Read Online River of Death by Alistair MacLean - Free Book Online

People never pointed in Smith's drawing-room. 'Who are they?'

'We all know your rough diamond reputation, Hamilton.' When Smith chose to use a cold tone he could do so most effectively. 'But there's no need to be rude.'

Hamilton shook his head. 'Not rude. Just a man, as you observed, in a hurry. I just like to check on the company I'm keeping. As you do.'

'As I do?' Again the eyebrow. 'My dear fellow, if you would kindly explain —'

'And that's another thing,' Hamilton said. That made it twice in thirty seconds that Smith had been interrupted, which must have constituted some sort of a record. 'I don't like being condescended to. I am not your dear fellow. I am not, as you may come to learn, anybody's dear fellow. As you do, I said. Check up. Or perhaps you don't know the identity of the person who rang the Grand Hotel to see if I was actually staying there?'

It was a guess, but in the circumstances a safe one, and the flickered glance between Smith and Tracy was all the confirmation Hamilton required. He nodded towards Tracy.

'See what I mean,' Hamilton said. 'That's the nosey bastard. Who is he?'

'You would insult my guests, Hamilton?' Smith's tone was now positively arctic.

'I don't much care who I insult — or should I say "whom"? He's still a nosey bastard. Another thing, when I ask questions about people I do it honestly and in the open, not behind their backs. Who is he?'

'Tracy,' Smith said stiffly, 'is the managing director of McCormick-Mackenzie International Publications Division.' Hamilton looked unimpressed. 'Maria is my confidential secretary and, I might add, a close personal friend.'

Hamilton looked away from Tracy and Maria almost as if he had already dismissed them from his mind as being of no importance. Tm not interested in your relationships. My fee.'

Smith was obviously taken aback. Gentlemen did not discuss business negotiations in this crude and abrupt fashion. Momentarily, his expression hovered between astonishment and anger. Many years had passed since any man had dared talk to him in such a way. He required considerable willpower to repress his anger.

'Hiller mentioned it, I think,' Smith said. 'A six-figure sum. One hundred thousand dollars — U.S. dollars - friend.'

Tm not your friend. A quarter million.'

'Ludicrous.'

'I could say "Thanks for the drink" and walk out. I'm not childish. I hope you're not either.'

Smith had not become the man he was without the ability to make his mind up very rapidly indeed. Without in any way appearing to capitulate he capitulated immediately.

'A man would want an awful lot of service for money like that.'

'Let's get our terms clear. You get co-operation, not service. I'll return to this point later. I regard my fee as being far from excessive in view of the fact that I'm damned certain you're in this not just to get a few nice photographs and a human interest story. Who ever heard of Joshua Smith engaging upon any enterprise where money was not the prime and motivating factor?'

'As far as the past is concerned I would agree with you.' Smith's voice was quiet. 'In this particular instance money is not the principal factor.'

Hamilton nodded in acknowledgment. 'That could well be. In this particular instance, I could well believe you.' Smith looked taken aback at Hamilton's concession, then his expression changed to one of speculation. Hamilton smiled. 'You're doubtless trying to figure out what I've figured out as the other motivation. You need not concern yourself for that in no way concerns me. Now, transportation?'

'What? What was that?' Smith had been caught off-balance by the sudden switch in topic which he should not have been as it was a favourite tactic of his own. 'Ah! Transportation.'

'Yes. What kind of transportation - air and water, we can forget land — do your companies have available?'

'A great deal, as you can imagine. What we don't have we can hire although I should think the need would be unlikely. Tracy has all the