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‘What in god’s name were you doing, stepping in front of my car like that?’

He said it lightly, and looked amused, tolerant, but still I was wary.

‘I did not mean to,’ I said. ‘The sun was in my eyes.’ Ifrahim’s old excuse; the answer of a petty thief.

The man was watching me, his own eyes unfathomable. ‘Mine too,’ he said.

‘¿Cómo te llamas?’ That was the lady, interrupting in clumsy-sounding Spanish.

My swollen lip twitched. ‘Del Potro,’ I told her, without breaking the man’s gaze. ‘Alejandro del Potro.’

Tangier

July 1978

Tangier, 12.7.78

Dear A,

I would be happy to return your case. However, I would like to do so in person. I have a lot of questions. One to start: did you take my letter?

Best,

Sam Hackett

*

12.7.78

Dear Mr Hackett,

To answer your question: yes. I apologize. I can only say that I acted in shock, seeing something again I had long thought lost.

I am afraid it is impossible to meet. I ask you again to consider my request. I am prepared to offer a substantial reward for the return of the writing case. Forgive me for saying so, but it appears you could make use of the money.

Regards,

A

*

Tangier, 13.7.78

Dear A,

Forgive me for saying so, but my financial situation is my own business. The fact of the matter is this: I have something else of yours too, something I believe you will want more than the writing case. What if I said ‘Hotel Continental’ and ‘15’ to you?

Best,

Sam

*

‘What does he mean, “impossible to meet”?’ Sam held the letter away from the sticky bar. ‘It can’t be literally impossible.’

‘Maybe he’s house bound,’ said Roger, pouring out a gin and tonic.

‘Maybe he prefers to remain incognito,’ Bet winked, tapping her cigar.