Read Online Distant Annihilation. (Tarquin Collingwood Adventures Book 1) by Azam Hossain - Free Book Online

that my blood was up.
    My mention of road safety suddenly caused Solomon’s eyes to light up in recognition. He nodded his head in acquiescence and relented.
    He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out initially and then, “Alright........alright. Please stop,” he begged.
     
    I released my grip. Solomon wiped down his sweat and poured himself a drink. I watched him closely as he moved around the room in case this was a ruse of some sort; my fists clenched ready to deliver blows. He sat down in a chair nursing his whisky. I ordered Ollie to pour me one too. She handed it to me and I gulped it down and felt the calmer for it. I handed her the empty glass and demanded another. I then took a chair and placed it about five feet from where Solomon was sitting and sat down.
    “Getting it off your chest will make you feel better. Confession is good for the soul or so they say,” advised Ollie gently to Solomon.
    He gave a wry smile, now looking more relaxed he said, “I really am very sorry for Andrew’s death. He was young and intelligent. I was appalled when I heard the news, believe me.”
    “As was I,” I said grimly, “What can you tell me about Andrew’s death?” I added quickly.
    Solomon looked up at me wearily and explained that although he had no evidence that Zhukov was behind his death, he had no doubt that Zhukov had ordered Andrew’s murder.
    “Andrew was a chancer, which if you’ve known him as long as you say you have, you will know to be true,” continued Solomon.
    I could only nod in agreement recalling his audacity and bravery at Vania Goric.
    “Andrew wanted to charge more money than we had agreed, he wanted to get more favourable terms. I told him to be content with what we had, but he wouldn’t listen. He told me a few days before his death that he was receiving threats. This only served to make me more anxious, but Andrew insisted that he would be alright. I was in London whilst Andrew was here in Moscow. So I am not fully cogniscent with his negotiations with Zhukov and his people, but I understand that they were angry with Andrew and his bold demands which they saw as reneging on our agreement. And the next I heard was that Andrew was dead one morning,” recalled Solomon a forlorn look etched on his face as he sipped his whisky.
     
    It was clear if Solomon was to be believed, that he was unable to shed much light on Andrew’s death beyond what he had already said and this of course was my main concern.
    “What are you actually selling to these people?” asked Ollie getting to the heart of things.
    Solomon sipped his whisky and looked at Ollie no doubt wishing she hadn’t asked such a question, “Just a few parts of machinery,” he added rather obscurely.
    “Come along Solomon,” I encouraged.
    He gave me a look that said he didn’t want to be flung against the wall again and began, “Zhukov asked for metal pipes and other pieces of high specification machinery.”
    “Metal pipes?” I queried.
    “Yes, he gave us very specific requirements for them: diameter, grade of steel required, strength, the dimensions, that sort of thing.”
    “What were they for?” asked Ollie.
    “Zhukov never said. I once asked him and he gave me a look that said don’t ask. I suppose he calculated that we didn’t need to know - so long as we got him what he wanted.”
    “You must have had some suspicions as you knew these exports were illegal,” said Ollie rather witheringly.
    Solomon responded meekly that he thought it best not to think or ask too many questions.
    “What’s Beluga CC238?” I persisted. Solomon gave a look of surprise but no more.
    Solomon sighed, “Zhukov wanted something from a supplier in Canada whose contact details he provided. We were to obtain the supplies only from him. He was quite particular about that. And before you ask what, I don’t know other than it was some chemical I think – he simply referred to it as Beluga CC238. We’ve supplied him with