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"I already have copies"

Pitt was teh to trust his confidence He decided Merchant was lying It was an old Gestapo ploy, to make the victim think the accuser knew all there was to know "Then why bother to inquire?"

"To find if you are in the habit of inaccurate statements"

"Am I under suspicion for some hideous crime?" asked Pitt

"My job is to apprehend slers of illicit diamonds before they traffic their stones to European and Middle Eastern clearinghouses Because you came here uninvited, I have to consider your motives"

Pitt observed the reflection of the guard in the s of a glass cabinet He was standing slightly behind Pitt, to his right, automatic weapon held across his chest "Since you knoho I am and clai to the Queen Charlotte Islands, you cannot seriously believe that I'ler" Pitt rose to his feet "I've enjoyed the conversation, but I see no reason to hang around"

"I regret that you must be detained temporarily," Merchant said, brisk and businesslike

"You have no authority"

"Because you are a trespasser on private property under false pretenses, I have every right to make a citizen's arrest"

Not good, Pitt thought If Merchant dug deeper and connected him to the Dorsett sisters and the Polar Queen, then no lies, no matter how creative, could explain his presence here "What about Stokes? Since you claim you know he's a Mountie, why not turn me over to him?"

"I prefer turning you over to his superiors," Merchant said alate this hly"

Pitt didn't doubt now that he would not be allowed off theproperty alive "Is Stokes free to leave?"

"The minute he finishes his unnecessary repairs to the aircraft I enjoy observing his primitive attempts at surveillance"

"It goes without saying that he'll report my seizure"

"A foregone conclusion," said Merchant dryly