Michael

“Congratulations, Richard.” Will Stanton clinks glasses with his old friend. “I came over as soon as I heard. And how’s Beth? I have some flowers for her.”

‘Some flowers’ is an understatement. The bouquet is huge.

“I’ll find a vase for them,” I say. “You can take them up together.”

“Great!” His smile is broad. “And the baby, Adam is it? How’s he?”

“All present and correct,” beams Richard. “Mother and baby doing well.”

From the front door, the sound of knocking. “I’ll get it,” I say. “Enjoy your champagne. It’s probably another delivery of Congratulations cards.

I head down the hall, chuckling. I’d not considered that, Richard being who he is, one of the Great and Good of the City, we’d be overwhelmed by cards. The house is festooned with them: hundreds of the things: from friends, employees, colleagues, bankers and hangers-on, they all want to be remembered to the richest man in a hundred miles.

I open the door, expecting to see a mailman. Instead, it’s Hickman, a large brown envelope clasped in one hand. “Please excuse my intrusion, Mr Summerford, but I saw the police commissioner arrive. I wonder if I might have a word with him?”

Come in. Everyone’s in

with exaggerated politeness. “And what would you and I have to talk about, Mr

a request from my employer. He

to say that you could hear a pin drop, but

Then opens once more. “You have my

quirk as he takes something from the envelope, passing it to Will: a sheaf of photo prints. “My employer requests that you obtain identification

one quickly then moving on. “And

on a number of small, apparently reputable and legitimate businesses in Sao Paulo. The businesses concerned are based at the addresses taken from

the images, holding them up to the light.

operation here, Baxter’s…um… supply chain… and the female named as Juliana Diaz by Baxter, now

slow look, his lips

source. He intends to ensure the Diaz female is no longer a threat to his family…” He casts a small nod to Mitch, another to Charlotte… “… And since it appears that the gang is still dealing with at

dries up and his face cracks to a smile. “What

with information

me with the fine detail

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