He shrugged. ‘Drugs, most likely. They’ve never found anything on us. Mr Salton gave me strict orders about that type of thing and nothing got on that plane that I didn’t know about. But the Customs had to check just the same.’

‘In the line of duty,’ I said. ‘I know what you mean. A pity people have to be so suspicious.’

Bette Haslam said, ‘You can’t trust anyone these days. But God, the things I saw when I was a hostess.’

‘You were an air hostess?’

‘Sure,’ she said. ‘A flying waitress. It’s not so glamorous, not like they make out. You spend your life wiping off snotty-nosed kids and holding vomit bags and fending off passes from drunks – especially first-class drunks, where the booze is free. They still get plenty of suckers for the job but I was glad to get out.’ She poked her glass in the direction of her husband. ‘That’s when I met this big clunk.’

There was a car at the gate. I finished my drink and said, ‘Thanks for the cooler. Do you ever get into San Martin?’

‘Sometimes,’ said Haslam.

‘Maybe we can get together. I’d like to repay your hospitality.’

‘What’s a couple of drinks?’ said Haslam. ‘But thanks all the same, Mr Kemp. Maybe we’ll do that.’

I got up, said goodbye and went away with nothing gained but a margarita. When I got down to the quay, a car was just pulling to a halt with my friend on the motorcycle as an outrider. Hanna got out of the car, pulled out a large handkerchief and mopped his brow. I went over to him and said, ‘You made good time.’

‘I’m a demon driver when aroused.’ He glanced at the launch, where Raymond was still polishing the brightwork. ‘Would that be White?’

‘Yes,’ I said.

‘Tell me it again,’ said Hanna. ‘I want to check if I’ve got it right.’

So I told him, and he took a deep breath and stared at White. ‘If this is true, I ought to slap him so that his head spins. I won’t, though. Let’s see what a little honey will do before we resort to vinegar.’

He walked over to the edge of the quay and looked down into the launch. ‘You Raymond White?’

White looked up at him. ‘Yes, sir. Do you want to go over to the island, sir? I didn’t get a call about that.’

‘No,’ said Hanna. ‘It’s you I’ve come to see. Do you mind stepping up here?’ His voice was smooth and soft.

White climbed up on to the quayside. ‘You’ve come to see me, sir?’ He appeared to be bewildered as he looked past Hanna towards me.

‘I’m a police officer,’ said Hanna. ‘And I want to ask you a few questions. Nothing to worry about if you tell the truth.’