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

Ilic started tearing the newspaper up into strips, and sitting there in the cafe, he poured out grains of what Johnny could only assume must be poison onto the table and wrapped portions of it up in the strips of newspaper.

'This is potassium cyanide. You know what to do with it when the time comes. Dead men tell no secrets.' Ilic passed a sachet to each of them. He was remarkably calm and matter of fact, considering the uncertainty he'd expressed about the assassination.

They left the cafe and headed for the park across the road. Ilic handed Cubrilovic a bomb and a pistol as they ambled through the trees. He produced another Browning automatic as they reached a tunnel.

'Have either of you fired a gun before?'

Cubrilovic and Popovic shook their heads, impressed by the sleek modern design of the weapon. Johnny also indicated that he hadn't fired a gun, so as not to raise any suspicion.

Ilic cocked the pistol. 'Where this hits, no medicine can help.' Ilic fired the gun and the shot echoed loudly down the tunnel. Johnny started to think that maybe he should have taken the bullets after all.

Ilic handed the pistol to Popovic who accepted it with due reverence. Ilic then untied a second bomb from around his waist, told them how to use it and passed it to Popovic.

'Don't I get a weapon?' Johnny asked, feeling slightly bereft. How could he be a conspirator in an assassination plot without either a bomb or a gun?

Ilic waved Johnny's concern aside. 'Do not worry. We all serve the cause in our own way.' Cubrilovic and Popovic grinned at him - they had guns.

*

Breitner decided to take a risk on the weather and left City Hall, walking slowly along Appel Quay, over the cobbles of The Emperor's Bridge, to the other side of the city. With a reluctant sigh he trudged past the mosque and started up the hill to the Konak, the traditional residence of Sarajevo's governors since Ottoman times.

Breitner wondered if any of the previous governors had been as obtuse as the present incumbent - he doubted it. He skirted the thick, brick wall that surrounded the Konak. It had proved to be an effective barrier in keeping the Governor cut off from what was going on around him, but as he went through the gate, Breitner hoped it wouldn't prove to be so today.

It began to rain again and Breitner swore and quickened his pace towards the residence. It looked like a great, big, baroque layer cake, decorated with orange-brown icing. For luck, he patted one of the stone lions that protected the front of the building, and then he leapt gracefully out of the rain into the pillared porte-cochère.

At least if the rain continued, the crowds for the Archduke's visit would be reduced, making it easier to spot any would be assassins, Breitner reflected. Then he braced himself and went inside. He wasn't anticipating an easy interview with Governor Potiorek.

An orderly showed Breitner into a waiting room and not surprisingly there was no sign of the shiftless Englishman. Breitner tried to control his anxiety. He'd called in every favour he could to get on the appointment list - he was going to look a total fool if Johnny didn't turn up.

Breitner opened his pocket watch; it was four o'clock. They had three hours before the Governor was due to attend an official dinner in honour of the Heir Apparent. Breitner had no doubt that the Governor would wish to be early, to ensure that all of his meticulous arrangements were precisely executed.

He'd have to stall Potiorek until Johnny arrived. Not a pleasant task, but one he'd rather have than face the full fury of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in person.

*

Preparations were in full swing for the Royal visit on the streets of Sarajevo. Roads were being repaired and in response to the Lord Mayor's proclamation to welcome the Royal couple, the citizens of Sarajevo had decorated their houses with the yellow and black of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.

Ilic led his merry band through the commotion, back past City Hall and down Appel Quay towards the bridges, making the most of the cover the trees on the city side of the embankment gave from the rain. Ilic explained that the embankment had been selected as the place of ambush because the Heir had to drive along it twice: once from the station to City Hall, for the civic reception, and back again after his tour of the museum, on his way to have lunch at the Konak with Governor Potiorek. At least Johnny had managed to find that much out.

Cubrilovic and Popovic definitely had a certain swagger about them as they promenaded along Appel Quay. They'd passed the Emperor and Lateiner bridges, when a friend of Popovic called to him, from the river side of the quay. It took a couple of shouts and Cubrilovic pointing him out before Popovic recognised him. When he did, he very nearly showed his pistol off to his friend, but Ilic just managed to stop him.

Five minutes further up the quay they passed the charity where Johnny had worked. Ilic stopped on the corner of Cumurija Street, where Johnny had stood with Gavrilo, opposite the steel Cumurija Bridge. Johnny looked at the tobacconist's but he still couldn't afford to buy anything.

Ilic addressed them. 'You and the other cell will be placed along a three hundred yard killing ground from here to the Emperor's Bridge. Popovic, this is where I want you to stand. Jovo will be with you to act as your eyes, which is why he doesn't need a weapon. If the comrades before you fail, then you will attack. Throw your bomb and then in the confusion finish the tyrant off with your pistol. There will also be someone opposite you, on the river side of the