Taking pictures and everything.”
Norman butted in. “What was she like?”
“Buxom, but slim for an American. Anyway she’s like, ‘that’s a pretty big gun you’ve got there’.”
“Whatever.”
“Honestly, I looked her in the eyes and said, it might say nine millimetre along the barrel, but I’ve got nine inches written along something else.”
“Bill, you’re so full of shit, come on, we’re out of here.”
“True story, that.” Bill laughed aloud. “Here, I’ve got another story about an American when I was patrolling Big Ben.”
“Leave it for next time.”
* * * *
Bentham walked to his Jaguar and noticed Norman trailing behind. “Leave that phone alone.”
“I’m coming, hold on.”
“It’s like working with a teenager sometimes.”
“What do you think they’re doing in Scotland?”
“Escaping Vladimir.”
“Why not go abroad though? Could be in the sun instead of the rain.”
Bentham opened the car door. “Maybe he likes eating fucking haggis or drinking scotch, I don’t know. I suppose we’ll just have to find out.”
“They might just be looking another way out of the country, one less obvious.”
”Maybe, that’s why we have to get up North as quick as possible.”
Chapter Fifteen
Vladimir sat in his car in the car park of a fast food outlet. He slid his hand into a brown paper bag. “Where the fuck is he?” He took a fist full of salty fries and greedily chewed as he spotted the man he was waiting for. A shadowy figure approached causing Vladimir to drop his window. “I’m starting to think I might have wasted my time and money on you.”
“Calm down.”
“Prove me wrong then? Tanya, is she in a safe house or what?”
“Was.”
“So, where is she now?”
“Tanya was seen at Edinburgh Waverly Station.”
“When?”
The man glanced around, his face part hidden under a West Ham football scarf. “Saturday. They arrived on the 0817 from London Euston.”
“They?”
“She was with a man, believed to be Serge Guzun.”
Vladimir slammed his hands against the wheel. “Fucking Serge. I knew it.”
“You know him?”
“Of course I fucking know him. Look, is there anything else you found out?”
“No. But tell me what possessed you to break in Serge’s flat by yourself?”
“I was pissed off.”
“Acting like an amateur will get you banged up. Get one of your goons to bloody do it.”
“Don’t you talk to me like that, you little fuck stick.”
“But you’ve got Bentham sniffing around now. With this and the CD you’re in deep shit.”
“I know, I fucking know. The CD, I need it back. Can you get it me?”
“If I can.”
“If you can? If you bloody can? Am I wasting my fucking money?
“”I’ll do my best.”
“Of course you fucking will.”
Vladimir hung a cardboard burger box out of the window. “I’m sure you’ll find it a bit nicer than your usual cheese burger from this particular establishment.” He smiled. “Let me know everything you find out, if she farts, I want to know what it smells like. Got it?”
“Yeah.”
“Make sure Bentham doesn’t get too clever.” Vladimir started the car. “I don’t need that dismal pile of shit causing me anymore problems than he already has. ” He raced out of the car park, almost running over the man’s feet.
* * * *
Vladimir parked outside the club. He gazed at the drunken girls in short skirts. Their long legs reminded him of Tanya. “Fuck, I miss them pins wrapped around me.” The car rocked as Igor sat in passenger seat of the Porsche.
“Where are we going then boss ?”
“Scotland.”
“Seriously?”
“Why would I be joking at a time like this?”
“Why are we going there?”
Vladimir sighed. “For the weather, Igor.”
“Really? I thought the weather is supposed to be awful.”
Vladimir clenched his fist and threw a punch at Igor, jabbing him in arm. “Shut up Igor, just shut the fuck up.”
“Who put you in a bad mood ?”
”I
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