Peter O'Donnell - Cobra Trap

"Handsomely, thank you, Mr Garvin, they're only a pound each. And you're not fooling me for a moment, you know."

Willie grinned, winked at her, then turned away with Modesty and Tarrant. "What's that you've won, Sir G.?"

"It's a large emerald carved in the shape of a frog," said Tarrant. Inspiration struck him, and he seized the moment. "Should I seek protection, do you think? A bodyguard?"

Modesty said, "I'll ask the Boy Scouts." And before Tarrant could continue his theme she went on, "I think we've done our bit now. Let's go home and have tea."

Willie said, "I'm dying for a cup. Let's 'ave the basket, Princess."

As they moved towards the field where the car was parked Tarrant said, "Talking of bodyguards-" he stopped as she gave him a puzzled look.

"Bodyguards? Oh, you mean just now. Yes, sorry, go on."

Hiding his discomfiture Tarrant continued, "If you'll forgive me for talking shop briefly I'd just, like to ask if you could recommend a really good bodyguard."

After a little silence Modesty said, "We never dealt in that line of business. Surely you have access to a wide selection of likely people?"

"We need somebody rather special," said Tarrant. "The person to be guarded is inclined to be difficult."

"And you can't tell us who it is?"

"In confidence, yes. It's Mr Howard A. Keyes. It's possible you may have heard of him."

Willie said, "Keyes? He's been in the news a bit. Owns a chunk of Texas and a chain of supermarkets."

Modesty said, "Is he the American the city pages call the Mystery Tycoon, who's planning to build supermarkets here?"

"And to take over one of our major supermarket chains," said Tarrant. "Yes, that's the man."

They had reached the car, and as Willie opened the door for her she said, "Who does he need protection from?"

"I'm afraid we don't know," said Tarrant, "but what he needs protection from is murder. And Keyes isn't particularly mysterious, just eccentric. He hates publicity."

Willie said, "Then he won't much like being murdered. It's bound to make 'eadlines."

"I've been given the job of preventing that." Tarrant took the back seat with Modesty, and Willie got in behind the wheel. As they moved away Modesty said, "Why are you involved?"

"Because he's over here now, my dear. I've been instructed to protect him but he won't submit to normal security measures."

Willie said, "Lousy job. All the initiative's with the other side. And you've no idea who wants to knock 'im off?"

"We're not even sure that anybody will try to do so."

"Jesus, you don't know a lot about this, do you, Sir G.?"

"Sadly, no. What's happened is this. Computers have come up with a pattern concerning several very odd and seemingly accidental deaths over the past year or so. They've found a common denominator, which is that the victims have all been foreign captains of industry involved in taking over British companies. In each case the person's death has aborted the takeover."

Modesty said, "I thought we were keen on investment from overseas."

"Economics baffle me, but I suppose there's a difference between investment and takeover, and I've been told to work on the theory that the deaths were in fact murder and that a group of Little Englanders feel so strongly about what they see as bits of their country being sold off that they're going to any lengths to prevent it."

"And you think this American tycoon Keyes is a prime candidate for their attention?" Modesty asked.

"If an attempt is made, it will be very convincing confirmation of that theory."

"You're not suggesting that Willie and I should turn bodyguards?"

"Oh, good Lord, no."

"That's all right, then."

Tarrant brooded for a moment or two. Then, "We don't want Mr Howard A. Keyes dead, but he's a very difficult character. He won't agree to have bodyguards or submit to any security arrangements."

Willie said, "Then what's the point in asking if we can recommend anyone? I don't know what we're talking about, Sir G. D'you want us to come to the funeral or something?"

"I was simply hoping you could suggest someone Mr Keyes just might find acceptable as a protector. Or perhaps I should say protectors since Modesty raised the question of your participation."

" What?" she said indignantly. "I did no such thing and you're a wicked old gentleman. Only the other day a good friend of mine said I should stay away from people like you because you're likely to get a girl into trouble."

Tarrant sighed and leant back in his seat, consumed by guilt. "Very true," he said gloomily, "but please don't take his advice to stay away. I promise I'll never ask you again, and as an earnest of my good intentions I…" he took out his diary and flicked over the pages, "I invite you both to dine with me at my club on Thursday next, if that's convenient?"

Modesty said, "Well, that's very contrite of you. Yes, please. Are you clear, Willie?"

"No problem. You know, Princess, for a moment there he sounded so apologetic I thought he was going to give you 'is frog."

Tarrant belonged to several clubs. The one he had chosen was not of the kind where members died quietly in deep leather armchairs without anybody noticing the change, it covered a wide spectrum of professions and agegroups. When Modesty and Willie arrived at the appointed time they were immediately greeted by a steward who apologised for Tarrant and explained that he had phoned to say he would be a few minutes late. "He hopes to join you in the lounge shortly, madam, and I am to ask if you would like an aperitif or glass of wine."

Modesty and Willie were seated in a corner of the quiet lounge, talking together as they waited for their drinks to arrive when a voice said, "Well, dang me if it ain't Miss Modesty."

She looked up in astonishment to see Gus standing there, dressed much as he had been that day by the pond. "Gus! What a nice surprise! What are you doing here?"

"Supposed to meet a feller, but I ain't too keen. He's been apestering me all week." Gus looked at Willie with a touch of suspicion. "Howdy."

She said, "Oh, this is Willie Garvin. Willie, this is my friend Gus. I told you about him."

Willie rose and put out his hand. "'Allo, Gus. You kick 'em in the belly and I'll stomp 'em."

The leathery face split in a grin as they shook hands. "Ain't no need with Miss Modesty around. You shoulda seen her, son."

"I've seen 'er. Sit down and 'ave a drink while you're waiting, Gus. We've got a generous host arriving soon."

"I'll take whisky neat, please." He sat down and looked from Modesty to Willie. "You two sparking?"

She said, "Willie and I? Oh, we've been around together too long for that."

Gus sighed and shook his head. "Sure wish I was thirty years younger."

"I'm so sorry to be late…" It was Tarrant, hurrying towards them. "Do forgive me." As he reached the table he stared in surprise. "Oh, you've met?"

Modesty said, "Met?"

Gus said, "You know this young lady?"

Tarrant looked embarrassed. "Why yes, I've hoped to be here earlier so that I could explain, but in any event allow me to make formal introductions. Modesty, this is Mr Howard A. Keyes. Mr Keyes, this is Modesty Blaise and Willie Garvin."

Modesty looked blankly at the old westerner. "Gus? Howard A. Keyes?"

He shrugged uncomfortably. "Augustus. My second name. Howard's kinda prissy and it don't shorten like Gus." He looked at Tarrant and tugged at one ear. "Danged if I can figure this, Miss Modesty. You something to do with this feller?"

She said, "This feller's just an old and untrustworthy friend. You said you kept a store, Gus. You've got hundreds of them, plus oil wells in Texas."

He looked at her anxiously. "Never was one for big talk. I offended you some?"