Labyrinth. Alex Archer

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СКАЧАТЬ Annja’s face. “Yes, well, perhaps you don’t deserve to get it. Ever think of that, Annja? Or are you so presumptuous to believe that you have a lock on the workings of the universe?”

       Annja waved the smoke away. “I’m not presumptuous.”

       Greene leaned back. “That remains to be seen.”

       Annja looked at the front windshield. The wipers flicked intermittently, scattering the small accumulation of drizzle. “Where are we headed?”

       “Springer Falls. Have you ever heard of it?”

       “No. I don’t get up here all that much.”

       Greene nodded. “I’ve had a chance to read up on some of your exploits. You’ve been all over the world recently.”

       Annja sighed. “It feels like I’ve been away forever.”

       “But never to Springer Falls. Maybe this trip will be a departure—a chance for you to enjoy yourself,” Greene said. “And maybe afterward we could find a way to work together, you and I.”

       Annja smirked. “I’ve seen how you work, Greene. You drop people without even thinking about it. Why in the world would I work with you? I’d never feel easy with you around.”

       Greene inhaled and let out another stream of marijuana smoke. “I’m decisive. Ask any successful person and they’ll say attitude is absolutely necessary for achieving your goals.”

       “By decisive, they were probably talking about something a little less extreme than, say, murdering people.”

       “You interpret it your way,” Greene said. “But I happen to believe I have a better handle on it than you.”

       Annja waved her hand again to dispel more of the smoke. “I hope we don’t get stopped.”

       Greene hefted his pistol. “I hope so, too. For the trooper’s sake.”

       Annja shook her head. “You planning on leaving a trail of bodies in your wake, Greene? Sooner or later they’ll track you down and give you the death penalty for your crimes.”

       Greene sniffed. “If I was scared of dying, I wouldn’t be the man I am today.”

       “A murderous, pot-smoking lunatic?” Annja sighed. “Some man. What sort of greatness have you achieved?”

       “Greatness is measured in many ways. My exploits may not make sense in your limited world view, but some day, my supposed crimes will be seen for what they truly are—revolutionary.”

       “Ecoterrorism,” said Annja. “You can phrase it however you’d like. It doesn’t change the fact that you’re a killer.”

       “Potato, potahto. Your judgment doesn’t concern me in the slightest.”

       “Apparently.”

       Greene inhaled again. “Do you know what it’s like to watch the planet being ravaged and destroyed right in front of your eyes?”

       “I’ve been around the world,” Annja said. “I’ve seen abject poverty, environmental disasters. And, usually, they’re caused by people like you who con themselves into believing their cause is just. Except justice is a facade. You’re all after power or money. Greed drives you and others like you. You can try to spin it, but it doesn’t change that you’re out for yourself.”

       Greene slapped her so suddenly that the shock of it sent Annja reeling. She tasted blood in her mouth and took a breath.

       “You don’t know me, Annja Creed. And you have no right to criticize the work I’ve done.”

       Annja wiped her mouth. “You were the one who kidnapped me, Greene. I don’t want to be here. But you gave me no choice. So, as far as I’m concerned, I have every right to comment on your petty little world vision. Don’t like it? Then you can drop me off here.”

       “Or I could just kill you.”

       “Nah, you need me. Reginald’s waiting, remember?”

       “I told you I could find another way if it became necessary.”

       Annja smirked. “Yeah, you said that. But I don’t believe you. If there was another way, then you probably wouldn’t have driven to Brooklyn to kidnap me. But the fact you drove down to New York tells me you’ve run out of options.”

       Greene sat smoking quietly for a few moments. “All right, I’ll be honest. I do need you. But would you prefer to do this in relatively decent health or in a world of pain?”

       “You’re into torture, too? Well, there’s another character trait to be proud of.” Annja shook her head. “You’re just full of greatness, aren’t you?”

       Grudgingly, Greene laughed. “Compliments will only get you so far, Annja.”

       She could, of course, use the sword to kill Greene and his associate behind the wheel. But what would that achieve, except her freedom? Annja would never find out what Reginald Fairclough wanted with her. Or how he even knew her.

       She racked her brain but the name still didn’t ring any bells. Of course, it was a little tough thinking when she was feeling the secondhand effects of Greene’s marijuana.

       Her head swam, but Annja blinked the dizziness away. “Tell me more about the book dealer.”

       Greene eyed her. “We have a detente?”

       “We don’t have anything, Greene. You’ve got a captive—for the moment—and my piqued curiosity. I don’t think I know Fairclough, yet he wants to see me. That intrigues me.”

       “Lucky me,” Greene said. “I’ve piqued your curiosity.” He chuckled quietly and then coughed. “Fairclough is one of the most renowned experts in early history texts. I don’t suppose you know much about that, do you?”

       Annja shrugged. “You’d be surprised.”

       “I’m sure.”

       “Fairclough apparently thinks I’ve got some value.”

       Greene mercifully stubbed out his cigarette and regarded Annja. “He’s bordering on insane.”

       “Well, good, then you two will have a lot to talk about.”

       “He’s also dying right now. As we speak.”

       “From what?”

       Greene smiled. “I’ve got him hooked up to a slow IV drip. It’s currently leaking a motley assortment of narcotics into his bloodstream. I’d give him about thirty-six hours before he’s dead.”

       Annja looked at Greene. “Why in the world are you killing him?”

       “He’s got something I want. I thought I told you that earlier.”

       “You mentioned that. But you didn’t tell me what it was you’re after.”

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