Allmen and the Pink Diamond by Martin Suter

Author:Martin Suter
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781939931726
Publisher: New Vessel Press
Published: 2019-03-04T16:00:00+00:00

29

Allmen showered, brushed his teeth, and put on clean pajamas. But once he was in his bedroom, he realized he wouldn’t be able to sleep. Too many thoughts running around in his head.

Why was the American from Viennois here? Was there a connection between him and Sokolov? Was he one of the Americans who had turned up at the apartment building, the rental agency, Lonely Nights, and the server administrator’s house?

And if so, why was he in Viennois? Was there some link between the American and him, Allmen?

Was he shadowing him?

Allmen did something he never normally did after drinking so much; he rounded off the evening with one last beer. He took a Pilsner from the minibar, filled a glass, and sat in the armchair by the window.

Assuming Montgomery was having him watched, was he doing it to protect himself? Was he hedging his bets?

It seemed all the more likely these people were working for Montgomery. That would also explain why he hadn’t insisted they disclose Sokolov’s whereabouts. He knew them already.

And what about Sokolov? He had said his life as a rich man was still in a trial phase, the money itself just a foretaste. Both facts pointed to the pink diamond. He, or the gang he belonged to, hadn’t yet cashed in the diamond. Sokolov was enjoying his wealth in advance. The villa in Spätbergstrasse, the housekeeper, the suite at the Grand Duc were all in anticipation of the bonanza to come. On borrowed money. Or perhaps saved.

Their kindred spirit—both living in style on money they didn’t possess—made him warm to Sokolov. It made him doubt if he was dealing with a real criminal here. He could just about imagine a computer nerd stealing a diamond worth forty-five million. But the stone vanished at a party hosted by its multi-millionaire owner. How could someone like Sokolov have gained access to such circles?

Perhaps he hadn’t actually been there. It was unlikely such an enormous coup was the work of a lone wolf. Much more likely to involve a gang. With Sokolov simply a member. Perhaps the brains? Perhaps the computer expert?

Allmen had to get access to Sokolov’s suite. Perhaps he would find a clue there. Exonerating him perhaps.

He finished his beer, brushed his teeth again, and looked out one last time at the nighttime sea.

Far, far out, a cruise liner sailed past. A pattern of filigreed light.

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