'Yes, I have it.' Garry sat down in the lounging chair opposite Shalik. He crossed his long legs and regarded Shalik.
'You have? My congratulations. I take it the other three will be coming to join us in a moment or so?'
Garry shook his head.
'No, they won't be coming to join us.'
Shalik frowned.
'But surely they want their fee?
'They won't be coming and they won't be collecting their fee.'
Shalik sat back, studied the end of his cigar, then looked hard at Garry.
'And why not, Mr. Edwards?'
'Because they are dead.'
Shalik stiffened and his eyes narrowed.
'Are you telling me Miss Desmond is dead?
'Yes, and so are the other two.'
Shalik made an impatient movement which conveyed he wasn't interested in the other two.
'But what happened?'
'She caught a bug . . . lots of dangerous bugs in the jungle, and she died.'
Shalik got to his feet and walked over to the window, turning his back to Garry. The news shocked him. He disliked strangers knowing that he was capable of being shocked.
After a few moments, he turned and asked, 'How do I know you are telling me the truth, Mr. Edwards? How did the other two die?'
'Jones was eaten by a crocodile. I don't know what happened to Fennel. He was probably killed by a Zulu. I found the Zulu dead with Fennel's rucksack and the ring. Fennel had stolen the ring and my compass and left Gaye and me to find our way out of the jungle. I succeeded: Gaye didn't.'
'Are you quite sure she is dead?'
'I'm sure.'
Shalik sat down. He wiped his damp hands on his handkerchief. He had an important assignment involving a million dollars lined up for Gaye when she returned. Now, what was he to do? He felt a bitter rage seize him. He would have to start another long and difficult search for a woman to replace her, and in the meantime, the assignment would fall through.
'And the ring?' he said, controlling his rage.
Garry took a matchbox from his pocket and pushed it across the desk to Shalik who picked it up, shook the ring out on to the blotter and regarded it. Well, at least, this assignment hadn't failed. He was suddenly very pleased with himself. By using his brains and these four people as his pawns, he had made half a million dollars within the space of a few days.
He examined the ring closely, then nodded his satisfaction. As he put the ring down, he said, 'I am sure the operation wasn't easy, Mr. Edwards. I am very pleased. In fairness to you, I will double your fee. Let me see . . . it was nine thousand dollars. I will make it eighteen thousand. Is that satisfactory to you?'
Garry shook his head.
'Nine is enough,' he said curtly. 'The less I have of your money, the cleaner I will feel.'
Shalik's eyes snapped, but he shrugged. He opened his desk drawer and took out a long envelope which he tossed across the desk.
Garry picked up the envelope. He didn't bother to check the contents. Putting the envelope in his breast pocket, he got up and walked to the door.
'Mr. Edwards . . .'
Garry paused.
'What is it?
'I would be glad if you would dictate a full report of what happened during the operation. I would like to have
