Payback by Graham Lancaster Read Free Book Online Page B

good.’
    Chancey beamed, genuinely proud. He was in awe of the American, as well in fear. ‘You pay me, and tonight we pati ! Together. We pati with bilas misis . OK?’ Bilas misis —flashy European women.
    Bolitho was holding Banto’s head in his huge hands, moving it back and forth as if inspecting a melon. ‘Sure, kauboi . Tonight we can party. Once I’ve checked your test results on him. Then I’ll find you some young white tail. How’s that sound? Meet me back here at nine tonight and, if the tests are good, I’ll have your money.’
    Excited, Chancey ran over to his motorcycle and roared off, leaving the quaking Banto alone with the intimidating stranger.

 
    Chapter Three
     
    James Barton’s London house in Chester Street, off Belgravia, was lit, as usual, like a Christmas tree: the lights blazing from every room, whether in use or not. It was one of his eccentricities, a hate—fear perhaps—of darkness. The live-in Filipina maid opened the door to Tom and, as a regular visitor, let him find his own way to the first-floor sitting room.
    Cigar smoke drifted down the stairs and, as expected, he saw that the cognac decanter had already seen action. ‘James,’ he said, in greeting. ‘Got here as soon as I could. You said it was urgent. What’s up?’
    In front of Barton on a side table was some sort of computer-screen print-out. Without speaking, he pushed it towards Tom, gesturing for him to help himself to a drink, then sit down and read the thing. Passing on the alcohol, Tom took the paper, speed-read it and then read it carefully line by line. Only then did he take a seat and venture his first good look at Barton. He did not like what he saw. The booze, cigars and the kind of stress that things like this created were a sure ticket to a heart condition. It was a view, however, that he kept to himself. The news was bad enough for the man without a lecture on his health.
    ‘ Reuters put that out two hours ago from New York,’ Barton said angrily. ‘Great, eh?’
    The newswire piece read:
    The government of Papua New Guinea has attacked US - quoted biotech group , Temple Bio - Laboratories Inc — led by controversial former bankrupt British financier Sir James Barton — for patenting the cell lines of remote tribes . Accusing Temple Bio - Labs of the crime of bio - piracy , the Health Minister at a press conference today in Port Moresby claimed the company had paid untrained local criminals to intrude on villages and coerce blood and tissue samples from gullible natives . The rare cell lines of these Stone - Age peoples are believed to offer the possibility of new cures for diseases ranging from HIV , hepatitis , leukaemia and lymphoma . Researchers have discovered that although these infections are common in such tribes , they rarely lead to the diseases themselves , demonstrating remarkable powers of immunity . Scientists hope that studies of the cell lines may lead eventually to vaccines capable of commercial development . The PNG government , however , is to explore legal action against Barton’s company to negate the patents . It has also called on the World Health Organisation and the United Nations to condemn such exploitation . The corporation’s stock fell almost forty per cent on Wall Street on the news . Ends .
    Tom put the paper down, a look of distaste on his face. ‘Is it true?’
    ‘ Is what true?’
    ‘ That we’ve been getting blood and tissue samples in this way. Using untrained criminals, coercing native people?’
    ‘ Of course not! Our man down there has been using experienced local guides and professional nurses. To take blood samples safely. And far from coercing them, the tribes have been falling over themselves to be donors—for metal tools and general supplies. What do you take me for?’
    Barton made a good fist of seeming genuinely indignant at the question. He badly needed to keep Tom focused and motivated, especially on the Aruban treasury management. If the