Chapter Forty-Two Pushing for a Sample

As soon as the phone is answered Hussein says, “Dimitri, do you have our sample ready for pickup?”

“What? Who is this?” Then realizing, he says, “You were supposed to call me back in one week. Can’t you people count?”

“Of course we can count. We are three days late. Our schedule has been hectic.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Dimitri says dismissively. “I have your sample. You realize you can’t leave this stuff sitting around like a loaf of bread.”

“How much does it weigh and what size container do you need?” Dakham asks. “And do you want the container sent to your warehouse or to another location?”

“The sample weighs about twenty-four grams, nearly one metric ounce in mass. You can figure what size container from that. Send it to the warehouse where we first met. I assume you have the address.”

“All right, Dimitri, this is what we will do. Dakham is going to send you a titanium container with a lead lining. We are going to ship you this container via United Parcel Service overnight. Your people will place the sample in this container and lead seal it so it cannot be tampered with. UPS will provide you with a return shipping label that will enable you to return the container to us at no charge. Mark the contents as x-ray materials for lab use. We are not intending to value the components at other than their normal insurance benefits, so as not to arouse any interest in it. The package will be returned to us the same way, via overnight delivery.”

“And payment?”