“My sick koala’s got more life than this pie-eater,” Leyland said as the man approached them.

“I was just thinking that,” Loh said.

“He’s being watched,” Herbert said quietly.

“By whom?” Leyland asked.

“I’m not sure,” Herbert replied. He moved between the other two and nodded toward the top of one of the columns. “A small security camera is moving right along with him.”

“I can’t believe the big man himself would be doing that,” Leyland whispered back.

“I can, if he’s hiding something,” Herbert replied.

The trio fell silent as the man neared. They could see him clearly in the clean white glow of spotlights clustered two at either end of the facade. He was a tallish, round-faced, dark-skinned man. In soft, overenunciated tones he introduced himself as Andrew Graham. He said he would show the others to the back, though he made an unhappy face as he looked down at Herbert.

“With respect, sir, it is all grass back there,” he said to Herbert. “It might be difficult for you to navigate. Would you care to wait inside?”

Herbert looked at Loh. “What do you think? Can you handle Little Maluka without me?”

“I handled an orphaned Komodo dragon in Bandung,” she said. “I think I can manage.”

Herbert smiled. “If you need help, beep me.”

Loh said the same, but with a look.

Andrew contacted the groundskeeper via cell phone. The burly young man arrived several moments later in a golf cart. While he drove Leyland and Loh around the side of the estate, Andrew helped Herbert up the short flight of steps into the mansion.

Loh was a veteran naval officer. Her bearings were surest when she was on the sea and, perhaps more important, when she was part of a unit.

Her feeling of uneasiness increased dramatically as their key player went into the house alone.

FORTY-NINE - Cairns, Australia Saturday, 11:12 P.M.

FORTY-NINE

Cairns, Australia Saturday, 11:12 P.M.

The first thing Herbert did as he entered the long, marble-rich foyer was to look for security devices. There were motion detectors in the corners and a keypad beside the door. Obviously, they were not on now. There were no cameras here, only outside. That was good. If he were left alone, chances were good he could move about without being spied upon. Andrew released the chair as soon as they were inside. He extended a hand toward the living room. Both men began moving in that direction. Herbert felt as though he were entering a museum. It was absolutely quiet, save for the squeak of his wheels and the secretary’s shoes. Large paintings and statues were barely visible in the vast room ahead. Herbert could barely make out other rooms in the dim light beyond.

“May I get you a beverage?” Andrew asked. “Sparkling water or something a bit more potent?”

“Thank you, no,” Herbert replied.

“A snack, then?”