“Chief inspector, my client is the CEO of one of Buenos Aires’ leading security firms and is held in the highest regard by his clients and rival companies within the industry. Any charge you may have considered bringing against him involving his employee, Alonso Núñez, is now null and void, thanks to the reckless actions of one of your men. Núñez is no longer alive to defend himself and there is no direct link between my client and Señora Bianchi. I suggest that, unless you have any further evidence against Señor Paz, you release him with immediate effect.”

Vargas blatantly ignored the reprimand and kept his eyes fixed firmly on his prey. “Señor Paz, l believe that, for the last few weeks, you and your agents have been working directly for Richard Franklin, searching for the contents of his safe-deposit box, which was stolen in the Banco Estero raid. That work has included the torture and murder of six civilians, the killing of one of my officers, and, I’m guessing, the deaths of two of your employees. I also believe you were behind the arson attack at the police station, where the investigation was based.”

Paz maintained eye contact with Vargas the whole time, his face resembling a frozen mask with a slightly crooked grin.

“I think it’s only a matter of time before we unravel the true ownership of Theodor Consultants and establish a link with the Franklin Pharmaceutical Corporation. Let me ask you a question, Señor Paz. Do you know the name of Martin Bormann’s father?”

Vargas thought he spotted a tiny flicker of recognition in Paz’s eyes but the Black Scorpion refused to speak.

Delgado jumped back in. “Chief inspector, as I suspected, you have absolutely no concrete evidence against my client so, once again, I request you release him.”

“Señor Delgado, we still have the testimony of a witness who claims she was recruited by Theodor Consultants to—”

The door burst open and Detective Martin gestured from the corridor for Vargas to join him. The chief inspector switched off the audio recorder and left the room.

Martin was holding a small polythene crime bag containing the mobile phone that had been recovered from the home of Sebastian Ramos. “Chief, as you know, when we ran Paz’s fingerprints through the computer, nothing came up. The guy is clean and doesn’t have a record. But then I remembered the prints we took off this phone. I ran a check and the lab has just confirmed a perfect match.”

“Alex, that’s a total game changer. Put it on charge for a few minutes. I want the bastard to see that frozen image on the screen.”