‘There’s something else. When next we meet – and I don’t know when that will be – I’ll want to know everything there is to know about a man called Roker of the Caribbean Banking Corporation. Can do?’

‘Okay, Mr Kemp,’ he said resignedly.

I smiled. ‘Since we’re going to be working together you can call me Bill.’

He burlesqued a Western accent. ‘Well, Bill, I’ll allow that’s mighty nice of you.’

I smiled again as I put down the handset and picked up my coat; I could get along with Negrini. As I was leaving the room the phone rang again. I don’t know what Bill Kemp was doing to the political life of Campanilla but he was certainly increasing the profits of the Campanilla Telephone Company.

I went back. ‘Kemp here.’

‘Well now, Mr Kemp, would you like to know a little thing about David Salton?’ The voice was deep, rumbling and American, but not very cultured.

‘What about him?’

‘Come on, man, you must surely be bugged,’ he said reproachfully. ‘And that’s why you don’t get no name, neither.’

I hadn’t thought about anyone bugging the telephone but I certainly wouldn’t put it past Hanna. I said, ‘So it’s a stand-off.’

‘It’s hot today, man. Supposin’ you took a walk, you’d raise quite a sweat and maybe get thirsty. Now, if you were around the Rainbow Rooms near the market on the waterfront, you’d likely drop in for a nice cool drink – say, a Cuba Libre. I hear the Rainbow Rooms are real popular.’

‘All right,’ I said. ‘When?’

‘Say now? I get thirsty too, so you order two drinks.’ The voice sharpened. ‘But if you’ve been tailed, man, you’ll have to drink them both.’

‘I’ll be there,’ I promised, and put down the phone.

IV

I seemed to be gaining a degree of popularity. When I reached the hotel lobby, I was hailed by Jake McKittrick. He had lost the look of a field labourer and appeared to be what he really was: a professional man. He wore the standard linen suit and carried a black bag.

‘Mr Kemp, I was hoping to find you.’

‘What can I do for you, Dr McKittrick?’ I glanced at my watch. ‘I have an appointment – rather urgent.’

‘I won’t keep you long,’ he said.

I peered into the lounge, which seemed moderately empty. ‘All right. Let’s go in there.’

We sat at a table and McKittrick said, ‘So you talked about me to Mrs Salton.’

‘I passed on your message.’

‘And she told you about me?’

‘As did Mr Stern,’ I said dryly.

McKittrick smiled ruefully. ‘I can guess what he said. What was Mrs Salton’s attitude?’

‘You’ll have to ask her,’ I said. ‘I’m not one to pass on gossip.’