The two men left the room and walked out to the enclosed terrace. Hundreds of plants sat in pots and baskets about the room, some hanging from the ceiling, others in ornate containers and placed artistically about the furnishings. The air was heavy with the smell of earth.

"Have a seat, Vincent."

"You don't have to do this, Joshua."

"First name now, eh? Nice strategy, get a warmer relationship established."

"I just don't want to die, okay? Listen, I know the site of the treasure and I haven't told him yet. Maybe we could do a deal?"

"Tut, tut, Vincent. Are you asking me to betray my employer?" Danzig grinned and sat on a metal bench, crossing his tailored slacks, one leg over the other, his gun loosely hanging from his fingers toward the floor. "I already have that information. His name was, Pete, I think. Told me all about his little adventure in the mountains... before..." Danzig grinned.

"Ah, God... you killed him." It was a rhetorical question and Vincent felt his string getting shorter.

"And his cousin. Han Pok was it?" The grin spread like a flood.

"Maybe they lied." Vincent wiped his face. "Can't we do a deal?"

"They didn't lie, Vincent. I guarantee it. As for a deal, sure. Why not? You stand over by that big bin in the corner and I promise I'll give you everything that you deserve."

Vincent's eyes strayed to the large green bin in the corner. The lid was up and it was empty. The string ran out, and he felt his stomach revolt as it began doing its own thing. Danzig jumped up and stepped aside, revulsion darkening his face. Almost crying and unable to control his body, he raised his gun and screamed through the mess in his mouth.

The bullet entered his open mouth, sending him flying backwards across the terrace and into the marble hall beyond. His body hit the floor with a slap, and he skidded across the polished surface, coming to an abrupt halt against the base of a life-sized sculpture of Aphrodite, which doubled as an umbrella stand.

"Look at the mess in here," Bishop complained, as he came from the dining room, wiping his mouth. "Get this cleaned up."

Danzig put his gun away and chuckled humourlessly. "I don't do cleaning; get some of your minions to do it."

"You killed her already, Mr. Smart Guy." Gravestone glowered at nothing particular. "Bugger it then" He turned and stalked away. "This is all coming off your bill." Danzig followed him casually to the den office.

Bishop filled out a cheque and handed it over. "As agreed, less my maid and the cost of cleaners."

Danzig pocketed it without looking then tilted his head in question.

"Wayne Jenner hired a man named Strom." Bishop growled.

"I know. I learned that already."

"Yes... well, his work resembles your approach. Seems you have a kindred spirit."

"My work is unique." The statement was delivered with a chilling confirmation. "Strom will find that out soon enough."

Gravestone squirmed on his chair. "Gretta Lawrence. Her I particularly want you to take care of... and the more severely the better. She's been a thorn in my side for years now."

"You should have called me sooner."

"Hmmm, unfortunately I was using the bumbling Vincent then."

"So, any other requests? What about Jenner?"

"No. I like his competition, and with Lawrence out of the way it will be a better match."

"I'll be getting back to you. Danzig gave a mock salute and left as mysteriously as he had arrived.

><><><><

Chester explained the substance of their latest reports and Gretta excused herself to take the call in private. Arny paused the film they were watching and began cycling through the on-screen guide, reading mini explanations about the various programs. He perked up once when he thought he heard a familiar name, but Gretta eased the door shut and he could only grit his teeth.

He pictured CONGA pasting together another mission for her to undertake immediately.

"It was reported as a murder suicide." Chester was saying to Gretta. "Jenner's wife was a resident at the home the woman managed. She and Wayne Jenner became something of an item after his wife died. Apparently she was on the scene doing good deeds while he was recovering from being shot. There was a rumour that she was worming her way into his business... unwanted."

"Her name?"

"Susan Duncan. The young man was an employee at the home. Some of the other help interviewed suggested that she was uuhmm- using him."

"Using him."

"You know what I mean, Gretta. A young woman that was recently fired said that the Duncan woman caught her with the same young man. Could have been an act of jealousy."

"But you don't really believe the report."

"Let's say I'm cautiously pessimistic. We have also had reports of Jacob Strom being back in the city and he was doing work for Jenner... that we do know."

"You're not saying Jenner had this woman killed? Why, for heaven's sake?"

"Jenner has been living at the home himself lately, supporting the rumour of a relationship. And leaving a three million dollar condo empty to live in one room begs the question."

"I really find this hard to swallow, Cheesy. Still, if what you suspect is true..."

"What?"

"I was just thinking. What if Strom is using his knowledge of the site to squeeze Jenner in some way."

"I'm not sure I see how that fits with him killing Duncan."

"Jenner has the money and the international connections. Strom couldn't just pack his way back into the mountains, dig up the gold and cart it out under his arm. Maybe a deal was struck and that was Strom's part. Jenner gets a nuisance out of his business life."

"I guess we'll need more information before we can accept that scenario. By the way, Vincent and Harley are also back in Toronto. Our source at immigration checked them through just over a week ago. You might need to turn up your personal alert mode, Gretta. All these men have reason to come after you."

"Thanks, Cheesy. I'll catch you later."

Arny looked up when she came back in the room. "What now?"

"Nothing. Just a report on what's been happening."

"And that needed the door being closed?"

She dropped back onto the sofa beside him and took the remote, turning the volume back up on the movie.

"What happened?"

"I wasn't watching it."

"No, you were trying to eavesdrop on me."

"Because you don't tell me everything."

She leaned her head on his shoulder and mewed. "I'll tell you I love you."

"Under normal circumstances, that would be plenty."

"Arny, you are never going to change so why would I add more fuel to your pessimistic fire?"

"Because you do love me?"

She sat up, gazed fondly into his sad face, and kissed him hard.