Monday 2:00 pm 

In his position, Sir Geoffrey had to associate with characters that he would prefer never to have met. Carlos Olivera was one of those characters. 

 A month before the Russian woman arrived at the law offices of Geoffrey Fender, Carlos had an appointment with Sir Geoffrey in his office in Whitehall.

“Please understand, my dear Sir Geoffrey, that your role in this transaction would be very minor indeed. Just meet with Ivan Petrov, who I believe you already know, and make arrangements for the shipment of ten imperial vases from London to St Petersburg.”

Carlos made it sound simple. Sir Geoffrey had met Petrov, the oligarch, several times and they got along fairly well. But he knew there was more to it than Carlos was letting on.

“These vases were originally a present from Emperor Nicholas I to his daughter Grand Duchess Olga. Petrov was the highest bidder at Christie’s last month. The old boy just wants to see them back in Russia,” said Carlos.

Industrialists, who had become astonishingly wealthy since the country had become more open, were relocating many of Russia’s historical works of art back to Russia. However, Sir Geoffrey knew the art treasures were not going to museums for the people to enjoy, but to the extravagant mansions of Russia’s nouveau riche.

“Okay, Carlos. What are you not telling me? I know there’s more to it than that.” 

“I was getting to that. We would like you to arrange insurance on the vases and see that they get to Russia without disruption. The vases are valued at more than two-million Euros. As a Member of Parliament, you can use your political influence and Russian government contacts, to make sure that everything goes through customs smoothly and safely.” 

“I don’t think that ten vases should be too much of a problem,” said Sir Geoffrey. “I’m not sure Ivan needs my help.”

 “What I haven’t told you is that each vase is 1.5 meters tall and made of fragile porcelain. The packing and shipping is extremely important. I have arranged for a team of the best fine art packers in Europe to do the packing. We’d like you, Sir Geoffrey, and a senior executive from the insurance company oversee the packing.”

“Petrov will be paying all the fees for shipping, packing and handling. When the vases arrive at St Petersburg, you will take control of the shipment. Petrov will inspect the vases for damage, but you are not to release the shipment until I give you word that Petrov has transferred the funds into my account. I don’t trust these Ruskies!”

“…and I don’t trust you, Carlos. You don’t exactly have a glowing reputation for trustworthiness. And I never trust an old Etonian.”

“Oh come on Sir Geoffrey. It’s just a business deal and I want to take advantage of your political power and influence. Petrov doesn’t want his precious vases to be held up in customs here, nor in Russia. You can almost guarantee that they will sail through without getting tied up in red tape. You will receive a generous fee — £200.000. That’s not bad for a couple of day’s work.“

“I hope to God that you don’t get me into any shit with this deal, Carlos. If you do, you’ll regret it. I’m the last man on Earth you want to cross.”

“As I said, my dear boy, this is a business deal, where everyone is a winner. Let’s shake on it.”

Sir Geoffrey shook Carlos’s hand, but was still uncomfortable when he agreed that he would play his part. He saw nothing illegal in the proposal and was prepared to turn a blind eye to whatever details lay behind the scenes. It was in his interests to do a favour to the Russian oligarch. 

What he didn’t know was that the vases were to be packed with cocaine that was worth twice as much as the cost of the ten vases.