Against the Wall

“Thank you. How is the pay?”

“Excellent once the job is complete. You won’t need it before then.” Chari stood, a sign that the conversation was finished as far as he was concerned.

Jack had a sneaky feeling Chari never intended to issue any paychecks when his project was over. In view of that, he thought he might as well risk making a better deal with the new boss. Maybe come to an arrangement that might offer Solange more safety.

“One more thing,” Jack said boldly.

“Yes?”

“I’ll settle for half pay, get rid of any…loose ends you have dangling when you’ve done whatever it is you’re up to. Also I will make certain you’re not followed if you decide to change locations.”

“And what would secure your generosity in this regard?” Chari asked slyly. “A little medical attention, perhaps?”

Jack grinned and stubbed out his cigar in the lead crystal ashtray on Chari’s desk. “Precisely. Have we an agreement?”

“Sounds reasonable. You calm her fears, see that she takes care of the boy and make her enjoy her stay well enough that she won’t make any attempt to leave or contact anyone. If she does, you are to prevent it and then dispose of her immediately. Can you do that, Mercier?”

“Of course. I assume you are not interested in her yourself, then?” He needed to make certain of that. If Chari made any move on Solange, Jack knew he would have to kill him, even if it blew the mission. He would just have to perform whatever damage control he could after that.

Chari frowned. “She is beautiful, but I dislike women who believe themselves intelligent. I detest the ones who really are.”

Jack laughed as if it were a joke, but he knew better. Chari was speaking with conviction at this point. “She’s smart all right.”

“Has she any experience in a laboratory?” Chari asked, idly tapping the ash off his cigar, fastidiously extending his smallest finger.

Jack shrugged, not really wanting to seem too curious. “I could ask her. We aren’t all that well acquainted. Yet,” he added meaningfully.

“Do so. She might be able to assist with what I have initiated if you could persuade her to cooperate. Find out what you can about her experience and report to me in the morning. Meanwhile, make yourself useful. See Piers for your accommodation and the schedule for the day.”

Jack nodded. “He is your second in command, is he not?”

“Very observant, Mercier. Tell him to give you the old au pair’s room that is adjacent to my son’s. The woman may visit you, but she is to sleep on her cot in the room with René.”