Read Online The Defenceless by Kati Hiekkapelto - Free Book Online Page A

trying to drum up some business. They’re already dealing.’
    ‘Have they got many members?’
    ‘I think so, because the core group was formed a while ago. It’s our very own Pakis, too.’
    Esko had guessed as much. The police had known for years that street gangs would find their way to Finland sooner or later, just as they had in Sweden and Denmark, and the members of those future gangs already lived here. They had grown up in frustrated suburbs in families of frustrated refugees and asylum seekers. The members were the children of those who had been granted asylum, young people who, unlike their parents, should have had the opportunity to make something of their lives. There had already been attempts to establish home-grown gangs in Finland, but they’d been foiled. Not, alas, by police efforts, but by the same motorbike gang whose runt of a henchman was sitting in front of him. Gangs were always one step ahead of the police, but this time Esko planned on being up to speed with what was happening on the street.
    ‘Got any names?’
    ‘I’ve got a few addresses.’
    Esko handed the boy a slip of paper and a pen. The man scribbled down two addresses and glanced agitatedly behind him.
    ‘Have the Angels got any plans for these addresses?’ asked Esko.
    ‘The operation is called Annihiliation .’
    ‘When?’
    ‘All I know is it’s going be soon.’
    ‘Who lives here?’ Esko pointed to one of the addresses.
    ‘Some small-time dealer trying to line his own pocket. Poor kid doesn’t know what the fuck he’s getting himself into.’
    ‘And the other one?’
    ‘That’s the Cobras’ nest. It’s not head office, but it’s an important branch.’
    ‘Where’s head office?’
    ‘Haven’t got a clue.’
    ‘Ever heard of Reza Jobrani?’
    ‘He’s top of the Angels’ hit list.’
    ‘And where’s he holed up?’
    ‘No idea. He’s gone into hiding, for sure. He knows we’re on to him. These Cobras have really freaked the Angels out. Shit, man, there’ll be bodies before long.’
    ‘Okay, you and I are going to have to meet up a bit more regularly in the near future.’
    ‘Not gonna happen.’
    ‘Then I’ll just have to look up that report that details how I found a loaded Ruger and five grams of hash on your person this morning.’
    ‘What the fuck are you on, mate? I never carry a gun…’
    ‘I know. Funny how things can turn out, isn’t it?’
    The young man’s posture slumped. The scrawny body beneath his clothes suddenly seemed as though it belonged to an insecure teenage schoolboy and not a professional criminal with a lengthy wrap sheet.
    Esko handed him two SIM cards and a fifty-euro bill. The man gave a cautious smile. How easy it is to keep you happy, thought Esko in disgust. Chewing tobacco had stained the man’s front teeth brown.
    ‘I couldn’t have another sandwich?’
    ‘Buy one yourself; you’ve got cash now. And don’t forget to brush your teeth tonight,’ said Esko and left the café. He called Virkkunen, who immediately issued warrants to search the two addresses.
     
    Sammy woke up in bed. It felt incredible. He stroked the scented sheets, gripped the soft, thick quilt inside the duvet cover, lookedout of the window and listened to the sounds that carried up from the street. He guessed he must have slept for about twenty-four hours. Sammy stood up, slowly stretching his limbs, stepped on to the warm floorboards and yawned. This is what it was like to be a normal person; you could wake up every morning full of energy, eat breakfast prepared by your wife, go to work. He would kiss his wife as he left, pat their son and daughter on the head. Warmth would caress his face as he walked to work, dust would catch in the sweat on his brow, the sound of people and traffic would surround him, a cow would stand chewing its cud in the middle of the road, holding up the traffic, but he would be used to everything and nothing would faze him. Friends would greet him in the street,