The Fear Index

was an ex-girlfriend of Hugo’s who had passed the statutory retirement age for that position, thirty-one, and been found lighter duties elsewhere. She was carrying a tray. Behind her lurked a man in a dark suit and black tie with a fawn raincoat over his arm.
    ‘Mr Genoud is here,’ she said, then added solicitously, ‘How are you feeling, Alex?’
    Hoffmann turned on Quarry. ‘You told her?’
    ‘Yes, I called her from the hospital. She fixed us a car. What’s it matter? It’s not a secret, is it?’
    ‘I’d prefer it if everyone in the office didn’t know, if you don’t mind.’
    ‘Sure, if that’s what you want. You’ll keep it to yourself, Amber, right?’
    ‘Of course, Hugo.’ She looked at Hoffmann in puzzlement. ‘Sorry, Alex.’
    Hoffmann raised his hand in benediction. He took his coffee from the tray and returned to the window. The pedestrians had moved on. A tram rattled to a halt and opened its doors, spilling out passengers along its entire length, as if a knife had been passed from end to end, gutting it. Hoffmann tried to pick out faces, but there were too many and they were dispersing too quickly. He drank his coffee. When he turned round, Genoud was in the office and the door was closed. They had been talking to him and he had not realised. He was aware of a silence.
    ‘Sorry?’
    Genoud said patiently, ‘I was just telling Mr Quarry, Dr Hoffmann: I have spoken to several of my old colleagues in the Geneva police. They have issued a description of the man. Forensics are at your house now.’
    Hoffmann said, ‘The inspector in charge of the case is called Leclerc.’
    ‘Yes, I know him. He’s ready to be put out to grass, unfortunately. This case seems to have him beaten already.’ Genoud hesitated. ‘May I ask you, Dr Hoffmann – are you sure you have told him everything? It would be wise to be frank with him.’
    ‘Of course I have. Why the hell wouldn’t I?’ Hoffmann didn’t care for his tone.
    Quarry cut in: ‘I don’t give a shit what Inspector Clouseau thinks. The point is, how did this lunatic get past Alex’s security? And if he got past it once, can he do it again? And if he got past it at his house, can he get past it here at the office? That’s what we pay you for, isn’t it, Maurice? Security?’
    Genoud’s sallow cheeks flushed. ‘This building is as well protected as any in Geneva. As for Dr Hoffmann’s house, the police say that the codes for the gate, the main door and possibly the alarm itself seem to have been known to the intruder. No security system in the world can protect against that.’
    Hoffmann said, ‘I’ll change the codes tonight. And in future I’ll decide who knows them.’
    ‘I can assure you, Dr Hoffmann,’ said Genoud, ‘only two persons in our company knew those combinations – myself and one of my technicians. There was no leak from our side.’
    ‘So you say. But he must have got hold of them from somewhere.’
    ‘Okay, let’s leave the codes for now,’ said Quarry. ‘The main thing is, until this guy is caught, I want Alex to have some proper protection. What will that entail?’
    ‘A permanent guard on the house, certainly – one of my men is there already. At least two other men on duty tonight – one to patrol the grounds, the other to remain indoors downstairs. As for when Dr Hoffmann moves around the city, I would suggest a driver with counterterrorism training and one security officer.’
    ‘Armed?’
    ‘That’s up to you.’
    ‘And what say you, Professor?’
    An hour ago, Hoffmann would have dismissed each of these precautions as absurd. But the spectre on the tram had jolted him. Little flashes of panic, like brushfires, kept breaking out in his mind. ‘I want Gabrielle looked after as well. We keep assuming this maniac was after me, but what if it was her he wanted?’
    Genoud was making entries on a personal organiser. ‘Yes, we can manage that.’
    ‘Just until he’s arrested, okay? Then we can all go back to normal.’
    ‘And what about you, Mr Quarry?’ asked Genoud. ‘Should we take precautions on your behalf as well?’
    Quarry laughed. ‘The only thing that keeps me awake at night is the thought of a paternity suit.’

    ‘RIGHT,’ SAID QUARRY, when Genoud had gone, ‘let’s talk about this presentation – if you’re still sure you’re up for it?’
    ‘I’m up for it.’
    ‘Okay, thank God for that. Nine investors – all existing clients as agreed. Four institutions,