11.8

Marlon raised his finger and pointed it squarely between Buck’s eyes.

“Do not… I repeat, do not think about it.”

All this extracted was an almost imperceptible nod from the utterly inscrutable Buck.

Was that enough?

Marlon knew that to kill a man in cold blood was not easy. He needed a higher level of acceptance than that!

“After you’ve done it you will contact Julia…”

Marlon turned to Julia with a sly smile –

“Who will be dutifully waiting in her room with instructions for your evacuation.”

Julia shifted uncomfortably in her chair as Marlon refocused on Buck.

“Only after you are certain that you have succeeded in your mission will you request these instructions. Until then, my friend, you have nowhere to go.”

Marlon’s eyes narrowed.

“We have your passport, we have your money and, let’s face it… as of this moment, we have your life. You couldn’t leave India now even if you wanted to.”

“Oh well,” Buck said, looking at Julia with a cheeky, impervious grin. “At least I get to say goodbye.”

Marlon was staggered – what kind of comment is that?

Is the fool trying to be flippant?

Does he think this is some kind of joke?

Marlon felt the urge to launch into one final rant, one last effort to impress on Buck the gravity of the situation. But… it was already awkward enough. He knew Buck and Julia had spent the night together. And any fool could see they had developed some kind of sleazy attachment to each other. But frankly, Marlon didn’t care. In fact he saw the hopeless little thing they’ve got going for each other as a good sign. If Buck was silly enough to fall for Julia then he was probably silly enough to obey an order like this.

“After this is over, Buck,” Marlon said quietly. “You will go back to London and never think about it again. It will be like turning the last page of a book – it will be over, done… gone forever… dead meat.”

Buck’s lack of commitment invited one further comment –

“There is no need to remind you that this assignment will set you up for life. In a few months, when the dust settles, you will be able to retire into a life of moderate luxury.”

“Me – retire?” Buck said with a wry grin.

“Clearly – you are performing a great service here. And those who control us have asked me to assure you they never forget their loyal servants… and remind you that they never forgive a traitor.”