“I think you know what the reason is. I’m not ready to say for sure. But I think you know.”
Channing’s eyebrows were up again. “That sounds rather sinister. Now you have me curious.”
“Not worried?”
“No. Just curious.”
“You ought to be worried.”
Channing smiled. “I never worry. I suffer a lot, but I never worry.” He reached for the glass of whisky. He took a very long drink, emptying the glass. Then he poured more whisky from the bottle and took another drink. He said, “I wish you’d tell me what this is all about.”
“I’m not ready to tell you.”
Channing went on smiling. It was a relaxed smile. “I hope it’s something exciting,” he murmured. “I like excitement.”
“That’s what I figured,” Kerrigan said. “Anything for kicks.”
“Sure.” Channing lit another cigarette. “Why not?” He took an easy drag, let it go down deep, and then it came out in little clouds as he said, “A few weeks ago I thought it would be nice to see Alaska. I’d never been to Alaska and I had this sudden notion to make the trip. The idea hit me on a Wednesday afternoon. An hour later I was in a plane. Thursday night I was making love to a sixty-year-old Eskimo woman.”