The Kiwi Target

Riley, who’s in custody, has heavy connections in the narcotics trade. It’s no secret that there are huge profits possible in that business, with a fast turnover. In view of what Winston just said, the people in Hong Kong could be Riley’s source of supply.
    “In the United States there are thousands of possible places to cross our borders, legally or otherwise, but that isn’t true here. Light planes can’t fly in and out, because they don’t have the range- Most of the pleasure boats I’ve seen haven’t got oceangoing capability. The few that do are fairly conspicuous and I presume can be tracked by radar. Going by air or water are the only two ways of getting either into or out of New Zealand.
    “When we were at the Bay of Islands,” Peter continued, “I couldn’t help noticing how many boats of various kinds were gathered there. Russell is a small place and has only one policeman—granted, a very good one. It occurred to me that if someone wanted to do any smuggling in or out of the country, that would be an ideal place.
    “All that didn’t add up to a lot until I learned that Mr. MacTavish had been a senior police officer. He would be a skilled observer, and his home was located where he had a panoramic view of the whole area. That would make him a serious obstacle to any kind of smuggling operation. I think that’s why he was killed.” When Peter stopped, the whole room remained quiet. As the seconds ticked away, he wondered if he had overreached himself. Then Winston broke the silence. “Did you convey any of these ideas to Constable Pettibone?” he asked.
    “No,” Peter answered, “because I hadn’t thought it out until I was back home again. Then it occurred to me that the Australians we’ve been talking about could be keeping the police seriously overloaded to cover the setting up of a major drug operation. To them, New Zealand might look like a ripe new territory.”
    “It would explain the murder of MacTavish,” the minister noted. “I agree that it didn’t make sense otherwise.”
    “That’s all I have to say,” Peter concluded.
    The minister looked toward Kincaid. “I’d like to know if Pricane is still interested in our tourist industry.”
    Kincaid replied almost at once. “Yes, particularly if we can work out some sort of a cooperative agreement. We can be of major help. Without offense, your industry is pathetically underdeveloped and inefficient. You’re giving people far too much for their money—more than they expect and at prices that could be substantially increased with very little loss of patronage.”
    “We rather like it as it is,” Cooper said. “And financially we do well enough.”
    “Yes,” Kincaid retorted, “but you can’t stay in the business dark ages forever. Sooner or later a more aggressive and efficient organization is going to come along and go after the rich potential profits that you’re losing every day.”
    The minister rose to his feet to signal that the meeting was over. “We’ve been given quite a lot to think about,” he said. “I’m most grateful that you all took the time to come.”
    “Thank you,” Peter acknowledged. He knew he had done his best and that it all hadn’t come off too badly. As he turned to leave, Winston touched his shoulder. “A few words with you, Peter, if you have the time. Wait for me outside.”
    Peter did as directed. When Winston emerged, he had Kincaid with him. “I know a place where the three of us can have a quiet coffee together,” the superintendent said. “There are some things I think you both should now be told.”
    In a pleasant, close-by coffee house, Winston, Peter, and Kincaid seated themselves around a table. The atmosphere was far from relaxed, but Winston ignored that. No one else was nearby, which gave them the privacy they needed.
    The superintendent took it upon himself to order coffee for everyone. That done, he turned to Kincaid.
    “You and Peter have now seen something of our country and the extent of it, but all of our people together couldn’t fill up half of New York. Because we don’t have the slums and the ghettos that are found in many of your cities, we have had only a limited drug problem in the past. PCP is so far unknown here, but we have set up a careful control of the chemicals used to make it.’ He folded his hands and put them on the table. “You see, it isn’t only a question of the law—it’s what illegal drugs could do to our people. I