Paz heard the dial tone cut in and lowered his mobile. He glared across at the blonde youth who was lying seductively on a blue leather sofa, clad only in a pair of white Calvin Kleins. “Get out of my fucking house, you pathetic piece of shit.”

The terrified rent boy sprung from the sofa like a startled cat and darted into the bedroom to retrieve his clothes. Seconds later, he emerged and ran across the living room towards the front door. As he reached for the handle, Paz spoke again. This time his voice dropped to a sinister whisper.

“Tomás, don’t go. I need your services once again.”

* * *

Hembury had just got back to his apartment when Vargas called to bring him up to speed on all the latest developments. There was now a clear link between the Franklin Corporation and one of the stolen security boxes. It was apparent that Box 1321 was the key to unlocking the whole investigation.

“Nic, it’s pretty clear that the Franklin Corporation are up to their necks in this. Their box was stolen and someone in the California office has been coordinating the operation to get it back.”

Vargas knew he had no option but to ask his friend to get further involved in the investigation.

“Troy, whoever was on the end of that line got totally spooked as soon as I mentioned Box 1321. I’m going to need your help on the ground over there to move this case forward.”

“No problem, I’m in. If for no other reason than I need to know what’s so interesting about the contents of a box that hasn’t been looked at for over thirty years.”

Vargas could sense Hembury was now fully on board. “That, my friend, is the fifty-million-dollar question.”

* * *

Paz knew he was left with little choice but to take out his loyal henchman. He had set Herrera up as the fall guy and now he would have to suffer the consequences. Luciano had to die and Franklin would demand proof of his death. Paz decided it would be a compassionate killing as, ironically, he didn’t want his old friend to suffer. That was the least he could offer, after all his years of loyal service. He invited him over to his apartment for dinner, a rare honour which was viewed by Herrera as an acknowledgement of his status within the organisation.

The two men gorged their way through a massive takeaway banquet, sourced from the city’s premier Indian restaurant. Paz knew it was Luciano’s favourite food, and it was being washed down by two bottles of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a fruity red wine Paz had shipped over every month from a vineyard in France.

Herrera downed his fifth glass of the evening and munched on a spicy poppadom. “Boss, it’s a special honour to celebrate with you at your own home. You know I love you like an older brother.”