“The government won’t have anything to do with this,” said Myer. “At least not our government. We’re going to be dealing solely with China and Russia.”
“Just where in the Pacific are we talkin’ about?” frowned Remy.
“As I said, I’ll deal with that. I just need to know that you’re capable of getting a rig up and running in twelve months.”
“Twelve months? That’s quite a feat,” said Magnus. “I ain’t never dug one that fast. You boys?” Cade and Bodhi shook their heads.
“Twelve months ain’t a lot of time to do it right,” said Remy. “We’d need at least eighteen. If the well is as rich as you think, doin’ it right will yield everything you want.”
“Are you able to do it without others noticing?” asked Myer quietly.
“Others? Like other oil companies?”
“No. Like anyone. Islands. Nations. Anyone.”
“Well, that depends on how far away the nearest land is. I mean, it’s an ocean. It ain’t like the boats are stoppin’ at traffic lights. Your issues would be satellite images, any passing ships that were nearby, or any local governments sending out recon planes.
“Us? Well, we don’t talk about the work we do. My boys work hard and only ask for one weekend a month to get to a nice tropical island and visit the ladies if you know what I mean,” grinned Remy. The three men smiled, Cade proving a point and crudely gripping his crotch.
“Bet the girls love that,” smiled Myer.
“I don’t like boys,” said Cade, frowning at Myer.
“I didn’t mean it like that!” balked Myer. “Jesus. Alright, what would it take to get this off the ground?”
“You’d have to work that out with the boss back home,” said Remy. “He’d draw up the contracts, get the deposits in place, and then send us out to start buildin’.”
“Yea, about the deposits,” said Myer, rubbing his jaw. “I’m wondering if he would be willing to work for a percentage of the profits.”
“Like I said, you’d have to ask him,” said Remy. “Me and the boys get paid either way. But I tell ‘ya what. You make sure there are a few girls ready and waitin’ for us when we get our time off, and we’ll work extra hard for ‘ya.” He gave the man a wink, and Myer laughed, shaking his head.
“Now we’re talking the same language,” said Myer. His men chuckled behind him. “My boys and I always know where to find willing women. Sometimes not so willing. Offer a few favors, do a little sweet talking, and they’ll do anything for you. In fact, one of the groups I’m working with might even consider sending a few of their finest young ladies, and we could set up a permanent house for you.”
All of the men tried to remain relaxed, not showing any signs of concern.
“You mean like a whore house?” smirked Remy.
“Well, you wouldn’t have to pay for it. It’d be on them,” said Myer. “Most of these girls are on the young side. You know, fifteen, sixteen, something like that. In their culture, it’s okay. Of course, from what I’m seeing, they’d get used fast by your boys.” Remy tried to hold down the bile rising in his throat.
“Yea, they’re big boys, alright,” he nodded. “That might work out just fine. As long as the girls are trained and know what to do.”
Myer leaned back, whispering to one of the other men. He nodded, spoke to him again, then nodded a final time.
“I tell you what. We’re going to give you a free taste of what we have. Our supply just recently landed. We were getting ready to ship them out, but maybe you could help us.”
“Mebbe,” grinned Remy, trying to hold back his anger.
“I have to leave for a meeting in San Francisco. My man will have you follow him to the docks. You get first choice.”
“Perfect,” said Magnus, suddenly shoving back his chair and standing. “Let’s go.”
“Damn,” laughed Myer. “Your boy has an itch.”
“Yep,” said Remy. “And he’s about to scratch it.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“What is this guynotinvolved in?” frowned Cam. “Any idea what ship those girls are on or where they came from?”
