‘We know Neil Farquar is already in Hobart. He’s odds-on to be the capo. We’re trying to work out if he’s been given an oil property in San Antonio, Texas. Maybe it becomes his once the kill happens. We don’t know. Each of the other three has cancelled and re-booked three times. But they’re all heading to Australia still. We think in about ten days, if they stick to their last schedule.’

Cavalier scrutinised the faces. His forehead stretched.

‘You recognise them?’ Wombat asked.

‘Leni, Castro and Hollos, my “acquaintances” from the Mekong.’

‘Correct.’

‘Pity,’ Cavalier mumbled.

‘Why?’

‘Gerard Jean Dubois is not on the list.’

‘You’d like him to be?’

Cavalier didn’t answer.

‘We believe that this Leni character made a fleeting visit to Hobart not too long ago.’

‘I wonder why? Reconnoitring perhaps.’

‘Probably. They’d want to see Haut’s home. See if it was suitable for a hit, how they would get into it and so forth. That reminds me. Our Big Brother mates, especially the lovely Melody Smith, keep asking us if the killers coming after Haut are linked to the death of our agent Deere. They’d like to arrest them, but I haven’t confirmed it.’

‘Let’s keep it that way.’

‘Just asking in case you wanted support from them or us.’

‘No. You’ve done more than enough with this information. It’s all I need.’

‘I know you like to work alone. But three assassins? Can you handle it?’

‘I think so,’ Cavalier said.

‘Aren’t you a bit, you know …?’

‘Concerned? Not yet.’ Cavalier grinned. ‘But I will be as the job comes closer. I always overcome it beforehand by preparation. Besides, these three are very worthy. They fit my criteria for doing what I do.’

‘And you want to look after Haut because of your daughter?’

‘Not just that. He’s doing work I believe in. I think he’s important for the planet as a “prophet of nature”, as he calls himself. Even if he doesn’t make his goals they’re worth striving for, eliminating major forms of pollution being just one of several aims.’

‘You have at least one thing in common.’

‘What’s that?’

‘I’ve known you both for a long time. Neither of you has a price. You can’t be bought.’ He chuckled with a look that betrayed his joy at having one over his long-time close friend. ‘Except on one occasion …’

Cavalier shrugged.

‘It means one can’t be suborned, which is useful over time in my field,’ he said. ‘Vital, I would have thought, in Haut’s case.’

‘Why?’

‘He’s answerable to a very unique boss.’

‘So you’ve moved from agnostic to something else?’

‘As you advised when you first spoke of Haut, I “keep a very open mind”.’

Cavalier raised his glass to a waiter, indicating it needed a refill. ‘Let’s celebrate, for old times’ sake.’

33 THE SHADOW

33