The Amsterdam Connection Level 4 (Cambridge English Readers) by Leather

Author:Leather
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2007-01-05T05:00:00+00:00

DEAR MISS JENSEN

YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO THE MONEY THAT WAS BET ON

LEIDEN TO WIN THE MATCH AGAINST ROTTERDAM

A FREIND

I didn't know who had written the letter, but it was someone who couldn't spell 'friend'.

'Good news?' asked the young woman at reception.

'Maybe . . . ' I said.

Who had bet on Leiden to win the match? Where could I find out? I rang Elly.

'Now, let's see,' said Elly. 'Most of the betting on sport is done through a betting office called Kanters. Try a guy called Ronnie in the office here in Amsterdam and give him my name. He owes me something. He should be able to help you.' Then she added, 'And be careful, Kate.'

A few minutes after talking to Elly, I rang Jos van Essen.

'Miss Jensen, what a surprise!' he said.

'Mr van Essen,' I said, 'I was wondering . . . I've heard that Rotterdam are playing Barcelona tomorrow and, well, I'd like to see the match.' I knew that as an ex-player he would have tickets.

'Well . . . yes, of course. Why not come with me?' he asked.

'That would be great!' I said.

'Good. I'll pick you up at your hotel around 5.30. The match starts at 7.30. Goodnight,' said the beautiful striker.

I put the phone down. Life, I thought, was beginning to look interesting.

* * *

That evening life suddenly got even more interesting. At about 10.30 I decided to go out for a walk. I needed some air and I needed to think. It was dark by now and there were very few people walking around near the hotel. I walked slowly down Keizersgracht, staring at the pavement, thinking about everything that had happened during the day. I walked down by the canal.

Suddenly a car stopped in the street next to me. A dark shape jumped out, came up behind me and pulled my arm behind my back. It hurt like hell. 'Get in the car and don't make a noise, or I'll break your arm,' the guy said. I didn't recognise the voice.

I raised my foot and kicked the guy hard in his right leg. At the same time I pulled back my free arm and put my elbow into his chest. My attacker wasn't expecting this and it worked well, taking his breath away.

The guy let go and I turned round quickly. I looked up and saw a tall dark-haired man with clear blue eyes.

'Come here,' he said. He pulled me, trying to get me into the car.

'Hey, say please,' I said, fighting back. He was smiling, almost making fun of me. That made me really mad. He was quite strong, and much bigger than me, but my years of karate training had made me fast. I also knew how to surprise him.

He managed to pull me nearer to the car. I stepped back on my left foot, pulled up my right leg quickly and gave him a karate kick in the stomach, with my right foot. I put all my weight behind the kick and it surprised him.

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