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’Why? Is she in any sort of trouble?’ asked Abel anxiously

’No, she’s looking for capital to open her own shop!

’Howfor?’

~Only thirty - four thousand dollars which she needs for the lease on a s about what George had said, his short fingers tapping on the car’See that she gets the e Make it look as if the transaction is an ordinary bank loan and be sure that it’s not traceable back to’This e’

’Anything you say, Abel’

’And keep me informed of every move she makes, however trivial!

What about him?’

I’m not interested in him,’ said Abel ’Nohat’s the bad news?’

’Trouble with Henry Osborne again It seems he owes money everywhere I’m also fairly certain his only source of inco veiled threats about you condoning bribes in the early days ere setting up the group Says he’s kept all the papers from the first day he met you when he claims he fixed an extra payo, and he now has a file three inches thick!

’I’ll deal with Henry in the e spent the re Abel up to date on the rest of thi~ group’s affairs ere all satisfactory, except for a takeover of the Baron in Lagos after yet another coup That never worried Abel

The nextAbel saw Henry Osborne He looked old and tired, and the once smooth handsome face was now heavily lined He made no mention of the three - inch thick file

’I need a little h a tricky period,’ said Henry

’I’ve been a bit unlucky’

’Again, Henry? You should know better at your age You’re a born loser with horses and women How much do you need this tirne?’

’Ten thousand would see h,’ said Henry

’Ten thousand,’ said Abel spitting out the words ’What do you think I aold mine? It was only five thousand last tih

’This is the last time, do you understand me?’ said Abel as he took out his cheque book ’Co once more, Henry, and I’ll remove you from the board as a director and turn you out without a penny!