‘I don’t know yet,’ Kile said. ‘I haven’t even started to organise the job, and it’l need a lot of organising. I wanted to be sure I could rely on you.’
Rico felt a twinge of uneasiness. He was too cautious to commit himself without knowing something of what Kile was planning.
‘But can’t you give me some idea, Mr Kile? For instance: is it dangerous?’
‘Could be,’ Kile said mildly, thinking how horribly dangerous the whole idea was, ‘but you wouldn’t be in on that end of it. You could get yourself a ten to fifteen year stretch if it turned sour. You see, you’re not the only one who doesn’t want to give a wrong impression.’
Rico showed his teeth in a mirthless smile. Ten to fifteen years! He wasn’t going to walk into that without knowing where he was going!
‘What are the chances?’ he asked. ‘I don’t take unnecessary risks, Mr Kile. I’m not saying the pay isn’t good — it is, but ten to fifteen years!’
‘I can tell you about the risks better later on,’ Kile said. ‘It’l depend largely on the man who does the outside work. If he’s a good man, has plenty of nerve and plays his cards right, there won’t be any risk.
But if he slips up, loses his head, then we’re al sunk.’
Rico nodded.
‘Who’s the man, Mr Kile? Anyone I know?’