was left clear. The glass was almost an inch thick with alternate layers of toughened safety glass and impact-resistant polycarbonate. The result was a shield that would stop most bullets. No good against a high-velocity rifle round, but only snipers of exceptional skill in a perfect position could hope to score a hit on the occupant of an enclosed moving vehicle. A monitor on the dashboard received a signal from a camera mounted on the back, acting as a rear view mirror when the privacy screen was closed. Surrounding the monitor, numerous buttons, dials and readouts occupied the dashboard. A clock displayed the time in both analogue and digital formats: 8 p.m. A disc-shaped pine air freshener was fixed behind the steering column but Victor’s nose still registered Dietrich’s stale body odour.
Victor opened up the glove box and searched it, running his hand over every inch to make sure he didn’t miss anything. Not even documents or the owner’s manual. He checked the compartments in both the driver’s and passenger’s doors. All empty. He angled down the sun visors. Nothing. He reached under the seats, fingertips touching only carpet and the seat’s metal fixtures. No weapons, and no objects that could be used for the purpose. The air freshener could be used as a projectile if it came to it – but only assuming he discovered someone had a lethal allergy to artificial pine scent. He left it alone.
He turned his attention to the set of keys dangling from the steering column. Besides the ignition key, four others hung from the same ring. A small shiny one was for a padlock, presumably the barn. Two older skeleton keys matched the locks he’d seen on the front and back doors of the farmhouse. Lastly, there was what looked like a spare ignition key. It wasn’t a spare, however. A spare key kept on the same ring as its counterpart wasn’t much use. It was a valet key that would start the Phantom’s engine and open the driver’s door, but wouldn’t enable access to the glove box or trunk. Some valet keys also restricted the performance of the vehicle’s engine, ensuring it could only be driven at minimal speeds. A useful feature when trusting a luxury car to a stranger.
The valet key glimmered in the dim light. No scratches. No scuffs. It had never been used because there was never any need. Leeson always had someone drive for him. He didn’t need to trust his limousine and its contents to a valet he hadn’t met before.
There was a soft rustle of static and the intercom light glowed green before Leeson’s voice sounded from the cab’s speakers. ‘Let’s have the partition window open, shall we, Mr Kooi? I don’t think there is any pressing need to be overly formal here.’
Victor reached over one shoulder and slid across the opaque window separating the driver’s cab from the rear compartment. The window could be opened from either, but there was a catch on the other side so those travelling in the back of the limousine would not be interrupted at the wrong moment.
A slight tilt of the rear view mirror brought Leeson into view. He sat on a rear seat, one leg crossed over the other. He was immaculately dressed in a black three-piece suit, white dress shirt and navy tie. Calm and relaxed. Victor wore a blue cotton shirt and dark jeans he’d found in his room.
His gaze met with Victor’s. ‘Somewhat more civilised, I’m sure you agree.’
Victor watched Leeson’s mouth move, but the sound that reached Victor’s ears came from the speakers, resulting in a disembodied effect.
‘Where are we going?’ Victor asked.
‘Are you hungry?’
‘Not particularly.’
‘Well,’ Leeson said, looking at his gold watch, ‘if you’re not hungry now then you will be by the time we get to our destination. And if not, you will be when you smell the food. That I can promise you.’
‘We’re going to dinner?’
‘Does that surprise you?’
‘A little.’
Victor’s answer seemed to amuse Leeson. He said, ‘Take me north, Mr Kooi.’
‘To Rome?’
‘Yes, to Rome. I can guide us if you’re unsure of the route, but kindly ignore the satnav.’ He glanced at his watch again. ‘I have a nine p.m. reservation and the drive is about an hour, so do please take a liberal attitude with the speed limit.’
Victor set the vehicle to cruise control and unhooked the valet key from the key ring. It had never been used.
It wouldn’t be missed.
Victor didn’t know the exact route from the farmhouse