The guest list reflected the who’s who of California commerce and industry, as well as high-ranking politicians from both the major parties. A number of senior corporate executives arrived from Argentina to pay tribute, and the most notable dignitary to attend was the Argentine Ambassador, who flew in from Washington with his wife.

Although Bormann was an atheist, Franklin had decided that, as with his father’s funeral, social convention required a Christian service. He was the only person to speak during the ceremony and gave an impassioned eulogy, invoking the fantasy backstory of his uncle arriving in South America, as a penniless refugee, and building one of the world’s greatest corporations from scratch.

Only two former Nazis, who were hidden in plain sight among the hundreds of guests, knew the true story of the man they had come to pay their final respects to. Franklin’s son, John, sat in the front pew next to his father and cried throughout the ceremony, as he was now old enough to understand he would never see his beloved uncle again.

Bormann used to spoil Richard’s son with wonderful gifts and surprise VIP trips to exciting places such as Disneyland and the San Diego Zoo. For his ninth birthday party, Bormann had organised a behind-closed-doors experience at the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, which he knew was the boy’s favourite. Instead of the usual two-hour queue, John and his friends were able to enjoy the ride countless times. Bormann even arranged for one of the seventy-three audio-animatronic pirates to lead the chants of “Happy Birthday”. That special event was facilitated by a hundred-thousand-dollar payment from the Franklin Pharmaceutical Corporation.

Unlike his school friends who had large families, John only had two relatives and one of them was now gone. After the ceremony, he stood next to his father outside the majestic mausoleum and took his hand.

“Father, when you spoke inside, you said Uncle Ronald was a truly great man who history would remember. What made him great?”

Franklin leaned down so he was face to face with his son. “John, one day soon I’ll tell you just how truly great a man he really was.”

Chapter Forty-Four

26 January 2012

Buenos Aires

Olivia Bianchi left her third-floor office and made her way to the rear fire escape. She stood on the platform, aimlessly staring out at the city below and instinctively lit up a Marlboro Light. She inhaled deeply and, as smoke billowed from her nostrils, she reached for the burner phone in her handbag. The contacts list only contained one number and, as she typed the text, she vowed this would be the last time she would ever use it. When Alonso Núñez heard his phone ping, he was sitting in Paz’s office discussing Vargas. He read the new message and stood up, shaking his fist in jubilation.