Three minutes later he was in a plain second-floor office with a window wall overlooking Kariwak's eastern quarter. The man sitting on the other side of the marble desk introduced himself as Vaughan Tenvis, of indistinct age, but certainly under fifty. He wore a conservative green suit, but filled it out in a way that suggested he spent a lot of time away from the office performing more physical tasks than accessing files.

«I need to speak to a representative of the Kingdom's External Security Agency,» Eason said. «And please, I don't want the bullshit stalling routine.»

«Sounds reasonable,» Vaughan Tenvis said with a dry smile. «If you're quite sure you want that much honesty. Suppose you tell me why I should allow a known terrorist organization's quartermaster to walk out of here alive?»

«Because I don't want to be the quartermaster any more. And I've done you a favour.»

«Ah. And there I was thinking you were going to threaten me with whatever it is you have in your case. Our sensors couldn't quite get through the magnetic covering.»

«No threats. I just want to do a deal.»

«Go on.»

«The Kulu Corporation is one of the major investors in the Quissico Development Company, that makes it a target for my Party. I came to you because the ESA is more than capable of neutering the Party if it has sufficient reason.»

«Very flattering. But contrary to rumour, we don't go around terminating everyone who has a quarrel with the Kingdom. Bluntly, you're too small and petty to warrant any effort. We monitor you, that's all.»

«Not very well. Our Party acquired some antimatter. The Kulu Corporation's administrative centre on StAlbans is the first intended target.»

«Antimatter . . .» Vaughan Tenvis stared in shock at the case resting on Eason's lap, his hands gripping the side of his chair. «Holy shit!»

The risk of coming to the embassy was worth it, just to see the horror cracking the suave agent's face.

«As I said, I've done you a favour.» Eason put the case on Vaughan Tenvis's desk. «That's all of it. I'm sure the Kingdom has the appropriate facilities to dispose of it.»

«Holy shit.»

«I would appreciate two things in return.»

«Holy shit.»

«One, your agency's gratitude.»

Vaughan Tenvis let out a long breath, and swallowed hard. «Gratitude?»

«I expect to be left alone by you in future, Mr Tenvis.»

«Sure. OK, I can swing that.»

«I'd also like a reward. That antimatter cost the Party eight million fuseodollars. I'll settle for one million. You can pay me in Kulu pounds if you like; and I'll throw in the codes for the confinement systems. I'd hate you to have any accidents with them now we're friends.»

• • •

Tenvis paid him in Kulu pounds. With the current conversion rate, he wound up with eight hundred thousand in his bank disk. Not bad for forty minutes' work. Forty minutes to erase his life.

Eason was back on board the Orphée an hour later, after a shopping expedition through the fancy shops of Kariwak's main boulevard. He picked Althaea up, and spun her around, kissing her exuberantly. Tiarella gave him a sour glance as she cast off. He even smiled at her.