Chapter 28

Two nicely-dressed gents, one tall, one short, entered the Hotel de Rome and approached the bank of elevators. They attracted little attention since a large tour bus had just disgorged a mass of Asian tourists who were streaming into the hotel and heading for reception. The lobby was cheek to jowl and so was the elevator which stopped at the fourth floor where the two got off.

Then it was as if they had grown wings. In a New York minute, they were inside room 407. Then it was only a hop, skip, and jump to get into the safe, raid the mini bar, and grab up everything else. Like thieves in the night, the two retraced their steps, glad to see the commotion in the lobby as yet another tour bus had arrived. Thank God for tour buses. Even in this off season.

A gleaming black Mercedes with tinted windows idled at the entrance. Not for the first time did Vika breathe I’m so glad I’m rich. It was one of the few times in her life that she had felt almost overcome by the knowledge that she had so many possibilities. It was certainly much more fun spending money this way than getting a face lift or buying obscenely expensive shoes.

Hands slapped in high fives as the Merc ferried the two a short distance to Vika’s new digs. She took it as a sign of good omen that the sun had just peeked out and the permanent twilight of Riga’s skies was momentarily ablaze with shafts of golden light.

For both of them this adventure was so much more exciting than visiting Latvia’s predictable tourist traps. Sitting beside her, Eggy too was wreathed in smiles. He felt like a character in a spy movie. Life was certainly interesting with this rich American—although Eggy no longer thought of Vika in those terms. She was cool. A friend.  And he was glad that a buddy of his had been able to lend Vika a suitable outfit.

Vika giggled. “I don’t want to give these clothes back, Eggy. I feel so free and, more importantly—I feel so invisible.”

Eggy snorted a laugh back at her. “For a few euros your wish can come true.”

“Deal!”

For a few sunny minutes, the friendly banter continued as both savored the success of their mission. Vika had previously consulted Air Bed and Breakfast on the Internet. She had rented a small apartment on Valdemara Street. On the third floor, which was important. Less desirable were apartments on either the first or the sixths floor. Elevators often malfunctioned and first floor was less safe. Vika had been delighted at what she considered low rent. Four hundred and fifty euros per months was a steal.

Luckily the apartment was furnished. When the limo deposited the two at the entrance Vika felt, for a brief crazy moment, that she and Eggy were moving in together. She felt light headed with fantasies and imaginings. There was everything here that she needed—except for a safe and a mini bar. Would there be room here for her mother as well?

“I’ve rented the Merc for the day. Anywhere special you’d like to be chauffeured to?” Riga was her oyster. She didn’t want to devour it on her own.

“Let me think,” Eggy replied, with a laugh as he rocked his hands in a comme ci, comme ça gesture.

“Take all the time you need. First, I have to go see Svetlana. I have some of her stuff and her briefcase. So, let’s go to Simone’s. Maybe she’ll enjoy a chauffeured tour of Riga as well.”

But before any of that, she’d have to find a safe place for the small package which Svetlana had been ordered to give her on behalf of Juris Lapins. And which she herself was meant to carry on to Bernie in New York.

The thought that the driver of the Merc could in any way be affiliated with organized crime didn’t occur to either of them. Their mission-accomplished moment was so intoxicating that they had thrown caution to the wind.

* * *

It was a fine late November day. Simone decided that Svetlana should start exercising outdoors. She had recovered well and longed to be out and about again. By four o’clock it would be dark and both women wanted to catch whatever precious bit of sunlight they could.

As they exited the house they were surprised to see a black Merc with tinted windows pull up in front of the house. Wide-eyed they stood on the spot and watched as the driver got out and went around the car, ready to open the passenger door. Who were these people? What was happening?

The next instant Svetlana let out a scream. She pointed at the driver.

“That’s him! He’s the one that tried to kill me!”

The driver wheeled around to see who had just screamed. He recognized who it was. Slowly he reached under his jacket and pulled out a gun. He raised it. But hadn’t noticed that Eggy had gotten out of the car and was behind him. Eggy lunged. The gun discharged into the air and simultaneously the shooter did a face plant on the pavement.

No one moved. This moment was their existential turning point. Nothing would ever be the same again for any of them. Absolutely nothing.

There were gasps of horror and Svetlana slumped to the ground. The driver lay motionless. Was he dead?

Vika was the first to react. Adrenaline fueled her. She grabbed the gun from the sidewalk and shouted.

“The key’s still in the ignition. We’ve got to get the car out of here. And now. Before police arrive.”

It was amazing good luck that the street was still empty. There was no foot traffic and the few cars which had passed by hadn’t bothered to stop.

They all knew that any minute now a crowd would be gathering.

“Get in the car right now! I’m driving!”

Vika was already behind the wheel and revving the motor as   Eggy and Simone lifted Svetlana into the back seat.

“We’re ditching this baby in some dark neighborhood. Any ideas, Eggy?”

“Just keep driving straight ahead and get out of this neighborhood. Then just pull over and I’ll take the wheel. We’ll be heading for Pardaugava.”