The Russian's Greed, Cap Daniels [free children's online books txt] 📗

are not fighters. He is businessman. Volkov is strong,but he has hands of man who lives in safety and comfort. This kind ofman does not make fights when it is not necessary.”

“That’s what younoticed about him? His manicured nails and soft hands?”

Anya took another sipof the steaming tea. “I notice everything about him, from feet tohead.”

Gwynn placed her mug onthe end table. “Okay, then, let’s hear it. Give me the wholerundown.”

Anya cradled her mug.“It is from foot to head, as I told you. His shoes were Italian,and bottoms were smooth. This means one of two possible things. Hedoes not walk on sidewalk too much, or he recently bought new shoes.Wrinkles on top of shoes say to me they are not new, so he probablyhas a driver who drops him off everywhere he goes.”

“Okay, I’ll buythat. Keep going.”

“His watch was onright arm. This probably means he is left-handed. All of his whiskersare same length. Hair does not do this naturally, so he cuts whiskerswith cutter designed to leave stubble.”

“Why is thatimportant?”

“This means he isvain about appearance, and we can use this to make him feelself-conscious sometime in future to break his confidence and focus.”

“You would’ve madea great cop, you know that?”

“I made even betterassassin.”

Gwynn cocked her head.“But I thought you said killing always hurts.”

“Yes, this is true,and pulling splinter from finger also hurts, but is better after. Inever kill innocent people—only splinters in the world, and worldis always better after.”

Gwynn allowed the smileto come. “Sort of like Leo in Miami?”

“Exactly like that.”

Gwynn stared down ather toes. “You know . . . I have a confession about what happenedthat morning in Miami.”

“A confession?”

She traced the rim ofher mug with her fingertips. “Yeah, when I saw you lying there, Ithought he was really going to shoot you.”

“Yes, of course. Thisis what he would have done if you were not there to kill him.”

“Yeah, that’s thething,” Gwynn said. “I didn’t mean to kill him.”

Anya sat immediatelyupright. “What?”

“Yeah, when thatshard of glass left my grip, I was throwing at his gun hand, not hisneck.”

Anya frowned. “Thisis thing they teach to you at Academy?”

“No, we were nevertaught to throw knives at the Academy.”

Anya shook her head.“No, I know this. I mean, you were taught to use nonlethal force tostop someone from killing your partner?”

“No, not really. I’mauthorized to shoot in defense of myself, fellow agents, orbystanders, but I wasn’t shooting. I was throwing a piece of brokenglass that slightly resembled a knife.”

“This is same thing.You sent projectile toward my attacker with the intention of stoppinghim from killing me. Is same if shooting or throwing broken glass.”

“I guess you’reright,” Gwynn said. “But anyway, what I was trying to tell you isthat I missed my target.”

Anya reached for herhand. “You saved my life. I had lost too much blood to fight, andhe would have killed me.”

Gwynn’s attentionfell to her feet again. “There’s something I’ve been wanting toask you, but I’m a little afraid.”

“Do not be afraid.Ask me anything. I will always answer if I can.”

Gwynn didn’t look up.“It’s just that . . . I’ve been wondering . . . you know . . .”

“No, I do not know.Please just say question.”

“It’s not like I’mquestioning your ability or anything. It’s just that I’ve beentrying to figure out what happened. I mean, how did Leo get you inthat position?”

It was Anya’s turn tostare at her feet. “I must now tell confession. I made terribledecision. When Leo confronted me, I should have attacked him, but Imade decision to be affectionate to calm him. This was worst plan. Ireached for him, and he took my hand. At that moment, I thought myplan was working, but he jerked my arm and spun me around. I thinkthen he kicked me into glass wall. I was cut from thousand pieces ofglass and almost unconscious. This is when you saved me.”

Gwynn squeezed Anya’shand. “I hope I didn’t upset you by asking. I just couldn’tpiece it together.”

“Is always fine foryou to ask. I made terrible mistake I will never make again, but I amthankful you were there.”

“I’m glad I wasthere, too. I don’t ever want anything like that to happen again,but I’ll always have your back.”

“And I will alwayshave yours. Now, we must go to bed. We have date tomorrow to findsetting for my diamond.”

“Yes, we do,” Gwynnsaid. “I know it’s not really your diamond, but you have to be atleast a little bit excited.”

“I am very excited,and yes, it is my diamond.”

Gwynn raised aneyebrow. “Uh, this is a criminal investigation, and that diamondwill become evidence when all of this is over. That’s how itworks.”

“Perhaps that is howit works if Volkov gave to you first diamond, but I am not policeofficer.”

Gwynn let out anuncomfortable laugh. “Yes, but there will be a trial, and we’llhave to prove chain of custody on every piece of evidence, includingthat diamond.”

“This will only benecessary if there is trial, yes?”

“Well . . . yeah. Imean, if there’s no trial, there won’t be any chain-of-evidenceissues.”

Anya gave a sharp nod.“This is good. I will keep diamond, and you will throw broken glassat Volkov’s hand, and maybe again you will miss and hit him inneck, just like Leo. There is no trial when defendant is dead.”

9

DRUGAYAZHENSHCHINA

(THE OTHER WOMAN)

New York is oftencalled The City That Never Sleeps. That may be true, but there aretimes when it’s more awake than others. From seven to nine a.m.,Monday through Friday, the streets and sidewalks of Manhattan arenearly invisible beneath the hordes of drivers, riders, walkers, andhomeless former drivers, riders, and walkers. Saturdays, however, arean entirely different story.

After a breakfast ofbagels, cream cheese, and jam in Times Square, Anya and Gwynnstrolled side by side down 7th Avenue on the edge of the GarmentDistrict. Shops, restaurants, and construction scaffolding lined thestreet.

Anya grabbed Gwynn’shand and pointed with excitement toward a double-decker bus filledwith wide-eyed tourists. “We must do this.”

Gwynn pulled away, “Uh,no. I lived here for eight years. If you want a tour, I’ll be yourguide, but we’re not getting on that nasty thing.”

“But we do not havecar.”

“But we do have