The Diaries - 01 Read Online Free PDF Page B

loaded with over-holidayed
German civil servants, living off the fifty-percent tax they levy on their
people.”
    “And I take it you
want to see and hear what they are doing?”
    Jean nodded with
closed eyes.   “Seeing is not necessary.   We simply want to be able to hear, and only
in the executive offices, and the board room of course.   A most simple task.”
    “But sensitive
enough that you’re using a dissociated operative like me.”
    Jean tapped his cigarette.   “Touché.   If you get caught, we don’t know you.   Of course.”
    “Go on.”
    “We’ll provide the
hardware.   It must be done imminently.   They are due to sign for the building next
week.”   Jean cocked a finely plucked
eyebrow, waiting.
    What was just
proposed was a basic job, yet risky.   If
Gage were to get caught, his future in the business would be in jeopardy.   No more work in the European professional
community, and near-certain deportation.   Maybe even some jail time.   Although
he wasn’t crazy about Jean, a man in Gage’s profession couldn’t rat out his
employer.   To do so would not only get
him black-listed, but it would be a compromise of professional ethics.   If he took this job, he knew he would be on
his own, ready to fall on the sword.   Plenty
of reason to walk away right now.   On the
other hand he needed the money, badly, and in three weeks that greedy bastard Ernst
would want his fifteen-hundred euro.   Gage
adjusted his sunglasses, rubbing his temples with his fingers.   There was no real choice to be made—he had to
accept the risk.
    “I should be able to
do it over the weekend.”   He held up a
finger as Jean was about to speak.   “For twenty-thousand,
in euro, no exceptions.”
    Jean’s mouth
widened, his long face exposing narrow, catlike teeth framed inside the dyed black
goatee.   “You have a good mind,
Gage.   A sharp one.   This is precisely the number we’re prepared
to compensate, but in dollars.   Not euro.”
    Gage slid his
chair back, shaking his head as Jean took a final drag on the now short
cigarette.   “Sorry, Jean. It’s my figure,
or nothing.   A job like this, as simple
as it sounds, could be deeply laden with pitfalls.   Night watchmen, cameras…whatever. If I get
caught, I’m out of work for everyone in the EU.   Blacklisted.”   He jabbed a finger
at the Frenchman.   “And that’s why you’re
having it done at arm’s length, with a guy like me.”
    “But you need the
money.”   It wasn’t a question.
    “Yeah, Jean, I do.”   Bastard!   He has checked on me , Gage knew
instantly.   He tried to not appear
surprised that Jean would know such a thing.  
    Jean crushed his
cigarette out and stood, his head shrouded in smoke and rich, honey-colored
morning sun.   “Merci, Gage.   I appreciate your taking the time to meet me
and, as always, I enjoyed your company.   I
guess I’ll just go see the man known as The Glaswegian, the icy one who did
that quiet business on those two kidnappers in Hannover not too long ago.   He works relatively cheap, and does a decent enough
job from all I hear.”
    Gage balled his
fists in his lap, grinding his teeth as he closed his eyes.   A full-blown headache was now forcing its way
into his head like an unwelcome visitor.
    “Ciao,” Jean said while
sliding ten euro under the ashtray.   He
held his overcoat over his arm, walking away without a trace of hesitation.
    Gage opened his
eyes when Jean was about to turn the corner.   The Frenchman didn’t look back.
    Gage stood, angry
with himself.  
    Gage trotted after
the DGSE agent.
    Gage took the job.
    And Jean, a very
thorough man, knew he would.   In the end,
he agreed to pay in euro, but only after converting it from dollars.

Chapter 2
    Gage stepped into the area
behind his flat and studied the slip of paper, memorizing it and repeating its
contents in a whisper three times before setting it aflame.   Once the paper singed his finger, he