Читать книгу Moscow Blue - Philip Kurland - Страница 14

Crocker dropped his pen onto the floor. ‘Christ, they didn’t tell me that. Shit. The message was that he was thrown into the river and later found dead.’

‘Oh my God. I thought you knew.’

‘Oh, Christ.’ Crocker changed hands with the phone. He felt the blood drain from his extremities and felt a little sick.

For once in his long career, Jack Spence was lost for words. For a few moments, there was silence.

‘I’m so sorry. It was in all the papers. He was killed then thrown in. The report said he’d been in the Moskva for some days before he was found wedged between two barges tied up for the season.’ Hearing nothing, Jack asked, ‘Are you okay, Lee? D’you want me to come over and help demolish a bottle of booze?’

‘No. No, I appreciate your offer, Jack, and for telling me. It’s just that I didn’t know. I can’t tell Dad. It’ll kill him. It wouldn’t take much these days.’

‘Are you sure you’re okay?’

‘Sure. Sure.’

‘I really thought you knew. I’m so sorry to dump that on you like that.’

‘No, it’s okay. I wanted to find out what happened, but what a way to go. Oh man, I think I’m gonna throw up.’

‘Lee?’

‘No, I’m okay now.’

‘Now you know what’s happened, shouldn’t you just get out and take up turkey farming?’

‘Well, I’ll be damned if I’m gonna run away and not get to the bottom of this. What in hell was he up to?’

‘I knew he was into something from the way he was behaving over the last few months. You know how chatty he was. Then he started keeping himself to himself and didn’t want to talk much. But he didn’t let on.’

‘No ideas?’

‘Nope. Not one. Except he was probably mixing with the mafia, or something like that. You don’t get garrotted for messing with the taxman, not even in Russia. Are you sure you’re okay?’

‘Yup. I felt a little sick when you told me, but it’s as good as passed.’

‘I’m so sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I really thought you knew.’

‘No, don’t be sorry. I shouldn’t hang this on you. I’m okay now. I’m fine. Really. Don’t worry about it. I’ve just got to keep my mind occupied. I’ve got to find out why.’

‘I understand, of course. But what can you do? What do you want to do? There’s nothing in the papers now so I guess the police are no longer interested. You could get yourself into serious trouble here mixing with the wrong people as you darn well know. He’s gone and you can’t bring him back. You can’t do it on principle. Your life’s worth more than a principle. As an individual, it’s very difficult taking the law into your own hands here in Russia. What have you got to go on?’

‘Not much.’

‘And this deal of yours? Why do you want to do it? You said you need the money?’

‘Business is slowly going down the tubes and with Paul gone, my sister-in-law’ll need considerable funding, what with a mortgage and five kids all in school. At least I’ve got to try and see where it goes. I’m the only one who can make things straight.’

‘That’s a very good reason, Lee. There ain’t many guys around who’d do it. But isn’t there any way other than getting involved with osmium? Do you know and trust the seller?’

‘You mean, is it real?’

‘Is there any reason it shouldn’t be?’

‘Sometimes no-hope Russians dream up big deals with big numbers, hoping some crumbs’ll fall off the table before you discover it’s a waste of fucking time. But there’s something that rings true about this offer.’

There was silence while Jack considered.

‘Well, then,’ he started, ‘as long as you know there’s a ninety-nine-plus percent chance of wasting your time, go for it. You’re a big boy now. It’s only gonna cost you time, and sleepless nights, and maybe your life.’

Crocker stopped doodling with a jolt. He hadn’t expected such a melodramatic response. He paused to regain his line of thought.

‘It’s just that it’s part of a bigger deal, which could involve the U.S. Government. If there’s a chance, I want to take it. I need to take it. If it comes off, I’ll tell you about it one day from my island off Mexico.’

