Read Online Thieves Till We Die by Stephen Cole - Free Book Online

him.’
    Coldhardt dabbed at his forehead with a black handkerchief. ‘Tell him one hour is all we shall need.’
    They were greeted at Kabacra’s gate by more armed sentries. Patch buzzed his window open and noisily threw up down the side of the car. The guards stared at him with disgust.
    â€˜You’d think they’d be used to people throwing up at the sight of them,’ Patch muttered as Con gingerly helped him out.
    Once they’d been frisked for anything antisocial, Con, Patch and Coldhardt were ushered inside a large, modern mansion. White and bare with a black carpet, the entrance hall held about as much charm as the stairwells at the nuclear power station. The heavy wooden door creaked like a coffin lid as it was shut behind them.
    Coldhardt was carrying the holdall with the swords. One of the guards snatched it from him anddisappeared through a doorway without a word. Two more guards remained to watch them.
    â€˜They are checking the swords are genuine, yes?’ Con said quietly.
    â€˜For surveillance devices and signs of damage too, I imagine,’ Coldhardt murmured. ‘Which is why I brought only those eight that survived the journey to Livingston entirely without harm. Like I say, I want Kabacra in a generous mood.’
    â€˜So he might not shoot us the second he sees us,’ Patch muttered, still looking green.
    A good ten minutes later, the door opened again and Kabacra appeared. Con tried not to grimace, but he was strikingly ugly – thin and bony, with a face like scarred chicken skin stretched over a skull. His sunken eyes were as black and shiny as his lank hair.
    â€˜So you’re Coldhardt,’ Kabacra said in grave, accented English. ‘You brought your kids?’
    Coldhardt smiled. ‘My associates. Con and Patch.’
    Kabacra did not acknowledge them. ‘I’ve heard a lot about you.’
    â€˜Likewise, Señor Kabacra.’
    â€˜Enough to make me want to kill you.’
    The guards released the safeties on their weapons, the metallic clatter echoing around the hall. Con held herself absolutely still, and Patch closed his eye.
    Coldhardt simply smiled. ‘Is that any way to show your gratitude? You have seen for yourself I have recovered certain merchandise that was stolen from you recently.’
    â€˜And very swiftly, too.’ Kabacra folded his arms. ‘Perhaps because you were the one who stole it in thefirst place?’
    â€˜Oh, I hardly think I’m the only suspect. What about Sixth Sun?’
    Con wished Tye was here to study Kabacra’s reaction to the name – or rather, lack of reaction.
    â€˜Sixth Sun?’ he inquired.
    â€˜News reached me – through my usual secret sources – that they were seeking a particular relic in your possession,’ Coldhardt said amiably. ‘The sword of Hernando Cortes.’
    â€˜Is that so?’
    â€˜I had believed it lost for ever. And I imagine the purchase price is very high.’ Coldhardt smiled. ‘I was concerned that perhaps Sixth Sun’s agents might try to steal it and not pay you a damn.’
    Kabacra looked no prettier when he smiled. ‘And this is why you have tracked me to my private home?’
    Coldhardt nodded. ‘I am here to make you a better offer.’
    â€˜You have come a long way for nothing, Coldhardt.’ Kabacra said. ‘The deal is struck. You will have to approach the sword’s new owners.’
    â€˜Really? And how do I set about that?’
    â€˜I am afraid I must respect my clients’ confidentiality. But thank you for safely returning my swords. For that, I will not use them against you.’ His scarred skin puckered further as he bared his teeth in a jackal’s grin. ‘And I shall allow you to leave here with your arms and legs intact.’
    Coldhardt looked unruffled. ‘How gracious. But I’m not ready to leave, Kabacra.’
    â€˜That is unfortunate.’