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"Understood."
"I will also require someone to advise me on a property transaction."
"They will be in touch with you later today."
Da
"Douglas Allen Spiro," said a morning voice.
"You have a for-sale sign outside a property on Mile End Road," said Da
"I'll put you through to Mr. Parker, he deals with properties in that area."
Da
"You have a property for sale on Mile End Road," repeated Da
"We have several properties in that area, sir. Can you be more specific?"
" Wilson 's garage."
"Oh, yes, first-class property, freehold. It's been in the same family for over a hundred years."
"How long has it been on the market?"
"Not long, and we've already had a lot of interest."
"How long?" repeated Da
"Five, perhaps six months," admitted Parker.
Da
"Two hundred thousand," said Parker, "or near offer, which of course includes the fixtures and fittings. Can I take your name, sir?"
Da
"Baker, Tremlett and Smythe."
"I'm thinking of buying a property on Mile End Road."
"I'll put you through to the department that handles East London."
There was a click on the end of the line. Would whoever picked up the phone ever discover they had been randomly selected to be the messenger and shouldn't later be blamed when the earthquake erupted? "Gary Hall. How can I help you?"
"Mr. Hall, my name is Sir Nicholas Moncrieff and I wonder"-slowly, very slowly-"if I've got the right man."
"Tell me what it is you need, sir, and I'll see if I can help."
"There's a property for sale in Mile End Road that I'd like to buy, but I don't want to deal directly with the vendor's estate agent."
"I understand, sir. You can be assured of my discretion." I hope not, thought Da
"What number in Mile End Road is it?"
"One four three," Da
"Who are the vendor's agents?"
"Douglas Allen Spiro."
"I'll have a word with my opposite number there and find out all the details," said Hall, "then give you a bell back."
"I'll be in your area later today," said Da
"Of course, Sir Nicholas. Where would you like to meet?"
Da
"I'll see you there at twelve, Sir Nicholas."
Da
"Good morning, Sir Nicholas," said a voice. "I manage the bank's property desk in London."
Big Al drove Da
"My name is Sir Nicholas Moncrieff," he said as he walked up the steps. "I'm expecting a guest to join me around twelve-a Mr. Hall. Could you tell him I'll be in the lounge?" He took out his wallet and handed the doorman a ten-pound note.
"I certainly will, sir," said the doorman, raising his top hat.
"And your name is?" asked Da
"George."
"Thank you, George," said Da
He paused in the lobby, and introduced himself to the head concierge. After a short conversation with Walter, he parted with another ten-pound note.
On Walter's advice, Da
"Why don't I put you in one of our more private alcoves, Sir Nicholas? I'll see that Mr. Hall is brought across to you the moment he arrives. Would you care for anything while you're waiting?"
"A copy of The Times and a hot chocolate," said Da
"Of course, Sir Nicholas."
"And your name is?" asked Da
"Mario, sir."
George, Walter and Mario had unwittingly become members of his team, at a cost of thirty pounds. Da
"Thank you, Mario," Da
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Nicholas," said Hall as he took the seat opposite Da
"What would you like to drink, Mr. Hall?" said Da
"Just a coffee, thank you."
"A coffee and my usual, please, Mario."
"Of course, Sir Nicholas."
The young man who had joined Da
"Are you feeling all right, Sir Nicholas?" asked Hall, looking genuinely concerned.
"Yes, I'm fine, just fine," said Da
"After Mr. Wilson retired, the business was carried on for a couple of years under a man called…" Hall referred to his file, though Da
"Her losses?"
"Yes, the site is now owned"-he once again checked his file-"by a Miss Elizabeth Wilson, the daughter of the previous owner."
"What's the asking price?" said Da
"The site is approximately five thousand square feet, but if you are considering making an offer, I could do a survey and confirm the exact measurements." 4,789 square feet, Da
"What's the asking price?" repeated Da
"Oh, yes, sorry. Two hundred thousand, including fixtures and fittings, but I'm fairly confident you could pick it up for a hundred and fifty. There hasn't been much interest shown in the property, and there's a far more successful garage trading on the other side of the road."