The rationale behind the event had been for the brightest and most promising detectives from North and South America to have the opportunity to meet up and explore the latest technological innovations that were reshaping law enforcement around the globe. In reality, the two men had gone through the motions of attending the boring lectures and tedious workshops during the day and, at night, they’d explored the live shows, bars and casinos on the infamous strip. On one memorable occasion, they’d stayed up all night and attended the breakfast lecture the following morning wearing the same clothes they’d partied in the night before.

Both men were habitual winners, whether it came to hunting down criminals or beating the house blackjack dealers. Remarkably, they shared the same birthdate, the twenty-fourth of February, although Hembury was ten years older. This fact came to light when they played roulette together on the opening night of the conference and both men placed their respective chips on black 24. During the four intense days that followed, a strong friendship developed. On the morning the conference wrapped, they shared a taxi to the airport and vowed to keep in touch but, other than a few texts in the following weeks, they hadn’t spoken since.

Hembury had been looking forward to a quiet night in, watching the game and ploughing through a Chinese takeaway, accompanied by a few cold Buds. He’d supported the Clippers since he was a young boy, and tonight they were taking on their local rivals, the Lakers, in one of the most anticipated basketball games of the season. Hembury was a fifty-year old muscle-bound African American who maintained fitness levels that were truly age-defying. Although he was only six foot two, during his college days he had excelled at basketball and had not been far off turning pro, so was pumped up for the game. However, his well-laid plans for the evening suddenly changed when he saw the ID flash up on his mobile.

“Nic, how the hell are you? Can’t believe it’s been four years since that insane conference. Every birthday I raise a glass to you and mean to call. I feel really lousy about not keeping in touch.”

“No need for guilt, Troy. I’ve been just as bad. But, right now, I really need to talk to you about a case I’m working. In fact, I badly need your help and wisdom.”

Hembury sensed the serious change of tone in his friend’s voice and slipped straight into work mode, hitting the remote to mute the sound on the TV.

“Go on, I’m all yours.”

“Okay, I’m guessing you saw the news about the shooting outside the courthouse in Buenos Aires?”