The Panasonic tele/fax with integral answerphone was installed and tested by eight p.m. when Gloria arrived to baby-sit. It stood, white and gleaming, on a table in the living room. Gloria looked at it in surprise.
`Keeps me in touch with the office,' offered Bob. 'Come on through, why don't you.' He led the way through the living room to the terrace. 'Sarah's got the wee fella plugged in, in the bedroom. He's all groomed and ready for bed, so with a touch of luck you won't see any action. Have a seat. While we’re waiting, there are a couple of things I'd like to ask you.'
Gloria turned a chair round to face the sun, and sat down. It was just after seven-thirty. The customary evening clouds were building on the horizon, but the day was still warm. Bob handed his guest a glass of white wine from a bottle in the ice-bucket and offered her olives from a wide, flat dish.
`I went to see Nick Vaudan today. Gloria, did you ever have any reason to believe that Santi might have had a stake in Montgo SA, or that he might have been the beneficial owner of the company, with Vaudan as a nominee shareholder?'
She looked at him, incredulous. 'Whoever told you that?'
`That's Vaudan's story. He says that the Montgo property portfolio was bought with cash stripped out of InterCosta by Santi.'
`That's crazy. Santi died with hardly a peseta to his name'
`What about the five million in the safe? According to Vaudan's story, that could have been his share of the profit from Montgo.'
Gloria lowered her eyes, bit her lip and shook her head.
`All right,' said Skinner gently. 'Let me ask you, when you went through Santi's papers, did you find a letter referring to Vaudan, or to Montgo, the company? It would probably have been drafted by a lawyer and would have been on his stationery.'
`No. Nothing like that.'
Did Santi ever talk to you at all about Montgo SA.'
The woman's face brightened. 'Yes. Yes, he did once. He told me that he understood from Vaudan that the money which he used to buy those properties came in cash from boat sales in Spain. It was so that he would not have to pay tax anywhere. He said that when he sold Nick the site for his villa, then found him a builder, that was how he paid.'
`Yes,' said Skinner, 'that at least squares with Vaudan's account. When Santi told you this, did you feel that he believed it to be true?'
Gloria looked hurt. 'Bob, Santi never told me a lie in his life. Of course he believed it. Santi trusted people. If someone told him something, he would naturally accept it as true.'
`Okay. Let me ask you something else. Have you ever heard Santi mention a man named Inch.'
Que?'
`Inch. I-N-C-H. From Torroella?'
No, never.'
`Or a company called Torroella Locals?'
She shook her head. 'Never.'
Just then Sarah emerged from the villa. 'Hi, Gloria. Junior's just dropped off to sleep. He should stay under till we get back. If you do need us, the number's on the pinboard in the kitchen. We'll be as quick as we can.'
Gloria stood up from her chair. 'No, no, no, you enjoy. Jazz will be fine with me.'
As Bob and Sarah turned to go, Gloria called after them. `Bob. What I told you, does that help?'
'I hope so, Gloria. But to be honest, even assuming that Santi has been framed, it's been bloody well done. Vaudan won't crack, that's for sure. It's about time for a touch of luck.'