‘I didn’t either,’ he said. ‘But it wasn’t for want of remembering. My wife will fix us something.’ He tapped the card I still held in my hand. ‘I think the Honourable Walden P. Conyers is about to let the boom down on you, Mr Kemp. Heavy pressure.’

‘Don’t worry about me,’ I said. ‘But if Commissioner Barstow gives you a direct order to drop this case, what will you do?’

‘I don’t know, not right now. But I will know the moment he gives that order.’

I turned it over in my mind as we got into the car. If anybody knew where the political bodies were buried, it would be the head of the political police. But perhaps Barstow would be afraid of tangling too directly with Hanna. I hoped so.

IV

I felt cleaner and less sticky when we got to Government House. Hanna had a charming wife and three delightful children, all of whom climbed over him as soon as we arrived. Mrs Hanna came out of the scrimmage and apologised cheerfully: ‘It’s just that we don’t see enough of him, Mr Kemp.’

I grinned. ‘I think I may be seeing too much of your husband.’

The house was bright and well furnished but the careful eye could see the evidence of making-do: the neatly mended upholstery of a chair, the small patch in the tablecloth, the place where a piece had been let into a carpet. If a superintendent of police had to make do and mend, what chance was there for a working-class man? What McKittrick had said was brought home forcibly.

I showered and changed into one of Hanna’s suits, which fitted as though made to measure, and Mrs Hanna provided a light snack. Then we went on our way and arrived at Government House dead on time.

The imposing white stone building overlooked Fleming Square, at the heart of San Martin’s administrative quarter, and the district was buzzing with cars and people, presumably heading for the same cocktail party as we were. Hanna parked facing the square and said, ‘This is going to be interesting. That’s one of Salton’s cars.’ He nodded towards a Cadillac.

We went inside to find cut-glass chandeliers and marble walls. As we climbed a wide staircase to the first floor, Hanna caught my eye and said sardonically, ‘Built to impress the natives in colonial times. The Governor used to live here.’