Three days after Conquer’s crisis became public news, Haut had a call from a man William Donnelly had contacted calling himself Mr X. They met over lunch at the Roosevelt. Mr X was a solid six-footer with a swathe of silver hair. He was well dressed in an expensive navy blue suit, light blue tie and white shirt with starched cuffs showing monogrammed silver links. Mr X was no-nonsense and authoritative. He was there to quiz Haut about the Conquer encounters, his mining claims and his assessments of the size of the potential oil field under Tasmania, as well as talk about his cold fusion concept. Haut, forewarned and forearmed, had a briefcase full of supporting documents.

Mr X’s opening was to lay down rules of engagement.

‘If we are to assist you, Mr Haut, you must not leave the Roosevelt at any time unless accompanied by me or Mr Norman Timms, who will meet you soon. We can protect you inside the hotel. Outside the hotel you are more than vulnerable at this moment.’

‘Understood,’ Haut said, retrieving files from his briefcase.

Two days later, there was a message from the front desk.

‘There’s a Mr Norman Timms to see you.’

Timms was wiry and bird-like with hunched shoulders and an aquiline nose. He wore a grey suit and tie loosened at the neck and was more relaxed and less pristine in appearance than Mr X. He appreciated Haut’s humour and had a light side himself. Neither Mr X nor Timms said what their role was, but over the ensuing weeks they formed a tag team, meeting Haut in his confinement at the Roosevelt, but never together. Timms acted like a journalist. He took notes and asked questions the way reporters did. Mr X was more interested in the ongoing battle with Conquer.

Towards the end of August, Haut phoned Cavalier in Chiang Mai and told him of the tag team.

‘William Donnelly lined this all up,’ he said, ‘but I’m intrigued about where these guys come from. They’re almost as efficient and thorough as you.’

‘I hope more so.’

Haut described Mr X.

‘Must be CIA,’ Cavalier said. ‘They’re usually Ivy League, although that may have changed in the last decade.’ He was thinking of Melody Smith and the new breed of American operatives coming in under the current presidential regime. ‘And this Timms fellow?’

‘He’s the “reporter” of the two. He mentioned he would write something for Future Energy Global Intelligence Report.’

‘That’s run by the CIA. They spend a lot of money and time on spotting and managing current and future American energy sources and reserves. You’re being assessed right now by Mr X to see what you can offer in terms of future oil reserves. And, of course, you’ve come recommended by Donnelly.’

‘Your context explains the interrogation I’ve been under, and the angle of the questions.’