‘I haven’t, but he’l let me know in a day or so. He said he would. As soon as I hear I’l make arrangements for him to meet you. Will that be all right?’
‘It’l have to be,’ Kile said, frowning. He stood up. ‘You’re sure this man’s al right?’
‘I’m positive,’ Rico said. ‘There isn’t anyone else to touch him.’
‘Al right. I’l go ahead with my part of the job. There’s a lot to do yet. But the sooner I meet Baird the better.’
‘I’ll fix it,’ Rico said eagerly. ‘You leave it to me.’ He hesitated, went on, ‘He’d want to know what the job is worth. Could I give him some idea?’
Kile tapped ash into Rico’s tray.
‘If he pul s the job off it’l be worth ten thousand to him,’ he said. ‘If he fails I’l give him five.’
Rico’s eyes opened.
‘Ten thousand. This must be a pretty big job, Mr Kile.’
‘It is,’ Kile said.