‘It’s all a bit swish, isn’t it?’ Jules spoke the words in a stage whisper.

Shah said nothing, content to gaze around the reception area as if it was his first time here. Downing leaned forward and rubbed the tips of his fingers together.

‘Baksheesh,’ he explained, rolling the word around in his mouth like a particularly fine sweet. Without bothering to lower his voice, he went on. ‘I happen to know this lounge setting was a gift from one of the local notables, a furniture importer from China, who had a spot of bother with Customs a while back. Some eager young thing holding up consignments of stock by insisting on searching for contraband in the containers. Outrageous imposition on the free flow of commerce. All sorted now, of course, thanks to some back-door lobbying by interested parties not a million miles removed from this fine police station. Our boys in brown think if they put these things out on public display, it’s like declaring their pecuniary interests. Take a look at some of the top-shelf gear they’ve got behind closed doors . . . You strike me as a woman of refined tastes, Ms Balwyn. I’d be interested to see what you make of it all.’

Julianne crossed her legs and tried to admire the cut of the black dress pants she had borrowed. They flared slightly at the cuffs in a style she’d always liked, matching the medium-heeled boots she had worn when leaving her hotel this morning. One of Shah’s assistants had polished them to a high, military sheen while she’d showered and changed back at the compound. She was hoping the lawyer might tone it down if she didn’t respond, but he carried on regardless, in his best courtroom voice. Shah seemed happy to ignore his tales of official malfeasance, but they made Jules increasingly uncomfortable. Daddy had always taught her to keep her mouth shut around the authorities.

When Downing finally paused to draw breath, she leaned towards him, shaking her head. ‘But I don’t see how any of this can be so,’ she said. ‘The police aren’t allowed to accept gifts, are they? This isn’t South America.’

He smiled as though she’d walked into a trap. ‘Ah. But it is not their place to say yay or nay to largesse. Not in this form anyway. Mr Shah probably told you on the way over that this station is a recent addition to our good city. As is the very pleasant little community over which it stands watch. And I can make that judgment without fear of contradiction because many of my clients hail from The Palms. A delightful community, one that pays its bills promptly.’

He fanned himself with his Panama hat, even though Jules was beginning to shiver in the chill of the arctic air-conditioning.