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?”

in.

as he enters. He speaks with exaggerated politeness. “And what would you and I have to talk

a request from my employer. He needs

to say that you could hear a

more. “You have my attention.” In the background, Mitch rises from her

passing it to Will: a sheaf of photo prints.

each one quickly then moving on. “And these

and legitimate businesses in Sao Paulo. The businesses concerned are based

that so?” He peers at the images, holding

trace the connection between Finchby’s operation here, Baxter’s…um… supply chain… and the female named as Juliana Diaz by Baxter, now apparently

him a slow look, his

“Mr Klempner suggests that it would serve all our interests to… What was his phrase? … Cut the supply at 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 least two branches of organised crime, protection and trafficking, he felt

up and his face cracks to

Klempner wants me to supply him with

me with

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