The Prime Minister was not available for comment, but Mr Hawke, leader of the People’s Party, said: ‘How can the honest people of this country believe a man who has been a traitor not once but twice? Any man who will turn his coat again and again for political advantage is clearly not to be trusted.’

(Cont. p.2; Editorial p.12)

I said, ‘Well, well. So he did it after all.’

‘Did you know about this?’ asked Negrini.

‘A little,’ I said. I didn’t feel like going into the details, that I had advised McKittrick to do this and it might never have happened without me. It gave me a strange feeling to realise that perhaps I had altered the destiny of a country, even one as small as Campanilla, with just a few persuasive words.

I looked up at Negrini. ‘Will you be contributing to McKittrick’s fighting fund?’

‘If he’ll take the dough. He might not.’ He smiled. ‘He’s more of an idealist than Salton was.’

‘He’s learning,’ I said. ‘If I see him I’ll talk to him – tactfully, of course.’ I leaned back in my chair. ‘Looks like Joe Hawke over-reached himself.’

‘How do you mean?’

‘He was drumming up all this unrest by exploiting the name of Salton, but the leadership of the CLP were too naive to take advantage. McKittrick may be many things but he isn’t naive. He’ll also flog the name of Salton.’ I tapped the paper. ‘He’s already started. He’ll cream off everything Hawke has done for the benefit of the CLP. But unlike Hawke, I think he means it.’

‘You could be right at that,’ said Negrini. ‘But I wish the goddamn elections were over. Politics are bad for business.’

He went away to do whatever casino operators do first thing in the morning. As I turned to page twelve to read the editorial, Leotta said, ‘Aren’t we supposed to be going to El Cerco?’

‘I’ve been thinking about that and I don’t know if Hanna would like it very much. Jaunting across Campanilla in broad daylight isn’t exactly staying out of sight. I’ll ring him at a more civilised hour.’ I returned to the editorial, which was decidedly euphoric.

As it happened I didn’t ring Hanna, because Negrini returned and said, ‘Hanna wants to see you in his office. He wants to talk to you.’

‘What’s wrong with the telephone?’

Negrini twitched a sheet of paper in his fingers. ‘He thinks his phone is bugged, and mine might be. That’s why he sent a letter by hand. He wants me to take you in my car.’

I looked at Leotta and shrugged. ‘Why not?’