Chapter 3.

Simone whirled around.

“Where the hell did you come from!”

Panic had turned to rage. She shot out her hand to hit him. But Egmond was quick. It took less than two seconds to paralyze her in an armlock.

She doubled over, screaming. “Stop! Let go!”

“Not so fast! What’s wrong with you? Are you crazy?”

Egmond wasn’t going to wrestle her to the ground. He released her arm then     turned away. He pulled a crumbled pack of cigarettes from his pocket, extracted one and planted it in his mouth. He inhaled deeply then let out a stream of smoke which enveloped him like a shroud.

Simone rubbed at her arm. Her headscarf had come lose and her hair hung in stringy wet strands across her face.

She reared back at him.

“Idiot! What are you doing sneaking up behind me!”

Simone’s shrill voice echoed throughout the decrepit courtyard. A window on the first floor opened. People were always fighting, getting drunk, having sex. Nothing special. With a loud bang the window closed.

It was pitch black in the narrow deserted entrance way. The rain had started up in earnest again and a bedraggled cat crossed in front of them. A black cat probably but who could tell in this darkness. With a tail flick the animal vanished into the safety of the disrepaired front door — which hung ajar summer and winter.

The cigarette had calmed him. “Let’s at least get out of the rain. Come inside and I’ll go upstairs and get us an umbrella.”

Simone couldn’t let go. “You’re late!  I’m freezing and you promised to meet me instead of leaving me alone in this dark dungeon you call a courtyard!”

“Calm down. I had an errand to run for Paps. Now step inside and I’ll be back in a flash.”

With shaking hands Simone rummaged into her outsized handbag. Luckily she had refilled her flask that very morning. A few deep gulps of vodka, a series of long exhalations and she felt more like herself. It was at moments like this that she really needed a cigarette but she had just quit. Besides she hated the ultra strong brand Egmonds preferred.

* * *

Egmond’s long strong legs had worked wonders. He was back in a jiffy. Smiling ruefully at her appearance he handed Simone a towel for her wet hair. Then unfurled the large umbrella. They had been friends for ages and he was glad that this little melodrama was over.

“Now, let’s get a bite to eat and some nice wine. You certainly deserve it.”

Simone eyed him with suspicion. Thinking he was up to something.

“Meanwhile, darling Simone, put a smile on your face, please?  All is well. ”

Edmond was a good looking man. In his late fifties but still energetic and virile. He knew how charming he was. Usually it didn’t take much to wrap a lady around his little finger. He knew Simone was eager to hear every little detail about the plan he had concocted.

A stray dog growled at them as they left the courtyard and headed for Brununieka Street. Turning right they made for Brivibas. The dog had started barking now and was following them at a distance.

“Usual place?” Simone asked sweetly. The vodka had warmed her and she was hungry for a decent meal.

“No. Let’s go to Sam’s.”

As if punched Simone staggered backwards. “Sam’s?”

“You heard me, darling girl. I love the clientele. Lots of foreigners. Lots of rich foreigners and the food’s good.”

“But Osiris is closer and—”

Egmond’s good humor vanished and he cut her off angrily. “Feel free to forget about it. I’ve let you in on this gig and now you’re squawking. Besides Osiris is not my scene. It’s too much of an arty hangout, filled with hysterical, high-strung, high-maintenance women.

He lit another cigarette and watched her intently. Simone made an ahhh sound. She needed the job—the gig, as he lightheartedly called it. No way was she going to tell him that Arseniy worked at Sam’s. She knew she looked like crap with her wet hair and mascara running. Maybe today (Wednesday) was his day off.

She prayed it was.