LITMIR.BIZ

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more than twenty hours, the jetlag beginning to show.

      Kremenchug was ecstatic, his alcohol-charged response overenthusiastic, attracting the attention of other Mina guests.

      ‘That’s great news!’ he gushed. ‘You won’t regret coming in with us, Chris.’ He snapped his fingers summoning a waiter and, when the young man approached, ordered in a voice for all to hear. ‘Get us a bottle of Moet Chandon!’

      The champagne arrived, the inexperienced waiter’s attempts to uncork the bottle ending with Kremenchug grabbing the wine impatiently, dismissing the embarrassed waiter and completing the task himself. With the champagne poured, he raised his glass. ‘To the Kalimantan venture,’ he offered the toast. Fielding and Baird raised their glasses together, their celebratory gesture not lost on those around.

      ‘And to precious, precious gold,’ Baird added, somewhat relieved and surprised that Fielding had accepted his evaluations so readily.

      Their spirits lifted, all three men relaxed, the tone of their conversation tempered with newfound camaraderie as they exchanged stories, Kremenchug throwing in an occasional joke as the accumulative effects of alcohol took hold. Kremenchug peered over at Stewart Campbell’s table, flashed an insincere smile, waved, then after some hesitation rose and sauntered over to where the Americans were sitting.

      ‘Stewart!’ he started, a glass in one hand, the other extended. ‘Come and join us?’

      Caught off guard, Campbell looked to Samuels for assistance while Kremenchug pumped his hand. ‘We were about to leave,’ Campbell offered, somewhat lamely.

      ‘No, don’t go yet.’ Kremenchug had taken Campbell’s guest’s hand, expecting to be introduced. ‘Come over and meet Chris Fielding. I’m Alex Kremenchug,’ and after a pause, ‘and you would be?’

      His annoyance well disguised, Campbell smiled and introduced Phil Samuels. Kremenchug was visibly impressed. ‘Ah!’ he exclaimed. ‘Baron Mining, no doubt? The heavies have finally arrived!’ with which he turned, took hold of the man’s arm and led him across to where Baird and Fielding were again engrossed in conversation. Campbell followed, gesturing for the maitre d’ to bring their check. Chairs were hastily added to the table, the geologists rising to their feet as Kremenchug introduced the Americans. ‘You already know Eric?’ Stewart nodded. ‘And this is Chris Fielding,’ Kremenchug turned to Campbell’s client and completed the formalities. ‘Now, gentlemen, please join us for a glass of champagne?’ He then realized that the bottle had been drained and called for another, whilst indicating that his guests should be seated.

      ‘Alex, another time if you don’t mind,’ Campbell stepped in. ‘We have appointments to keep.’

      ‘Nonsense,’ Kremenchug was insistent, ‘sit down for a few minutes and help us celebrate.’

      ‘Celebrate?’ Campbell responded. Although not keen to be dragged into a session with these men, his curiosity got the better of him. ‘What’s the occasion?’

      ‘Sit down, and join us first,’ Kremenchug persisted. Campbell looked at the time and reluctantly accepted.

      ‘Just one,’ he warned, nodding to Samuels. They waited uncomfortably until the champagne was delivered to the table and uncorked.

      ‘To our senior geologist,’ Kremenchug announced, indicating Christopher Fielding, enjoying the look spreading across Campbell’s face. ‘And to gold mining in Kalimantan,’ with which Kremenchug drained and refilled his glass in one motion.

      Although pressed for time, Campbell appeared gracious. ‘Congratulations seem in order,’ he offered. Then, directing his question to Baird, asked, ‘What areas are you holding?’

      Eric Baird did not hesitate, now in effervescent mood. ‘There are a number of sites,’ he revealed, with great animation, ‘one up in Palangkaraya and a couple more further north in Kalimantan Timur.’

      ‘Alluvial?’ Campbell asked. ‘Not all of it.’ Baird was enjoying this, his smug demeanor more than partially fuelled by the alcohol. ‘Done any drilling yet?’ Campbell pressed, observing the other man’s eyes closely.

      ‘Enough to convince us that we have a winner,’ Baird bragged.

      ‘Are you able to disclose your findings?’

      ‘Guess that’s up to our senior geologist here,’ Baird replied, passing the buck.

      Fielding shot a warning look at his associates, uncomfortable with revealing too much before corporate structure and funding procedures had been finalized in Canada. Deciding enough had been said, he straightened his shoulders and started to rise. ‘It’s been a long trip. If you gentlemen don’t mind, I’m going to catch up on some sleep. When it’s opportune, I’d be delighted to send you something more regarding the Palangkaraya site.’ With that, he left the group hastily, having undertaken to call his associates, once he had rested.

      Following Fielding’s abrupt departure, Campbell and Samuels seized the opportunity to withdraw, leaving their unfinished drinks and a miffed Kremenchug for Baird to console.

      ‘Campbell’s right up himself,’ Baird sneered at the American’s departing back.

      ‘Yeah, he can be a real prick at times,’ Kremenchug said.

      ‘Did you see his face when I mentioned Fielding’s appointment?’ Baird’s cackle was more of a titter.

      ‘Wouldn’t be wise to wind him up too much. We don’t want too much attention from the likes of him.’

      ‘He’s full of it!’ Baird said, a little too loudly, attracting further looks of disapproval from a number of other guests in their proximity.

      ‘You should be careful of what you say in front of Campbell,’ Kremenchug was critical.

      ‘Why, what can he do?’ Baird lit a cigarette and blew a cloud of smoke over the table.

      ‘He’s well connected.’

      ‘If you feel that way, why’d you bring him over?’

      ‘I wanted to establish contact with the guy who was with him.’

      ‘Don’t know why you’re jittery about Campbell. He doesn’t have that many friends in the industry.’

      ‘He has enough,’ Kremenchug warned.

      ‘Sure, okay.’ Baird seemed miffed. ‘I’ll play it cool.’

      ‘I’m glad to hear you say that, Eric. We’ve got a great opportunity here and I wouldn’t want you to screw it up – for either of us.’

      ‘I won’t,’ Baird promised, leaning back and permitting the waiter to give Kremenchug the bill.

      ****

      P.T. Subroto & Associates

      ‘You seem to be in high spirits.’ Air Vice Marshal (retired) Sub-roto waddled back into his office, expecting the Australian, Eric Baird, to follow.

      ‘Looks like I’ll be able to meet those outstanding payments, Pak,’ Baird replied, respectfully.

      ‘What’s happened?’ The Air Vice Marshal dropped his one hundred and twenty kilos heavily into the specially designed, reinforced leather and teak seat.

      ‘I’ve signed with a Canadian group, Pak.You remember Kremenchug?’ Air Vice Marshal Subroto snorted with apparent distaste. ‘That lintah-darah?’

      Baird disguised his annoyance with Subroto’s response referring to Kremenchug as ‘that bloodsucker’. ‘Something beneficial will come of it,’ Baird tried to placate.

      ‘He is a parasite – Indonesia doesn’t need people like him.’

      ‘Kremenchug

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