“They’re either phony or they’re not.”
“It’s all in the eye of the beholder. Those particular diamonds could meet every test the most qualified jeweler could put them through. For nearly fifty years scientists have known how to transform carbon-rich substances into small industrial diamonds, but they haven’t been able to create gem-quality stones. There were all kinds of problems. The amount of pressure needed and the graphite, which is soft but very resistant to change. The bond between the layers is weak, so the graphite flakes apart, but the inner layers are incredibly strong. The carbon atoms—”
“I don’t want to hear all this. The bottom line, Travis.”
“There’s a group of Russian scientists funded by the local Mafia that has managed to create perfect diamonds indistinguishable from those grown in the ground.”
“That’s not possible. There have to be tests that can tell the difference.”
“The diamond industry developed one test that detected the defects caused by nitrogen concentrate in synthetic stones. The residual luminescence was unmistakable.”
“But the Russians solved the problem?”
Travis nodded. “That they did, and it’s scaring the diamond syndicates shitless. I found out about it from one of my sources and decided to go to Russia and see if there was anything interesting in it for me. I was there for about six weeks when there was a convenient explosion at the lab. The equipment and the scientists were blown to kingdom come.”
“You obviously managed to survive and get out,” Galen said. “With your pockets full of diamonds?”
“And a disk with the process.”
Galen chuckled. “I thought you were only smuggling. This is much more interesting. And who does Karlstadt represent?”
“He does the strong-arm work for a South African diamond syndicate. Naturally, they don’t want the diamonds to appear anywhere. If they did, the bottom could fall out of the market. No one would know whether the jewels they bought were real or made in the lab. Prices would plummet because the element of rarity would be gone. It could spell disaster for the entire diamond industry.”
“The Russians could build a new lab.”
“I’m sure they’re doing that now, but it will take time. Meanwhile Karlstadt can negotiate or use muscle to keep the Russians from duplicating their efforts. The diamonds and the process are the only danger to him right now.”
“I don’t care about the danger to your South Africans,” Melissa said. “What’s important is that you don’t have money to buy information.”
“I have some in a Swiss account, but those accounts aren’t altogether safe from CIA snooping.”
Melissa turned to Galen. “Can you raise the money?”
“Not enough. I can tap some sources, but Deschamps is a dangerous man and wells tend to dry up when you’re as hot as we are.”
“Then it has to be Andreas.” She got up and put her cup down on the end table. “ We have to find a way to deal.”
“You have a suggestion?”
“Give him what he wants.”
“Cassie?” Travis asked. “What about her nightmares? We can’t send her back in the shape she’s in now.”
“Then we have to give him a Cassie on her way to recovery.” Her gaze went to the bedroom door. “Jessica told me to help her. She probably meant for me to save her from Deschamps, but Jessica died trying to bring Cassie back. One of the last things she said to me was how close Cassie had been to coming back.” She blinked back tears. “She was so happy that Cassie— Oh, shit.” She was silent a moment before she could continue. “Cassie’s coming back. I’m going to see to it. And we might as well find a way to screw Deschamps by doing it.”
“It’s a long shot,” Travis said.
“I’m going to do it.” Melissa headed for the bedroom. “You just make sure that Karlstadt and all the rest of the baggage around you don’t get in my way.”
“I’ll try to oblige.”
“Oh, and I want a set of keys to that new van.”
“Is that necessary?”
“You’re damn right. Cassie’s keeping me tethered, but I’m not going to be any more of a prisoner than I have to be.”
“I’ll have a set made today. Galen is going to have a small car picked up in town by one of his guys. I’ll see that you have keys to that car too.”
“Thanks.”
“What are the odds she’ll be able to help Cassie?” Galen asked Travis when the door closed behind her. “The kid seems almost comatose to me.”