Wolf Six by Alex Shaw

Author:Alex Shaw [Shaw, Alex]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

‘Now tell me about the woman Josef abducted.’

‘Who?’

‘Her name is Valentina Tishina.’

‘Look, you’ve got to believe me, I’m not important. I don’t know nothing.’

‘So you know something?’

‘What?’

Akulov let it go. He asked, ‘After I am dead what happens to her?’

‘Josef said she’s too important a hostage to kill. He said he had to hold her for someone.’

‘Who?’

‘I don’t know, but it was someone even he was worried about.’

‘Where is she?’

‘She’s safe. We’ve put her somewhere no one will think to look for her.’

‘Where?’

‘Listen, man, I can’t…’

Akulov pointed the gun at Dimitri’s good knee ‘Where is Valentina Tishina?’

Dimitri explained and Akulov realised it made sense, mostly.

‘Please, I’ve told you what you wanted to know. I’ve been reasonable. Look, you can even take the old woman’s money – she’s got over eighty grand US hidden in a box in her wardrobe. It’s yours if you just go. I’ll give you a six-hour head start, and Josef will never find you.’

Akulov moved to the coat. Using his left hand, he felt inside and removed a 9mm Beretta. ‘This not yours?’

Dimitri just shrugged.

‘Ruslan!’ Paulina’s cry sounded anguished.

Akulov raised his Glock, and without warning put a round into Dimitri’s other knee. The man’s scream was all but inhuman as he slid onto the floor. Akulov hurried to Lyudmyla Petrivna’s room. She was propped up on her bed with several pillows under her back. Her face was bloody and her breathing was heavy, wheezing as though she had broken ribs, but there was a rattle which Akulov knew meant her lungs were punctured. Paulina was on her knees at the side of the bed, holding her hand. She met Akulov’s gaze and shook her head.

‘Volodymyr, is that you?’ Lyudmyla Petrivna said, her voice raspy as her eyes flickered up and down Akulov in the doorway. ‘Volodymyr, you came… I told you we’d see each other again.’

Akulov went to the bedside. ‘I am here.’

‘And you are wearing your favourite coat… the one I bought you… But where is your hat?’

There was a lump in Akulov’s throat, but he managed to say, ‘I took it off, it is too hot indoors.’

‘Such… a… clever boy.’ She freed her hand from Paulina and raised it slowly. Akulov took it and held it with both hands. ‘You… are… all here… My Volodymyr… My Paulina…’

Akulov felt the grip loosen. Lyudmyla Petrivna’s eyes fluttered and then she became still. Tears freely flowed down Paulina’s face, and her chest started to shake. Akulov felt numb, but then he felt something he had been taught to channel, to use. Pure rage. He let go of the older woman’s hand. There was a roaring in his ears as he walked out of the bedroom and back into the lounge.

Dimitri was on the floor. There was a trail of blood where he’d been dragging himself towards the front door. Akulov strode past him to the balcony doors and opened them. An icy wind blew in, and thick, swirling snowflakes penetrated the room. Akulov turned on his heels, once again grabbed Dimitri by the collar and hauled him through the open doors.

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