The middle-aged magnate beside Luke lifted his glass. 'Charming little spot you've got here.' He grinned and added slyly, 'Of course you could tuck Fala'isi and its outlying islands in one corner of my ranch in Texas, but we certainly don't have anything like these magnificent mountains. Or your beaches! And this plantation house is something else again.'

Amused, Luke said smoothly, 'We do pride ourselves on our beaches,' before steering the conversation into the prospective ramifications of the collapse of a huge company with worldwide interests.

Ten minutes later, after introducing the Texan to an Australian pastoral tycoon, he made his way across the room, pausing frequently to chat to various guests. Although this sort of social-cum-business occasion wasn't his favourite form of entertaining, in his position as heir to the very small country of Fala'isi—several islands sprinkled across one corner of the Pacific Ocean—they were part of his life. And his decision to hold the party in his parents' house was vindicated; many of the guests had complimented him on the old mansion's beauty and style.

Just outside the door, his security man straightened up.

Luke asked swiftly, 'What's happened?'

'I saw Ms Harrison—Mrs van Helgen—walking along the road. Well, staggering, actually. I stopped