didn’t enjoy punishing kids and when she’d first become chairwoman some staff had accused her of being soft. She’d reluctantly accepted the criticism and become stricter, but she wasn’t consistent about it.
When Mac was chairman, a cherub could be certain of their punishment for most routine offences. An agent returning to campus after curfew could always expect twenty punishment laps for every quarter hour they were late. With Zara, you might get anything from ten to a hundred, depending upon her mood.
This randomness made kids who were about to