Hembury knew she was right. “Amanda, I think this tells us he has the same innate cunning as his father. Maybe he’s an even bigger monster, hiding under a cloak of respectability. The truth is, he’s taken a calculated risk. He probably thinks it’s doubtful we still have the original materials and has decided to call our bluff.”

“Troy, I’ve got a conference call in thirty minutes with the managing editor of BBC World News and our head of legal. They are also bringing a leading historian into the loop. Bottom line is, we will all need to see and examine first-hand those original materials before we can get the green light. I hope Nic has kept them somewhere safe. I’ll report back.”

Two hours later, following another call with Amanda, an action plan had been forged. Hembury would join Vargas on the night flight to Buenos Aires and, the following morning, they would meet up with her and her team, once they had flown in from Washington. The BBC would sort out a city hotel that would act as the base camp for the trip. In the meantime, the two detectives agreed they might as well stick to their original plan and Vargas ordered a couple of fresh beers.

* * *

The Claridge Hotel, with its neoclassical frontage, was a dominant feature in the centre of Buenos Aires. It was located just a few hundred yards away from Avenida 9 de Julio, the main thoroughfare in the city centre. The BBC had booked six rooms, as well as a large suite that would act as a meeting room.

It was just after midday when Vargas and Hembury entered the luxurious tenth floor suite. Amanda and her team were already there, helping themselves to a selection of sandwiches from a large silver platter resting on a circular glass-topped table. Next to the food was an oblong box containing an 8mm projector, which Amanda had requested the hotel source. As soon as she spotted the two detectives enter the suite, she ran across to greet them. It soon became obvious she was running the show and, once everybody was seated around the table, she made the formal introductions.

Amanda was flanked by two imposing male figures. To her left sat her boss, Hugo Botting, the managing editor of BBC World News. On her right was Edward Robinson, a top legal brain, whose company was one of the oldest and most respected legal firms in the UK. Next to Botting sat Sir Keith Taylor, a distinguished-looking figure, who Vargas suspected must be well into his eighties. He was a renowned historian who had written three major tomes on the rise of Hitler and the Third Reich. His books were always top of the reading list for students studying that period of history at university. Amanda didn’t waste any time getting the ball rolling.