'Sit down,' Kahlenberg said, resting his elbows on his desk and staring at Tak, thinking what an extraordinary looking man this was. 'Any news of the Borgia ring affair?'
'Yes, sir. The three thieves concerned arrived at the Rand International hotel a few minutes ago. Fennel arrived the day before yesterday. He came from Paris. A garage owner, Sam Jefferson, has been buying their equipment. I have a list of it here if you wish to see it. I have also photographs of these people taken as they arrived at the airport.' He paused to give Kahlenberg a quick glance before laying a large envelope he had brought with him on the desk. 'You may find the woman attractive.'
Kahlenberg glanced at the blown-up photographs of the three men and laid them on the blotter but he sat for some moments studying Gaye's photograph. Then he glanced up. 'What do you know about her?'
'All their dossiers are in the envelope, sir.'
'Thank you, Tak. I'll see you later.'
When Tak had gone, Kahlenberg picked up Gaye's photograph and again studied it for several minutes, then he opened a drawer and put the photograph away. He read the four dossiers, studied the list of equipment, read that the camp was situated near Mainville and a helicopter had arrived there the previous day. He put all the papers back into the envelope and locked it away. He sat staring with hooded eyes down at his blotter for a long time, then with a slight nod of satisfaction at the decision he had reached, he set his chair in motion and snapping his fingers at Hindenburg, he propelled himself out into the garden and along the broad path for a half hour's break. The big cat wandered by his side.
Back at his desk at 11.00 hrs., Kahlenberg dealt until lunch time with more papers that had arrived. He lunched on a smoked trout with horseradish sauce and a coffee, then returning to his office, sent for Tak again.
'How much did I pay for the Borgia ring?' he asked.
'Sixty thousand dollars. Mercial paid a quarter of a million. We got it very cheaply. Now Mercial is paying Shalik half a million to recover it. Absurd, but without it, his Borgia collection is spoilt.'
'I am inclined to let him have it back,' Kahlenberg said, staring at Tak who said nothing. He knew by now the way Kahlenberg's mind worked. 'It might be amusing, but it wouldn't do to let these four have it without working for it, would it?'
Tak inclined his head and continued to wait.
'So why not let them arrive here? As you say the woman is attractive. It will be interesting to see if Fennel who is supposed to be such an expert can break into the museum. Let us encourage them. I can leave the details to you.'
'You want them to walk away with the ring, sir?'
'We will make their entrance easy and their exit difficult, but if they can get it off the estate, then I think they would be entitled to keep it, but only if they can get it off the estate.' Kahlenberg's eyes searched Tak's face. 'You understand?'
'Yes, sir.'
'So we let them in and make it difficult for them to get out. If anything should happen to them, I suppose the crocodiles would welcome extra food.'
Tak's eyes narrowed.
'Is it your wish something should happen to them, sir?'
'Well, it would be awkward if they got into the museum and then got away to talk. We wouldn't want Interpol here making inquiries. The Vatican was particularly incensed at losing the bust of Jupiter. How that rogue ever got it out of the Vatican has always puzzled me. No, it wouldn't do for Interpol to know the museum is below ground.'
'But there was some suggestion, sir, that you were returning the ring to Mercial.'
'Yes . . . I will return the ring but not his operators.'
Tak didn't follow this, but he waited.
'Our Zulus would welcome a manhunt for a change, I think?'
'They can be relied on, sir.'
'Yes . . . they are very close still to the savage. That may not be necessary, of course. Our enterprising four could get lost. Still, let them be alerted. Arrange some sort of reward and insist on proof.'
'Yes, sir.'
'I must admit such a hunt would amuse me.' Kahlenberg's thinlipped mouth tightened. 'When they have
