'Who are your enemies?' whispered Caputo, all attention now.

'Political.'

'On the right or the left?'

Zen smiled condescendingly.

'No one uses those words any more, Caputo. We're all in the centre nowadays. And my enemies are about as close to the centre as it's possible to be. In fact at the time of which I am speaking one of their number was the Minister of the Interior.'

Caputo's eyes widened.

'You mean…?'

"I do indeed.'

Caputo licked his lips nervously.

'Maybe I will have a cigarette after all/ he said.

Zen pushed the packet across the desk.

'That explains what I am doing here/ he said. 'It also explains my total lack of interest in any and all aspects of my job. This posting has been forced on me as the least of various evils on offer, but I do not feel the slightest degree of professional involvement or responsibility. I am sure that you and your colleagues are perfectly capable of carrying out your duties in a satisfactory manner, and my only wish is to leave you free to do so without interference or supervision. In short, just pretend I'm not here and carry on as you always have done. Do I make myself clear?'

Caputo flashed his shark's smile.

'Yes, sir.'

'The only thing that concerns me is that nothing occurs which might draw unwelcome attention to this detachment, and hence give my enemies an excuse to move me to the killing fields of Sicily or some God-forsaken hole up in the mountains. I'm sure I can count on your experience and discretion, Caputo, to ensure this does not happen.

As far as everything else is concerned, I leave matters entirely in your hands. In fact the less I know about it, the better pleased I shall be.'

Caputo nodded briskly and stood up.

'Will there be anything else, sir?'

Zen was about to shake his head when a thought struck him.