David Clarke

Sir David Clarke was Sir Martin Luther King's chief of staff. He was a well-groomed, handsome man in his late forties but looked ten years younger with a broad and perfect smile, even teeth and blue eyes.

Years earlier, Colonel Thomas Bushell returned to his home in Victoria unexpectedly and discovered his wife Irene committing an act of adultery with Sir David. Bushell struck him and started divorce proceedings. After Bushell's divorce was final, Sir David married Irene.

Sir David accompanied Sir Martin on the train trip from Victoria to New Liverpool when The Two Georges was stolen. He attended both meetings that Sir Martin had with Colonel Bushell and Lieutenant General Sir Horace Bragg. He opposed any position that Bushell took at these meetings or so Bushell thought.

Sir David feigned shock when Bushell said it would be better for the Son's to destroy the painting rather than to pay the ransom. However, he quietly accepted Sir Martin's decision to have the investigation into the theft continued even if the Sons demanded it be stopped with the threat of the painting's destruction.

He took umbrage with Colonel Bushell's suggestion that August 15, the date the ransom was to be paid, was not a coincidence but indicated a high level leak since the King-Emperor, Charles III was due to arrive in Victoria the next day. He accepted Sir Martin's decision to have Sir Horace investigate those who knew of the still secret date of the visit but asked who would investigate Sir Horace since he too knew of the visit. This outraged Bushell since he viewed it as a slander of his friend but Sir Horace restrained him, saying it was as reasonable to suspect him as anyone else who knew. Sir Martin agreed stating Colonel Bushell was out of order. Bushell calmed and apologized.