Paz’s curiosity as to why Franklin wanted to meet had kept him awake for the last three nights, and he was convinced a major opportunity was heading his way. He just couldn’t figure out what it might be. Franklin arrived promptly and the receptionist led him straight through to Paz’s office, where the two CEOs met for the first time. After exchanging pleasantries, Paz cut straight to the chase.

“Señor Franklin, I know you are an incredibly busy man and I am fascinated to learn how I can be of assistance to you.”

Franklin appreciated the bluntness of Paz’s approach. It was how he liked to conduct business himself. “Señor Paz, if you know anything about me, you won’t be surprised to hear that I have done my due diligence on your personal background and that of your company. I have compiled a file reflecting some of your more controversial operations, which I think would make very interesting reading for the Buenos Aires Police Department.”

“Señor Franklin, if you’ve come here to threaten me, you’ve made a very big mistake.”

Franklin burst into laughter and instantly the atmosphere changed. “I haven’t come to threaten you. I’m here because I want to buy your company.”

Paz was now intrigued as to how this was going to play out. “Go on, I’m listening.”

“Señor Paz, I have some very important friends and relatives based in South America who need my ongoing protection. Many of them are in hiding, using aliases. They are being pursued by foreign forces who are desperate to hunt them down. I need you to be my eyes and ears on the ground and be ready to step in to help them whenever necessary.”

Paz couldn’t resist interrupting to let Franklin know that he fully understood the sensitivity of the operation. “Señor Franklin, your late uncle was a very powerful and influential man in this country, but he wasn’t without his enemies. There are many rumours about his background. Rumours that go all the way back to the Führerbunker in Berlin in 1945.”