Chase the Morning

‘My dear sir, English expresses it admirably: there is only room for one at the top. In our hands such a person, and the agency he must one day come to head, would be placed in a position of high advantage – favoured, for example, by official sources, by departments of government, by government itself. Not only in the Caribbean area, but at this end also, in this country. The rise of such an agency would be – how shall I put it? Meteoric.’

The tip moved – the fire lifted, logs, twigs, coals and all – a roaring pillar of flame – crazies bolting in all directions –

God. Was this what a breakdown was like? Or a touch of that stress paranoia I’d heard about in high-pressure jobs. Just get me through this one meeting, that’s all; this next half-hour. Then I can rush down and sneak Gemma’s valium. All of it.

‘Quite meteoric. Its competitors would find themselves at its mercy, to be … taken over if they had the sense to allow it, or otherwise – simply overwhelmed.’

I blinked, and flexed the ruler thoughtfully in my hands. Somehow or other, quite suddenly, the panic had subsided. Was I seeing things – or just dramatizing what he was threatening me with? A touch of stress, maybe – but the threats were real enough, to me, to the company. A good company, a lot of good people with careers sunk in it. Surely I was getting way out of my depth here, I ought to be passing this little tick on to higher authority. This kind of tough talking was Barry’s territory, if anybody’s. And yet, somehow, I felt that I did have authority behind me, all the damned authority I could ever need. The hell with breakdowns; if I was hearing voices, they were talking sense. A colossal confidence was welling up in me – and I was just itching to deal with this little son-of-a-bitch on my own.

The fiery pillar opening out – its summit spreading, broadening – looming, cresting, streaming flames and smoke – curling over like a tidal wave – coming thundering down over the heads of the remaining worshippers – straight at me.

Some dramatizing! I must really hate this guy; well – why not?

I chuckled, and touched the ruler to my lips. ‘You’ve chosen a rather extreme way of putting your point, surely? This is an established agency, with a long list of satisfied and continuing customers – governments included. So we’re not entirely without backing and influence ourselves, you know. The agency can cope with commercial and political pressures; it’s had to before, and survived. In fact it’s flourished. Otherwise why are you coming to me now?’

I spat on my swordblade, and flicked it skyward –

‘That’s right!’ I was talking to myself again. ‘That’s what it’s all about. You’re ahead of any game he knows. Tell him that.’

‘And,’ I said aloud, ‘to be equally frank – if I personally am half the man you think I am, then I ought to be well able to deal with any such assaults on my own account. Shouldn’t I?’

I shouted with laughter – filled my cheeks – blew a loud rude rasp at the descending stream. The cascading fire touched the steel – and split. Spattered like a stream of tapwater – lost its unity – collapsed, raining a choking cloud of bright embers and hot ashes on the heads of the terrified crowd. Wild shrieking spread the panic – here and there hair and clothes burst into flames. I bellowed with thunderous triumph –