He told her what he knew.
That Cora’s parents, her father a lawyer and her mother a journalist, had gone to visit relatives in Guangzhou, in Southern China. And that they had never been seen again. The car had been found at the side of the road with their travel bags still in it, but their other personal effects had vanished. The police were called. They searched the area. They issued a missing persons notice …
And then nothing.
It was now about eight years ago.
“Her parents were activists if I recall correctly.” Nancy frowned.
“They were. She hardly ever mentions that – as though she does not want to draw attention to it.” Philippe shook his head. “That’s not quite what I meant … I’m sorry. Their activism is the only explanation for their disappearance, and she doesn’t like discussing it.”
“Their disappearance happened a couple of years after one of the most well attended demonstrations in Hong Kong.” Nancy laid her cup on the floor and returned to her comfortable position. “A reaction against the Hong Kong government passing an anti-subversion law that might have restricted freedom of speech.”
“You know more than I do about that, Nancy. But I’m pretty certain Cora mentioned her parents were involved.”
“I can believe that … There is a strong political stance in whatever she creates.”
“And it has registered with a lot of collectors. She is on the rise.” Philippe smiled. His round, amicable face lost all signs of concern for a moment.
“A well-deserved success. I’m glad it is happening so early in her career.”
“Do you think Cora’s past life had an impact on Ollie’s …” Philippe was looking for the word.
“I’m not sure … I’m simply making sure that I don’t overlook anything that could be significant.”
“At least now you know everything I know.”
“The worst thing for me is not knowing what happened … the lack of closure. That must be even more so in Cora’s case. She could have expected an investigation. But no bodies were found, which means no murder inquiry, no investigation, no difficult questions asked.”
“A good thing Cora was not with them.”
“That’s a good point Philippe … Perhaps that was not a coincidence.”
“You mean they felt threatened?”
“I’m sure they knew they had been identified as troublemakers … But perhaps they felt they had to take the risk of going to mainland China for some other reason.”
“What do you mean?”
“Something they needed to do or someone they needed to meet.” Nancy moved from her comfortable position on the sofa. Her body was now leaning forward, as the conversation with Philippe became more urgent.
“I wish I could do more.” Philippe sighed.
“You’re doing plenty and so is Amy.”
Philippe sprang out of his chair, keen to dispel the dark atmosphere that had gathered in the room.
“Talking of which … Amy has discovered a rare article entitled Contemporary Art in China under Deng Xiao Ping.”
“How clever of her. And so kind to spend time looking for something that may help me with my own search.”
“You will be very interested in that article I think. It mentions the one name you’ve been looking for.”
Mo Cho … The artist name her father used.
* * *
“What’s the mood like?” Pole straightened his tie and ran his long hand through his hair.
“What do you expect? He hasn’t had a high-profile case to boast about since last year.” Marsh’s PA rolled her eyes and gave Pole a grin.
“It’s only February.”
“And the head of the counter terrorist squad paid him a visit yesterday evening.”
“Ouch …” Pole inhaled and shook himself like a boxer entering the ring.
“Exactly.” Denise picked up the phone and called Marsh. He responded through the loudspeaker. Pole could hear his voice through Denise’s receiver … Get Pole in.
“In you go then … Ready for a punch-up.”
“Un homme averti en vaux deux.”
“Whatever.” She nodded towards The Super’s door. Pole entered without knocking.
Marsh as always was in full uniform. He had left the safety of the seat behind his desk from which he liked both to terrorise or charm his visitors. A golf club in his hand, Marsh was practising with a series of balls which had gathered around his feet.
“The next tournament is in two weeks. I’m damned if I’ll let the boys from the rapid response tactical squad win this time around.”
“I’m sorry I can’t be of very much help in that respect, Sir.”
Marsh stood up from his putting position, swinging his golf club as he walked back to his desk.
“Not to worry … You may be of help in another matter that has been bothering me for a while.”
Pole nodded and came to sit in one of the chairs that stood in front of his boss’s desk.
“The head of the counter terrorist squad and I have made progress on the leak that occurred last year … I’m sure you recall the event.”
How could Pole have forgotten?
A new terror cell in London had targeted a number of people … including one of Nancy’s friends. MI6 had managed to delay storming the building where the group had gathered, to save two of its operatives … an intense few days.
“I do, Sir.” Pole’s face remained expressionless.
“Commander Ferguson, whom you know very well, has come up with a plausible theory.”
Pole pulled back a little, focused on hiding the somersault in his gut.
“Ferguson doesn’t buy the argument that MI6 managed to find out the CT squad plans to storm the terrorist cell from external sources.”
“Does he believe it was an insider job then?” Pole excelled slowly his question.
“That’s the sum of it … And he is also proposing to find out in a rather proactive manner. I didn’t like the idea to start with, but it has some merits.”
Marsh had rolled his leather armchair forward, his prominent belly almost touching the desk.
“Ferguson is a determined and skilful officer.” Pole knew what was coming next. Ferguson would investigate the communication trail within his team and ask Pole
