Martin handed the chief inspector a report containing details of his interview with Pedro García. Vargas read through the notes and looked at the detective.

“Okay, Alex, so this guy García rented one of the boxes that wasn’t broken into – as did hundreds of other people. I can’t see anything suspicious here.”

“To be honest, sir, neither did I when I first interviewed him. He appeared to be a pretty regular guy who decided to keep his cash in a safe-deposit box. In fact, he seemed a bit pathetic and I remember feeling sorry for him—”

Torres jumped in. “Detective Martin, what’s your point?”

“Well, sir, as you know we’ve been running checks on Gonzales’s and Ramos’s friends and family.”

Vargas was getting impatient and stepped forward to interrupt the detective.

“And what have you discovered?”

“It appears that Ramos and García are first cousins.”

* * *

Pedro packed the fishing gear into the back of Aldo’s ten-year-old red Focus Estate. He took a last glance at the spot on the riverbank where he had fished for the last few days and walked back into the lodge. His brother was just finishing breakfast.

“Aldo, this has been our best trip yet. Twenty dorado and six tararira as a bonus. Not bad for a couple of city fishermen.”

Aldo took a final spoonful of muesli before walking across to the sink to wash out his bowl.

“Brother, I’ve loved it too. I could easily stay for a few more days but I guess we both need to get back to the real world.”

Pedro knew that, following the robbery, he was now one of the richest men in the country and was determined to use some of his new-found wealth to look after his younger brother and his family. As Aldo drove them back towards the city, he flicked on the car radio, which was tuned to a local news station. Pedro leaned across and hit the off button.

“Brother, please let’s enjoy the peace and tranquillity for a little bit longer.”

Had Pedro left the radio on for a few more seconds, he would have heard the breaking rolling news story reporting the grisly murders of his two associates.

* * *

Two of Paz’s men were stationed inside García’s apartment while, outside the front of the building, the black transit contained another four, including Herrera. It was a waiting game, as Luciano was convinced García would return to his apartment sooner or later. However, there was a potential new problem on the horizon. The TV and newspapers had just broken the news of the slaying of Gonzales and Ramos. The story claimed both men had been involved in the safe-deposit robbery and had been killed by a rival gang who were intent on stealing the haul that was estimated to be over ninety million dollars. Herrera decided to call his boss, who was back in the office.