Field knew his face was reddening.
Lewis turned toward Caprisi and Macleod. “What can I do for you? Sorted it out with Brandon here?”
“Braine,” the American corrected him.
“Braine, yes.”
“Did you know the factory had been evacuated last night?”
“No.”
“No one informed you?”
Lewis picked up his hat and began to turn it in his hand. “Fraser’s is a pretty big company, as you know.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“I’m not informed of every last—not of much, actually, on this kind of level. The taipan’s role is really strategic. It would be the same with all companies of this size. As I said, I’ve never been here before, let alone met the good Mr. Brandon.”
“Braine.”
“Quite.”
“So you know nothing of the shipment this Saturday night?”
“Shipment?”
“A consignment of sewing machines is leaving this Saturday, and they are, Mr. Braine here has informed us, being loaded at night, which is highly unusual.”
“Are they? Is it?”
“You’re not aware of anything untoward about the shipment?”
Lewis was showing signs of annoyance. “Untoward?”
“It’s just sewing machines?”
“I’ve no idea.” He turned to Braine. “Is it sewing machines?”
“Mostly, sir. There are a few other electrical goods, but it is mostly sewing machines.”
Lewis turned back. “There you are.”
Field could see that Caprisi was trying to control his temper. “Perhaps we could check the inventory?”
Braine did not hesitate, was almost nodding with enthusiasm. Field knew, before they left the office, that they would find nothing of interest.
The consignment to be shipped was being kept in a storage area to the rear, the machines themselves stacked in rows, close to a wall of wooden crates that stretched almost to the ceiling.
“Fortunate they’ve not been packed yet,” Lewis said.
Caprisi crouched beside one of the machines.
“Could we get someone to take it apart?” Macleod asked.
“Take it apart?”
“Yes.”
“Of course.” Lewis looked bewildered, as if not understanding why they could possibly wish to do this.
Braine went back through to the shop floor and returned with an assistant carrying a toolbox.
They all watched in silence as the man started to take apart the machine next to Caprisi.
Field wondered if Lewis enjoyed putting on a performance for his social inferiors.
When it lay in pieces, Lewis looked at his watch. “Have you chaps got anything else?”
“No,” Caprisi said curtly.
“Good. Then, if you don’t mind, I shall leave you in the capable hands of . . . my colleague here.”
“Good of you to come,” Macleod said.
Lewis said, “It’s been my pleasure. Always happy to help the force, as you know. Richard, do you have a moment?”
Field followed Lewis out through the factory floor, into the sunshine. He watched a flock of seagulls circling a chimney on the opposite side of the road.
“Word of warning, Richard, as a friend.”
Field looked at him. Lewis’s face was serious, his eyes apparently sincere.
“Be careful of Natasha Medvedev.”
Field didn’t respond.
“She’s a great ride and a woman of skill.”
Field’s anger was like a storm, instantly whipped up; the image of she and Lewis lying together crashed
