The boat chugged on. They both looked out in silence at the sheer cliff-faces either side of the river, broken in places with deep inlets, which opened to wooded valleys.

People came to the bar for coffee and soft drinks. They glanced at Amaz, who was looking sullen, and Cavalier, who had put on sunglasses. The awkward silence was broken by Geoffreys, who stood close and pointed to a manmade tunnel entrance that ended near the top of a cliff.

‘See that?’ he addressed both of them. ‘That’s just the beginning of a through-the-mountain tunnel to bring Chinese to the Mekong by very fast rail.’

‘Tourists?’ Cavalier asked.

‘Yes, but useful if they wanted to bring troops,’ Geoffreys said with a chuckle. ‘Just like everywhere else on the planet they’re building silk roads and train tracks and creating protected sea lanes in the region.’ He moved on to another cubicle.

‘You’ll get a minimum of thirty years’ jail in Australia,’ Cavalier said to Amaz under his breath, ‘maybe even the chair in the US. You don’t kill CIA agents with impunity.’

After a few moments, she seethed under her breath, ‘I didn’t kill anyone!’

‘It’s irrelevant. You’re an accomplice. There will be police and US agents in Luang Prabang. You will be apprehended.’

Tears welled in Amaz’s eyes.

‘I didn’t kill anyone,’ she repeated.

‘I happen to believe you. Dubois is the real assassin. But I’m the only person who will back up your story.’ He paused and smiled. ‘Better to keep me alive.’

Amaz sipped her coffee. It had gone cold. Cavalier slipped his gun into his jacket and made them both another cup.

‘Where is he taking the cargo?’ he asked, seeking confirmation of what had been said on the tape.

Amaz seemed in two minds. She looked around.

‘I’ll support you,’ he said. ‘But you must give me the right information.’

‘Chiang Mai,’ she whispered, telling him part of the truth.

‘From Luang Prabang?’

Amaz nodded.

‘There’s a cleared area not far from the big waterfall about forty-five minutes’ drive from the city. Light planes can land there. It’s dangerous taking off with a load.’

‘How much will the cargo weigh?’

‘Maybe a tonne. They might change the plans now that Leni’s injured. He’s the only one who can fly the plane.’

‘What make?’

‘Cessna. Twin engine.’

‘It wouldn’t be big enough for the load.’

‘It’s been modified to take a big haul.’

‘But not all of it. That was why you unloaded some of it earlier, right? Or was that going to another smuggler?’

Amaz ignored the question and said: ‘Leni always clips trees on the way out. The others are so drunk, they don’t care. I’m sober. I wet myself.’

‘So five of you—adding up to more than four hundred kilograms.’

‘What are you saying?’

‘Only a pilot should be onboard.’