That afternoon, Lucas phoned up his department and asked to speak to the department head.

After a few minutes, Richard Lewis, his boss, answered, “Sorry, Lucas, we’ve got a bit of a flap on.”

“In which case,” Lucas replied hurriedly, “it doesn’t matter, I’ll be in tomorrow.”

Richard laughed. “Actually, I was expecting you were about to ask to take Friday off as well, and I was going to say it was a very good idea and I’d see you on Monday.”

“No, actually I wasn’t. Erm, I was going to say I was planning on following up the queries we’ve had about the Waverley Corporation, and which were pushed onto the back burner with that latest case. You know they have one of their retirement complexes near me.”

“If that’s the case, then I can only applaud the decision. Last night the Duty Officer flagged up some interesting traffic coming out of their headquarters and that’s what brought on the latest flap. You may find it very interesting and it would probably be a good idea if you at least read the summaries before you made a move.”

“Shall I come in?”

“No, don’t do that. I’ll get you a copy and send it down with Adam Carter. Just don’t do anything rash – they’re an unpleasant group to cross.”

“In which case I suppose I ought to run my plan past you, as you could say I have a duty of care to the lady who will be my companion.”

“Go ahead.”

“Adam’s mother-in-law has made an appointment to look at their apartments tomorrow at midday. I’m going with her as the son of one of her cousins. We’ve used the scenario once before, so we know it works. Am I going to be putting her in any danger?”

Richard paused and then replied, “No, I don’t think so. It’s possible someone from the organisation might recognise Adam, but he won’t be going with you, and I’m assuming the mother-in-law is of the age where buying a retirement property would be appropriate.”

“Yes, she’s actually buying one in another, and much more suitable, complex, but they’re not to know that and she will do no more than compare and contrast.”

“In which case, I can’t see there’d be any danger. Just let her take charge of the conversations and stay in the background.”

“Oh, there’s no danger I’d dare to do anything else. I shall be the dutiful relative.”