Everyone in the navy knows that lives can be lost. At our level, we accept it. There’s no room for soft hearts in our line of work. It’s a different equation for the senior ranks, though. To them, it’s just another example of cost versus benefit. Operatives are expensive assets. Training takes time and money. Experience is worth even more. If you die while getting the job done, there’s a chance the result will be worth the sacrifice. But if you sense that you’re falling short, it’s better to pull the plug right away. There’s no merit in almost. The top brass always take the same view. He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day. Or more importantly, doesn’t have to be replaced at great expense, another day.
That’s why you’ll never leave an operational briefing without one critical piece of information.
A number to call for emergency exfiltration.
I looked back at the door that led from the bar. No one came through after me. I didn’t realistically expect anyone to. If they’d wanted to try anything, their moment would have been in the men’s room when I was getting undressed. But still, I was disappointed. A bathroom floor is a poor place to take your last breath. Even Young didn’t deserve that. Part of me wanted to settle the score there and then, before his blood so much as had the chance to congeal.
I moved into the adjacent stall, stood on the edge of the bowl, and looked over the dividing wall. Young’s body had fallen backward, blocking the door. His throat had been cut. The gash was so deep his neck was almost severed, and the broad crimson arcs that bridged all three walls were already turning brown. His legs were partly covered with a balled-up set of coveralls. The killer must have brought them to protect his clothes. I could see the handle of a butcher’s knife peeping out from beneath the splattered fabric. That meant there would be a pair of discarded gloves somewhere, too. There was no point searching for them, though. It didn’t take a genius to figure out who’d done the cutting. There were only two suspects. And anyway, as far as I was concerned, all five of the Myenese were in it together. They were equally guilty. And they would all have a price to pay.
I stepped down from the toilet, moved over to the sinks, and pulled out my phone. Fothergill answered on the first ring and listened in silence until I’d given him the basic facts.
“Is there a window in there?” he said. “Or are the stairs clear, at least? I can be outside in two minutes.”
“Good,” I said. “Get over here. But not to pick me up. Young’s contacts will be leaving in a couple of minutes. I need you to follow them. We need to know where they go.”
“What about you? What will you do?”
“They might split up,” I said, describing each of them in detail. “If they do, stick with the tallest one. He did all the talking. It’s pretty clear he’s in charge.”
“Is that safe?” he said. “Killing Young could just be a warning. What if they come after you?”
“They won’t.”
“How do you know?”
“Nothing ever works out that neatly, when I’m involved.”
The barman was delivering a second round of sparkling water when I got back to the table. I saw that he’d included one for me, this time. I ignored it, took the fresh glass from the woman’s place, and sat down in the empty chair.
“Thank you,” I said.
“You’re welcome,” she said. “Help yourself.”
“Not you. And not for the drink.”
The main guy raised an eyebrow.
“Not many people would thank us,” he said. “Not in these circumstances.”
“Then there’s fresh air between their ears,” I said. “You just turned me into Captain Scarlet.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You’ve made me indestructible. I’m the last link to the merchandise. If anything happens to me now, there’ll be no nice goodies for you. Which I’m guessing would make you very unhappy, given the distance you’ve traveled and the trouble you just went to.”
“A most undesirable outcome, I agree. For both of us.”
“Then let’s make sure we avoid it. Shall we say, tomorrow? Same time, same place?”
“That would be satisfactory.”
“The fee is unchanged.”
“Of course.”
“Excellent. And after that, would you be interested in further consignments? If any should find their way into my hands?”
“The situation would be worth exploring, should it come to pass.”
“I’ll bear that in mind. If you wish to keep that line open, though, there’s something I need to know.”
“What would that be?”
“About Young. One minute he’s a trusted supplier. The next he’s surplus to requirements. How did that happen?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
“Actually, it’s very much my concern. Taking Young’s place on your payroll is one thing. Finding myself in his spot on the bathroom floor is entirely different. How can I avoid his mistake, if I don’t know what it was?”
The guy took a sip of water before replying.
“Perhaps you’re right,” he said. “You may find the episode illuminating. After all, your association with Mr. Young was itself young, I understand?”
“Droll,” I said. “But accurate.”
“How did your ill-fated partnership establish itself?”
“Through a mutual friend. He set up the introduction. I work through word of mouth, just like you, I imagine. In our line of work, it pays not to advertise.”
“And did this friend explain to you why Mr. Young was seeking a new connection?”
“No.”
“You weren’t curious?”
“What’s the point? Ask no questions—hear no lies.”
“A very laissez-faire attitude.”
I shrugged.
“Not really,” I said. “Just practical. Allegiances shift. People move on. All I care about is finding the opportunities.”
“This particular opportunity came at a price,” he said. “Mr. Young’s previous partner became indisposed.”
“An occupational hazard. And this indisposition—it was permanent, I take it?”
“Not yet. But it soon will be.”
“Good. Less competition for me. How did it come about?”
“The idiot attempted to defraud me. Some of my people went to collect him, aiming to iron out our little misunderstanding. Something I have, happily, now accomplished. But before this could happen, Mr. Young interfered. His foolishness cost two of my men their lives.”
“Sounds like we’re well rid of him, then. Both of us. And I can assure you there’ll be no such trouble with me. I keep my word. When I say I’ll do something, I do it. End of story. I deliver the goods, collect my payment, and stay out of your hair. Unless you decide to do business with me again.”
The guy seemed to think for a moment, then nodded and got to his feet. His people stood up with him, a second later, like puppets on long strings.
“That will be satisfactory,” he said. “Till tomorrow. For now, stay here. For fifteen minutes. You are being watched. And I think you’re developing a sense for what happens to those who cross me.”
My phone rang fifteen seconds after the last of the group disappeared up the stairs. It was Fothergill.
“Got them,” he said. “They’ve cleared the premises. They’re on the street. Heading for a couple of cars. Two Cadillacs. DTSs. They look new. Both dark blue. Parked at the side of the street. Probably rentals.”