The pain was excruciating. "No!" Deferens gasped.
He was telling the truth. When Remo's hand retreated to his side, there was a thoughtful look on his face.
In his seat, Deferens rubbed at his aching shoulder.
"I suppose you're some sort of American agent," he snarled.
Remo shook his head. "Actually, I consider myself more of a conscientious world citizen," he replied. "Aside from me and Ted Turner, we're a dying breed."
The pain was rapidly becoming a distant memory. Already the gears were turning as Deferens tried to figure a way out of this. If he could just get Remo outside, he could signal the guards. Yet, he realized, Remo had apparently gotten in here without anyone seeing him.
"I suppose you wish to deactivate the bombs," Deferens suggested.
"Bombs?" Remo asked. "There's more than one?"
Deferens nodded. "And since I am the only person who knows the precise location of all of them, I will have to lead you to them. If you will allow me to summon my driver, we may begin deactivating them."
When he called his bodyguard driver, a prearranged signal would flood the office with palace guards.
Deferens stood. Remo shoved him back in his chair.
"Gimme a minute," Remo said. "I'm thinking." In his entire life, the defense minister of East Africa had not once perspired. But as Remo stared off into space above him, the first prickly hint of a rash began to form beneath Deferens's white shirt collar.
The East African dropped his voice low. "Remo, I can see you are having difficulty with this," he said. "Perhaps I can make things easier. I will double your retainer if you come to work exclusively for me. One million dollars per year." His eyes were crafty.
That got Remo's attention. He glanced down at the defense minister. "Three million," he countered.
A hopeful smile twitched the corners of Deferens's lips. "Done," he nodded.
"Too quick," Remo said. "I want six million. In gold. Up front."
The smile tightened to a flat line. "That would be more difficult," Deferens said.
"Nonnegotiable," Remo insisted. "I know you've got it, and I'm sick of being yanked by everyone all the time. Six million in gold or no dice."
Deferens considered deeply. His Camorra position in East African after the destruction of Bachsburg would net him much, much more than that. And given the abilities he had displayed, Remo would make a powerful ally when Deferens made his inevitable move against Don Vincenzo.
At last, the minister nodded. "Agreed," he said crisply.
Remo snuled tightly. "Sorry," he said, shaking his head. "Just wanted to prove I wasn't as big a schlemiel at negotiating as some people think. Besides, you look like an even bigger fusspot than the guy I work for now." He hopped down from the desk.
Deferens recoiled. The back of his chair struck the wall. When Remo reached out a thick-wristed hand, Deferens shrank fearfully.
"Think this through, Remo," he warned, sweat trickling down his back. "There is no way to deactivate all the bombs without my help."
And Remo's smile was as icy cold as Deferens's own black heart. "Who said I wanted to deactivate them?" he asked.
Deferens didn't have time to consider Remo's surprising words. Before he even knew what was happening, Remo had reached out and tapped a spot in the perfect center of L. Vas Deferens's pale white forehead.
For the shocked East African defense minister, all thoughts of his bombs or this madman in his midst dissolved in an instant. The entire world of L. Vas Deferens collapsed into a single bright white dot that vanished into a sea of inky blackness.
Chapter 25
Chiun sat in a lotus position on the floor of Chief Batubizee's hut, the hems of his pale orchid kimono tucked neatly around his bony knees. The steamer trunks he had brought from Castle Sinanju were stacked against one wall, a colorful contrast to the washed-out surroundings.
On the hills around the village, sentries scanned both plain and sky. So far, the anticipated attack from Bachsburg had not yet materialized. Chiun assumed that this would change once the failure of Remo's expedition was learned. Until that time, all the Master of Sinanju could do was wait.
Although he had not let it show, the news of Remo's visions had disturbed the old Korean. They betokened a future that, in truth, Chiun had hoped was far away.
Deep in meditation, he was attempting to seek the guidance of his ancestors when he became aware of an urgent conversation beyond the thin walls of the hut.
He had not detected the engines that would bring more men from Bachsburg. Only the sound of Batubizee's own truck returning a few moments before.
Since no one called to him, Chiun remained seated. Eyes closed, he continued meditating.
His concentration was shattered a minute later by the anxious appearance of Chief Batubizee and Bubu.
Eyes flitting open, Chiun crinkled his nose in displeasure at the odor that clung to the young native's soiled clothes.
"Master Chiun, I bring grave news," Bubu said excitedly.
Chiun resisted the urge to pinch his nose between his fingers. "Have the invaders arrived?" he asked. Batubizee shook his head.
"It is far more serious than an attempt on my life," he intoned. "Bubu and your son found one of the men who slew my warriors in the Bachsburg sewers. The young Master of Sinanju dispatched the villain."
A puff of pride swelled Chiun's silken kimono. "He is a good and faithful son." The old man nodded. "True to his House and our traditions." He suddenly noted the bandage tied over Bubu's sleeve. "You are injured." He frowned.
"Master Remo saved my life," Bubu offered. The chest of his kimono expanded further. "He is an ally of both the present and future Luzu Empire." Chiun smiled.
"I am not so certain," Batubizee intoned seriously.
Chiun allowed the air to slip slowly from his lungs. "What do you mean?" the Master of Sinanju asked, praying Remo hadn't done anything more stupid than usual. He was stunned when the truth was far worse than he could have imagined.
Bubu quickly related all that had occurred in Bachsburg. The story ended with the discovery of the nuclear device.
"You are certain this is what it was?" Chiun asked thinly once the breathless native was finished.
"I cannot say," Bubu replied, shaking his head. "I can only tell you that which Master Remo claims to be true."
"And what did my son do about this device?" Bubu glanced anxiously at Batubizee.
"Nothing, Master," he admitted to Chiun with some reluctance. "He merely laughed and left it where it sat." Frowning deeply, Chiun said nothing.
"This is terrible if true," Batubizee interjected. "I know well of these devices. When one explodes, death rains down many miles away. Luzuland would not be spared."
"I cannot believe that Master Remo would allow that to happen," Bubu insisted.
But on the floor, Chiun slowly shook his head. "You do not know him as I do," he said quietly.
"Then he would do this?" Batubizee demanded.
"I cannot say," the old Korean replied. "Remo's emotions are not his own. There is no telling what he might allow at this fragile state." He rose to his feet. "I must leave your side and hie to Bachsburg," he told Batubizee. "For to protect your land, I must see to it that this device of wicked consequence is destroyed." He marched to the door.
Bubu hurried after him. "I will take you," he insisted.
As the three men left the hut, Batubizee and Bubu hoped there was time enough for the ancient Master of Sinanju to stop the bomb.
For his part, Chiun hoped there was time enough before they left for the eager young native to bathe.
Chapter 26
Plastic fruit adorned the brim of the big straw hat. Strawberries, grapes, an orange and two bananas nestled neatly on the crown. As a dark-faced assistant opened the door, Mandobar stopped beside the overly muscled young man, first checking the hat's reflection in the shiny glass panes at the front of the huge auditorium.