“Was she successful?”
“She wasn’t.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Are you wondering whether she might have stolen the ransom money?”
“I might be,” replied Chapel.
“She didn’t.”
“I’ll need to speak with her nonetheless.”
“Good luck with that.”
Chapel moved on. “And it was Mr. Knight who authorized the transfer of the money, not you?”
“That’s correct. I refused to wire the ransom until the kidnappers showed me Alice.”
“Even after they threatened to kill you?”
Gabriel said nothing.
“And there were four, you say?”
“There were four that I saw,” replied Gabriel. “It’s possible there were more.”
“Might you be able to recognize them again?”
“One of them, perhaps.”
“Which one?”
“The one who pointed a loaded gun at my head.”
Chapel sat back in his chair. “And what if I were to offer you a chance to find him?”
“If I were interested in finding him, I wouldn’t need the approval of New Scotland Yard.”
Chapel permitted himself a brief smile. “Will you allow me to ask the question another way?”
“My answer will be the same. Besides,” added Gabriel, “the most obvious way to find the kidnappers is to follow the money.”
“We asked our counterparts in Cyprus for permission to question the CEO of that bank. And what do you suppose they told us?”
“Permission denied.”
Chapel nodded. “The money is gone. And so, it seems, is Alice Winter. We’d like you to find her too—or at least find out what happened to her.”
“Isn’t that your job?” asked Gabriel dryly.
“Actually the Spaniards have jurisdiction in this matter. But at this point you know a good deal more than they do.” Chapel paused, then added, “And more than Scotland Yard as well.”
“And if I refuse?”
“I will have no choice but to appeal to your sense of decency and fair play.”
“Neither of which will help me find Alice Winter or the men who kidnapped her.”
