'Isn't it obvious? If he was murdered, then Schreuder knows the location of the mineral deposits. If the body bears no indication of a struggle, then perhaps the secret has died with him. I must know the answer to that.'
'You must know the answer!' he sneered. 'Can't you think of anything else but your bloody mineral grabbing? The girl wants the body left alone. She doesn't want the poor sod disturbed to satisfy your damned avarice.'
'It's not my avarice,' I replied hotly. 'Work for a hundred thousand men could be built up out of those deposits — if they exist. And I mean to find out. Jill needn't know. And if she does discover it, then I think she'll understand. You needn't have anything to do with it if you're squeamish about corpses.'
Curtis laughed. 'I'm not squeamish,' he said. 'I'm thinking of the girl. If you're going on with this, then she must be told. She must give her permission.'
'I'm not asking her,' I answered shortly.
'But she's a right to be consulted.'
'Right?' I asked. 'She's no rights in the matter at all.'
'I tell you she has. She has the right-'
I caught hold of his arm. 'Listen, Curtis,' I said. I was tired of all this ridiculous argument. 'Who's captain of this boat?'
He hesitated. 'You,' he answered.