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The Little One held open a plastic bag marked HAZARDOUS WASTE. Raoul deposited the handkerchief and the empty vial inside. The Little One snapped the bag shut, thrust it into a pocket. Baejling and Krammes watched the proceedings in dazed disbelief.
Raoul reached into his purse, drew forth a second vial of the clear liquid. He held it out.
"What's this?" Baejling eyed it suspiciously, refused to touch it.
"The antidote," Raoul said with a sly smile. "Administered anytime in the next twenty-four hours, it will save Madame President's life. The choice is yours. She will not be in such extreme pain that she cannot negotiate. You might, perhaps, be able to strike a bargain with her. The antidote in exchange for an extended trip on her part to a distant moon. If the lady proves recalcitrant"--Raoul shrugged--"you let her die."
He pressed the vial into Baejling's hand. The man's fingers closed over it nervelessly.
Krammes clutched at him. "This gives us a chance! We don't have to be murderers--"
"Unless she refuses. Or orders us shot anyway. The safest course to follow would be not to tell her. Let her die."
"A difficult decision." Raoul was sympathetic.
Baejling stared at the antidote, then lifted his haggard gaze to Raoul. "Damn you."
Raoul smiled sweetly. "Our work is guaranteed or your money will be cheerfully refunded. And now, if you both will excuse us, we have a transport to catch
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