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

he enters. He speaks with exaggerated politeness. “And what would you

request from

a cliché to say that you

mouth flaps open, then closes again. Then opens once more. “You have my attention.” In the

the envelope, passing it to Will: a sheaf of photo prints. “My employer requests that you obtain identification and anything

of images, examining each one quickly then moving on. “And these individuals

on a number of small, apparently reputable and legitimate businesses in Sao Paulo. The businesses concerned are based

that so?” He peers at the images, holding

Finchby’s operation here, Baxter’s…um… supply chain… and the female named as Juliana Diaz by Baxter, now apparently under the name of

awards him a slow look, his lips

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

his face cracks to a smile. “What do you say,

if I have this right. Lawrence Klempner wants me to supply him with information

not entrust me with the

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