The Clockwork Russian and Other Stories by Josh Roseman

Author:Josh Roseman [Roseman, Josh]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Published: 2015-11-20T07:00:00+00:00

* * * *

"Well," I say, "what happened in the past year-and-a-half that turned Mr. Frieze against Vasily?"

Pyotr Leonovich shakes his head. "Karol Antonovich Ivanov," he tells me. "Karol we knew in New Vladivostok. A soldier. On our doorstep, though, last October, he came destitute. He left garrison, afraid for his life, and like others we give him home, help him with job."

"What kind of job?"

A sigh. "Karol Antonovich was not good at jobs. Angry often, even with me, with Vasily. Took work at the docks, a strong man, but thrown off into Lake Washington when he stole things."

"Sounds like a lovely individual." It's starting to come together, what happened, but I have to hear Pyotr Leonovich tell me, to confirm it. "Go on."

Pyotr Leonovich picks up his visor, runs the edge between his big fingertips. "Vasily went to Frieze's man, said Karol Antonovich, he do what jobs are needed. But Karol steals again, this time from Frieze, and hides in our property."

"And Mr. Frieze isn't the kind of person who forgives. Or forgets."

"Nyet." Pyotr Leonovich hasn't said more than three words in Russian to this point; telling the story of his escape to America must have helped. But he mutters something about stupidity and idealism before continuing. "Frieze, he tells Vasily to find Karol, bring him for justice, but Vasily believes in America and tells Karol to run, gives him money. Lucky that Karol did not steal from me, that I have strongbox with clockwork locks for merchandise."

"But if Vasily couldn't find Karol, then why was he on Mr. Frieze's property?"

"Vasily, he hear that Frieze has Karol, goes to plead for his life. Frieze says yes, in exchange for property. As Vasily told it, he asked for time, Frieze says to take one day, no minute more or less."

"Sounds like him."

"As you say," Pyotr Leonovich says. He puts down the visor, looks straight at me. "Vasily, I think, breaks into Frieze's gate, try to rescue Karol, maybe remember what Anatoly's mother did for us in St. Petersburg. And is shot dead."

I give Pyotr Leonovich a moment to collect himself -- his blue eyes are glittering -- before I say anything. "You want me to find out if Karol Ivanov was really there, don't you." He looks about to answer, but I don't give him the chance. "This isn't about what happened to your brother, is it?"

"More money, if you want, I will give--"

"Keep your money," I say. "I don't do revenge. You want to know if Karol Ivanov was really in there, you ask Mr. Frieze yourself." I take my gloves out of my pocket, pull them on. "I'll return your money by the end of the week, minus the $150. You can have the deed back too."

Pyotr Leonovich hangs his head. "Very well. My apology, Mr. Bach, for deception. But did not believe you would agree if I told you full truth."

"I wouldn't have." I open the door. The wind has died down, but it's still bitterly cold. "I'm sorry about your brother, Pyotr Leonovich.

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