human
This collector had paid for the necklace with a certified check, which was cashed by an American accomplice. Ben paused for effect.
gpt
The amount was two hundred thousand dollars cash.
human
Even Moustafa didn't know the exact amount,
gpt
The money was in thousand-dollar bills. I have the serial numbers.
human
But, Ben, numbered bills are like a flag! No one can spend them without getting caught.
gpt
That is true, Rick, when something illegal is involved. Had the collector kept his mouth shut, no one would have known any illegality was involved in the transaction.
human
But you can't use American money in Cairo, Scotty objected.
gpt
It has to be changed.
human
Right, Scotty. The problem was this: the revolutionaries could not convert their dollars to Egyptian pounds in America. It would have attracted too much attention, because only a few banks and finance houses can handle such amounts, and then only in co-operation with the government. Their best bet was to get the dollars into the Arab countries. We can watch international traffic, but local traffic among the Arab nations is hard to control. They would have sent the dollars to another country to be changed.
gpt
An Arab country?
human
Probably. The borders between the Republic and its neighbors are desert, impossible to patrol. The dollars could have been sent, then gradually converted into Egyptian currency. Dollars sell readily in this part of the world, and sometimes not too many questions are asked.
gpt
I get the picture, Rick stated.
human
The Moustafas stole the necklace, and smuggled it to America. Bartouki sold it to the collector, through an American helper. Then he had the money sealed in the cat. He handed it to me, because my sister gave him an opening and I fell into it. Meanwhile, you put Ali in jail, then Fuad. Youssef got into the act through the clerk. So then we had Kemel Moustafa and Youssef on our trail. Why didn't you put Kemel in jail, too? And how about Bartouki?
gpt
We had no evidence that would stand up in court against Kemel, although we were convinced he was in the act with his brothers. That's why I waited until he tried to take the cat by force.
human
You used us and the cat for bait!
gpt
It worked, Ben pointed out mildly.
human
We got both Youssef and Moustafa, although the trap was only for Kemel. And you were never in any real danger, except for a stray bullet. I've been in the unfinished barracks with my men since noontime. The senior scientists knew it. That's why they were willing to leave you alone. Two of my men mingled with Youssef's gang as soon as they arrived, and weren't detected. Any sign of real danger to you and they'd have bailed you out fast. But we were holding off, because I had a radio message that Kemel was on his way with a gang of his own.
gpt
You certainly had things taped, Scotty said admiringly.
human
I guess we ought to be mad. But you'd have an equal right to get mad because we tried to go it alone.
gpt
We'll call it square, Ben agreed.
human
About Bartouki. We needed the evidence of the cat, and a statement from you that he had handed it to you. That was the only sure way of tying him in. Tonight we'll send a message via Interpol to the New York police.
gpt
Open the cat,
human
Get the saw,
gpt
Saw away.
human
Hit something! he said excitedly.
gpt
Metal, but soft. Like lead.
human
Do you suppose Bartouki was telling the truth?
gpt
We'll soon know.