Uncut Terror by Don Pendleton

Author:Don Pendleton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Worldwide Library
Published: 2015-08-29T04:00:00+00:00

9

Vlaeykensgang District

Antwerp, Belgium

TWO YOUNG WOMEN, both dressed in fashionably short skirts and tight blouses, strolled into the café, flashing Bolan and Grimaldi a pair of coquettish smiles.

“I’ll take the blonde,” Grimaldi said, waving to them.

“Take it easy,” Bolan said. “We’ve already got a rendezvous set up, remember?”

“How could I forget? You keep reminding me.” Grimaldi frowned slightly. “But I’ll bet this François guy isn’t going to be half as good-looking as those two.”

The young women ordered something from the lady behind the counter. The redhead glanced over her shoulder, blinked and then giggled into her girlfriend’s ear. The blonde gave them a furtive glance, as well.

“Let’s hope he’s dressed more conservatively than they are,” Bolan said.

He had been mildly surprised at the warm reception Lupin had given him on the phone. Despite the lateness of the hour, the INTERPOL agent had suggested meeting at a small coffee shop in the Vlaeykensgang District, a cloistered collection of old houses and cobbled courtyards harkening back to the Middle Ages.

“Anyway,” Bolan continued, “a little while ago you were complaining that you were tired.”

“Hell, I am. I mean, I did most of the driving today.” Grimaldi glanced at the two young women again. “But I’m never too tired for romance.”

Bolan couldn’t help but smile at that. As they sat in the dimly lighted shop drinking mugs of hot chocolate, Bolan reflected on lost opportunities and the image of the bearded assailant’s smile when they locked eyes.

Another time, Bolan thought. Another place.

“You’re thinking about the shootout, aren’t you?” Grimaldi asked.

Bolan said nothing, but his partner seemed to read his mind.

“Yeah, me, too. Sure would’ve been nice to save that guy Framer.” Grimaldi clucked sympathetically. “I didn’t much care for him at first, but he had balls. Kind of short in the brains and listening departments, but balls.”

The two women turned and moved toward the door, the blonde carrying a paper bag. The redhead jiggled her fingers in a small wave as they passed Bolan and Grimaldi and said something in Flemish that Bolan guessed was flirtatious.

He made no effort to respond.

As they got to the door it suddenly opened and a tall, dark complexioned man stood there. He bowed and made a sweeping gesture for the women to exit before him. After a quick duet of thank-yous from the women, the man smiled broadly and watched their backsides as they passed him. He was broad shouldered and his thick nose looked like it had been broken more than once. After glancing around the shop and seeing no one else, he nodded to Bolan and Grimaldi.

“Ah,” the man said in English, his words tinctured with a French accent. “A lovely evening for some coffee, n’est-ce pas?”

“But we’re drinking hot chocolate,” Bolan said, repeating the prearranged meeting signal.

“Tres bien,” the man said. He smiled, showing a flash of white teeth. “I shall get some myself.”

He moved to the counter and made his purchase, chatting with the server in Flemish. After receiving his drink, the man strode back to their table and stopped, taking a careful sip.

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