"Hey, Carter," said Sweets, from the helm, "I just got a little message for you on the radio. From a cat named Gonzalez. He says old Mr. Hawk is flying down from Washington to debrief you. He also says the French Government has flown in an Army regiment to take over those ships in the Lorrain and Marigot harbors, and to get rid of the OAS sympathizers in the Martinique administration."
"Yeah," said Li Chin. "He was even saying something about a letter of gratitude from the French Government for breaking the back of the OAS and their takeover scheme."
Sweets chuckled and gestured toward the two bound guards.
"These particular OAS men don't have much fight left in them. They surrendered to us the minute Michelle jumped off the boat."
"What happened to the torpedo?" asked Li Chin.
"It's down there, about twenty yards away," I said. "Later, when the sharks have left the area, we can bring it up. Until then, we stay right here to make sure nobody else does."
"Well look, man," said Sweets, "this has been a groove and all, but I've just about run out of my supply of fudge. If you folks don't mind, I'm going to run into town."
"Take the sailboat," I said. "And while you're at it, turn these two OAS punks over to the authorities."
"Mr. Carter?" said Fernand Duroche.
I turned.
"I am grateful to you for rescuing me, and for…"
I nodded.
"But now, I should return to my own people. The Deuxieme Bureau will want to talk with me."
"Go with Sweets," I said. "He'll make sure you get to the right people."
He nodded, then held out his hand. I shook it, and he turned and walked to where Sweets was hauling the sailboat alongside.
"See you later, man," called out Sweets, after the two OAS men, and Duroche and himself, had jumped aboard. "Maybe I'll wait around a bit and bring back old Mr. Hawk with me."
"You do that," suggested Li Chin. "Don't hurry. Carter and I have plenty to do."
"Exactly what did you mean by that?" I asked, when the sailboat had pulled away.
Li Chin moved closer to me. Much closer.
"Well, you see, Carter," she said, "there's an old Chinese proverb that goes, 'There's a time to work, and a time to play. »
"Yes?"
"Un-hunh." She was so close now that her small, firm breasts were pressing against my chest. "And now's the time to play."
"Yes?" I said. It was about all I could say.
"I mean, you don't believe all that junk about French women being the best lovers, do you?"
"Are there better?"
"Un-hunh. Much better. Want to find out?"
"Why not?" I said.
I found out. She was right. I mean, she was
right!