«One of those … white men was a British agent.»
«So Malcolm tells us.»
«I don’t believe a trained Intelligence man would kill indiscriminately.»
«Malcolm agrees with you. But the facts are there. An Intelligence agent is a man first. In the sudden pitch of battle, a man takes sides. This man, whichever one he was, chose his side… He did not have to choose the way he did.»
«The fourth man? He was different, then?»
«Yes.» Daniel’s eyes were suddenly reflective. «He was a good man. A Hollander. When he realized what the others were doing, he objected violently. He ran out to warn the rest of our party. His own men shot him.»
For several moments, neither men spoke. Finally McAuliff asked, «What about Walter Piersall? Can you find a story for that?»
«No,» said Daniel. «We do not know what happened. Or who killed him. We have ideas, but nothing more. Walter Piersall was the last man on earth we wanted dead. Especially under the circumstances. And if you do not understand that, then you’re stupid.»
McAuliff got out of the chair and walked aimlessly to the huge window. He could feel Daniel’s eyes on him. He forced himself to watch the crashing streams of water in front of him. «Why did you bring me here? Why have you told me so much? About you … and everything else.»
«We had no choice. Unless you lied or unless Malcolm was deceived, neither of which I believe… And we understand your position as well as your background. When Malcolm flew out of England, he brought with him M. I. Five’s complete dossier on you. We are willing to make you an offer.»
Alex turned and looked down at the minister. «I’m sure it’s one I can’t refuse.»
«Not readily. Your life. And, not incidentally, the lives of your fellow surveyors.»
«Piersall’s documents?»
«Somewhat more extensive, but those, too, of course,» answered Daniel.
«Go on.» McAuliff remained by the window. The muted sound of the waterfall was his connection to the outside somehow. It was comforting.
«We know what the British want: the list of names that comprise the Dunstone hierarchy. The international financiers that fully expect to turn this island into an economic sanctuary, another Switzerland. Not long ago, a matter of weeks, they gathered here on this island from all over the world. In Port Antonio. A few used their real names, most did not. The timing is propitious. The Swiss banking institutions are breaking down their traditional codes of account-secrecy one after another. They are under extraordinary pressures, of course… We have the Dunstone list. We will make an exchange.»
«It for our lives? And the documents …»
Daniel laughed, neither cruelly nor kindly. It was a genuine expression of humor. «Doctor, I am afraid it is you who are obsessed with small considerations. It is true we place great value on Piersall’s documents, but the British do not. We must think as our adversaries think. The British want the Dunstone list above all things. And above all things, we want British Intelligence, and everything it represents, out of Jamaica. That is the exchange we offer.»
McAuliff stood motionless by the window. «I don’t understand you.»
The minister leaned forward. «We demand an end to English influence … as we demand an end to the influence of all other nations—tribes, if you wish, Doctor—over this island. In short words, Jamaica is to be left to the Jamaicans.»
«Dunstone wouldn’t leave it to you,» said Alex, groping. «I’d say its influence was a hell of a lot more dangerous than anyone else’s.»
«Dunstone is our fight; we have our own plans. Dunstone was organized by financial geniuses. But once confined in our territory, our alternatives are multiple. Among other devices, expropriation … But these alternatives take time, and we both know the British do not have the time. England cannot afford the loss of Dunstone, Limited.»
McAuliff’s mind raced back to the room in the Savoy Hotel … and R. C. Hammond’s quiet admission that economics were a factor. A rather significant one.
Hammond the manipulator.
Alex walked back to the armchair and sat down. He realized Daniel was allowing him the time to think, to absorb the possibilities of the new information. There were so many questions; most, he knew, could not be answered, but several touched him. He had to try.
«A few days ago,» he began awkwardly, «when Barak Moore died, I found myself concerned that Charles Whitehall had no one to oppose him. So did you. I saw what you wrote down—»
«What is your question?» asked Daniel civilly.
«I was right, wasn’t I? They’re the two extremes. They have followers. They’re not just hollow fanatics.»
«Whitehall and Moore?»
«Yes.»
«Hardly. They’re the charismatic leaders. Moore was, Whitehall is. In all emerging nations there are generally three factions: right, left, and the comfortable middle—the entrenched holdovers who have learned the daily functions. The middle is eminently corruptible, for it continues the same dull, bureaucratic chores with sudden new authority. It is the first to be replaced. The healthiest way is by an infusion of the maturest elements from both extremes. Peaceful balance.»
«And that’s what you’re waiting for? Like a referee? An umpire?»
«Yes. That’s very good, Doctor. There’s merit in the struggle, you know; neither side is devoid of positive factors… Unfortunately, Dunstone makes our task more difficult. We must observe the combatants carefully.»
The minister’s eyes had strayed again; and, again, there was the brief nearly imperceptible reflection. «Why?» asked Alex.
Daniel seemed at first reluctant to answer. And then he sighed audibly. «Very well … Barak Moore’s reaction to Dunstone would be violent. A bloodbath … chaos. Whitehall’s would be equally dangerous. He would seek temporary collusion, the power base being completely financial. He could be used as many of the German industrialists honestly believed they were using Hitler. Only the association feeds on absolute power … absolutely.»
McAuliff leaned back in the chair. He was beginning to understand. «So if Dunstone’s out, you’re back to the—what was it—the healthy struggle?»
«Yes,» said Daniel quietly.
«Then you and the British want the same thing. How can you make conditions?»
«Because our solutions are different. We have the time and the confidence of final control. The English … and the French and the Americans and the Germans … do not have either. The economic disasters they would suffer could well be to our advantage. And that is all I will say on the subject. We have the Dunstone list. You will make the offer to the British.»
«I go to with Malcolm to Montego—»
«You will be escorted, and guarded,» interrupted Daniel harshly. «The members of your geological survey are hostages. Each will be summarily executed should there be the slightest deviation from our instructions.»
«Suppose British Intelligence doesn’t believe you? What the hell am I supposed to do then?»
Daniel stood up. «They will believe you, McAuliff. For your trip to Montego Bay is merely part of the news that will soon be worldwide. There will be profound shock in several national capitals. And you will tell British Intelligence that this is our proof. It is only the tip of the Dunstone iceberg. Oh, they will believe you, McAuliff. Precisely at noon, London time. Tomorrow.»
«That’s all you’ll tell me?»
«No. One more thing. When the acts take place, the panicked giant—Dunstone—will send out its killers. Among others, you will be a target.»
McAuliff found himself standing up in anger. «Thank you for the warning,» he said.