The Spoilers / Juggernaut. Desmond Bagley

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СКАЧАТЬ his way. He was also, to a keen and observant eye, a crook, which further raised Abbot’s hopes.

      ‘How do we tackle him?’ asked Parker.

      ‘The first thing is to move into a cheaper hotel.’ He looked at Parker consideringly. ‘We’re not rolling in cash – but we’re not dead broke. We’re hungry for loot, but careful. We have something to sell and we want the best price, so we’re cagey. Got the picture?’

      Parker smiled sombrely. ‘That bit about not rollin’ in cash’ll come easy to me; I’ve never had much money. How do we broach the subject to Picot?’

      ‘We play it by ear,’ said Abbot easily.

      Picot frequented a cafe in the old town near the Port, and when Abbot and Parker strolled in the next evening he was sitting at a table reading a newspaper. Abbot selected a table just in front and to the side of him, and they sat down. Abbot wrinkled his nose as he looked at the food-spotted menu and ordered for both of them.

      Parker looked about the place and said in a low voice, ‘What now?’

      ‘Take it easy,’ said Abbot softly. ‘Let it come naturally.’ He turned and looked at the little pile of newspapers and magazines on Picot’s table, obviously there for the use of the customers. In English, he said, ‘Excuse me, monsieur; do you mind?’

      Picot looked up and nodded shortly. ‘Okay with me.’ His English was incongruously tinged with a mixed French and American accent.

      Abbot took a magazine and flipped the pages idly until the waiter served them, putting down many plates, two drinks and a jug of water. Abbot poured a little water into his glass and there was a swirl of milkiness. ‘Cheers, Dan.’

      Hesitantly Parker did the same, drank and spluttered. He banged down the glass. ‘What is this stuff? Cough mixture?’

      ‘The local white lightning – arak.’

      Parker investigated his palate with his tongue. ‘I haven’t tasted anything like this since I were a boy.’ He looked surprised as he made the discovery. ‘Aniseed balls!’ He sniffed the glass. ‘It’s no drink for a grown man. Any chance of a Watney’s in here?’

      Abbot grinned. ‘I doubt it. If you want beer you have a choice of Lebanese French and Lebanese German.’

      ‘Make it the German,’ said Parker, so Abbot ordered him a Henninger Byblos and turned back to find him regarding the contents of the plates with deep suspicion.

      ‘For God’s sake, stop acting like a tourist, Dan,’ he said with irritation. ‘What do you expect here – fish and chips?’

      ‘I like to know what I’m eatin’,’ said Parker, unmoved.

      ‘It’s mezza, said Abbot loudly. ‘It’s filling and it’s cheap. If you want anything better go to the Saint-Georges – but I’m not paying. I’m getting fed up with you. I have a good mind to call the whole thing off.’

      Parker looked startled but subsided as Abbot winked. The beer arrived and Parker tasted it and put down the glass. ‘It’ll do, I suppose.’

      Abbot said quietly, ‘Do you think you could … er … get pissed?’

      Parker flicked the glass with his fingernail. ‘It ‘ud take more than this stuff. It’s like maiden’s water.’

      ‘But you could try, couldn’t you? You might even become indiscreet.’

      ‘Then buy me another,’ said Parker, and drained the glass with one mighty swallow.

      Abbot made a good meal but Parker picked at his food fastidiously and drank more than was apparently good for him. His voice became louder and his words tended to slur together, and he seemed to be working up to a grievance. ‘You want to call it off – how do you suppose I feel? I get this idea – a bloody good idea – an’ what are you doin’ about it? Nothin’ but sittin’ on your upper-class bottom, that’s what.’

      ‘Quiet, Dan!’ urged Abbot.

      ‘I won’t be bloody quiet! I’m gettin’ tired o’ your snipin’, too.’ His voice took on an ugly mimicry. ‘“Don’t do this, Dan; don’t do that, Dan; don’t eat wi’ your mouth open, Dan.’ Who the hell do you think you are?’

      ‘Oh, for God’s sake!’ said Abbot.

      ‘You said you could help me wi’ what I’ve got – an’ what ha’ you done? Sweet Fanny Adams!’

      ‘It takes time to make the contact,’ said Abbot wearily.

      ‘You said you had the contacts,’ said Parker venomously.

      ‘What have you got to complain about,’ said Abbot in a high voice. ‘You’re not paying for all this, are you? If it wasn’t for me you’d still be on your arse in London fiddling around with beat-up cars and dreaming of how to make a quick fortune. I’ve laid out nearly a thousand quid on this, Dan – doesn’t that count for anything?’

      ‘I don’t care whose money it is. You’re still doin’ nothin’ an’ you’re wastin’ my time.’ Parker gestured largely towards the open door. ‘That harbour’s full o’ ships, an’ I bet half of ‘em are in the smugglin’ racket. They’d go for what I have in me noggin an’ they’d pay big for it, too. You talk about me sittin’ on me arse; why don’t you get up off yours?’

      Abbot was trying – unsuccessfully – to quiet Parker. ‘For God’s sake, shut up! Do you want to give everything away? How do you know this place isn’t full of police?’

      Parker struggled to his feet drunkenly. ‘Aw, hell!’ He looked around blearily. ‘Where is it?’

      Abbot looked at him resignedly. ‘Through there.’ He indicated a door at the back of the cafe. ‘And don’t get talking to any strange men.’ He watched Parker stagger away, shrugged, and picked up the magazine.

      A voice behind him said, ‘Monsieur?’

      He turned and found Picot looking at him intently. ‘Yes?’

      ‘Would I be right if I said that you and your friend are looking for … employment?’

      ‘No,’ said Abbot shortly, and turned away. He hesitated perceptibly and turned back to face Picot. ‘What makes you think that?’

      ‘I thought maybe you were out of work. Sailors, perhaps?’

      ‘Do I look like a sailor?’ demanded Abbot.

      Picot smiled. ‘No, monsieur. But your friend …’

      ‘My friend’s business is his.’

      ‘And not yours, monsieur?’ Picot raised his eyebrows. ‘Then you are definitely not interested in employment?’

      ‘What kind of employment?’

      ‘Any man, particularly a sailor who has … ingenious ideas … there is always СКАЧАТЬ