“This pistol is actually the star turn in Roper’s book. It’s my father’s personal weapon. A 7.65 millimetre Walther PPK. The very gun that Roper claims Hitler used to blow his own brains out. It became so infamous that Ian Fleming decided James Bond should have one. It first appeared in Dr. No. I’m a great Bond fan, of course.”

Hembury realised that Franklin was crazy enough to gun him down in his own house. Hitler’s son continued his frenzied rant.

“As you now know, lieutenant, better than anyone, what you uncovered about my father’s post-war life and my very existence tells you the book is full of bullshit, as indeed is your claim to hold possession of the original contents of the box. Unfortunately for you, I know they went the same way as your Argentine friend, Chief Inspector Vargas. Incinerated in a massive fireball. You’re bluffing, lieutenant. And what a wonderful irony that I blow a hole through your temple with my father’s gun.”

Hembury held his nerve and played his final card. “Actually, I’m afraid you’re misinformed. Chief Inspector Vargas is alive and well and the contents of Box 1321 are safely in his hands. Right now, he’s sitting in the lobby of The Laurel Inn, a mile away, waiting for me to FaceTime him. If I don’t call him in the next fifteen minutes, he will release the documents to the media.”

Franklin reeled back in shock and his son rushed forward to prop him up. He sat down again behind his desk, the gun still aimed at Hembury. “A fine attempt, lieutenant, but we both know it’s a last desperate bluff.”

Hembury reached very slowly for his mobile. “There’s only one way to find out. Let me call him.”

Franklin nodded and Hembury hit the contact.

Vargas had been willing his mobile to ring for the last thirty minutes. He was sitting by a small coffee table in the hotel lounge, nursing an untouched drink. His laptop was open, displaying his desktop. When he saw the incoming FaceTime call from Hembury appear on his screen, he felt a surge of excitement pulse through his body. He clicked on the green icon and Hembury appeared. The lieutenant turned the phone around to face the startled father and son.

“Nic, I’d like to introduce you to Richard and John Franklin.”

Richard Franklin instantly recognised the chief inspector from the image he’d downloaded from the internet. His live presence on the screen seemed to deal a fatal blow and he suddenly found himself struggling to breathe.