Someone must have called him direct from the Antica very shortly after she had left. It could have been only one of two people. She had assumed his contact in Amsterdam was a man, and Rowland, she realized now, had played along with that foolish assumption. He might have been misleading her; he might not. Whichever of the two it was, she thought, they were good.

“Sandra?” Gini said as he paused for the first time. “Or is your contact Lance?”

She expected she would receive no reply to that question, and she did not.

“That wasn’t your concern before—and it certainly isn’t now. I spelled this out to you, not once, but twice. You gave me your word, and I trusted you… Apart from the fact that you lied, it was unprofessional behavior of the worst sort.”

“Rowland. I can explain…”

“Sure you can explain. In London. Meanwhile, you’re off this story as of an hour ago, you understand?”

“Rowland, will you listen? I went only to the Antica. I didn’t go anywhere else…”

“You expect me to believe that? Out of God knows how many bars and cafés in Amsterdam, you happen to pick the one where your appearance is guaranteed to cause maximum trouble? Don’t waste my time and my intelligence. I suggest you get the first plane out in the morning. Better still, get one tonight.”

“I went there because it’s where Anneke used to go.” Gini’s temper snapped. “Nothing to do with your damn contact, Rowland. What is this? I had a lead, and I followed it up. Do you want this story, or don’t you?”

“Yes. I want this story. I want this story more than you’re ever likely to understand.”

“Fine. I want it too. I want to find Star. I want to find Mina. And I’ll do that a whole lot quicker without you breathing down my neck.”

“This is sensitive. You knew it was sensitive. If you had a lead, you could have called me. But no, you just went chasing off. You do understand what you’ve done, don’t you? You’ve compromised me. You’ve ignored my explicit instructions. You’ve put someone I know at risk. As a result, you’ve not only prejudiced this story, you’ve prejudiced others.”

“The hell I have!” Gini’s voice rose. “I don’t know what your precious source has been saying to you—”

“My precious source, as you put it, has given me a very clear and accurate account. Don’t try and damn well shift the blame. I know exactly what you did, and exactly what you said. Maybe those tabloid techniques suited the last paper you worked on—but they don’t suit me.” He broke off. “Look, I don’t have the time or the inclination for this. I didn’t expect to have to go through the rule book to someone with your experience. If I have the time, you can explain in London. Which gives you a while to come up with a better excuse.”

“I’m not coming back to London,” Gini interrupted furiously. “I’m going to follow up this story my way, at my pace. Which will give you time, Rowland, to work on your apology.”