Gloriana, washed and blow-dried, was snoring away happily in her basket. She did not wake up as I cleansed my wounds and put on a matching bathrobe. I emerged to stare at the table laden with food. I am afraid that after that I talked with my mouth full.

“Mrungle…”

“Swallow first, talk later,” Angelina wisely advised. I finally came up for air and sighed with satisfaction.

“The only thing missing is a cigar.”

“I know all of your filthy habits,” James said as he passed over a pocket humidor.

“We’ve raised them right,” Angelina said.

We certainly had. Raised them, or dragged them up, right. Sons to be proud of. Not to say daughters-in-law.

“Is the game afoot?”

“Fleet of foot and galloping towards the finish line. The bottom dropped out of the Fetorr Credit when the market and the exchange opened this morning. Everyone is panicking other than our lot and Chaise. By the time everything closes tonight he will be the richest man on the planet.”

“He thinks,” Angelina said. “What happens then?”

“Bolivar is setting it up now.” He looked at his watch. “We have some hours yet before the curtain comes down. Shall I pick you up here?”

“Please do.” I scratched at a last remaining shard of scar. “I’ll need some clothes.”

“I’ll take care of that,” Angelina said, standing up. “Remember that the police are still looking for the face you are wearing now. I’ll shop for you as well as myself. James, are you coming with me?”

“Sorry, but as much as I would like to help you spend money, I have more pressing business. Computer problems at the bank. But I’ve opened a no-limit account for you at Sharrods departmental store.”

“That should be enough.” She looked sharply at me. “Don’t smoke and drink too much while I’m out.”

“Never! A single cigar, a sip of wine. The sweet liquor of success is what we will all quaff together.”

“That’s more like it,” James said and left.

I was grateful for the solitude. I was tired and sore in a number of places. But inordinately happy. An emotion that I was sure I shared with Angelina; shopping, shopping to her heart’s content. The boys too, happy in their skilled work. Extracting vast amounts of money from reluctant crooked capitalists. And gently slipping the noose around Kaia’s unsuspecting neck. I turned on some soul soothing music, then found some even more soul-soothing bottles in the bar.

And thought about our holiday to come. I was looking forward to some lazy months in the sun. And the minimum amount of exercise every day, just enough to work up an appetite for dinner.

But how much of that could I take before I got bored to tears? I was not really one who enjoyed just sitting around. Of course we could go the theater more often, even the opera. Maybe not; I shuddered at the thought of one shrill soprano too many. Would I start getting twitchy for some action? Maybe start sneaking out at night with a lockpick to open a safe or two? I must have dozed off at this point because loud snores woke me up. My own. I refreshed my drink and decided not to think any more about the future at this point. Wait, Jim, wait until the job is done.

Angelina was back by midday, leading a squadron of carrybots. The purchases were piled high, the carrybots dismissed, and very soon discarded wrapping littered the room while she displayed her purchases. Not only clothes for herself, but some cheery sports outfits for me.

We were dressed, eager and waiting when the door opened. James was back at last.

“How is everything going?” I called out.

“Everything is going according to plan,” Chaise said, coming through the door, large gun steady and pointed.

Chapter 27

This sort of thing has happened so often to me that my reflexes are completely trained to take action, even while my conscious brain was still taking in the new and thoroughly unhappy situation. These well-conditioned reflexes keyed in the commands jump for the sofa, dive out of the room, tackle the gun, throw the floor lamp at him, shout “LOOK BEHIND YOU!” The usual thing in this kind of situation. But, even as my muscles tensed for action, my conscious brain intervened and put all action on hold. I spasmed into the air, then dropped back into the chair.

Because he was not pointing the gun at me at all. Oh, yes, he was looking at me with that chill smile of his-but at the same time he was pointing the gun at Angelina. He had killed before and would have not a moment’s hesitation to kill again.

“Very smart,” he said. “It would be a dreadful waste, but I would certainly shoot her if you make any dubious moves. Fire first in order to scar her beauty, then shoot to kill, if you continue to persist in your folly. Now if you both will stand slowly and walk to the couch. That’s it. Seat yourselves, good.”

Angelina sat stiffly, her hands folded on her purse. I slumped, hands in my pockets, scratching about for anything to fight with. The trousers were brand new. All I came up with was a slip of paper labeled PACKED BY MOSHI LAINI.

Chaise stepped forward and closed the door behind him. Eyes and gun never wavering. He circled us, felt for the armchair, then seated himself carefully into it.

“What have you done with Igor? He has failed to contact me.”

So he didn’t know everything. I had to play for time. The longer I kept him talking the longer I had to find a way out of this impasse.

“We never touched him. He must still be in Sunkist-bythe-Sea as far as I know.” Truthful enough. But he didn’t like it.

“No games, diGriz. He went there because she was causing a disturbance of some kind. He hasn’t reported back. I can maim as well as kill.” The gun made a muffled phutt and the cushion next to Angelina burst out its stuffing through a large hole. “That is the last warning. Speak!” I spoke, quickly. “I was there and I saw him leave the house. You will remember I was still wearing my Iba disguise. He saw me and reacted badly, even wrecked the truck. Possibly because he had something to do with the disappearance of the real Iba.” Chaise remained impassive and did not rise to the bait. “My sudden appearance was a bit of a shock. So much so that he had a massive heart attack.”

“You killed him!” He raised the gun.

“No! He is alive. He has been operated on, a quadruple bypass, and is doing well in intensive care. Call the hospital if you don’t believe me.”

He didn’t believe me. But he did after he made the call. Which was most interesting.

“Yes, admitted today. Doing well. Good. Me? I’m his brother. Give him the best treatment and send the bills to me.”

“Brother?” I asked when he hung up.

“Yes. Our mother was an X-ray technician. Got her genes well zapped on the job. Radiation leakage. Some of the genes made for genius. Others for Igor.”

“Shouldn’t you be in your bank making money?” Angelina said. “Instead of here playing the hoodlum.”

“If you think I am not aware of your machinations at the Banco Cuerpo Especial-you are wrong. If you have done anything, you have succeeded in helping me. You will be quite safe as long as you obey my orders.”

“If we obey your orders you will certainly kill us,” Angelina said. He nodded.

“Yes, that is possible. But as long as you are still alive you will hope that that possibility will never arise. Now let me think now about the best way to do this. You are a loving couple. But you, Angelina, are of the female persuasion and surely more emotional. You will follow your emotions. Therefore you will keep hoping that you will emerge alive from this dilemma. You will call your son James and give him my instructions. You will use this phone because it cannot be traced.” He took it from his pocket and threw it onto the couch. She ignored it.

“Why should I do what you say?”