Page 67 of Nash Falls

“I am what I need to be. And my gratitude is endless for our partnership.”

The man’s congenial look faded. “The wordpartnershipimplies an element ofequalitythat is not present between us, Ms. Steers.”

“If I misspoke, my sincerest apologies. I have no doubt as to the structure of our arrangement or its relative hierarchy.”

“Your eloquence does you justice, as does your diplomacy.”

She nodded but had nothing to add. The fewer words said the better with this man. He neither forgot nor forgave, and she had already stumbled.

He glanced out the window, where in the distance sat a towering range of mountains. “There are those who believe that another coup will take place in Myanmar in the very near future. Only they are at odds over who will be behind it.”

Steers had thoughts that this man might be behind it because control of an entire country could be valuable. But she said, “Is the current junta not to your liking? The economic engine is beginning to purr, I understand.”

“Coups are for many reasons, not all tied to money. And the junta is weak. Large parts of the country, particularly to the north, are out of its control.”

“And how do you see such playing out?”

“What I foresee is not for dissemination at present, nor is it the reason for this meeting.”

Steers took a sip of her tea and waited. She knew that this man would choose his words with calculated care and she needed to do the same.

“We have given you a long leash on the Temple family. They started well initially, but conditions have recently deteriorated. Cleaning up problems creates other problems. The FBI is engaged and cannot be easily shut down. To be frank, they know of your involvement. They also know about Rhett Temple. They suspect the two recent deaths and one disappearance at the various companies are related to what you are doing. They may suspect the motive. Or at least one of them,” he amended.

He stopped talking and looked at her.

Steers began, “I have met with Temple and expressed these same concerns. I have been assured that in the future different practices will be deployed to head off any other unfortunate outcomes.”

“You rely on him to accomplish this?”

“To a certain extent, which is not the same as trusting him.” She looked at him but was unable to read his features. He was as good at this game as she was.

No, he is better at it than I am. But knowing that may be an advantage.

He said, “Let me venture into the weeds. Walter Nash? You know of him?”

“Yes. He is truly excellent at his job and unwittingly aids us.”

“That is irrelevant now. Walter Nash has been approached by the FBI. I must admit being disturbed that you did not know this.”

This is my second stumble in fewer than five minutes.

She said, “They obviously moved from low to middle level to the upper executive ranks. I also spoke to Rhett Temple about this very possibility.”

She glanced at him to find the man watching her closely. “Your answer is inherently unsatisfactory,” he said.

“I understand that it is. I must do better.”

“Whetherthatresponse is satisfactory or not will be tabled for now. Nash must be dealt with. But not in the usual way. Death here is not enough of a deterrent, as has been shown from past results.Livingpeople can be dissuaded.”

“Blackmail?” asked Steers.

“Actually, something more than that is needed.” He paused, but it seemed only for dramatic emphasis, because she could tell he knew exactly what else he wanted to say.

“What is needed is personal devastation, which will leave no possibility of reliance on anything that the man says or does. That will pull all the teeth from the FBI. They may well abandon him and, indeed, rethink their entire strategy, with the result that ourproblemmay go away. That is the forceful tactic needed here.” He looked at her. “Do you not agree?”

Steers thought for a few moments. “There are ways that such can be done.”

“You will see to the formulation of a plan. If sufficient I will approve it.”