The Arctic Incident

Butler bent his knees slightly, ready to spring.

“I bet we could break that code. I got one helluva team assembled at Fission Chips.”

“Pardon me if I am unimpressed by your ‘one helluva team,’”said Artemis.“Thus far you have been trailing several years behind Phonetix.”

Spiro jumped to his feet. He did not like the P-word. Phonetix was the only communications company whose stock was higher than Fission Chips.

“Okay, kid, you’ve had your fun. Now it’s my turn. I have to go now, before the satellite beam gets here. But I’m leaving Mr. Blunt behind.” He patted his bodyguard on the shoulder. “You know what you have to do.”

Blunt nodded. He knew. He was looking forward to it.

For the first time since the meeting began, Artemis forgot about his lunch and concentrated completely on the situation at hand. This was not going according to plan.

“Mr. Spiro. You cannot be serious. We are in a public place, surrounded by civilians. Your man cannot hope to compete with Butler. If you persist with these ludicrous threats, I will be forced to withdraw my offer and release the C Cube immediately.”

Spiro placed his palms on the table. “Listen, kid,” he whispered. “I like you. In a couple of years, you could have been just like me. But did you ever put a gun to somebody’s head and pull the trigger?”

Artemis didn’t reply.

“No?” grunted Spiro. “I didn’t think so. Sometimes that’s all it takes. Guts. And you don’t have them.”

Artemis was at a loss for words. Something that had only happened twice since his fifth birthday. Butler stepped in to fill the silence. Unveiled threats were more his area.

“Mr. Spiro. Don’t try to bluff us. Blunt may be big, but I can snap him like a twig. Then there’s nobody between me and you. And take my word for it, you don’t want that.”

Spiro’s smile spread across his nicotine-stained teeth like a smear of treacle. “Oh, I wouldn’t say there’s nobody between us.”

Butler got that sinking feeling. The one you get when there are a dozen laser sights playing across your chest.

They had been set up. Somehow Spiro had outmaneuvered Artemis.

“Hey, Fowl?” said the American. “I wonder how come your lunch is taking so long.”

It was at that moment that Artemis realized just how much trouble they were in.