The Assassins by Alan Bardos (read novel full .TXT) 📕

Franz Ferdinand watched from his study window as their luggage for the visit to Bosnia was loaded. All of the arrangements had been attended to, except one.

He turned from the window and faced Janaczek, who was standing formally, sensing the gravity of the moment. He'd been a good and faithful servant for twenty five years.

'Janaczek, there is no one I'd trust more to run things in my absence,' Franz Ferdinand said, and he presented him with a gold watch.

'Thank you, Your Highness.' The Archduke’s estate manager knew that the watch was more than a recognition of service.

'I'd like to ask that you never leave my household, Janaczek. Even if something should happen to me, you must never leave the children or the Duchess.'

'Never, Your Highness.' Janaczek bowed formally. No further declaration was needed - Janaczek would do his duty.

Franz Ferdinand shook his hand and headed to the hall to make his farewells. He drew himself up, as he saw his children huddled around their mother, but instead of more protests they threw their arms around him.

'We'll be back in a week,' he whispered, drawing them close.

Chapter 27

Johnny finished his baklava and looked up contentedly. Something nice before a day in the office always cheered him up. The same couldn't be said for Gavrilo, who was sitting next to him, calm and impassive, his eyes burning with their usual ferocity, as he studied the Bosnische Post.

Johnny signalled for the bill to Vlajnic, the owner of the pastry shop, and turned back to Gavrilo. The official programme for the Royal visit had been published in all of Sarajevo's major newspapers, heralding the arrival of the Heir.

He was to attend two days of manoeuvres and a large formal dinner on Saturday, followed by a visit to Sarajevo on Sunday. The full details of the visit to Sarajevo had been released to the press, as the Lord Mayor wanted to ensure that the people of Sarajevo knew where to stand so that they could give the Archduke a resounding welcome and show their, "gratitude, devotion and loyalty" to the Monarchy. From the way he was studying the paper, Johnny assumed Gavrilo was deciding just how he would do that.

Johnny winked at the waitress as she brought over the bill. Gavrilo glowered at him and apologised to the waitress for Johnny's ill-mannered behaviour. 'Jovo - how dare you be so disrespectful, to a woman?'

'I'm sorry, Gavrilo - she's very pretty,' Johnny replied, trying to sound submissive. Gavrilo and Ilic had continued to argue about the rights and wrongs of the assassination and Johnny didn't want to aggravate Gavrilo any more than was necessary. He still had a job to do.

'Relations between a man and a woman should be of the purest kind,' Gavrilo said curtly.

'As is yours with Vukosava?' Johnny asked.

Gavrilo's cold blue eyes stared at Johnny with controlled fury. 'My relationship with Miss Cabrinovic is strictly platonic, based on a mutual respect and appreciation of poetry and literature. Anything else would trifle with her dignity.'

'I meant no offence.'

'We have sworn off such things, Jovo. We cannot allow ourselves to be distracted, not now that we are so close to the end.'

Johnny assumed that Gavrilo wanted the strength and purity of a cause, not the uncertainties and vulnerability which the love of a woman offered. It seemed that to Gavrilo, everything was superfluous to the journey he was on.

'I know it's not really my place, Gavrilo, as I'm still new to the group, but can we afford distractions that are closer to home?'

Gavrilo glared as Johnny continued. 'I must tell you that I support your decision to act against the Archduke and that Ilic is totally wrong to question the course we must take.'

'That is not your concern, Jovo.' Gavrilo said, annoyed by Johnny's comment.

'Surely, the fate of our people is everyone's concern.'

'Ilic is my best friend. He has given me his word that he'll work with us.'

'I'm worried about the other cell,' Johnny said. 'What do you know about them?'

'Ilic has assured me that they are good patriots.'

Johnny thought he could sense an element of uncertainty in Gavrilo's voice. He’d been waiting for an opportunity to exploit the growing rift between Ilic and Gavrilo, and he decided to press on.

'I do not doubt their sincerity to our cause. It's just that if the only contact they have with us is through Ilic, can they be relied upon? Who knows what Ilic is saying to them.'

Johnny waited as Gavrilo thought that over. Ilic was nothing if not an idealist and once he'd had an idea about something, it was almost impossible to change his mind.

'Perhaps I could be of more help to you,' Johnny suggested, 'if I were to keep an eye on him and the other cell, as we prepare for Sunday.'

Gavrilo shrugged noncommittally. 'Trifko is coming to Sarajevo tomorrow. We'll discuss the matter then.'

Johnny knew that was the best he could hope for. Gavrilo paid the bill and they left, walking out onto Cumurija Street and up towards Appel Quay. A triangular shaped baroque building had been constructed at the end of the street, next to some old Turkish houses and a cafe. They followed a narrow stretch of road on the left hand side of the building and came out into the bright light of Appel Quay, opposite the steel Cumurija Bridge and carried on around the corner past a bank of Austro-Hungary.

Gavrilo stopped under the shade of a tree and surveyed the long line of new, neo-romantic Austrian buildings that ran along the embankment. 'Sarajevo isn't an honourable place to make our sacrifice. It's just one, big Austrian market.'

Johnny gazed wistfully at a tobacconist's, its yellow paintwork making it look nicotine stained next to the white-washed bank gleaming