‘Brian? Skinner here. I've got a job for you. I want you to run a check with the French police on a man named Nicolas Vaudan.' He spelled out the name. 'He lives on the Riviera with his wife. They also own an apartment in Rome, possibly in her name. He's in the boat business. Deals in high-value yachts and cruisers, and also runs charters. I want to know everything about him and about his business. Has he any convictions, has he ever been arrested, has he ever been investigated for any crime, does he pay his parking tickets quickly. .? Everything they can dig up on him. I want to know about his business too. Ask them to check all filed accounts, and to look in particular at his tax affairs.'
He paused to listen. 'Yes, the Guardia could do this, Brian, but they have their reasons for not wanting to get involved. So you use your international contacts to get it moving, and fax me a report as soon as you can. . Yes, I said fax. The way things are going here, it'll be an asset. I'm taking Sarah and the baby to Girona this afternoon to buy one.'
`Bob?' Sarah's voice sounded from the living room as Skinner replaced the phone in the hall.
`Yes, honey, it's me.'
`I didn't hear you come in. I was dozing on the terrace. Who were you talking to? What were you saying about a fax?
What's the time? God, you've been ages.'
`Question one, Brian Mackie — and question two, get ready for Hipercort. We're going shopping.'
`Okay, but first tell me what you've been up to. Did you see Arturo?'
`Yes, and then I had a long talk with your admirer, Vaudan. Smart bastard — or he thinks he is.'
Quickly he related Vaudan's account of Santi's involvement with Montgo SA, and of the missing letters.
`He's a cute operator, is our Nick. And very confident. I need to talk to Gloria about that document.'
`Then you'll get your chance tonight. You and I are going to La Clota for dinner, a deux, and Gloria's baby-sitting. Now, if we're going to Girona, let's get ready.'