“We have made contact with Diego Pastrana and Alberto Serpa. They were both open to the idea of receiving our money to assist them with their re-election campaigns.”

That was good. Pastrana and Serpa were jostling for the leadership of the Liberal Party. If La Bruja could buy them both, it would guarantee political influence that could translate into real power if the Liberals formed the government after the next election.

“The president?”

“Rubiano, as you know, makes a virtue of his purity. We do not believe that there is a realistic prospect of arranging his cooperation.”

“So we just make sure that he loses.”

La Bruja smiled. “That might not be necessary. We have found some suggestion that his virtue does not extend to his marriage. He has been having an affair with a member of parliament.”

“Go on.”

“The member of parliament is male. My country has many qualities, señor, but tolerance is not one of them. If it were to become known that the president is cheating on his wife with a man…” She let the sentence drift away before adding, “It could precipitate the general election that you are so keen to see.”

“That’s very interesting. Let me take instructions. Don’t use it yet.”

“We will wait.”

Weaver mopped his brow again. If anything, it was getting hotter.

“There’s one other favour that I need,” she said.

“Go on.”

“An associate of ours has been arrested in your country.”

“‘An associate’? What do you mean—a drug dealer?”

“One of our partners. He is responsible for imports into the United Kingdom.”

“What happened to him?”

“He was arrested.”

Weaver spread his hands. “So hire a lawyer and get him out.”

“It won’t be as easy as that. He was arrested with a firearm and a kilo of our product in the back of his car. The best lawyer in the world wouldn’t be able to help him and, speaking frankly, we are worried that he might try to do a deal. He tells the police what he knows about us, they let him go.”

“And you don’t want that to happen.”

“No,” she said. “We do not.”

“What’s his name?”

“Anthony Jackson. Can I leave that with you?”

“You can,” he said.

“Thank you.”

Weaver walked out onto the porch and La Bruja followed him.

“I think we’re done,” he said. “Be careful. Don’t underestimate the government response to what happened. I’ll provide you with intelligence when I receive it through the usual channel.”

“I understand,” she said. “Thank you.”

“There’s one more thing—we need to make sure that you are well protected.”

She nodded over to Number One. “I am.”

“We think that you might need more.”

“So that is why you have brought your two friends?”

“It is. I’d like them to go with you.”

“And if I say that I don’t need them?”