Read Online FOLLOW THE MORNING STAR by Di Morrissey - Free Book Online

everyone laughed. As they shook hands there was no mistaking this man was an Australian. He had the grip of a fence-post strainer, the look of too much sun and beer, and he wore trousers by Fletcher Jones and a discreetly checked shirt by Pelaco.
    ‘G’day, Colin,’ he said affably.
    They all settled themselves at the table once more. ‘Grappa or beer?’ asked Alfredo.
    ‘A cold Pilsner thanks,’ said Colin quietly to the waiter.
    ‘Back in the land of good beer,’ said Georgy, lifting his own beer in salute.
    ‘And a few other good things. I’ve been away some years. The place is getting prettycivilised,’ Colin observed, gesturing around the restaurant. You on the land?’
    ‘Yeah, how’d ya guess?’ Georgy roared with laughter. ‘I grow a few horses, mix around the racing circuit a bit. Got a small place out the back of Tamworth.’
    Racing, that explained his connection with Camboni. Colin looked questioningly at Tony but Alfredo cut in smoothly. ‘Before we exchange the small talk, do you want to order anything speciale or do you trust me? They know me here, it will be good if we leave it to them.’
    The other men folded their menus and handed them to the waiter. ‘That was easy,’ said Georgy with relief. ‘I only know spaghetti bolognaise.’
    While they waited for the antipasto they talked about the Gold Coast and the promise and excitement of its rapid expansion and development.
    ‘There are many opportunities here, in many areas,’ said Tony, an observation clearly directed at Colin.
    ‘And what interests you?’ responded Colin.
    ‘I’m a developer. Everything interests me,’ he said with an easy smile. ‘At the moment I am involved in the new casino.’
    Camboni interjected for Colin’s benefit. ‘Really, the primo casino, Tony. You can’t count that RSL palace up the road. A terrible place. Very New South Wales. No style, full of grossly dressed pensioners. But I envy the money they take. Just a small percentage would do me fine.’
    The woman, who hadn’t been introduced, giggled and Camboni slapped his head in a gesture of despair. ‘Mandy! Mandy, forgive me. You didn’t meet Colin. This is Mandy, Georgy’s friend.’
    ‘Hi, Colin.’ She managed to pour coquettish and flirtatious innuendo into the two words.
    ‘Hi, Mandy,’ said Colin with a slight nod, then pressed on with the conversation, ignoring her. ‘Does it matter how they’re dressed so long as they spend money?’
    ‘We don’t want retired groups on bus tours. We want people who understand what a casino should truly be. We will have a lot more class,’ said Tony with proprietorial pride. ‘And we’ll have the big spenders.’
    Camboni narrowed his eyes at Tony. ‘How are the . . . negotiations going in that quarter? I trust you have dropped the right word . . . or gift in the appropriate quarters?’
    Tony smiled a sharklike smile. ‘It’s been taken care of. Things should start coming our way very soon.’
    Colin glanced at Georgy, wondering where he fitted into the casino picture. Camboni answered before he asked. ‘Georgy isn’t connected with the casino, Colin, but we are discussing a plan that might interest you. You seemed a little bored with Europe. Dina says you’ve been a little . . . distracted, shall we say. Would you like to work back here again?’
    ‘Depends. Doing what? And what about Dina? I don’t know that she’s ready to settle in Australia again.’
    Camboni waved a hand. ‘Women adjust.Besides, she can travel, she loves to travel. Send her back to Europe every few months.’
    I hope you’re going to pay me enough for that, thought Colin as he smiled at Camboni’s easy dismissal of the problem and of women. The idea of Dina out of his hair in Europe for months at a stretch was appealing. He gave Mandy a charming smile and sly wink.
    Camboni continued, lowering his voice and leaning forward conspiratorially. ‘We need another business here that is legitimate and