Vargas assumed the plan he had developed with Hembury had worked so far and it was now time for him to play his part. “Mr Franklin, we had a brief conversation a couple of weeks ago but a great deal has happened since then. I believe the lieutenant has offered you a deal. Before you decide what to do, let me help you make your mind up.”

Vargas pointed his iPhone camera directly at the screen of his laptop, a move he had rehearsed a dozen times in the previous hour. “Can you see the file named 1321?” He pushed the phone closer to the laptop and manually zoomed in to the folder. “This file contains copies of all the relevant documents, certificates, photos and medals, as well as videos of the 8-millimetre films.”

He double-clicked and a black-and-white image of Hitler and Bormann standing either side of the cargo ship captain filled the screen.

“If you fail to call the joint press conference tomorrow morning, this file will be emailed to a senior journalist at one of the world’s leading broadcast networks. I will also give them full access to the original source materials.”

Franklin felt the strength draining out of his body. The Walther PPK suddenly felt as if it weighed a ton. His voice was a monotone. “How do I know you really have the originals?”

“Mr Franklin, neither I nor the contents of Box 1321 were anywhere near the apartment when your assassins struck. I’d already moved everything to a safe place.”

Franklin spoke again but, by now, he sounded like a malfunctioning robot. “No one will believe it.”

Hembury could literally see Franklin disintegrating in front of him. His powerful, physical charisma had vanished and his body shook uncontrollably. “Mr Franklin, we need your answer right now. If this material goes live, both of you will be at the epicentre of the biggest media shitstorm the world has ever known. The internet will transform the story into a global event in a matter of minutes. It will make headlines on every news agency across the world and the city of El Calafate will become the most searched for name on Google. Whatever denials you issue, your reputations will be trashed. It’ll all be over for both of you.”

Hembury turned to John, who was clearly crushed and totally dumbstruck.

“The Republican Party will drop you like a hot potato and your political career will be in shreds. People will revile you as Hitler’s grandson, and for the rest of your life you and your family will be hounded by journalists following up on the story.”

Hembury then switched his gaze to John’s father, who had now rested the gun on top of the desk. “As well as releasing the documents, Nic will press charges against you for conspiracy to commit multiple murders in Argentina and file an extradition claim. I don’t see either of you having much of a choice.”