Best-laid plans… I had intended to hang around in my office at Exclusive to be at hand while Mrs Knight was making her pre-emptive bid for El Sueño. I wanted, of course, to share in any rejoicing, but if the bid failed, as it undoubtedly would if there was some scam involved, perhaps I could learn something from the flurry of excuses. Gerry smoothed out the crumpled piece of paper on the desk. ‘Re this note of Vanheusen’s to Devereux, time for a little brainstorming session, Deborah. Monique, Important you clinch the deal with Mansell at my fancy dress barbecue for the Feast of the Three Kings. Make sure he’ ll accept the invitation. Keep it between the two of us.’ He chewed his lip thoughtfully, ‘Important, eh? What we need is…’ ‘…to find out why it’s important,’ I supplied unhelpfully. I knew he would find this irritating, so I couldn’t resist. When my response was met with a withering look, I creased my brows in a faux-puzzled frown.
