Bite by Nick Louth Page B

the exhibition advertised, so I hoped you didn’t mind me coming along to your opening night without an invitation?’
    â€˜Not at all,’ Max said, as he showed the minister around the gallery.
    â€˜Everyone at the conference is very worried about Erica,’ Loebe said, adding extra ice to his fruit juice. ‘It does seem extraordinary that she should be abducted.’ When he smiled his scars breathed like shark gills. ‘Yet if she was free, I cannot believe she would find anything better to do than appear at the conference to explain how we can defeat the scourge of malaria.’
    â€˜I couldn’t agree more,’ Max said. ‘I’ve never known her do anything like this and I’m real worried.’
    â€˜She is a very resourceful woman in adversity. Very strong, very spirited. Very special.’ Loebe’s eyes sparkled, and he pointed a fat finger at Max. ‘You are a very lucky man.’
    â€˜How do you know her?’ Max asked, made uneasy by the minister’s over-eager smile.
    â€˜Ah. We had a…brief relationship, years ago. I am very fond of her. Indeed, I would like to help you find her if I can. Zaire may have changed its name to the Democratic Republic of Congo, but it is still a lawless place. You can be assured I have some experience in these matters.’
    Max’s eyes narrowed. ‘Go on.’
    â€˜If, as I understand, the forces of law and order are not doing their job, then that also is familiar. I have with me in this country a trusted bodyguard whom I can put at your disposal.’ Loebe formed his hand into a pudgy brown pistol and held it up to Max’s face. ‘Bang.’ He winked obscenely. ‘The wonders of the diplomatic bag.’
    â€˜Thank you,’ Max said. ‘I’ll keep it in mind, but I guess I’m not into the summary retribution stage. Not yet, anyways.’
    â€˜Whatever you wish, Mr Carver.’ The minister put his hand inside his jacket and pulled out a silver cigar case. He opened it to reveal a thick wad of hundred dollar bills. ‘Now I would like to buy some sculptures. This one, that one and perhaps that one over there. U.S. currency is not a problem, I presume?’
    â€˜Is it ever?’ Max said, as the phone began to ring. He picked up the receiver as he watched Loebe squinting through his half moon glasses and counting out hundreds. ‘Schipper Gallery.’
    â€˜Max? This is Lisbeth. Come with me and Janus tonight. We meet you at one o’clock at Purple Haze.’
    She gave him the address and he wrote it down. ‘What kind of place is it?’
    â€˜It is a place to meet me, if you want to meet me. Or is Max short for Maximum Bullshit?’
    â€˜Okay, smartass. I’m coming. I’m surprised Janus wants me to come. We didn’t hit it off real well.’
    â€˜He doesn’t know. It’s my invitation. Does that frighten you?’
    â€˜Why should it? The world’s full of big, bad-tempered lunks like him. He knows it, that’s why he read some art books to prove he ain’t your average dumb lunk.’
    â€˜He’s very smart, Max. He runs a couple of businesses, including an antique shop. You know, it is just because he accidentally crushed that gang of robbers to death that everyone thinks he’s so dangerous and mean. Underneath he’s really nice and gentle and sweet…’
    â€˜Whoa. He crushes robbers? That sounds like a nice bedtime story.’
    â€˜We were in Rotterdam and he had just gone into a shop when these three guys rushed up and snatched my handbag. I screamed and Janus ran out but one pulled a gun on him. He went for the guy, to grab the gun. The robber fired, but Janus had pushed his thumb over the barrel.’
    â€˜Ouch.’
    â€˜Yes, so he lost the top joint of his thumb, but now the gun is jammed. The muggers pile into their getaway car, a BMW, but Janus is very angry now. He picks up