You okay? Bernard asked at last. Nicholas nodded though his eyes felt
like hard-boiled eggs, and his chin was dark and raspy with beard.
You want something to eat? Bernard asked, and then Nick shook his head
and realized that it was dark outside.
Drink? You'll need one for what comes next., Scotch/ Nicholas agreed,
and the secretary brought the tray through, and poured the drinks in
another respectful hush.
That will be all, Mr. Wackie? For now, honey, Bernard watched her go,
and then saluted Nicholas with his glass.
I give you the Golden Prince! And when Nicholas scowled, he went on
swiftly, No, Nicholas, I'm not shafting you. It's for real. You've done
it again, The Sheikhs are fixing to make you an offer. They want to buy
you out, take over the whole show, liabilities, everything. of course,
they'll want you to run it for them - two years, while you train one of
their own men. A hell of a salary/ he went on crisply, and Nicholas
stared at him.
How much? Two hundred grand, plus 21/2% profits. Not the salary,
Nicholas told him. How much are they offering for the company? They
are Arabs, the first offer is just to stir the pot a little. How much?
Nicholas asked impatiently.
The sum of five was delicately mentioned. What do you think they'll go
to? Seven, seven and half - eight, perhaps. Through the fuzz of
fatigue, far off like a lantern in the window on a winter's night,
Nicholas saw the vision of a new life, a life such as Samantha had shown
him. A life uncluttered, uncomplicated, shorn of all but joy and
purpose.
Eight million dollars clear? Nicholas voice was husky, and he tried to
wipe away the fatigue from his stinging eyelids with thumb and
forefinger, Maybe only seven, Bernard demurred, but I'd try for eight.
I'll have another drink, Nicholas said.
That's a splendid idea, Bernard agreed, and rang for his secretary with
an anticipatory sparkle in his eyes.
Samantha wore her hair in twin braids down her back, and hacked-off
denim pants which left her long brown legs bare and exposed a pale
sliver of tight round buttock at each step as she walked away. She had
sandals on her feet and sun-glasses pushed up on top of her head.
I thought you were never coming/she challenged Nick as he stepped
through the barrier at Miami International, He dropped his bag and
fielded her rush against his chest.
She clung to him and he had forgotten the clean, sun-drenched smell of
her hair.
She was trembling with a suppressed eagerness like a puppy, and it was
only when a small quivering sob shook her shoulders that he realized she
was weeping.
Hey now! He lifted her chin, and her eyes were flooded.
She snuffled once loudly.
What's the trouble, little one? I'm just so happy, Samantha told him,
and deeply Nicholas envied the ability to live so near the surface. To
be able to cry with joy seemed to him at that moment to be the supreme
