Benny shifted uneasily. Wasn’t access to the mine enough?
Tristan Smart suddenly became impatient. His world seemed full of grovelling sycophants, and this weasel seated before him irritated him more than most. He had to admit, however, that Benny had his uses – he appeared to have no regard for human life and had a knack of being the recipient of useful information.
“You mentioned diamonds. You mentioned Rondel. Get to the point! I haven’t got all day!” Smart spat out of the corner of his mouth.
“I’ve saved the best ‘til last,” chortled Benny, edging his chair closer to Smart's desk. “Rondel’s latest bit of skirt has stolen a handful of uncut beauties from him. She even bragged to me about the small fortune she got for them. She thought I could persuade you, yeah, you to silence Leyland once and for all and give her a clean getaway!” The stupidity of the idea seemed to fill the little man with glee and he fell back in his chair, clutching his sides with mock laughter.
“And you know where this woman’s hiding?” enthused Smart as he saw the potential to score points with Rondel and line his own pockets, with minimum effort.
“Indeed, sir. She’s waiting for me to get back to her. Sounded pretty desperate – needs to move quickly“
“Mmm” mused Smart, pacing up and down. “You know what you have to do...”
Benny Razumikov had perfected the “art” of hit-and-run. He rubbed his hands together at the prospect of this latest assignment. All the more satisfying that it should be the fairer sex. Nature had not been kind to him. Women had never really acknowledged his existence. He would certainly make an impact on Heather.