“He has contacts. From the time of the Bosnian War. He knows what he's
“Word of advice,” said Videnov. “And I don't give many of those for free.
It's not as easy as it once was. The E. U. has toughened their border controls
“He knows what he's doing. And it’s me taking the risks while he gets the
money. As always.” Caramarin looked over at the woman. “She's a bit knocked
“Tried to get away. But she'll clean up fine.” Videnov paused and drank
again. “She's pure, too.”
“Yeah. She's virgo intacta. Unusual, these days I know. That's why she
costs more.”
Caramarin raised his eyebrows. “Unless she's had that op I've heard they
can do.” He glanced at his cards again then dropped another hundred hryvnias onto
the pile of currency on the desk. Euros, roubles, Ukrainian hryvnias and Turkish
lira all lay mixed up together.
“I've a long way to go tonight,” Caramarin said, stretching his back. “I'll
see you now.”
He turned over his three Queens and laid them out in front of him. Videnov
turned over three Jacks and shrugged. Disappointment in his eyes. The man hated
to see money leave his office. Unless it was heading into an offshore account.
Caramarin swept up the cash and casually stuffed the notes into his combat jacket.
Then he picked up a padded envelope from the floor next to him and tossed it onto
the desk on top of the cards.
“It's all there. A kilo of Afghan brown.”
“Surprised he could get it together so quickly,” Videnov said. “Heard the
Georgian – sorry, Abkhazian – really hurt him.”
“Maiorescu's doing all right. He knows what he's doing. Looking to expand
again now.”
Videnov looked unimpressed. He knew as well as Caramarin that Eugen
Maiorescu was in trouble. He called his bodyguard over.
“Open it, please. Make sure there are no nasty surprises.”
