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yet after a few days he not only moved into one, but also paid a large sum of money to charter a motor cruiser?’
    Sheard, his expression now sullen, did not answer.
    â€˜You don’t know how?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜The question hasn’t intrigued you?’
    â€˜I mind my own business.’
    Sheard’s hands and body were tensed and beads of sweat were pricking his forehead despite the relative coolness of the room. Yet weakness could become strength through desperation. Alvarez decided that for the moment it was best not to pursue the matter directly any further but there might be another way to confirm that the other was lying. ‘The two of you have been going around together?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜For much of the time?’
    â€˜All the time.’
    â€˜Then you do not have a job?’
    â€˜No.’ Once again, he spoke with unnecessary force.
    â€˜Then you are a lucky man since you do not have to work to live! Your money comes from England?’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Which bank here handles the transfer?’
    â€˜What … Why d’you want to know?’
    â€˜In my job, I have to confirm as much as possible, whether or not it’s really of any importance. So I will need to ask your bank to confirm what you’ve just said.’
    Sheard began to fidget. ‘I…’ He flicked the edges of the paperback. He spoke in a rush. ‘Friends bring the money out in travellers’ cheques.’
    â€˜At which bank or banks have you changed these?’
    There was no answer.
    Alvarez’s tone was friendly. ‘Señor, do not forget that I am Mallorquin.’
    â€˜What’s that supposed to mean?’
    â€˜Should I learn of a foreigner who has a job, but who forgets to inform the authorities and in consequence does not pay any tax, my only response is envy. I feel no desire to denounce him.’
    Sheard hesitated.
    â€˜Of course, if I discover that fact in the course of an investigation and there is no way of concealing it from my report, my superior, who is Spanish, may well be of a different mind.’
    Sheard drew a deep breath. ‘All right, I do odd jobs for the ex-pats.’ He suddenly showed a rare flash of pride. ‘There’s always plenty of work going because they’re either too old or too superior to do it themselves. And I’m good at the work.’
    Since Sheard had been lying the second time he had spoken so forcefully, it seemed reasonable to assume that the first occasion had also masked a lie. But why lie about Lewis’s knowing or visiting anyone? Because this had a direct bearing on the other’s disappearance? Yet whilst it was easy to envisage Sheard’s engaging in some minor criminal activity at no apparent risk to himself, it was difficult to believe he would do so if the crime were major and the physical risk obvious. But, of course, if his half-formulated interpretation of events was correct, there had been no physical risk. And the reward? Surely that had in some way to be connected with Lewis’s new-found wealth?… ‘Señor, please tell me all you can remember about Thursday night, from the moment you met the two señoritas.’
    Heartened by Alvarez’s friendly manner and apparent dismissal of what had gone before, Sheard spoke with a measure of confidence. His evidence only twice contradicted Kirsty’s and on each occasion the point was of no consequence.
    â€˜You have a good memory,’ Alvarez said flatteringly. ‘Perhaps it will help me clear up one final point. When Señor Lewis opened the second bottle of whisky, did it look as if he had to break the seal of the cap?’
    â€˜I wasn’t watching. But seeing it was a full bottle, the top would’ve been sealed, wouldn’t it?’
    Alvarez was surprised that Sheard had not spoken forcefully.
    *   *   *
    Alvarez parked, crossed the pavement, and entered