The explosive propellant material was a hard, waterproof substance, moulded as a cartridge case, bonded to the bullet and fired electrically. There was no case to eject after firing. The benefit was cheap ammunition, simple, non-jamming mechanism, and consistent performance.

A presentation case was given to the Duke and contained the pistol, suppressor and 10 clips of ammunition, each holding 30 rounds. Some bullets were high velocity, some were designed to break up like orange segments. Each segment, extremely hard and exceedingly sharp could penetrate most light body armour and produce large surface wounds. The impact on heavy body armour was like being struck by a sledgehammer.

Other types of ammunition from the range were included as samples. The Duke thought the weapon was so beautiful and feminine he planned to pass it on to Carla.

Talking freely with the guests, Max soon discovered some of the reasons why the Duke was so popular with everyone.

In the village, at a personal level, a widow had asked for the Duke’s help when she discovered her husband had forgotten to pay his life insurance premium and had inconveniently died.

The Duke made enquiries on her behalf to this leading Insurance Company and claimed the husband had posted the cheque, and it must have become lost in the post. The cheque mysteriously turned up in due course, and the Company paid out.

The case was subject to considerable coast-to-coast publicity in favour of the Company. They did well out of the increased business, as did certain press and television companies who had exclusive rights to report the story. The Duke also did well from many small revenues, from each of these.

The Duke was approached by one of the shopkeepers fronting Carla’s hideaway about his idle, bully of a son who had admitted stealing from the Duke’s shop. He asked the Duke to give him a little extra time to make good the theft by delaying rent payment. The Duke agreed, but said should the wayward son decide of his own free will to make restitution, the shopkeeper should go along with it and support the boy as necessary.

After bumping into the Duke’s Chief Steward in a dark alley the following night, the boy begged his father to forgive him and let him work in the shop for just his food and lodging for the next year. Also, the evenings were spent doing chores for certain elderly people in the village. The boy was at the reception this weekend, working under the scrutiny of the Chief Steward.

And so, the stories went on. No wonder the Duke was so loved and revered by all.

Well, not everybody!

There was a spate of drug abuse and linked crime, but that stopped when a newcomer, thought to be at the root of it, mysteriously died.

Max also discovered how The Organisation worked. It appeared the Duke’s wealth was the result of his fingers in many pies. Specialist Firms and Companies linked together in a symbiotic relationship.

For example, special paper manufactures for currency, printing equipment for currency, engraving equipment, for currency, and many other industries. None were directly linked, and none had any obvious criminal connections, but viewed collectively, there was a pattern there.

Max concluded that worldwide, the senior Directors of the various concerns linked to The Organisation paid a small, but regular commission to the Duke for their appointments. This totalled up to significant revenue.

Other businesses involved with Real Estate and Construction worked in a similar way.

Large areas of harbour side property, overrun with crime and dereliction were bought up and transformed into luxury homes and marinas for the seriously wealthy.

Why crime suddenly rose to epidemic proportions in these areas and died away over night, when bought up, was never clear to the Authorities, they were just glad it did.

Nobody seemed to lose out. The original landowners were delighted to be rid of it for a fair price, the Police got credit for tackling the crime, and peace reigned. Politicians were praised for their foresight and re-elected. The shopkeepers and traders became wealthy from the money earned from the rich and did not care too much that their rates were increased because household rates actually went down!

After a sumptuous meal and some dancing, Carla suggested they leave, so they said their goodbyes to the guests and the Duke.

The Duke told Carla he wanted a quick word with Max first, so she walked away towards the entrance doors and waited.

The Duke came straight to the point. “I see a deeper relationship between you and Carla than just friendship.”

Max was taken aback and wondered how he had come to that conclusion; after all neither he or Carla had even discussed such a thing.

“I think you are mistaken, Sir,” Max replied.

“Not at all, it is written all over your faces, you can’t take your eyes off each other and everything you say gives you away. The point is; Carla is a free spirit, highly intelligent, exceptionally beautiful and half your age.

No one can dominate her, a normal life will soon lead to boredom, there would be an insufficient stimulus to keep her interested, and many young and handsome men will challenge you for her affections.

You are special to her now for some reason, but you should face the facts and protect yourself from a broken heart!”

Max’s face showed his rising anger, but the Duke continued; “I tell you this, not because I fear losing her love, it is not like that between us, but the intensity of love is greater with age and so is the pain when it is lost.

Please just think about what I have said, I like you and respect you and hope we can treat each other as friends.”

Max said nothing as the Duke smiled and said, “You had better go now, she grows impatient!”

Carla’s face beamed, and she grabbed Max’s arm and linked hers in his, pulling him close to her. “What did he say?” She whispered conspiratorially.

“Oh, nothing really, just that you’re a right little handful, you can’t cook, and if I want to stick around, I’d better get off my fat arse and get a decent job!” She chuckled, pushed into him, and said, “I knew he would like you and I hope you will want to stick around.”

Chapter - Max & Carla’s night of passion.

Max felt better about the relationship with Carla, from the way she was behaving. They arrived home in no time, laughing and giggling they staggered into the lounge. Max held her bare shoulders gently in his hands; her cool skin was soft and smooth to the touch. He turned her to face him, and she looked up. As he leaned in to kiss her, she reached up with her arm round his neck and pulled him to her. They kissed with an intense passion that neither wanted to end.

Still kissing, Max carried her up to her bedroom.

In anticipation of what might follow, his penis rose up like the drawbridge of a castle, under surprise attack.

He let her down, standing by the side of her bed. As she slid down, she felt the lump of his penis, pressing into her.

She said softly, in a Mae West voice “is that your torch or are you just pleased to see me?” Then she chuckled and started to undo his trousers.