Paz listened intently as Franklin filled him in on the episode in El Calafate. Even he didn’t know the true identity of Valentina Suarez, and Franklin kept it that way. He painted her as a close family friend who lived on a property on the former estate. He asked him to sort out the removal of the guard’s body as soon as possible and then turned his attention to the ongoing problem with Vargas.

“I told you before, he needs to be taken out and now it’s even more important than ever that it happens quickly. It also appears that the lieutenant from California who interviewed me was with him in El Calafate. It would be a bonus if you can manage him as well.”

“Señor, we’ve had a major breakthrough in the last twenty-four hours. Our source has provided us with Vargas’s home address, and I’ve recruited two military vets who have no connection with the agency to carry out the work. They’re high-class specialists and are making plans as we speak.”

Franklin was clearly impressed by the latest developments. “That sounds encouraging, Paz. Just don’t mess up. There’s too much at stake.”

* * *

After dropping off the hire car and checking in for their return flight to Buenos Aires, Vargas and Hembury grabbed a bite to eat in the small airport coffee shop. Hembury was deeply engrossed in his laptop, while Vargas was catching up on the latest messages on his iPhone.

“Nic, you are going to love this. You know Hitler named the farmhouse after his beloved Alsatian. Well, Eva pulled exactly the same trick when she christened the new house. It turns out, while she was living in the Führer’s bunker, she owned a Scottish terrier called Negus.”

Vargas looked up from his phone. He’d just been reading a text from Torres, saying he had a strong lead on the police station arsonist.

“Nothing about this case surprises me any more. But I’ve been thinking and I’m really not sure if the world is ready to hear the news that Eva Braun is alive and well and that—”

Hembury finished the sentence. “Her grandson is about to become the next president of the United States.”

“Troy, Braun’s right about one thing. Franklin is incredibly well connected and will do absolutely anything to protect the truth about his heritage. Although we can’t prove it, we know he ordered the executions of the bank robbers in an attempt to keep the secret. We have to assume that, by now, she’s told him about our visit.”

Hembury downed the dregs of his cappuccino and closed his laptop. “Yes, and that means that both of us are now targets.”

Chapter Forty-Five

27 January 2012

Buenos Aires