Part 100 (1/2)
”Chisel what up?” Thomas asked.
Hammond looked back as if to answer a silly self-evident question.
”Why, the floor, of course,” he said. He pondered it for a moment.
”Can't bring a drill in'” he planned.
”Too much noise. Can't use electricity anyway.” He paused, then concluded.
”Have to use hammers and chisels” he said.
”A lot of work. Muscle mostly.” He rose.
”Take us a while, probably,” he said in conclusion.
”Us?” asked Thomas nervously Hammond smiled and Leslie managed a vague t.i.tter of laughter.
”Relax,” said Hammond.
”We have specialists. We can have the floor up in a few hours.”
”How long is'a few'?” asked Daniels.
Hammond eyed the concrete area intently. Thomas s.h.i.+fted his own gaze to the floor. He was reminded of the small church in Devons.h.i.+re, where former parish ministers were interred beneath the stones of the floor.
”Eighteen to twenty-four hours'” said Hammond flatly.
”That's a guess, an educated guess.”
Thomas looked back to Hammond, a.s.sessing him carefully now.
”I want to bring someone else in here, ”Daniels said.
”What?” snapped Hammond. Leslie watched Thomas cautiously and curiously.
Thomas repeated, though it wasn't necessary. Hammond dismissed it out of hand.
”You want to find out about Arthur Sandler?” Thomas asked.
”You want to know about your d.a.m.ned counterfeit? You want to know where the espionage angle leads you? You'll let me bring two more people in here ”Who are they?” asked Leslie, ready to negotiate.
”Doesn't matter,” said Hammond quickly.
”No-' She held up her hand.
”Who are they?” she repeated.
”I won't tell you. You'll refuse if I tell you.”
”Then why should we permit it?”