Berlin (Leo & Allissa International Thrillers Book 3) by Luke Richardson (my reading book txt) 📕

As the man neared, Leo moved back around the tree to stay out of sight.

Leo had made the connection now. He could just go back to the hotel and wait for Allissa. She would be here in a few hours.

Or, he thought, his confidence growing, he could follow the man in the green coat.

As the man crossed beneath the shadow of a looming church, Leo knew he had seconds to decide. He clenched his teeth. Follow or wait?

Leo thought about how great it would be to find Minty before Allissa even got here. If it were the other way around, Allissa wouldn’t just sit and wait for him. She’d go all in. Jump in at the deep end — one chance. Let’s go. He should do the same. Definitely.

51

The departures hall buzzed with activity. Allissa had made good time on the train from London and cleared the security checkpoint quickly. Now she reclined into an uncomfortable wooden chair in one of the airport’s bars and gazed at the thing she promised herself she wouldn’t have — a pint of beer. She was just going to have one to take the edge off the hangover from the party last night. The hair of the dog. The cure and the cause. Just one.

But with the beer in front of her now, other worries occupied her mind. She’d tried calling Leo again, but he hadn’t answered. Why hadn’t she heard from him? What was happening to him over there? Was he alright?

Before now, Allissa had never been bothered if people didn’t contact her. She remembered once having a conversation with a friend about the correct frequency of replying to someone’s messages. Apparently, too often meant one thing, and not often enough meant something else. Allissa didn’t care. If she wanted to contact someone, she did. If they didn’t want to contact her back, then that was just their choice. No biggy.

So why, she thought, dropping the phone to the table beside the untouched pint, was she now so bothered Leo hadn’t replied?

It’s because this is a professional relationship, Allissa thought.

They were business partners. Replying to your business partner was essential in a professional relationship. You needed to keep each other in the loop, that was the deal. That was how businesses worked.

A professional relationship.

The term echoed through her mind. With it came a pang of disappointment.

Allissa looked at the empty chair across the table from her. Okay, so she missed Leo’s company too. There was nothing wrong with that though, surely? Places like airports were boring on your own.

“It’s a professional relationship,” she muttered out loud, attracting the attention of the couple at the next table. Allissa’s brow darkened further. She didn’t know if she was more frustrated with Leo for not replying, or with herself for being so bothered. Reaching forward, she picked up the beer. Maybe it was just the anxiety of the hangover. She’d be fine after a few swigs of this.

52

For the first two streets, Leo kept his distance. Both streets were wide, straight and almost empty. Leo was far enough away that if the man did turn, he probably wouldn’t recognise him.

After ten minutes, the man turned onto a busier road that ran straight in either direction. Four lanes of traffic rumbled past the shops and cafes which lined both sides. Picking up his pace, Leo passed dozens of bikes locked to a railing on the wide pavement. Although Leo could now get closer, activity on the busy street would also make it easier for him to lose sight of the man. He couldn’t risk that happening.

Halving the distance between himself and the man, Leo stepped in time behind a pair of women walking yapping dogs. From behind their swaying figures, Leo kept his eyes on the man. He wasn’t going to stop looking at him now. If the man stepped down a side street or into a building and Leo wasn’t watching, he would be lost. Leo’s chance would be gone.

Leo considered what he’d do when the man reached his destination. Was it too convenient to assume he would be going directly to Minty? Probably. But wherever he was going, at least it would be another place to look; another connection in the investigation; a link that could lead to an answer.

Watching the man closely, Leo didn’t notice as one of the dogs squatted beside a tree. Deep in conversation, the woman paused to let the animal have its fun. Realising just in time, Leo stepped around them.

Conscious of walking alone and unobscured, Leo quickened his pace until he caught up with a group of youngsters, probably students. They occupied the whole pavement and spoke loudly, each clutching a large-screen phone. Staying a few paces behind them, Leo fixed his gaze on the man with the green coat. He was now only thirty metres ahead.

The man paused at the roadside and looked left and right. Leo darted into a shop and watched him cross the road and disappear through a door.

After Leo was sure the man had gone inside, he ducked into a café two doors down and sat at a table in the window.

53

Minty gripped the shuddering steering wheel of the ten-year-old VW Golf and narrowed his gaze. This was it. They were going. To hell with the Russian and their plans. To hell with the money.

In one hour’s time, they would be away from the city and he could make that call to his family. He would be able to put them out of their misery. Minty hoped they wouldn’t hate him for it. He hoped they’d understand.

Then, after putting it all behind them, they could drive on somewhere. Maybe Spain, or Portugal. Maybe somewhere further. It didn’t matter. They would just keep going until they found somewhere they liked. Or until they ran out of money. With thoughts of freedom in his mind, Minty felt his conviction dissolve. He had saved a few thousand euros in the last few months. That