Both men wore sunglasses and heavy overcoats. Kisley had a fur hat. His two bodyguards walked about thirty metres behind. They were on constant vigil along the cold and deserted coastline.

‘I do apologise,’ Kisley said. ‘We should have escorted you to your hotel. Are you okay?’

‘Some bruises,’ Haut said, ‘otherwise I’m fine.’

‘Who were they?’

‘No idea. Probably just local thugs.’

‘Did police save you?’ Kisley asked.

‘A couple of guardian angels …’

‘Your bodyguards?’

‘In a way, yes. But I didn’t know they were in Hamburg.’

‘Are they the ones who dealt with Conquer’s assassins?’

Haut smiled mysteriously but said nothing. Kisley removed his dark glasses to reveal puffy cheeks and slits for his green eyes.

Haut blinked in surprise.

‘It seems that my hangover-proof vodka does not cater for the next morning’s appearance,’ Kisley said ruefully. ‘I look far worse than you, and you were mugged!’

They walked on, stopping to look at a submarine wreck.

‘I spoke to Vladimir last night,’ Kisley said. ‘He was disappointed. But he would like to ask you a favour.’

Haut nodded.

‘He wants you to ask your American friends if they would be agreeable to him removing Conquer from Siberia.’

‘I can do that.’

‘Thank you. He wants your advice on who should replace them.’

‘In return, I’d like to have dinner with Catherine the Great.’

‘Who wouldn’t?’ Kisley smiled. ‘Very sorry, but she returns to Moscow with me this afternoon.’

*

Cavalier rang Haut and they arranged to meet at the Hamburg Museum. They strolled past the artefacts relating to the city’s long history.

‘Where’s that stunning Asian you had with you last night?’

‘Jacinta? She’s shopping. She has a nice budget.’

‘A nice everything, I’d say from my hazy memory of her intervention. She’s amazing! Are you, you know …?’

‘We’re just good friends.’

‘I’ve already heard from Mr X,’ Haut said. ‘Putin’s request went right up to the White House. Potus said, and I quote Mr X: “Conquer isn’t American, is it? Putin can do what he wishes. We won’t retaliate.” I told Kisley this morning. Conquer will be booted out soon.’

‘Another huge blow from you. Will they know you advised Putin?’

‘I wouldn’t want it public, but …’ Haut shrugged. They stopped at an enclosed glass case containing a stake through an ancient skull. Next to it was a life-sized wax figure, labelled Klaus Störtebeker.

‘I really relate to this guy, Klaus,’ Haut said. ‘He was a fourteenth-century German pirate who fought off Danish ships. His team, the Victual Brothers, had a battle-cry: “God’s friends and the whole world’s enemies.”’

As they left the museum, Haut asked, ‘How long is Jacinta in Hamburg?’

‘As long as you are.’

44 THE SCOOP

44

THE SCOOP