Corruption's Price: A Spanish Deceit (19 page)

Marta thought he realised what he had done but he had said nothing on the train. Indeed, she had chosen not to go to the bar but instead sat disconsolately by herself in her carriage. In Valencia they had greeted and parted, distantly. The one merit here was that if anyone saw them they would not have suspected the pair of being lovers. She changed subjects. This was still too raw, and sore.

Alfredo and Puri: this had been a reasonably constructive conversation. Marta felt pretty sure she had communicated that ORS was serious but might recommend to its clients they accept a partial offer. No, she had had to confess, she had obtained no indication what percentage might work. She guessed something above 70 per cent.

While Puri considered this reasonable, Alfredo disagreed. He had changed tack by asking about any obvious errors or weaknesses that they might exploit to drive ORS from Spain. He still felt that was the better option.

All Marta could contribute here was that the ORS offices were not opulent and the feel was of a business hanging in and trying to survive. She acknowledged this was all too common in the long years of
la crisis.

Their discussion finished with Alfredo saying he would take the initiative, at least in Madrid. This was a definite weight off Marta's shoulders, though she still had FyP to visit.

As they were about to disconnect Puri asked about Friday evening. It had occurred to Marta that Puri might be able to help, though she would never discuss what had happened in front of Alfredo. Puri had been through her own years of physical and mental abuse doled out by her ex-husband. Might she provide some guidance? God, her discomfort level was high.

She was shown in to Estefanía's office right on schedule – another surprise.

Estefanía entered shortly after Marta and said, "Sorry, I had to visit the ladies'. You know how it is."

They commenced a long discussion about what to offer ORS. Estefanía liked the idea and suggested 50-60 per cent, being convinced that this would only require bargaining. Marta was not so sure. She felt that something nearer to 75 per cent as a block sum would obtain immediate agreement and afterwards it would be over. Better that than a sustained negotiation where there was always the opportunity for ORS to walk away, and even if ORS agreed a settlement it was always possible its clients might still decline.

In the end they agreed that Marta should offer 65 per cent to start with, and subsequently be able to increase this to between 70-75 per cent at Marta's discretion. Estefanía made Marta even happier when she said that FyP would contribute to Marta for anything settled under 70 per cent. Perhaps she might hold onto the house yet. If only the others were as considerate as Estefanía and Inocenta.

What Marta did not tell Estefanía was that Alfredo was initiating a completely different response. Estefanía didn't need to know. If Alfredo succeeded, Estefanía would still be better off.

The two congratulated themselves on a morning's business well done. Marta said, "I'll return to my office now and communicate FyP's initial offer. I'll let you know what I hear as soon as anything happens."

"Thank you. Now that we've finished our business, Marta, are you okay?"

For a moment Marta was tempted to unburden herself. It was the first time that Estefanía had clearly placed business aside and become personal. Marta resisted. Her not knowing Estefanía sufficiently plus Estefanía being deeply networked within Valencia meant there might be a connection with Salvador she did not know of. Puri was safer, far safer.

Monday: Soria

"Alfredo, you don't look happy. What is it?"

"I am sorry,
mi amor
, I'm not. It's what Marta said, or rather didn't say."

"What do you mean? You think she's not telling us something? From my one meeting, and phone calls, that's not what I'd expect."

"Misleading us? No, but perhaps not telling us everything. That might be why. My skin prickles at the thought of her not doing exactly as we agreed before she visited ORS. Never mind, we need to consider different options. As I told Marta, I'm going to take the lead in Madrid. My focus must now be on working to shut ORS in Spain, preferably as soon as possible. Tomorrow I'll return to Madrid. Today I must start setting up meetings."

"With whom?"

"Puri,
mi amor
, I don't think you yet appreciate that what ORS is asking for represents only the tip of an iceberg. Think of it this way. ORS is the equivalent of a row boat floating up to what seems like another piece of ice when underneath the waters lurks 95 per cent more iceberg or, in this case, potential revelations.

"You were shocked the other day when Marta described the process by which monies were redistributed from successful companies into decision making. The difficulty is that this process stretches from local councils and
ayuntamientos
or town halls through provincial governments to the
Comunidades
and even central government."

"I know I was unhappy about this decision buying. But it was 'only' about business, no?"

"Sadly not. This is also about power and influence. What I'm deeply afraid of is not of anything specific that ORS possesses but of what might follow if more and more questions are asked. Imagine what would occur if the press, self-important muckrakers that they are, were to get hold of even a whiff of this and begin to make lateral associations or enquiries. Even if these are wrong in specific detail, it won't necessarily stop them digging and digging.

"No. I must act and fast. The sooner Spain sees the back of ORS the better for us all. What I have to consider is where to begin."

"I hope you are not thinking of unfair pressure or blackmail or anything illegal?"

"Hopefully it won't come to that but it might have to."

"Alfredo, please! You can't be serious."

"I can, and I kick myself. Why does it have to be me at the centre of acting? Just when ..." He paused to consider. Maybe I should accept a post as an ambassador. No, that would be no solution, or at least not a quick enough one."

"Why not?"

"Who knows how long it'll take whoever makes those decisions to decide? The process is so unpredictable it's akin to a lottery. No, it isn't worth considering any further, though the idea of being in a comfortable ambassador's residence somewhere far from Spain does have its allure. In any case, there's another aspect about such a post that I dislike. It'd mean being without you ... I don't want that."

