Armageddon: The Cosmic Battle Of The Ages by Tim Lahaye, Jerry B. Jenkins

could I do there?”
    “How do you benefit the GC?”
    Kashmir dabbed at a tiny stream of blood on Mainyu’s neck.
    “I am a businessman, Albie. I look for the biggest profit for the smallest expense, and right now that is bounty money.”
    “You-”
    “Deliver the disloyal to the Peacekeepers. Of course I do. Tell me, what is the cost of doing that kind of busi-ness? Twenty thousand Nicks a head, same price dead or alive. I find the dead more manageable. Once the victim is still, there is no danger, no escape attempt, nothing messy. With the right size plastic bag, even the car stays clean. Follow?”
    “So, you are a supplier-”
    “To the GC, yes, of course. If low overhead and high profit is the businessman’s mantra, what better business is there than something for nothing? They are willing to pay for something I can provide.”
    Albie wondered how many unmarked victims of Mainyu’s were Judah-ites. “My request, then,” Albie said, “does it constitute a conflict of interest for you?”
    “Of course not, my friend! Not if you brought the money. I am not a friend of the GC. I am merely a busi-ness associate. My interest is profit.”
    “I wasn’t sure what such services would cost.”
    “Oh yes, you were. You are not out of the business that long. And surely you didn’t expect me to commit to this without all the money up front, not when it has to be done almost immediately.”
    “You have the people, the hardware, the-?”
    “You know I have everything. It will be done. Pro-vided you have the money.”
    “Such a job would have cost twenty thousand Nicks a few years ago,” Albie said.
    “So I assume you brought more, due to inflation and the urgent nature of the request.”
    Albie hesitated.
    “Sure you did, and you will not make the mistake of holding out on me, because you know how easy it would be for me to find out how much you have with you.”
    “Of course. I brought thirty thousand Nicks.”
    “Hmm.”
    “Surely that’s enough. Fifty percent more than before has to cover inflation and the rush.”
    “It’s not enough,” Mainyu said. “It’s twenty thousand short.”
    Albie assumed the deal was about to go down. They were in the haggling stage, and anything other than a vigorous argument from both sides would show dis-respect. “Thirty thousand is all I brought, and all I am willing to pay.”
    “Uh-huh. And is it all on your person or did you leave some on your bike?”
    “You know better than that, Mainyu. Who leaves cash in the alley here?”
    Mainyu laughed. “Sahib!”
    The tall man unlocked the door and entered.
    “How much is our friend paying you to watch his bike?”
    “Twenty-five.”
    “How much does he owe?” “Ten.”
    Mainyu turned to Albie. “Do you have thirty thou-sand plus the ten you owe Sahib?”
    “Yes.”
    “Any more?”
    “Spare change for the trip home.”
    “Let me see the thirty thousand.”
    Able reached inside his jacket and produced a brick of bills wrapped in cellophane.
    “Now the ten you owe Sahib.” Albie slapped a ten on the table. “Now your spare change.”
    From his left pocket Albie produced a wad of bills and coins. “Maybe another fifteen-plus,” he said.
    Mainyu pressed his lips together and cocked his head, arching his eyebrows at Albie. “We are still twenty thou-sand apart,” he said.
    “I said thirty thousand is all I’m willing to pay.” “Then we have a problem. What are we going to do about the other twenty?”
    Albie fought a grin. Mainyu had always driven a hard bargain. “You’re serious,” Albie said. “You won’t do it for thirty? You want me to take my business else-where?”
    “Oh no! And pass up what’s before me? No!”
    “It’ll be done, then?”
    “It’s already done, my friend. Something for nothing. Fifty thousand and change for virtually no overhead.”
    “Fifty?”
    “Kashmir, call the palace for me, will you? Get Mr. Akbar. Sahib? Remember what I have been teaching you about the