“Dame Felicity turned out to be tougher than you had anticipated, didn’t she? That’s why she’s where she is . . . and you’re where you are.”

Alex suddenly rose, walked to where Roger sat, and pressed his pistol lightly against Roger’s temple. “Perhaps you didn’t realize that this is your gun. You could quite easily become a suicide, you know. We’ve already written you a very nice note, to help the police and the Admiralty and the Foreign Office with their investigation. You might remember, from here on, that you’re only a moment away from ending it all.”

“I have no such intention,” Roger said.

“Of course you don’t. I just need to be sure that you are aware of your circumstance at all times.” Alex returned to his chair and sat down. “Now, we were discussing what you want, Roger. How would it be if your income quadrupled overnight? That would bring your shirtmaker and your tailor back within reach. Or, if it were increased by a factor of, say, ten, the world would be your oyster. You could travel, even buy a holiday home somewhere warm in winter. You could take cruises—first class, of course. Your appeal to women would soar, I should think. How does that sound?”

Roger sighed. “Better than I would have thought. What do you want from me in return?”

“Information, Roger: your keen sense of observation, your friends still in government service, descriptions of places and systems.”

“I’m not in a very good position for that these days,” Roger replied.

“But you have a prodigious memory for detail, Roger, and that is a very valuable asset for a man in your position.”

“And what is my position?” Roger asked.

“Precarious, at the moment,” Alex replied. “But with your cooperation I would be very optimistic about your future. You should live, at the very least, another thirty years, long enough for inflation to outrun your income, and that would lead to penury. A bleak prospect.”

“Don’t think I haven’t thought of that.”

“Fortunately, I am in a position to make your future positively rosy.”

Roger perked up. “And what would I have to do to ensure that?”

“Well, for a start, why don’t we give you a nice holiday in a sunny place, all, ah, conveniences provided? We can also invite Jennifer to join you. She’d love that, and she knows how to show her gratitude.”

“Ah, yes,” Roger said.

“And let me dangle another prospect,” Alex said. “You might find yourself materially contributing to the downfall, perhaps even the disgrace, of your nemesis, Dame Felicity Devonshire.”

Roger couldn’t help smiling.

“Something else: a more recent acquaintance of yours, Mr. Stone Barrington, has come to occupy an influential place in the orbit of the American CIA.”

“Has he?” Roger asked, brightening.