"Thank you, Alfredo. But you realise I could still accompany you, if not formally."

"How?"

"I don't need to be wherever you are officially. I'm sure I could do some climate research in the same city. That way we could be with each other even if we were not formally living together."

"Yes, that could work. I hadn't thought that far ahead. I was just thinking that not having you around was sufficient reason to show minimal interest and decline."

"Well, maybe you should rethink, even put out some initial indicators that you are interested, no?"

"That's not a bad idea. Meantime, however, I must start that anti-ORS organising. It will be my job for the rest of next week. Hmmm. There is one other thing, if you don't mind?" Puri nodded for him to continue. "If you're speaking with Marta, might you get her to give you a blow by blow description of what went on in her meeting at ORS? You might learn more than I can."

"You want me to spy on Marta?"

"No, no, no, not spy. Just ask for a description. I think we'll find some differences between what we agreed she should do and what actually happened. Knowing for certain could help us all."

He beseeched. Puri gave way.

"All right, I will, but only if she calls me and if I can bring it up naturally – assuming she wants to talk. I'm not pushing her. Okay?"

"Okay. As usual you know best. Now I'm going to my desk to make a few telephone calls. Afterwards I must leave before dinner, which is a pity, because I'd hoped to enjoy that with you."

"We'll have next weekend and the one after. And do have a think about that overseas possibility."

Monday: Malasaña

It was early evening, at least by Spanish standards. Ana was in a state of shock. What Emilia had projected onto the big screen had taken her breath away. First there were the ORS transactions. They had taken her through their analyses, listing key transactions and amounts. They had also set out to try communicating their rationale behind the idea that these records were somehow a form of personal accounting mechanism.

By accident, Ana thought, they had brought up one picture of Márquez's lover. They had removed it immediately without saying anything. They might not recognise him but Ana did. He spelt trouble, big trouble. Furthermore, if implicated in any way with ORS, this could become even messier.

Whilst thinking about this they had shown her some details of the transactions. The first name to hit her was of Gómez y Hermano, a major professional services firm. This went from bad to horrific.

As displayed, to Caterina and Emilia, it was just a list. While Davide, Caterina and Emilia were sitting in a wonderful fluffy cloud of foreigner ignorance Ana began to recognise other names.

Having endured for as long as she could, Ana returned to Davide, advising him that, in her opinion, there was good reason to take better advice than she could give. One option was to seek advice from a law firm. Davide had looked decidedly reluctant. She did not blame him. Ana mentioned a different idea. Davide raised his eyebrows in question.

She had recommended talking with a senior policeman, one who was a member of her family but was highly regarded and rising fast. The only doubts in her mind were whether he was available and if she could persuade him to listen unofficially, at least to start.

Davide thought this reasonable. She had made a call. To her relief, she obtained confirmation that he would be in Malasaña by 8 p.m.

It was now nearly 9 p.m. There was still no sign of him. Her nerves were getting to her. She was in and out of the
terraza
smoking. She hated doing it. Ana thought she had licked the habit, except on social occasions. Clearly she had much further to go.

The doorbell rang. Davide indicated for her to answer the door. Ana opened the piso door, inviting in her cousin. She began introducing him to Davide, who interrupted her by greeting
Pedro, and enquiring about Barajas.

After addressing Davide with, "Why should I not be surprised?" Pedro turned to Ana, saying, "You didn't tell me whom I was meeting. Why not?"

"Why should I? Why on earth would I think you would know each other? How
do
you know each other?"

Ana was taken aback, not least by the obvious friendliness between them.

"You know, Pedro, she's right. How could she expect us to have met? After all, you are some high and mighty muckity-muck handling Interpol and diplomatic matters, no?"

"Not any longer. I've moved on to new responsibilities."

"Before telling me, let me get Caterina. You remember her?"

"You mean Conor's assistant at Interpol? The one with those astonishing black eyes and white-blonde hair?"

"That's the one. Clearly you really are a policeman – you don't forget the important details. But she's no longer at Interpol. She's here with another Australian friend, travelling. It was accidental when she 'found what she did'."

Davide left the room to fetch Caterina.

"I'm astonished, Ana. What's the connection? The first, and last, time he and I met when his friends Conor and Caterina managed to create not one but two diplomatic incidents at Barajas airport inside a morning, one of which continued for weeks."

"I know nothing about that. All I know is that they don't understand the implications of what they've found."

"What d'you mean?"

"Think of the 'B Accounts scandal', except with hard evidence. And more."

"Ah. I'm beginning to see why you called me."

Caterina, accompanied by a smaller, more intense-looking lady of about the same age, appeared with Davide.

Pedro greeted and kissed Caterina in welcome. She introduced him to Emilia to whom he offered the same courtesies.

"Sorry, I don't have long and I'm already running late. Ana tells me that you've some interesting information from a smartphone." Ana looked at him, amazed at such understatement. "Would you like to tell me more?"

Davide began by going through what he had told Ana earlier. He added that it was Ana who suggested talking to the authorities informally, rather than going to a legal firm.

"That was a good thought," Pedro affirmed. "I believe you showed Ana some of the information. May I see it?"

Emilia nodded. Pedro and she, with Caterina in tow, left for Davide's study.

"Is there anybody in Madrid you don't know, Ana? Not that I'm complaining. He was most helpful when I first encountered him."

"I could ask the same about you and people in Madrid. Felipe, Inma, Pedro ... who's next?"

"What d'you think Pedro will recommend?"