Read Online One Crow Alone by S. D. Crockett - Free Book Online Page A

have you got for me tonight?”
    â€œGreetings, Valentin—” Ivan clasped his hand. They embraced.
    Magda stood quietly like Ivan had said she should.
    *   *   *
    â€œDon’t speak, Magda. Let me do the talking.”
    â€œWhere are we going?”
    â€œSome friends. They can help us.”
    â€œWho are they?”
    â€œArmenians, from the Ukraine.”
    â€œArmenians?”
    â€œI can’t go to the Albanians with a girl. Just let me do the talking—and hide five hundred in your belt.”
    *   *   *
    The fat bandit looked at Magda. Magda shifted uneasily.
    â€œIt’s about the job,” said Ivan. “I want to take it.”
    â€œHa!” The fat man laughed. “How much money have you got?”
    â€œTwo thousand.”
    â€œTwo thousand! That won’t cover it. How do I know you will deliver?”
    â€œCome on, Valentin. I need your help. We can take a truck, a container. Anything.”
    â€œMmm. Two thousand is nothing, Ivan. You have papers?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œBut without papers … How do I know you won’t get caught when you get there?”
    â€œI won’t get caught. You know me.”
    â€œMaybe. But the girl. It’s not enough money. You know it.”
    â€œMaybe I can find another five hundred,” Ivan said.
    â€œWhy not stay here, Ivan? There’s money to be made. There are a million girls.” He rubbed his stomach. “I can use you here.”
    â€œBut I need the money now.”
    â€œMoney,” said the fat man, grinning again. “If I was you, I’d head east. That’s where the money’s going. But why the girl?”
    â€œShe helped me. It’s a debt—of honor.”
    The man sat down heavily, twisted the gold watch on his wrist. “Mmm.” He leaned forward with his hands on his knees. “But I want three thousand—call it my insurance against your return. It’s an important job. And I won’t be happy if you don’t deliver.” His eyes were hard black pinpricks in the dim light of the room.
    â€œTwo and a half, Valentin.”
    They stared at each other.
    The fat man slapped his hands on his thighs and laughed. “You are a wolf, Ivan. A real Ukrainian wolf!”
    â€œIt’s a deal then?”
    â€œI will see what I can do.”
    â€œWe want to go soon.”
    The man stabbed his pudgy gold-encrusted hand into his chest. “I say when.”
    â€œBut soon?”
    â€œMaybe.” He coughed heavily. “Now, the money.”
    â€œNow?”
    â€œYes, now.” He clicked his fingers. “Nazar.”
    One of the men on the sofa looked up, stopped playing with his phone.
    Ivan pulled out the zloty from his coat. The man slowly counted the notes, passed them to Valentin.
    â€œTwo and a half, boss.”
    â€œOkay. Listen to me, little wolf,” said Valentin. “I have a truck going to a place in London, to someone I know. From there you will have to find your way to Liverpool. It is a town in the north. Go to the Armenian church, the Holy Trinity, and ask the priest there for Tony Gulbekhian. Gulbekhian will take the package from you. You will get your money back when you return to Krakow. Plus another four thousand for your work. In yuan.”
    â€œOnly four thousand?”
    â€œIn yuan, Ivan. That is the deal.”
    â€œAnd how will I get back?”
    â€œGulbekhian will arrange it. If you do this job well, I will find other things for you. More money, little wolf.” The fat man’s mobile started buzzing on the table. “I’ll send Nazar. Don’t let me down, Ivanchik. With a pretty girl like that to distract you.” He waved his hand toward the door and answered his phone. “ Da! ”
    *   *   *
    â€œHow did you know he would accept two and a half?” Magda said when they were clear of the flashing doorway