The Case of the General's Thumb by Andrey Kurkov

Author:Andrey Kurkov [Kurkov, Andrey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-61219-061-7
Publisher: Melville House
Published: 2012-02-07T00:00:00+00:00

41

As it grew dark, and Sakhno had still not returned, Nik marvelled at his managing to make twenty marks last so long.

He looked around for the tortoise and was relieved to see it still motionless before its empty bowl. Then the phone rang.

“Why try to fool me?” asked the man.

“How do you mean?”

“You’ve left a hell of a lot of evidence at Masha’s … You’re going to have to ditch your pal. Then we’ll help. We can’t get both of you out of this. Slip him two of the tablets, and when you’ve done that, ring 48-04, and I’ll tell you what next.”

The dialling tone followed, and for a while Nik stood, still foolishly holding the receiver to his ear.

The tortoise had withdrawn its head into its shell. He hoped it wasn’t dead.

What evidence had they left? The man was talking gibberish! Ditch Sakhno, indeed!

He opened the window. The night air was amazingly warm. Hearing a vehicle, he leant out, hoping to see the hearse, but was disappointed. The drizzle was like a tepid shower.

The phone rang, but he let it, and went and made coffee.

After a while the phone rang again, and this time Nik answered. If the flat was being watched, they would know he was there.

“How are we?”

Nik said nothing.

“Sorry if you’re put out. No need for any tablets. Just pulling your leg. You left nothing too incriminating.”

Nik swore.

“That’s the way – let off steam! And now you need paper and pen … Tomorrow’s route and the new target address.

“The house,” he continued, after Nik had read it all back, “has got cameras and security and is not to be approached. What you’re to do is buy en route four kilos or so of frozen fish. This you chuck over the wall when you get there, then come straight back.”

“A four-hour drive just for that?”

“And one that you’ll be doing more than once – so think long-distance! But here’s your pal coming back. Good luck!”

Sakhno was in a cheerful mood. He put down lettuce for the tortoise, which the tortoise showed no interest in, keeping its head retracted, and offered Nik a smoke, which he refused. Told what was proposed for the next day, he showed no surprise and simply nodded.

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