“You know I can’t resist,” said Zane, taking a sip of coffee as he settled into one of the chairs that looked like it was a holdover from the World War II era. The Oracle would be so proud of the audacious frugality, the operative thought to himself.
Nigel took a seat in the other chair. “You do still have my number, don’t you?” he asked sarcastically. “I could’ve been waiting right up on the street when you came out.”
“And have them identify one of our cars? Besides, in a situation like that you don’t really know where you’re going to get out until it actually happens. I probably could’ve had you meet me at Piccadilly, but I knew if everything worked the way I hoped then they wouldn’t be behind me when I came out anyway.”
“Well, in the end you’re safe, and that’s the most important thing. Just really sucks that I’ve been with Delphi for all this time and still haven’t managed to get caught up in any of your cloak-and-dagger moments. I must say, my memoir is going to be quite stale.”
“Sometimes stale and boring is a good thing.” Zane took another sip of coffee and set the porcelain cup on the table. “Those two goons weren’t cardboard movie characters and would love nothing more than to get their hands on a sharp administrator like you.” Zane winked at Nigel. “And who knows, you may have to clean up after I leave. I’m sure they’re more than a little pissed that I left the party early.”
“Was quite rude of you to leave without even so much as a good-bye.” Nigel paused for a moment, as if a thought had just come to him. “Speaking of the Russians, I also spoke to Dr. Ross earlier today.”
“And what did the Oracle have to say?”
“He got your secure transmission, but there was no mention of pictures. Were you able to get any?”
“No, I wasn’t," said Zane. "There was the little thing of avoiding bullets.”
“Understood. We were just going to run them through the database. By the way, how did you determine they were Russian?”
“Bits and pieces of their conversation. The acoustics in the Underground can do some funny things.”
“My guess is they’re former Russian mafia. A lot of those chaps here in Britain now. Some have been kicked out of their crime family for one reason or another, and quite a few of those have shown up here, offering their services to any thug or organization that will hire them. It’s the only way they can make a living.”
“You may very well be right,” said Zane, leaning forward to retrieve his cup once again. He took another slow sip of coffee and said, “Whoever they are, there is good news. I was able to get a close look at each one.”
“Brett told me that. Perp one had shaggy blond hair and perp two was bald.”
“And did Brett tell you we may be able to find out who the bald one is?” Zane said. “He had an interesting tattoo.”
“Yes, we only have a few billion of those here in Britain.”
“I doubt they have what he had — a snake or serpent that wrapped around his neck.”
“Lovely," said Nigel. "What did it look like?”
“That’s all I can tell you. I was fortunate just to see that. He kept the collar of his jacket turned up most of the time, but at one point I got a glimpse of the tail and head of the snake coming around each side of his neck.”
“I see. Shall I run it through the system?”
“Brett is doing that as we speak, but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind you digging in as well.”
“I’ll run it through the system tonight,” said Nigel. “Changing subjects, how was the girl?”
“Amanda? Impressive. Open, honest, smart… and seems pretty tough. She even requested traveling with me to Vienna. Seems determined to contribute to finding her father’s killer.”
Nigel smiled. “Shall I get another plane ticket?”
“As much as I like spending time with cute blondes who are smarter than me, I think we’re going to have to pass,” Zane replied. “But don’t think I wasn’t tempted.”
“Speaking of traveling with attractive women, did Dr. Ross mention Carmen when you spoke?”
Zane raised an eyebrow. “No, why? Is everything okay?”
“Everything is fine. She finished up a bit early in Sicily and is available to join you in Vienna on Tuesday. We’ve got her booked on a charter, and she should be there by seven.” Nigel scrolled through his phone to confirm the information.
“Wait, wait, wait,” Zane said, sitting up. “What’s this about Tuesday? When the Oracle told me to set up the meeting this afternoon, I assumed I was flying out tonight.”
“Unfortunately, they were booked solid. When you fly commercial you're at the mercy of the airlines, just like everyone else.”
Zane shook his head but said nothing.
“That said, I’m sure you will be pleased to know that I’ve booked the lovely Carmen in a room next to yours.”
“Let me guess, our dear friend the Oracle arranged this?” Zane smiled. Delphi protocol dictated that if operatives were in the same hotel, they had to stay on different floors and talk only via encrypted mobile phone lines. The Oracle must have had some reason for violating protocol.
“Smart man you are, Watson. Dr. Ross is still concerned about you coming out early, particularly since you’ve been known to…” Nigel tapped his chin. “How shall I say it? You’ve been known to be a little aggressive at times.”
“Carmen’s middle name is aggressive.”
“Let’s just say Ross will be a little bit more comfortable if you’re next to one another. After all, she’s coming off an operation herself.”
Zane smiled. “Well, truth be told, it’s not a bad idea. And I think it’s good she’s coming. I’ve only been to Vienna once, and it was so long ago I don’t remember it. I’m getting old, Nigel.”
“But you wear it well, Watson.”
Zane reached into his pocket and threw the two keys Amanda had given him onto the table. “By the way, what did you find out about the smaller key?”
“Not much, I’m afraid. We used the printed letters to determine the manufacturer. They said this particular key is used for all sorts of things — gym lockers, cabinets, lock boxes, and the like.”
“Not very helpful.”
“Not at all.”
“Well, I’m hoping that when we get there it will all be clear, but you know how that goes.”
“Of course. It’s never that easy.”
Zane took another sip of coffee. “What about Switzerland? Have we been able to find out where he was living when he worked there?”
“Unfortunately, that was another dead end. It took us a while to sort through the various shell corporations under Renaissance, but once we did, we discovered they own properties in several different Swiss cities. At this point, about the only thing I can say is that it’s likely Higgs stayed in one of those. Which one is anybody’s guess. I’m not sure that’s terribly important, though… I’m sure his place was cleaned out shortly after he left.”
“You’re probably right. Even so, I’d like to have a look at it.”
“Absolutely. And if you can’t find anything in Vienna, we do have some residences in Geneva and a few other cities that are probably worth looking at. It's time consuming, but I’m sorting through them, trying to determine what each one is used for and whether it’s occupied. That will shave our list down considerably.”
Zane stood up and walked over to the window. He lifted one of the blind slats and peered out into the street. After a few seconds, he let the slat drop down and turned back toward Nigel. “Well, I probably need to head back to the hotel. What do you have for me?”