She realised Kit was being evasive, but nevertheless took the camera. ‘What about the khipu?’
‘It’s with de Quesada’s other items. You can examine it as soon as we’ve finished checking them.’
‘Okay . . .’ She exchanged curious looks with her husband as Kit led him from the room.
‘So what’ve you found?’ Eddie asked as they walked down the hall.
‘It was in de Quesada’s office, among his papers.’ Kit stopped outside the arched doorway, glancing almost furtively into the room to make sure the other agents were occupied before taking something from a pocket. ‘Here.’
Eddie took it: a plastic evidence bag, containing a business card. ‘What’s so special . . . ’ he began – then he read it. He said nothing for several moments.
‘It’s . . . it
‘Yeah,’ said Eddie, voice flat. ‘Yeah, it is.’ The card was identical to the one his father had given Nina, which had been taken from her by Stikes. It definitely wasn’t the same card, though, this one pristine and uncreased. ‘Think I’ll have to have words . . . ’
29
Bogota
Larry Chase poured himself a whisky from the minibar, then sat back in an armchair and took a drink, the warm glow as the spirit went down his throat adding to his sense of satisfaction. Not a bad few days’ work, considering the ridiculously tight schedule. But for the amount of money on offer – which was now in the company’s bank account, as promised – he would have been an idiot to turn it down.
So the clients had hardly been savoury. So what? In his line of work, that was often a given. He was simply providing a service. The seller had an item at point A; the buyer wanted it at point B as quickly – and quietly – as possible. That was all it was, just business.
He had to admit that he was quite proud of himself. Getting something that weighed two tons out of Venezuela, just before the country exploded, and into Colombia had called upon all his years of moving through the more slippery lanes of international shipping, and even necessitated calling in several favours. But he had done it. Which would be good for future business, now that he had proved himself the equal of that fat bastard Stamford West in Singapore. Granted, he wouldn’t be getting any future custom from General Callas, but Francisco de Quesada had certainly seemed impressed . . .
Someone knocked on the door. Larry was surprised; he hadn’t ordered room service, and as far as he was aware nobody at the hotel knew him. ‘Hello?’
No answer, just another knock. Irked, he put down his drink and answered it.
‘Evening, Dad,’ said Eddie in a scathing voice, pushing past him. ‘How’s things?’
‘Uh . . . fine,’ said Larry, shocked. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘Here on business. You?’ Eddie dropped into a chair, gesturing for him to retake his place.
‘Same here. How did you know I was here?’
‘Found something you left behind.’ Eddie held up the business card, still in the evidence bag. His father froze for the briefest moment before lowering himself into the armchair and picking up his drink. ‘So I called your home number to see where you were. Spoke to Julie, said hi.’ He returned the card to a pocket of his battered and seawater-stained leather jacket.
Larry downed another slug of whisky. ‘How’s Nina?’
‘She’s fine, doing her thing – working out how to find lost cities in Peru, recovering stolen treasures. Stolen
His father was composed enough by this time not to react. ‘Inca treasures, eh? Sounds interesting. Like that cartoon you watched when you were a kid.’
‘Wow, you remembered something about my childhood? Must have been one of the three days you were actually there for it.’
Larry gave him a cold look. ‘Despite what you think, I wasn’t a bad father. At least Elizabeth—’
‘Turned out okay?’
‘I was going to say had no complaints, actually.’ Another swig. ‘But I get the feeling you’ve got some, and they’re nothing to do with your opinion of my parenting skills.’
‘You could say that.’ Eddie produced an envelope and took out two photographs, which he tossed on to the table beside Larry. ‘Recognise those?’
Larry didn’t look at them. ‘There’s not much point me answering, is there? Since I’m sure you think you already know the answer.’
Eddie laughed sarcastically. ‘Don’t worry, I’m not fucking taping you. You don’t need to get all evasive.’
Larry sat forward. ‘What’s this all about, Edward?’
Eddie did the same, fixing him with a stony stare. ‘It’s about whether you’re going to do the right thing. For once in your life.’
‘Don’t you talk to me like—’
‘Shut up!’ Eddie barked.
Larry flinched, then stood, bristling. ‘I don’t take that kind of attitude from anybody. Least of all you.’
Eddie didn’t move, eyes locked on his father’s. ‘Sit down. Or I’ll
