Quintin Jardine - Blood Red

Had he decided that Planas wasn’t that old after all? ‘Stop it!’ I called out, so loudly that a woman three mushrooms along turned and looked, to see what was happening. I fixed her with a glare, and she went back to her book. I wouldn’t believe it, I told myself, I couldn’t believe it; but so much seemed to fit.

For once in my life I could not think of a single thing to do. I needed someone else’s input, but whose? Santi. Of course, Santi. He’d come up with something. But then I saw the snags. I didn’t have a contact number for him. I didn’t know where he was, but given the time it takes to fly from Barajas to LAX, I was pretty sure he’d be nowhere in Spain. I didn’t know for sure what airline he was with. I’d assumed that it was Iberia, but I couldn’t be certain, for he hadn’t mentioned it. Even if it was, I’d have been surprised if they had put me in touch with him, at least until they’d checked me out. I could try, and I would, but I held out no great hopes. Only one man could put me in touch with him quickly, and he was locked up in Girona.

I’d had enough of the beach. I was restless, plus, the wind was getting stronger by the minute. I called to Tom that it was time to go and feed Charlie. . that always works faster than simply, ‘Time to go, Tom’. . rolled up my towel and stuffed it away in my bag.

The dog was pleased to see us, although he wasn’t fed until I’d made Tom stand under the cold shower in a corner of the garden to get rid of the considerable amount of beach that he’d brought back with him, then towel off before he went inside to fill Charlie’s bowl. He was halfway through his evening ration. . That meant he’d been at it for less than half a minute. Have you ever seen a Labrador eat?. . when I heard the phone ring in the hall. I was sand-free myself by this time so I stepped indoors and picked it up.

‘Senora Blackstone?’ A man’s voice.

‘Yes.’

‘My name is Comisari Nino Valdes,’ he said. ‘I am now in charge of the investigation into the deaths of Senor Planas and Senora Fumado.’ A commissioner , I registered. They have brought in the big guns . ‘I don’t know if you are aware, but we have a man in custody in respect of the two crimes.’

‘Yes,’ I snapped. ‘I am aware of it, and I’m quite certain that it’s the wrong man.’

‘That’s not what he says, senora. I am quite confident that we have a case, and I’m happy to explain it to you. It would be helpful to us if you would agree to be interviewed, purely as a witness, you understand. I know,’ he continued, smoothly, ‘that given your recently conferred status I can’t compel you to do this, but I would appreciate your cooperation.’

I was on the point of telling him that I wasn’t interested in helping him, only Gerard, but stopped myself. I’d be in control in any interview, and I’d volunteer nothing that would be of harm to him. ‘Okay,’ I said.

‘Excellent. When can I visit you?’

‘You can’t; I’ll come to you. I’d prefer it that way.’ I checked my watch; it was half past five. ‘You’re in Girona, yes?’

‘That’s right.’

‘I can be there for six thirty.’

‘I’m sorry, I have another appointment this evening. There’s no need to rush; no one’s going anywhere. Let’s make it two o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Will that be convenient?’

‘Yes, of course.’

‘That’s good. I’ll be waiting for you. I appreciate this.’

I hope you’re as pleased when we’re done , I thought, you smug bastard .

Idid my best not to think about what had happened, until I actually had to. I went into the computer room. . I’d have to start thinking of it as my office. . and picked up my envelope from the FCO. I did what I’d been asked to do, beginning with a call to the ambassador in Madrid. She had gone for the night, so I said I’d try again on Monday morning. Then I rang John Dale, the man who seemed to be my point of contact; we were still in normal office hours, according to British Summer Time.

I’d expected a civil service mandarin type, somebody with a plummy accent, honed at Eton and Oxbridge; instead I found myself speaking to a bloke from Bradford, who’d made no attempt to lose his. Progress, I supposed.

‘Mrs Blackstone,’ he exclaimed, ‘good to hear from you. I was told not to expect a call until next week.’

‘Primavera, please. Who told you that?’

‘Joe O’Regan, my man upstairs; he got it from the Foreign Secretary, his man.’

‘Was my appointment as big a surprise to you as it was to me?’

‘Yes and no. I wasn’t anticipating anything in Spain, but there have been quite a few appointments like yours lately around the world, special counsellors with specific briefs. It’s been the practice of this government since they’ve been in office. If the Tories had done it they’d have called it “Jobs for the boys and girls”, but to this lot it’s “Bringing in a breath of fresh air”, which you sound like, if you don’t mind me saying so.’

I didn’t mind at all, as I told him. ‘If your man upstairs got it from his man, who did he get it from?’

‘From what I gather it was Mayfield, the Home Secretary. Am I close to the mark?’

‘Think Francis Urquhart.’

‘Uh?’

‘Novel and TV series, House of Cards , by Michael Dobbs. “You may say so, but I couldn’t possibly comment.” That’s the Urquhart character’s great line.’

‘Ah,’ he exclaimed, ‘that’s where it comes from, is it? Before my time, I’m afraid.’

‘Thanks, John,’ I said cheerfully.

‘Oops.’

I let him off the hook, although I did register that the guy was probably younger than me, for all his high rank. ‘That’s all right; they repeat it on nostalgia TV every so often. Tell me,’ I went on, ‘in the event that what you gather is true, how would the Home Secretary manage to pull off something like that in the Foreign Office?’

‘Well,’ he replied, stretching out the word as if he was framing a diplomatic reply, ‘word is there’s going to be a revolution soon. Our guy is very ambitious, and if he’s to succeed to the big chair, he’s going to need the younger group on his side. . especially Mayfield.’

‘I see. I must start to read the UK media on a daily basis.’

‘Yes, but read the lot. The Guardian ’s facing three ways at once, as usual, but The Times and the Telegraph both subscribe to another theory, that our guy is a little too ambitious to be trusted, and that when he does kick off the upheaval, the party will get behind someone who’s shown a bit more loyalty, and who’s just as smart.’

‘Justin?’

‘Ah, you’re on first-name terms,’ he chuckled.

‘I’ve met the man twice,’ I told him, firmly.

‘Then you must have impressed him. Now, when can you come to London? Next week too soon?’

‘A little. I’ll have to make arrangements for my son, and in addition I’m involved in a situation here that’s going to take a couple of days to resolve.’

In the end we agreed that I’d report to the Foreign Office one week from the following Tuesday, 10 a.m. ‘What’s the dress code?’ I asked.

‘Pinstripe suit, blue shirt, white collar,’ he replied, ‘or jeans and a T-shirt saying “Welcome to Spain” if you prefer. Whatever’s your norm. But no jewellery of a religious nature; we’re not allowed to show or imply favouritism.’

‘You are joking, aren’t you?’

‘Fortunately, yes.’

I’m going to like John Dale , I thought as I hung up. But what to do about Tom? Was I really prepared to be a working mum? Yes , I told myself, and the answer’s simple: get Gerard out of jail, and he can look after him .