‘Ernie North has interesting connections. He comes and goes from Russia with great facility, importing his cheap vodka and other items. He employs Russian men and women. He runs brothels and nightclubs. We believe the former subsidises the latter.’

‘You’re implying a Russian security link?’

On matters of intelligence, Hunter would use conundrums or even riddles. He said, with a smirk, mangling a children’s nursery rhyme: ‘You shouldn’t go out in the woods tonight, the bears are there but the women are quite enchanting, and sometimes “bare”.’

‘How so?’

‘Let’s just say that we monitor said nightclub.’

‘Agents?’

‘Better the devil you know than the one you don’t know. It’s never used by Russian embassy people.’

Cavalier nodded.

‘Illegals,’ Hunter added, in reference to foreign spies who work independently of their nation’s embassies. ‘Magic is a haunt in which they feel comfortable.’

*

Cavalier accepted Haut’s invitation to dine at the Magic club, where they were joined by Natalia. She looked out of place in her dark covered-up dress that followed her curves but dropped below the knee. She had some champagne and then disappeared.

‘Natalia has a card game tonight with girlfriends,’ Haut said, explaining her cameo appearance in their cubicle. ‘Well, what did you think of her?’

‘I don’t think you could do better than her,’ Cavalier replied. ‘I’ve been to Russia five times. I met some magnificent women in St Petersburg, but none better than her.’

‘Think I’m punching above my weight?’

‘Depends on desires and needs, doesn’t it?’

‘You didn’t notice the age gap?’

‘She is very affectionate towards you. Seems genuine.’

‘Seems?’

‘How does one ever know?’

‘I plan to marry her.’

‘Congratulations!’ Cavalier said, shaking hands. He frowned and asked, ‘Aren’t you engaged to that big Russian you told me about?’

‘That sort of petered out. But we’re still friends. She’s mates with Natalia.’

‘That’s cosy.’

‘You should meet her.’

Cavalier paused to watch every patron in view.

‘Looking for someone?’ Haut asked.

‘Sorry, force of habit.’

‘I do it too.’

‘Is the heat still on with Conquer?’

‘They’re causing mayhem in Hobart. So are the Chinese.’

‘Are you safe here? Is Big Brother your insurance?’

Haut gestured with his hands at the club. ‘This is more my insurance. Ernie North and his men understand my situation. Bleulance won’t do anything with them behind me. But I have issues with the Chinese. They seem intent on destroying my business after I refused to work on certain things with them.’

Cavalier waited for an explanation. When it looked like Haut was not going to expound, Cavalier prompted him, ‘Go on.’

Haut sighed and looked uncomfortable.

‘You know I had to leave China in a hurry, which was after a Chinese front company in Hong Kong—VictoryPlus—put five million dollars into my Tasmanian mining operations. That was a sort of quid pro quo arrangement.’