The Darkness of Death by Davies David Stuart

Author:Davies, David Stuart [Davies, David Stuart]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery
Published: 2010-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Eighteen

Vic Bernstein slid into the darkened booth opposite the attractive young woman in the tight-fitting raspberry-coloured dress.

‘This restaurant is a bit posh, isn’t it—especially for lunchtime?’ he said.

Gina smiled and took a puff of her cigarette before replying. ‘We’re on our way to the big time, Vic. Relax and take the advantages while you can. What’s the point of earning money if you can’t indulge yourself? Personally, I don’t believe in that rainy day you’re supposed to save up for. As far as I’m concerned it’s raining all the time, so treat yourself to a large luxury umbrella.’

Vic chuckled. It was an uncertain response. He didn’t like the girl because she posed a threat, but he couldn’t help admiring her panache. Admiring it and jealous of it at the same time. He had never met anyone quite so self-assured, confident and apparently resilient as she was. He couldn’t help it but he felt a little like a clumsy teenager in her presence. She was a looker, too. He actually felt a frisson of sexual excitement just being with her. Certainly if she were not his cousin, he’d be all over her. Of course, she really didn’t seem like any kind of relative to him. She was a cold, pragmatic stranger who had suddenly forced her way into his comfortable life and brought upset and uncertainty with her.

A waiter materialized out of the sepulchral gloom and handed them each a leather-bound menu. ‘Would sir and madam care for an aperitif?’

‘Certainly,’ replied Gina without hesitation. ‘I’ll have a martini. The drier the better.’

‘And you sir?’

Vic gave a ‘why not’ raise of the brow. ‘Yeah, the same for me.’

‘So, what’s this all about?’ he added, when the waiter had gone. ‘Why invite me out to lunch on my own?’

‘Choose your food first, Vic, then we’ll talk. Pleasure before business always. I think I fancy the chicken.’

After the drinks had arrived and the choices had been made and relayed to the waiter, Gina lit another cigarette and sat back, her cigarette displayed elegantly between two fingers of her right hand. ‘It’s early days with this protection business but Anthony and his cohort seem to be doing OK,’ she said casually.

‘Yeah, it’s been smooth sailing so far. As far as I know there have been no problems.’

‘So I reckon it’s time for more action.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘It means I need your help.’ Gina stretched her hand across the table and stroked the sleeve of Vic’s jacket. ‘I believe I can rely on you,’ she purred.

God, thought Vic, tingling with sexual tension, this woman uses her femininity like a fly swatter.

‘Rely on me for what?’

‘It’s time to move forward again.’

Already? he thought. The protection scheme was only just up and running. This lady was certainly in a big hurry and he didn’t like it. It was clear that he would have to cut her down to size sooner than he planned. Well, not exactly down to size. Just cut her.

‘Oh, yeah?’ he said casually. ‘What have you got up your sleeve this time?’

Gina took a gentle sip of her martini before replying.

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