Cavalier was aware of Farquar’s abrupt departure a minute after he was introduced to Jane’s friend Mary and her Danish husband, Frederik, and two other Danes, Henrik and Roberth. When Farquar left, Haut joined Jane’s table.

‘Thanks for looking after Ray,’ Haut said to Jane, while sitting next to Cavalier. A few minutes later, when the rest of the table was chatting away in Danish, Haut leant close to Cavalier and told him of Farquar’s threats.

‘Unless you want some sort of business gang war,’ Cavalier said, ‘it might be time for you to disappear.’

‘I think you’re right.’

‘If he brings three more killers that will make seven coming at you in a very short time. Money is no object in the attempt to destroy you.’

‘It’s too much for you?’

‘It would get tricky and out of control. And I like control. Pack tonight and stay at my hotel.’

They made their excuses to the Danish party and Jane, and headed for the elevator.

Cavalier steered Haut to a service elevator.

‘Best to depart via the tradesmen’s exit,’ Cavalier said. ‘They may have a greeting party waiting for you.’

‘Do you know who you were sitting with?’

‘The Danes? No, but their faces were familiar.’

‘They were Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, and his Tasmanian wife, Princess Mary.’

‘No!’ Cavalier said.

‘The other two Danes were bodyguards. The party arrived last night. They’re staying here.’

‘That explains the media posse at the front of the hotel.’

‘It’ll be all over the TV and papers tomorrow morning. Jane let me know they’d be there. Although the Danish party didn’t know it, the guards would have been extra protection on the outside chance Farquar did something stupid—I mean turn up with other thugs.’

They made their way out through the kitchen and down steps to the car park. Cavalier led Haut to a pillar. He scrutinised the area. About twelve media people had congregated near the hotel entrance.

‘See that car parked forty metres from the entrance?’ Cavalier asked. ‘That’ll be Farquar.’

‘You’ve got very good eyesight.’

‘Yeah,’ Cavalier said and adjusted his glasses, ‘X-ray vision, almost literally.’

They walked to Haut’s BMW Roadster. He drove. Cavalier sat on the passenger seat. He pressed a button. The window wound down.

‘You’ll have to drive close to it once you leave the park,’ Cavalier said, taking out the Glock. He attached a silencer and released the safety catch.

‘You’re not going to …?’

‘No, don’t worry. Just slow them up a bit. Give them a little scare, like you did with that bikie at the drug factory. Drive at about forty. Once I’ve had my shots, take off.’