The Kiwi Target

asked about his intentions. He told her that he needed time to consider his options and left it at that.
    On the way back to Queenstown, Ray O’Malley was in a more relaxed mood. “I presumed it was a foregone conclusion, Peter,” he said, “but in law you can never act on such an assumption. Someone might have appeared to contest your position; it’s happened before.”
    Peter wanted to be sure of his ground. “Can anyone appeal now?” he asked.
    “No. You can go ahead now and do whatever you like with your share of the estate after the tax obligations are settled. I’ll take care of that for you in the next day or two.”
    “Then I have some questions to ask,” Peter said. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. First, can I get permission to stay here for a while?”
    “For how long?”
    “I don’t know. I’m an American citizen and I don’t want to be anything else, but as of right now I’d like to consider my options. I’ll need your advice for that.”
    O’Malley swung the car around a bend in the road. “Immigration is a strange thing down here. For instance, there’s a list of wanted skills. If someone who has one of those skills applies, he has a good chance of being accepted if he fits the age requirements. But he can’t see the list to find out if he’s wanted or not— it’s secret. All he can do is keep on trying if he doesn’t make it the first time.”
    “Age requirements?” Peter asked.
    “Yes, above a certain age, you won’t be accepted. Your case is a little different. You’re now a landowner here, and you’re of New Zealand descent. Shall I apply for permanent residency for you?”
    Yes, unless I’d have to give up my U.S. citizenship.”
    “No, not under the present regulations.”
    Peter thought a moment and then decided to go ahead. “I don’t want to press you in any way—” he began, when Ray cut him off.
    “But you want to get on with the business about Bishop. I understand that. I’ve spoken with Bishop twice about it. You have an annual meeting coming up shortly, and unless he gives you his support, you are going to be the victims of a hostile takeover.”
    “Exactly.”
    “I told you, if you remember, that I’d see you got your inning before he makes a firm decision.”
    “I remember that very well.”
    “Good. He was interested first in knowing the outcome of today’s hearing. Then he wants to meet you. I’ll set it up. In the meantime, there are some other people in the Queenstown area I think you should get to know. So I’d suggest that you stay here and keep yourself available.”
    “What would you think about my moving to the station for the time being? I’m running up a big hotel bill for S and S, and this proxy fight has drained a lot of our reserves. Also, the sooner I start learning about the station, the better.”
    “It’s a good idea,” O’Malley responded. “In fact, Jack McHugh and I have already talked about it. You’ll be close enough that you can come into town at any time.”
    He had no more to say after that until O’Malley dropped him off at the Mountaineer. Before he had lunch, he called the Mount Cook office and asked for Jenny. He had her on the line a minute later. “You accepted my invitation to dinner,” he said. “If possible, I’d like to make it tonight. A celebration.”
    Jenny hesitated only a moment. “I have something on, but it’ll keep.”
    “Good. When and where shall I collect you?”
    “I live out of town with my parents, so let me come to the hotel; it’ll be much easier. Say about seven?”
    “I’ll be in the lobby.”
    After eating, he walked up the hill to the local library. It had a respectable collection that was skillfully arranged and well maintained. When he made his wants known, he was provided with two recent books and a selection of magazines, all bearing on station operation and management.
    As he delved into the material, he found it unexpectedly interesting. He discovered important aspects of station ownership that he had never suspected.
    After five o’clock, he walked back to his room where he showered and dressed for his date. At a quarter of seven he went down to the desk and cashed a traveler’s check. As he was tucking his wallet away, Jenny came into the lobby. She had on an evening cocktail dress that was gathered in at the waist and flared a little in the skirt. It was a subdued dark brown and black mixture that was unusual and obviously expensive. Her auburn