of Capritzo.
‘You have done well, my young friend. My client is more than pleased and so, it would seem, is Miss Churchill. In fact, they have left together.’ He smiled wickedly then turned to Liz. ‘Perhaps Miss Lambert, you could take Mr. Kendall to Crosby House and there teach him of those things which a young man of such tender years only dreams of knowing.’
‘She’s all right, isn’t …’ Davie swallowed hard, ‘isn’t she?’
‘Of course, now go and enjoy the balance of the evening. Miss Lambert?’
Liz took hold of Davie’s arm and propelled him towards the exit, weaving at the end between knots of guests engaged in polite conversation. Then they were gone, lost to sight as the knots drew tight, blocking the passage.
‘Farewell, David Kendall and alas, my beloved, treacherous Lilly,’ he whispered softly, a trace of regret in his voice as he turned away to address his companion, Reza. ‘Everything is prepared as I have ordered?’
‘Yes lord. The explosion and fire, which will follow hard upon the accident, will destroy all trace except those small ones that you would have Samile carefully place. He is a master at this doing, so know it will be just as you have ordered. From the ashes will come this beauteous young girl rising like a phoenix.’
Capritzo sighed. ‘It is a pity, is it not, that her fate should rest in the hands of a man such as Richard Develin?’
‘Yes, lord.’
3
‘Mr. Develin, he is on line one Mr. Capritzo,’ the secretary announced via the intercom.
Capritzo leaned forward, pressed the appropriate button then the speakerphone. ‘Mr. Develin, how good to hear from you. You are well I trust?’
‘Less than well if the reports from my representative are accurate.’
‘As I understand it, he was more than pleased with the item. Is there a problem I am unaware of?’
‘I specifically requested that the shipment be held by you until all the test results are in hand. Now I find that you are unprepared to do this and have actively encouraged Doctor Smith to accept delivery immediately on my behalf.’
‘Mr. Develin - Richard - the item you have ordered is, how shall I say, volatile and will not long survive extended storage. Doctor Smith is aware of this first hand. I have kept my side of the bargain to the letter but I cannot be held responsible should the item begin to deteriorate. As I understand it, these tests may take as long as a week to complete. Under normal circumstances this would not present a problem but alas in this particular instance we are dealing with an unusual case. Since I am prevented by you from using chemical means to control the situation, I must re-evaluate. Therefore, I have no recourse but to assure you that, should the results of your tests prove unsatisfactory, I am prepared to take the item back for a full refund, assuming of course that it remains intact. Do we have an accord?’
There was a slight pause. ‘All right, Capritzo. My private jet will arrive tonight at twenty-two hundred hours. I want the item, as you euphemistically refer, ready for transport under the direction of Doctor Smith. Have him call me within the hour. As far as a refund is concerned, may I remind you yet again that what I have, I keep. If the tests prove unsatisfactory then I shall have to be content with amusing myself for a time before making alternative arrangements.’
‘But Richard please, the item is of the highest quality. It would grieve me to think …’
A high-pitched humming sound signaled the end of the call. ‘Bastard: High born, murderous bastard!’ Capritzo’s anger rose in a series of increments. ‘Maharsh!’
‘Yes, lord.’
‘What are these tests?’ He spat the last word out as he swiveled free of his chair.
Maharsh shook his head. ‘This doctor who calls himself Smith, he takes blood. That is all I know. Perhaps he may be persuaded into satisfying your knowing, lord. He is even now coming to confer with you. I too would grieve for the loss of this pretty thing. She has skin like new milk, soft to touch and without blemish. The hair shines like a bronzed sun, soft like silk beneath a hand eager to caress it. Eyes green as an oasis has she. In her anger she grows more beautiful, more desirable. I fear he will kill her because he knows not how to tame her, for surely she will wreak vengeance at the first opportunity.’
‘I hope she kicks him in the balls,’ Capritzo growled just as his secretary announced Doctor Smith’s arrival. He turned to Maharsh. ‘I may have more success with our young doctor if you are not here. Watch instead from beyond the glass.’
Silently Maharsh slipped from the room.
‘Welcome, my friend.’ Capritzo uncharacteristically extended his hand to greet the new arrival.
Young - perhaps thirty, Capritzo guessed - slender, well dressed, handsome in a lopsided sort of way but there was a furtive quality to him which suggested a secret safeguarded, carefully protected at all cost. Whatever that secret was, Capritzo felt sure that it was known to Develin who ensured absolute loyalty from his staff; one way or another.
Momentarily taken back by Capritzo’s appearance, Smith - his real name was Laird; Develin had insisted on an alias - quickly recovered, smiled pleasantly then shifted his notes to his left arm in order to shake Capritzo’s hand.
Formalities completed, Capritzo turned to address his secretary. ‘Jasmine, when the evening paper arrives bring it straight in to me.’
She nodded then withdrew, closing the door silently behind her.
‘Doctor Smith, I have just completed a telephone conversation with Mr. Develin. He is sending a jet to collect both you and the young lady. He has expressed the wish to confer with you immediately, so please, there is a unit in the corner if that will do.’
Laird hurried to the telephone which sat atop a white marble pedestal. A pale pink leather chair cushioned him as he proceeded to punch in the numbers for Develin’s private phone. It was answered immediately.
‘Develin.’
‘You wished to speak with me, sir?’
‘Where are you?’
‘In Mr. Capritzo’s office. There’s a corner phone, but it’s ...’
‘Just tell me, are you satisfied with what you have seen?’
‘Very much so, yes sir,’ he shot back in military style.
‘Good. Jamie will be waiting for you at the airport at ten p.m. Bring all the documentation you have received from White. I will see you tomorrow, at which time we will discuss details.’ Just as Laird thought the conversation had ended, Develin added. ‘Stay away from Capritzo. Just get her out of there, Laird - now!’
Slowly Laird replaced the receiver then turned to find Capritzo standing less than six feet away.
‘Everything is well, I trust?’
‘Yes, absolutely; everything’s just fine.’ Laird consulted his watch. ‘The plane will be here at ten. It’s nearly six now so I, ah…’
‘Then I shall give you this now.’ Capritzo offered Laird a sealed envelope. ‘It is from my personal physician. For Mr. Develin’s eyes only, you understand; a mere formality, of course, since he has been advised verbally.’
Laird frowned.
‘Do not concern yourself, doctor. This matter is not, I believe, within your province, so ...’ Capritzo shrugged. ‘It merely confirms the young lady’s acceptability in the first instance, shall we say. Your tests would hardly