wonderingly. “Superstitions and myths seem to hang on in primitive cultures despite superficial evidences of advancing civilization. I don’t believe in your Wanderi devils, but I have a healthy respect for their dart poisons. Rest assured that things will be resolved long before we enter their domain. Now then, who is doing the hiring of personnel for this journey?”
“This chap Murin, Barrett’s friend, seems to be going along with him on this one. I expect he’ll be the one.” Kobenene grinned. “Barrett will spend most of his preparation time spending Miss Hardi’s money in every bar in the city.”
“Um. I know this Murin by reputation, I think. Yes,” said Albright, “I’ll have no difficulty joining on. But you, my obese friend, will be a problem. Any inquiries at all into your background, and this Murin wouldn’t hire you for free. Ah, I have it! You can come along as my valet.” He grinned wolfishly.
Kobenene sipped his drink. The idea of him waiting on Albright hand and foot was so amusingly far-fetched it didn’t even upset him.
“How droll,” he muttered. “You are so sure of your own ability to be accepted?”
“Oh, I’ve no doubt of it,” said Albright, “no doubt of it. I have an ‘in,’ you know.”
Kobenene left him soon after. Neither was particularly fond of the other’s company. When business was finished, small talk vanished. Besides, there were affairs of commerce to be settled before they left.
The office near the airport was small but neatly furnished. Kobenene gave his name to the harried receptionist and was promptly admitted to the inner sanctum. The middle-aged woman behind the desk wore her hair in corn-rows, the latest fashion from America. Otherwise she was quite plain, looking exactly like what she was—a busy, small-time executive with too many problems and not enough time to cope with them.
All of this was true except the small-time. Also, people would see her in rather a different light if they knew her early history, which included at least half a dozen murders and police warrants in as many countries. Her personal wealth was considerable, though she chose not to flaunt it. That was one reason why she hadn’t been caught yet. Inordinate displays of unsubstantiated funds are like waving a red flag in front of any gendarme.
“Hello, Mama Wembe.”
“Kobe!” She looked up from her work. “How are you, lad?”
“Well, thanks,” he said, taking a chair. “How’s business?”
“Better than ever, better than ever! But our people in Naples and Antwerp are impatient. They can’t get enough of the stuff. Here they’re waving millions of francs and lire and other fine paper under my eyes and I can sell them only promises.”
“Albright does his best, Mama. We could branch out, but the risks—”
“I know, lad. Quite right. Our exclusive control is worth more than any momentary profits. In time, everything will come.”
“It will have to, Mama. Albright’s leaving on an expedition into Wanderi country this next week. I’ve got to go with him.”
Mama Wembe nodded. “I know about the situation with the Hardi woman. Why not just—” She made a slashing motion across her throat.
“Too messy. She’s not just another tourist. It would provoke embarrassing questions. Albright and I are agreed. The jungle is the place for that sort of thing.”
The woman sighed and rubbed at her skinny legs under the table. “You’re both right, of course. Things were much simpler when I was a girl. I suppose that means no more supplies until you return?”
Kobenene nodded. “You’ll have a new batch delivered tonight, though.”
“I suppose it’ll have to do. I don’t know what I’m going to tell Cantos, though.”
“Tell him to work on the aide at the American consulate in San Marino. I think we can make a breakthrough there.”
“I’ll do that.” She stood and reached forward, patting him gently on the cheek. “You take care of yourself
“This chap Murin, Barrett’s friend, seems to be going along with him on this one. I expect he’ll be the one.” Kobenene grinned. “Barrett will spend most of his preparation time spending Miss Hardi’s money in every bar in the city.”
“Um. I know this Murin by reputation, I think. Yes,” said Albright, “I’ll have no difficulty joining on. But you, my obese friend, will be a problem. Any inquiries at all into your background, and this Murin wouldn’t hire you for free. Ah, I have it! You can come along as my valet.” He grinned wolfishly.
Kobenene sipped his drink. The idea of him waiting on Albright hand and foot was so amusingly far-fetched it didn’t even upset him.
“How droll,” he muttered. “You are so sure of your own ability to be accepted?”
“Oh, I’ve no doubt of it,” said Albright, “no doubt of it. I have an ‘in,’ you know.”
Kobenene left him soon after. Neither was particularly fond of the other’s company. When business was finished, small talk vanished. Besides, there were affairs of commerce to be settled before they left.
The office near the airport was small but neatly furnished. Kobenene gave his name to the harried receptionist and was promptly admitted to the inner sanctum. The middle-aged woman behind the desk wore her hair in corn-rows, the latest fashion from America. Otherwise she was quite plain, looking exactly like what she was—a busy, small-time executive with too many problems and not enough time to cope with them.
All of this was true except the small-time. Also, people would see her in rather a different light if they knew her early history, which included at least half a dozen murders and police warrants in as many countries. Her personal wealth was considerable, though she chose not to flaunt it. That was one reason why she hadn’t been caught yet. Inordinate displays of unsubstantiated funds are like waving a red flag in front of any gendarme.
“Hello, Mama Wembe.”
“Kobe!” She looked up from her work. “How are you, lad?”
“Well, thanks,” he said, taking a chair. “How’s business?”
“Better than ever, better than ever! But our people in Naples and Antwerp are impatient. They can’t get enough of the stuff. Here they’re waving millions of francs and lire and other fine paper under my eyes and I can sell them only promises.”
“Albright does his best, Mama. We could branch out, but the risks—”
“I know, lad. Quite right. Our exclusive control is worth more than any momentary profits. In time, everything will come.”
“It will have to, Mama. Albright’s leaving on an expedition into Wanderi country this next week. I’ve got to go with him.”
Mama Wembe nodded. “I know about the situation with the Hardi woman. Why not just—” She made a slashing motion across her throat.
“Too messy. She’s not just another tourist. It would provoke embarrassing questions. Albright and I are agreed. The jungle is the place for that sort of thing.”
The woman sighed and rubbed at her skinny legs under the table. “You’re both right, of course. Things were much simpler when I was a girl. I suppose that means no more supplies until you return?”
Kobenene nodded. “You’ll have a new batch delivered tonight, though.”
“I suppose it’ll have to do. I don’t know what I’m going to tell Cantos, though.”
“Tell him to work on the aide at the American consulate in San Marino. I think we can make a breakthrough there.”
“I’ll do that.” She stood and reached forward, patting him gently on the cheek. “You take care of yourself
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