Death is Forever

as you wished. We have altered our banking regulations and raised the margin requirements on sight boxes. Our cutters can no longer speculate. What more do you want from us, that we tear down Ramat Gan? What gives you the right to bleed the economy of a small, struggling, democratic nation and send our lifeblood to men who persecute Jews in the Soviet Union?”
    “DSD trades in diamonds, not ideologies,” van Luik said neutrally, shifting Israel’s prayer to the bottom of the pile as he spoke. “You may, of course, ask for an increase in your allotment at this group’s next advisory meeting.”
    “But—”
    “The neutrality of DSD is well known,” Nan Faulkner said dryly, cutting off another angry eruption from Aram. “Somehow, both sides in World War Two managed to get their hands on industrial diamonds. Nothing has changed since then.”
    Faulkner stubbed out her cigarillo and gave van Luik a level look.
    “It’s also well known that what happens in these advisory meetings has a ripple effect that goes far beyond the diamond market,” she said. “You may not consider ideology, but each government represented at this table does. If the Israeli cut stands, I’ll be forced to recommend that our American sight-holders substantially lower their requests.”
    Van Luik was surprised, but he didn’t show it. “You may naturally do as you wish. However, in your country the sight-holders are also free to go against your recommendations. In that case DSD would naturally cater to the requests of its most immediate market—your retail jewelers.”
    Faulkner’s smile was as cold as the glass of ice water she drained before answering. “Yeah, that’s the problem with a real democracy,” she said, lighting another cigarillo. “But I tell you, it wouldn’t take much effort to raise the taxes on diamonds at each stage—imported rough, loose polished stones, and finally set stones. In a year or two, diamond jewelry would go up in price, say, sixty percent in the American marketplace. Luxuries are just that, babe. Luxuries. If they get too pricey, people go without.”
    Van Luik opened his mouth.
    Faulkner was quicker. “As for the sentimental trade,” she continued, “lots of Americans would follow Princess Di’s example and have colored gems in their engagement rings, especially if the jewelry manufacturers launched a campaign based on treating your loved one like royalty. At the same time, there might be a grass-roots political movement to boycott apartheid’s diamonds.”
    “No aspect of Consolidated Minerals, Inc., has ever supported apartheid,” van Luik said flatly, “and that most definitely includes DSD.”
    “Tough shit, babe. People associate diamonds and the diamond cartel with South Africa. Within five years at most, fifty percent of your American market would dry up. Maybe even seventy-five percent.”
    Faulkner smoked her cigarillo and said no more. She didn’t have to. U.S. sales accounted for more than a third of all gem transactions in the world—the most profitable third.
    “There is always Japan,” van Luik pointed out.
    “There sure is,” Faulkner agreed, her voice hearty as she picked up the pitcher of ice water and began to pour. “The U.S. led them into buying diamond engagement rings. We can lead them right out again. That leaves you with half your former world market, which means that every country at this table just took a fifty percent cut in pay. Hardly worth it just to yank Israel’s chain one more time, is it?”
    “Remember, Ms. Faulkner, Consolidated Minerals controls more than diamonds.”
    “Which is the only reason there hasn’t been a grass-roots campaign against diamonds in the U.S. before now,” Faulkner shot back, setting down the water pitcher with a thump. “You need our diamond markets, and we need your strategic minerals. So let’s cut the bullshit and find a more generous compromise than you’ve suggested so far.”
    Van Luik could count his heartbeats in the stabbing pain behind his eyes. He’d warned his superiors that the United States might be difficult if ConMin squeezed Israel too hard. No one had listened.
    Now they would have to.
    “Perhaps the loss of jobs and foreign exchange in Israel could be compensated for in another way,” van Luik said, looking toward Singh.
    “Forget it,” Faulkner said. “Israel doesn’t need any favors at India’s expense. Why not take it out of the Bear’s thick hide? The Soviet share of the melee