This building had been in company ownership since we built it, in the late seventeen hundreds.  It was a warehouse for nearly two centuries, was leased out as a cheap clothing store for a decade, then it lay unused for a number of years.  It was renovated in the eighties to create office and retail units on the ground and first floor and loft-style apartments on the three remaining floors.  This, the top floor, was all Business.

Mrs Todd glided back to complete the tidying of the table. 'Will there be anything else, Ms Telman?'

'No, thank you, Mrs Todd.'

'The car is here.'

'I'll be ten minutes.'

'I'll let them know.'

My watch and mobile agreed that it was 0920.  I rang Mike Daniels.

'Yesh?'

'Ah.'

'Yesh, "Ah" indeed.'

'They couldn't find you a dentist.'

'Zhey found me a dentisht but zhere washn't time to do anyshing.  I shtill look like a fucking footballer.'

'Pity.  Sounds like you're in a car.  I take it you're on your way to Heathrow.'

'Yesh.  Everyshing'sh on schedule.'

'Any pain?'

'A little.'

'Did you call Security?'

'Yesh, and Adrian G.  Zhey were even lesh help than you.  I don't shink Adrian George likesh me.  He'sh calling Tokyo and Pee-Esh'sh offish to let zhem know, sho it won't come ash a shock.'

'Very considerate.'

'He shaid Shecurity would want to talk to me when I get back.  Anyway, zhey're going to inveshtigate.  Had to hand my flat keysh over to shome flunkey before I left thish morning.  Oh, who'sh Walker?'

'Walker?'

'Shumshing to do wish Shecurity.'

'Colin Walker?'