'Still no reason to involve the Homicide squad.'

'The driver of the northbound vehicle has been identified as Vasili Lukyanov, a Russian national. When they finally got round to looking in the boot of his car they discovered a suitcase had split open and there was a lot of money… I mean a hell of a lot of money. I understand we're talking about millions of euros, Javier. So, I want a full forensic examination of the vehicle and, although it's clearly an accident, I want you to investigate it as if it was a murder. There could be implications for other investigations going on around the country. And, most important, I want that money fully accounted for and made safe. I'll get a security van sent up there as soon as I can raise someone.'

'I assume we're talking about a Russian mafia gang member,' said Falcon.

'We are. I've already spoken to the Organized Crime Intelligence Centre. They've confirmed it. Area of expertise – prostitution. Area of operation – Costa del Sol. And I've contacted Inspector Jefe Casado – you remember him? The guy from the GRECO, the Organized Crime Response Squad in the Costa del Sol.'

'The one who gave us a presentation back in July about setting up a GRECO in Seville to handle the mafia activity here,' said Falcon. 'And nothing's happened.'

'There's been a delay.'

'Why can't he handle this?'

'That's the delay, he's in Marbella running about twenty investigations down there,' said Elvira. 'And anyway, he hasn't started work on the situation in Seville yet.'

'He'll know more than we do and he'll have the intelligence on Lukyanov's Costa del Sol activity.'

'Exactly, which is why he's sending us one of his own men, Vicente Cortes, who'll bring someone from the Organized Crime Intelligence Centre with him.'