Free Casanova by Mark Arundel Page A

until later? Moreover, when should I tell Bazzer and C that I’d found him?
    After deliberating for a few moments, I decided to leave Casanova until later. I reasoned that with his wife and daughters nearby and with Christmas only a day away, he wouldn’t be going anywhere new anytime soon.
    I was right, but it turned out not to matter anyway.
     
    I made my way quickly back down the mountain. I passed a piste basher on the lowest run and gave it a wide berth. The diesel engine grumbled and the ridged tracks pounded the snow like a steak tenderiser.
    The village was still quiet except for a snowplough chugging slowly up and down the main street. It was much easier to walk on the road where the scraped snow was flat and smooth.
    The moved snow had compacted into a decent looking wall where the plough had pushed it aside and piled it high. I had to climb over the icy barricade, as the hotel staff hadn’t yet dug an escape route.
    Inside the lobby, I instantly felt the change in temperature. I went straight to my room and took a hot shower. I dressed in dry ski clothes from the bag and then I ordered breakfast from room service.
    Throughout this time, I hadn’t stopped thinking about all the options. I made a decision to call Meriwether. His mobile rang. It took a while before he answered and then I heard his distinctive voice.
    ‘Dear boy,’ he said, ‘you’re up early this morning.’
    ‘I’ve found him,’ I said.
    ‘Oh, good, that didn’t take long, well done. Where is he, somewhere comfortable and warm I expect?’
    ‘He’s staying in a cabin nearby.’
    ‘Have you spoken to him?’
    ‘No, not yet, I didn’t want to spook him into running again.’
    ‘No, quite, that’s very sensible. How did you find him?’
    ‘He made a night-time visit to a loved one and I followed him home.’
    ‘You really are such a resourceful fellow.’
    There was a pause in the conversation and I could tell Meriwether was thinking. He was silent for many seconds. I waited patiently. At last, he spoke again.
    ‘What to do,’ he said. ‘I expect you’ve been struggling with the same question?’
    I wasn’t sure what he meant by that. I didn’t respond.
    ‘I want the money back,’ Meriwether said.
    I kept silent.
    ‘Have you told C the good news?’ he asked.
    ‘That I’ve found him?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘No, not yet,’ I said.
    Again, there was a pause while Meriwether thought. When he spoke again his voice had more gravitas as though he were about to deliver a soliloquy from a Shakespearean tragedy.
    ‘I was just speaking with Hoagy,’ he said, ‘before you called, and he gave me some news from VX. The team of experts working on the hole at the bank have discovered to where Casanova transferred the money. It went to a small independent Swiss bank in Zurich. It’s an investment bank still owned by a very old Swiss family and it provides wealthy clients with an exclusive personal service. The family patriarch and current chairman of the bank is a keen skier and he owns a ski chalet. He always stays in the chalet over the Christmas and New Year period. I think you probably know where that chalet is.’
    Meriwether was right; I did know where it was. I didn’t need him to spell it out for me.
    ‘The Swiss banker’s name will be sent to you. For our purposes, I have named him Ulrich. I would like to persuade Ulrich that it would be in everyone’s best interest if we got our money back. I’ll have his photograph sent to your K106 as well, so you can identify him. I want you and C to pay him a visit this morning. I’ll call C now to brief her.’
    ‘What about Casanova,’ I asked.
    ‘Yes, Casanova; you can speak with him too and explain if the money is returned and if he didn’t strangle the girl then he may get to keep his life and even his job if he’s very lucky.’
    I got the feeling that Meriwether was, in his words, a little piqued with this whole assignment. I also had the feeling, as always, he knew more