Unsavory Delicacies by Russell Brooks

Author:Russell Brooks
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: spy, short stories, suspense, culinary, Russell Brooks, espionage, mystery, Thriller, cooking, restaurant
Publisher: Russell Brooks
Published: 2018-02-17T00:00:00+00:00

Shashlyk and Morozhenoe

St. Petersburg, Russia

Ridley Fox and two other CIA operatives—all under the guise as government inspectors—drew stares from restaurant patrons on both sides of the aisle. Fox looked around among the crowd. He heard wine glasses clinking collectively followed by cheers in one area. Then there was applause for the band as they ended one of their renditions of an old Chuck Berry classic. But Fox didn’t see Maksim Antanov—the owner of the establishment and the son of St. Petersburg’s most powerful crime boss. He led his two colleagues towards the Maître D’, who was straight ahead. It wasn’t long before a tall, heavyset bearded man, dressed in a suit that literally screamed Mafiya, stepped in between him and the Maître D’, raising a fat palm to Fox.

“Please state your business.” He said in Russian.

Fox recognized him as Efim Volsky, Maksim Antanov’s personal bodyguard who was clearly well versed at identifying people that had no intention of sitting down to eat.

Fox already had the folded document in his hand. Being fluent in several languages, Fox answered him in Russian as he handed him the letter and flashed his fake inspector’s badge. “My name is Yuri Petrov, veterinary inspector for the Rosselkhoznadzor. We have a warrant to search the premises.”

“For what?” Volsky snapped, snatching the paper from Fox and holding it close to his face to examine it.

Fox realized that the bodyguard needed reading glasses. He just chose not to wear them in front of him in order to appear tough. But Fox knew that was all Volsky had going for him—the appearance.

“Our department has reason to believe that meat was illegally purchased by this establishment,” said Fox.

“Ridiculous! How dare you make such accusations…”

“Sir, I strongly advise that you do not make a scene. I’m sure your patrons wouldn’t want to leave here and spread the news of our visit to the whole neighbourhood. Word of mouth can be the best and the worst publicity. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Volsky grunted. “Wait here.”

Fox watched Volsky storm away, catching the attention of the patrons, some who then stared back at Fox and his colleagues. Fox didn’t stare back at them; he just waited for Antanov to greet him. The restaurant, although a popular hangout for St. Petersburg’s elite—including criminals—was just a pastime for Antanov. His construction firm was the major front for his criminal activities.

If Fox’s source was correct, evidence linking Antanov to the Arms of Ares would be in his office. So far his source had come through by giving up former Mossad agent, Dafna Ganz. The source—who was a member of Ares—had plans of defecting with his wife. And he only trusted Fox to help him achieve this.

A few minutes had passed and from the back of the restaurant came a slim, well-dressed man in his late twenties with a young face. It was Antanov, and Volsky was right behind him.

“Good afternoon, gentlemen. You’d like to see my records?” He was very polite, unlike his bodyguard.

“And also the contents in your freezer,” answered Fox.

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