Honor Among Thieves [antikvár]

1 New York February 15, 1993 Antonio Cavalli stared intently at the Arab, who he considered looked far too young to be a Deputy Ambassador. "One hundred million dollars," Cavalli said, pronouncing each word slowly and deliberately, giving them almost reverential respect. Hamid Al Obaydi flicked a worry bead across the top of his well-manicured thumb, making a click that was beginning to irritate Cavalli. "One hundred million is quite acceptable," the Deputy Ambassador replied in a clipped English accent. Cavalli nodded. The only thing that worried him about the deal was that Al Obaydi had made no attempt to bargain, especially since the figure the American had proposed was double that which he had expected to get. Cavalli had learned from painful experience not to trust anyone who didn't bargain. It inevitably meant that he had no intention of paying in the first place. "If the figure is agreed," he said, "all that is left to discuss is how and when the payments will be made." The Deputy Ambassador flicked another worry bead before he nodded. "Ten million dollars to be paid in cash immediately," said Cavalli, "the remaining ninety million to be deposited in a Swiss bank account as soon as the contract has been carried out."