The System - A Detroit Story - Read Online Free PDF Page A

the shots and the Coke on a small tray, put a serving towel over his forearm and returned to the table.
    Jerzy smiled at Sami and Elena. "You should take a picture," he said. "It's very unusual I do this, like a waiter." He placed the Coke in front of Elena and two shot glasses in front of Sami and two where he was sitting. He put the tray in the middle of the table, sat down and raised a shot glass.
    "To friends!" he said.
    Elena half smiled and lifted her glass. Sami and Jerzy looked at each other and downed the shots. Elena sipped the Coke.
    "Drink up, Elena," said Sami. "Are you sure you don't want anything stronger? To relax you?"
    "No, this is fine," said Elena.
    Jerzy laughed and raised the other glass. "How they say, down the hatch?" He drained the shot glass as did Sami. Elena took another sip of Coke and swallowed.
    "Please excuse me," she said. "I need to use the toilet. Please, can you tell me where it is?"
    "I'm so sorry," said Jerzy. "I am a bad host, I will show you. It is by the stairway."
    Elena stood up and wobbled, feeling dizzy, like the blood was draining from her head. Her legs felt unstable and heavy. She steadied herself on her chair. The relentless pounding of the techno sounded distant and abstract.
    "Are you alright, my dear?" said Sami.
    Feeling a bit more steady, Elena, said "Yes, just very tired from the drive, I suppose." She walked with Jerzy to the stairway, then stood still and held her head in her hands. The room spun, and her knees buckled. Jerzy steadied her, then held her as Elena broke into a cold sweat. "Wha…?" she said then the room went black.
    Jerzy held her limp body in his arms and carried her up the stairway. Light as a feather, he thought, but enough flesh in the right places. He kicked a half open door and laid her on an unkempt bed. Jerzy made sure she was secure underneath a quilt, walked out of the room and locked the door. He went down the stairs and sat at the table with Sami.
    "She is as beautiful as you said. Very fresh," said Jerzy.
    "I told you," said Sami. "When have I lied to you?"
    "Let me count the times," said Jerzy.
    Sami laughed. "I'll be on my way," he said. "Let's settle."
    Jerzy sat back in his chair. "Five thousand is a lot of money." 
    "But we agreed," said Sami.
    Jerzy's face turned to stone. "Yes we agreed." He pulled an envelope stuffed with bills from his green sports jacket pocket. "Two thousand. American dollars. Times are difficult. It's a fair price."
    Sami's face twisted and turned red. "For diseased dogs, maybe. We agreed to five thousand. Deutschmarks."
    Jerzy smiled. "Diseased dogs," he said. "That's good. We save those for the NATO soldiers."
    Sami snatched the envelope, opened it and started counting.
    "It's all there," said Jerzy.
    "Like I can trust you," said Sami, counting the bills.
    "That is more than generous," said Jerzy.
    Sami put the envelope back on the table. "Maybe we will forget the entire deal."
    Jerzy leaned forward and looked directly into Sami's eyes. "Sami, my old friend. Do not try to do that."
    "Friend?" said Sami. He shook his head and looked at the envelope.
    Jerzy pointed to it. "Take the money and leave, before you say or do something foolish." Sami gazed at the stairway for a moment, then picked up the envelope and put it in his jacket pocket.
    "This is the last of us," he said.
    "That makes me sad," said Jerzy. "But business is business. This is the system."
    Sami stood, turned and walked toward the entrance. Jerzy followed, glancing at the bouncer.
    "Are you sure you would not like to stay awhile?" said Jerzy. "Give me a chance to earn back the money I gave you?" Jerzy motioned to two girls standing near the bar. Sami said nothing, walked past the bouncer, got in the Mercedes and drove away into the night.
     

Chapter 5
     
    Bait Car Blues
     
    After tossing the Crown Vic keys and cell phone into the Detroit River, Chris took Jefferson back to Woodward, turned right, maneuvered the Harley through the traffic circle