"But Jack's an old-time Texan. He even accused Nixon of being a commie when he pulled out of Vietnam. Sometimes I think he's a nut. But look at you from his side of the fence. You're a foreigner who first subverted his daughter into mixing with black kids, then took her away, and now she's back home looking goddamn unhappy. Add all that together and you'll see he's just looking for an excuse to pull out of here. It won't take much."
"How much of the Theta Corporation does he control?"
"As an individual, nothing; our eighty per cent of Theta is owned by the Cunningham Corporation. But he has some clout in there. With some fast talking he could line up enough proxies to vote for a pull-out from the Bahamas."
"That would be a personal disaster for me," I said slowly.
"I'm too deeply committed now."
"I know. That's why you'd better pray there isn't an earthquake here next week, or an outbreak of infectious dandruff. No more headlines, Tom."
As though I did not have enough to worry about I now had Jack Cunningham gunning for me. And, as Billy had said, all I could do was pray.
'^ That was on Saturday. Billy stayed to lunch and then departed, saying that he was going to Miami on business for the Cunningham Corporation, and from there to New York He gave me telephone numbers where I could find him. On Sunday I caught up with paperwork.
Monday was well, Monday was Monday one of those days when nothing goes really wrong but nothing goes really right; a day of niggling futilities and a rapidly shortening temper. I suppose we all have days like that.
I dined in the restaurant and went to my room early, after seeing Karen to bed, intending to go to bed myself and to scan some managerial reports before sleeping. I have never known why one is supposed to be vertical while working, and I can read perfectly well while flat on my back. I had just got settled when the telephone rang and a voice said in my ear, as clear as a bell, "Mangan? Is that you?"
"Yes. Who's speaking?"
"Jack Cunningham here. Is Debbie there?"
"No, I thought she was with you. Where are you?"
"Houston." His voice suddenly receded although he was still speaking.
I caught a few scattered words and concluded he was consulting with someone else. '.. not there.. must be right.. Billy.. "
He came back full strength.
"Is young Billy there?"
"No," I said.
"He was here on Saturday. He'll be in Miami if he hasn't gone on to New York."
Again he withdrew and I heard incomprehensible bits of a conversation nearly 1000 miles away. "… Miami… airplane… both
…" then Jack said loudly, "Tom, you pack a bag and be ready to get your ass over here."
I resented that rasping tone of command.
"Why? What's happening?"
"I'm not going to talk about it now. There's a satellite up there spraying this conversation all over the goddamn planet."
"I don't see…"
"Damn it! Do as I say and don't argue. There'll be a jet at Freeport International in about two hours. Don't keep it waiting, and be prepared to stay over awhile." The connection broke and silence bored into my ear.
I checked the time. It was 9. 30 in the evening.
Much against my will I got out of bed and dressed. impelled by the fizzing urgency in Jack Cunningham's voice Then I thought of Karen asleep in the next room. Damn Jack Cunningham! Damn the whole blasted family! I rang the desk and asked the clerk to find Kitty Symonette and send her up to my suite, then I started to pack a bag.
I was just finishing a letter when Kitty Symonette tapped at the door and I let her in.
"Sit down, Kitty. I have problems and I want you to help me."
She looked slightly surprised.
"I'll do what I can."
Kitty was the hotel nurse and I liked her very much, and so did Karen. She was totally unflappable and equally reliable.
"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"
"No. I was going to have an early night."
"Good. I have to go away and I don't know for how long. Tomorrow I want you to take Karen to stay with my sister on Abaco. I've just spoken to Peggy and Karen is expected." I scribbled my signature.
"These are instructions for Bobby Bowen to take you."
"No problem there," said Kitty.
"Karen is asleep in that room there. I don't want her to wake alone so you'd better sleep in my room tonight."
"You're going right away?"
"This minute. I don't want to wake Karen now, but you tell her I'll be back as soon as I can make it."
Kitty stood up.
"I'll collect some things from my room."
I gave her the key to the suite, picked up my bag, and went to my office where I collected my passport from the office safe. As an afterthought I took the packet of 2000 American dollars which I kept there for an emergency and put them in my wallet.
The wait at the airport was long and boring. I drank coffee until it sickened me, then had a couple of scotches. It was after midnight when the public address speakers said, "Will Mr. Mangan please go to the enquiry desk?"
