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‘How come?’ asked Ross, genuinely puzzled.

‘Your flight has already been paid for by the government – the FBI no less,’ she said, giving him a warm smile, ‘so you’re either being deported, or you’re very important.’

‘Neither,’ admitted Ross, as he looked up to the heavens and thanked James.

‘And for your bonus point,’ added the clerk, ‘your inward flight has been refunded, so clearly you’re not a fugitive.’

‘Is there somewhere I can get a cup of coffee and a sandwich before we take off?’ asked Ross.

‘You’re welcome to have a complimentary meal in the Concorde lounge, and I can recommend the sole meunière, with a bottle of Chablis to wash it down.’

Ross took her advice and joined a group of passengers in the Concorde lounge who he’d never travelled with before, and doubted he would ever again.

•••

The front doorbell rang. Although he’d been home for only a few days, Simon wasn’t altogether surprised to find HaniKhalil standing on the doorstep. It had to happen sooner or later. Better sooner.

‘You look fantastic, Simon, given what they put you through,’ were Khalil’s opening words.

Don’t you mean what you put me through, Simon wanted to say, but not while he still needed to pick up some inside information, even if it came from such an unreliable source.

‘I thought you’d want to know the latest news concerning our contract,’ said Khalil, emphasizing the word ‘our’.

Simon reluctantly stood aside to allow Khalil to come in. He took him through to the drawing room, where he plonked himself down in the most comfortable chair, as if it was his own home. Simon took the seat opposite him, while making no suggestion of offering him a drink.

‘You wouldn’t believe how much I had to cough up to get you out of that hellhole,’ said Khalil. ‘But then it was the least I could do for an old friend.’

You’re right, I wouldn’t believe it, thought Simon, but let him go on talking.

‘But I always knew it would work out for the best, because you’re the type of guy who always keeps his side of a bargain. Which is why I wanted you as my partner in the first place.’

‘How much do I owe you?’ asked Simon, somehow controlling his temper.

‘It cost me three hundred thousand dollars to ensure you got away safely, but let’s settle on a couple of hundred for old times’ sake.’ Simon wondered if the man even listened to his own words. ‘Of course, you’ll appreciate there were a lot of people who had to be paid off,’ continued Khalil. ‘Not least the Governor and several of his officers who were on duty that day, not to mention countless airport officials.’

Simon could only admire the man’s nerve and his abilityto deliver lie after lie, while a look of sincerity never left his face. Time to throw in a few questions of my own, thought Simon.

‘I presume we’ve lost the arms contract to the French?’

‘No, no,’ insisted Khalil. ‘Thanks to my efforts, the British secured the contract as your Foreign Secretary announced in the Commons this afternoon.’ Something Simon was well aware of, but he hadn’t finished with Khalil yet.

‘I wouldn’t have thought that possible,’ said Simon trying to sound surprised.

‘I confess it took me some time to convince the new Defence Minister that they should back you rather than the French. Mind you, the final contract can’t be signed until you’ve confirmed my ten per cent.’

‘Only ten per cent,’ said Simon.

‘That is what we agreed,’ said Khalil, ‘but as you well know Simon, once I’ve given my word …’

Simon did know, but couldn’t resist, ‘I thought the French—’

‘Were definitely in with a chance,’ said Khalil, ‘until I was able to persuade the new Defence Minister that the British equipment was far superior to anything the French had to offer.’

‘True enough,’ said Simon, playing along.

‘I think I can honestly say, with hand on heart, that I’ve earned my meagre commission.’

And I think I can honestly say, with hand on heart, you won’t be getting it, Simon was about to tell him, when his wife entered the room, a wicker basket filled with roses cradled under one arm.