"How did you trick my daughters into performing such filth?" Sir David asked.
"That's for me to know, and for you to find out. Sufficient to show you I have it on tape. This isn't the master, only a copy for you to study at your leisure--a reminder of the skills your daughters possess. I should think it has been a long time since you've seen them naked," Harder added, rubbing in the hurt. "They have certainly developed into luscious young women. I wonder how many people will drool over their soft naked breasts and firm white thighs. They certainly had a strong effect on my libido."
Sir David glared at her. "What the girls have done is inexcusable, but it was obviously done under duress. I don't know how you managed it, but it is something we will have to live with--"
"Only if you don't issue the injunctions," Sharkey said.
"--until it is overtaken by the other problems that face our country. We are a family. We will stand together. You cannot break our faith in each other."
"You mean--"
"The injunctions will not be issued--not now, not ever."
"Then the tapes go out. The publicity is prepared. Nothing shall stop me from carrying out my threat."
"And nothing shall stop me opposing your blatant efforts to pervert the course of the legal system," Sir David said, outwardly calm but inwardly seething with anger, "which I am sworn to uphold. Your attempts at blackmail shall come to nothing. I'll never become one of your lapdogs, ready to bark at your command."
"We shall see, Chief Justice. I'll have the Prime Minister formally demand that the Queen remove you from your position as being a person unfit to uphold such a high and honorable place in the judiciary."
"And I'll forward her a report of the events that have led up to the present situation," Sir David replied, his voice again under icy control. "It shall be for Her Majesty to decide my fate, not you."
)