‘Okay, it sounds as if you’ve no choice and you’ve made your mind up. I really do wish you luck, Lee. Let me know how it turns out. But…’ He paused. ‘Watch your back. I really mean that. You know what I’m saying, don’t you? Good friends are hard to find, especially here in Moscow. From what I’ve heard, osmium means big bucks and that brings out the worst in people. These deals attract the most unscrupulous and dangerous characters. But then you probably knew that already. So let’s eat together soon. And again, I’m sorry for breaking the news the way I did.’

‘Sure,’ said Crocker. ‘I’ll catch you just as soon as things have gotten a little settled.’

Jack’s news had left Crocker weak and a little shaky, but after a few minutes, when the effects of shock had passed off, he knew he felt better for the conversation. Now at least he had learned some facts to get him going, asking questions.

From the bottom drawer of his desk, he took the half-empty bottle of Glenmorangie, and sinking back into his chair, eyes tightly shut, took a long slug. The relaxing effect was almost instant, allowing him to consider his options once again.

He picked up the pad from his desk and spent the next few minutes drafting and redrafting a letter to Gerry Weinberg, his New York manager. He was careful to strike a balance between, convincing Gerry that Slava’s deal deserved his experienced attention, and inadvertently giving too much away to a third party who might be intercepting the message locally. When he was satisfied he had it right, he pressed his intercom button.

‘Lina? Come in, please. And bring a notepad.’

He tidied his hair with a quick flick of the hand and checked his tie was straight. She was even prettier than he had initially registered. Was he mistaken or did he sense his pulse-rate pop up a few notches on seeing her standing in front of him? He guessed she was about five seven or eight, with a full figure. The hair was now less severe; no longer pulled back tightly in a bun, but cascading loosely onto her shoulders. It was difficult not to smile at her happy Slavic face, but he couldn’t help noticing her beautiful pale-blue eyes perched above pools of crimson Russian blusher.

‘Hi, Lina. I’m so pleased you decided to join us at JC Metals. Please sit down.’

From the look in her eyes he could tell she knew she had a body that would turn on the lowest testosterone-count male, and he sensed she was definitely interested in him.

She sat neatly on the edge of a chair in front of his desk, and, despite the temptation, Crocker avoided looking at her legs. When he found the final version he had been working on, he said, ‘Lina, I’d like you to send a fax to New York for the attention of Gerry Weinberg, to read as follows:

‘Dear Gerry,

‘I need your help on a potential project. Please arrange to come to London for a meeting as soon as possible. It is not convenient at this time to write more fully, but I would appreciate your brother Mark accompanying you. I have something of great interest and need to discuss it, preferably with both of you.

‘Please advise your ETA and I shall arrange hotel, etc.

‘Regards, etc.

‘Mark it “Private and Confidential” and let me see it before it goes, would you, please?’

He sat watching her writing the last few words in some form of shorthand, mouthing the words as she wrote. Watching her was far from a chore. Eventually she looked up.

‘Yes, Mr Lee, I’ll bring it to you as soon as it’s ready.’ She uncrossed her legs delicately and stood, still keeping her eyes on Crocker’s in case there was anything else.

‘Okay, Lina,’ he said. Those eyes had hooked him at their first meeting. He watched her leave the room and it was as she closed the door that he realised he was in a better mood.

It wasn’t long before there was a polite tap on the door. She was back.

‘Sorry to trouble you, Mr Lee, but was that “ETA”?’

‘Yup, I should have explained, “estimated time of arrival”. Okay?’

When she returned, Crocker took the sheet of paper from her and read it. He was impressed. ‘That’s excellent. Thanks.’ He signed.

‘Say,’ he added, seemingly as an afterthought as she reached the doorway, ‘I understand you live in the centre of town.’

‘That’s right. Why do you ask?’

‘I thought maybe you would know of some good jazz clubs in town? Music and good food?’

‘Why of course, Mr Lee. I know of lots.’

‘Would you write down a few addresses for me?’

‘I don’t know the exact addresses but I could take you if you would like.’

‘Yeah? Are you sure you wouldn’t mind one evening?’

‘Of course not, Mr Lee. It would be my pleasure. By the way, I like music too. You must let me know when.’

It was Lina who broke eye contact first.