An Immoral Code by Caro Fraser Page B

realised how much he genuinely liked that prospect. Since he had met Rachel, Anthony’s company was something he had missed. He had long ago learnt to suppress the physical and emotional attraction he had once felt towards him, had taught himself to think of his feelings as those merely of friendship and not love, but he would never be able to deny the pleasure which he took simply in being with Anthony, talking to him, watching him. And he knew that the pleasure was mutual – had been mutual, before Rachel. If it was a kind of love which existed between them, Leo did not believe events could entirely extinguish it. They would see.
    He saw Anthony in the common room at teatime that afternoon, and realised from his demeanour that he had not yet heard the news. Leo approached him, setting down his cup next to Anthony’s and dropping into an armchair opposite him. Anthony, who had just picked up a copy of the
Evening Standard,
gave Leo a glance and a smile that seemed half-cold. He turned his gaze to the paper.
    ‘You’ve got a new leader in the Capstall case,’ said Leo, and stirred his tea, watching with mild pleasure the way thatAnthony’s languid expression suddenly sharpened with interest. He stared at Leo.
    ‘I hadn’t heard anything. How do you know?’
    Leo paused for a few seconds, sipped his tea. ‘I know, because Nichols instructed me this morning.’
    Anthony sat staring at him for a moment. ‘I see,’ he murmured. ‘I see.’ He nodded, then looked away. Leo, as he regarded him, had no idea what he was thinking. There had been a time once when he had been able to read every emotion in the younger man’s face, but this was a more mature, guarded Anthony, one who, as his success as a barrister grew, had cultivated a certain hauteur. Only occasionally was Leo able to glimpse the boy beneath the cool exterior. Anthony looked back at Leo again, his expression cold. ‘I’m rather surprised that Fred Fenton or Murray didn’t mention it to me first – I mean, before they instructed you.’
    Something in Anthony’s tone made Leo feel a sudden flash of anger. He put down his cup. ‘That is a quite extraordinary remark.’
    ‘Is it? I don’t see why you think so.’ Anthony was about to pick up the newspaper again, but Leo laid a detaining hand over it.
    ‘Anthony, for better or worse, I have been instructed as leader in this case. Now, if you don’t like it, you can always ask to be taken off it. I can think of many excellent juniors whom I would be happy to see in your place.’ As he spoke, Leo found himself wondering how this hostility had suddenly sprung up between them, when only a few hours ago he had supposed this might provide an opportunity for them to renew their friendship. Clearly that was not how Anthony saw it.
    Anthony gave a faint smile. ‘I’m sure you can. How about Leslie Curtis, that pretty blonde chap in 4 King’s Bench Walk? Just your type.’
    The restraint upon his temper which Leo had assiduously cultivated over the years very nearly snapped at this. But not quite. He smiled quickly in response, and glanced away. ‘My dear boy, in that regard, I can think of no one who could possibly exceed your own attractions. No, I was speaking more in intellectual terms.’ Anthony flushed. There was silence for a few seconds, and then Leo sighed and said in neutral tones, ‘Look, it’s going to be impossible for us to work together if things are to go on like this. Whatever is wrong between us, we have to straighten it out.’
    Anthony struggled for a minute to maintain his cold demeanour, and failed. ‘Christ, Leo …’ His voice was almost angry.
    ‘Come on,’ said Leo, glancing at his watch. ‘It’s quarter past four. Never too early for El Vino’s. Let’s go for a drink and sort this out.’
    ‘I’ve got too much—’
    ‘Forget it,’ Leo cut in. ‘Whatever it is, it’ll wait. This is more important. Besides,’ he added, ‘it’s Friday.’ He stood up and put his