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Diego didn’t offer an opinion in this one-sided conversation.
“How much cash have I got left?”
“Around three hundred thousand when I last checked,” said Karl.
“And my art collection went on sale in Bond Street last night. Agnew assured me it ought to fetch over a million. So I’ve still got more than enough resources to take them on. Never forget, it doesn’t matter how many minor skirmishes you lose, as long as you win the final battle.”
Diego felt this was not the right moment to remind his father which of the two generals had voiced that opinion at Waterloo.
Don Pedro closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair and said nothing. Once again, no one attempted to interrupt his thoughts. Suddenly his eyes opened and he sat bolt upright.
“Now listen carefully,” he said, turning his gaze on his younger son. “Luis, you will be responsible for bringing the Sebastian Clifton file up to date.”
“Father,” Diego began, “we’ve been warned—”
“Shut up. If you don’t want to be part of my team you can leave now.” Diego didn’t move, but he felt the insult more than he had the slap. Don Pedro turned his attention back to Luis. “I want to know where he lives, where he works and who his friends are. Do you think you can manage that?”
“Yes, Father,” said Luis.
Diego didn’t doubt that if his brother had a tail, it would be wagging.
“Diego,” Don Pedro said, looking back at his older son. “You’ll go down to Bristol and visit Fisher. Don’t let h
im know you’re coming, better to take him by surprise. It’s now even more important that he hands in his resignation letter to Mrs. Clifton on Friday morning, and then releases it to the press. I want the business editor of every national newspaper to get a copy, and I expect Fisher to be available to any journalist who wants to interview him. Take a thousand pounds with you. Nothing concentrates Fisher’s mind better than the sight of cash.”
“Perhaps they’ve got to him as well,” suggested Diego.
“Then take two thousand. And Karl,” he said, turning to his most trusted ally, “I’ve saved the best for you. Book yourself on the sleeper for Edinburgh and find that whore. And when you do, be sure to give her a night she’ll never forget. I don’t care how you find out, but I want to know who was responsible for that train being held up for an hour and a half. We’ll all meet again tomorrow evening. By then I’ll have had a chance to visit Agnew’s and find out how the sale is going.” Don Pedro was silent for some time before he added, “I have a feeling we’re going to need a large amount of cash for what I have in mind.”
37
Tuesday morning
“I’VE GOT A present for you.”
“Let me guess.”
“No, you’ll have to wait and see.”
“Ah, it’s a wait-and-see present.”
“Yes, I admit that I haven’t actually got it yet but…”
“But now that you’ve had your way with me, it will be more wait than see?”
“You’re catching on. But in my defense, I’m hoping to pick it up today from—”
“Tiffany’s?”
“Well, no, not—”
“Asprey’s?”
“Not exactly.”
“Cartier?”
“My second choice.”
