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

show off her refined beauty. They were away from the crowd now, on the periphery of the reception and Johnny felt as if he was about to drop off the edge of the world, into turmoil once more. She opened and closed her left hand three times, then exited the function room. Johnny waited for a few moments, then followed. It was an old routine they'd perfected at numerous embassy parties in Paris.

She was waiting behind the third door on the left, in an empty office. 'You look wonderful, Libby,' Johnny said when he’d found her.

'No, I don't. I'm an absolute mess. Do you know how many times I've worn this old rag?' Johnny tried to embrace her, but she pushed him away. 'Don't try and butter me up, Johnny. The money is safely deposited in the Bank of Austro-Hungary and that's where it’s staying.'

'But we can go anywhere, do anything! You can buy all the new dresses you want - well, within reason,' Johnny said with a laugh.

'You're worse than that insipid fool, Pinkston. He actually wants me to go to Marienbad with him, for goodness’ sake.' She moved away from Johnny to look out of the window, but he saw excitement flash briefly across her face.

'Don't do that. Come with me,' Johnny said, although it hadn’t occurred to him where they’d go, if she did accept.

'It's alright for you to go running off into the unknown - you're a nobody. One has certain standards, expectations of life. How would I show my face in society if I created a scandal? George has made it perfectly clear that if I pay the money back he'll overlook my lack of judgement. People in our position do, after all, expect these things to happen; they're just not generally done with the staff.'

'If that's how you see it, we don't have to stay together, if you'd rather not. Just give me my half of the money and I'll be on my way,' Johnny said.

'Johnny, it doesn't work like that. We won the money together to pay off the gambling debts we ran up...together.' She almost spoke kindly.

'I see. What about us? Are we going to stay together?' Johnny asked.

'That is up to you. I'm more than happy to carry on our little arrangement in Paris for the time being. Staff or not, you can be most diverting.' Libby smiled and Johnny was glad to see that all of the beatings he'd received over the past few weeks hadn't blunted her attraction to him.

'But we must settle our accounts,’ Libby continued. ‘I'm leaving tonight before I allow myself to get any more distracted. You can come with me or stay here, as you choose.' With that, she left the room before he could create any more of a scene.

Johnny looked out of the window, across at the Belvedere Palace. The domes of Franz Ferdinand's official residence rose above the buildings in front of him like a giant wedding cake. He could see a flag was flying at half-mast; he knew exactly how that felt, he mused.

He stayed in the room for a while, brooding about his options. He'd never had any illusions about his relationship with Libby, but it seemed maybe he was just as susceptible to women's charms as they were to his. The thought worried him. Perhaps he’d overestimated his effect on women and maybe they had used him, rather than the other way round.

Johnny quickly dismissed the idea as ridiculous. If he went poking about in the depth of his soul he knew he’d be sure to end up inventing any number of terrifying things.

What was really bothering him was whether or not to stay in Vienna. Pinkie had implied that he needed someone with his skills and Johnny wondered if by making a full report of everything he'd discovered, Pinkie would be impressed enough to overlook the Russian Ambassador’s remarks and offer him a position, or arrange for a posting to Belgium. All he really had back in Paris was uncertainty.

Johnny found Pinkie holding court with a group of Embassy officials; they were laughing about something as Johnny arrived.

'There he is - the man of the moment, Johnny Swift. You certainly know how to put on a show.' The others laughed again and Pinkie signalled for them to go away.

'Sorry, Johnny. I don't mean to tease. You've made quite an impression on the Chief.'

'Really?' Johnny asked doubtfully.

'Oh, absolutely. He said you were a bit of a loose cannon but that your Russian's spot on and that you have initiative.'

Johnny grinned, unused to praise, while Pinkie went on. 'As a matter of fact, we may have a job for you if you're interested in being transferred to our firm.'

'Yes, definitely.' Johnny fought to control his excitement. He hadn’t even had to attempt to sell himself. This was what it was all about, he thought - dazzle people with a bit of insider knowledge and you're off to a flying start. Although he wondered if he could really call what he’d said to the Russian Ambassador, ‘dazzling’.

'Splendid, splendid. We need you to go to Persia to help sort out some difficulties we're having with the Russians in the neutral zone. I'd do it myself but I simply don't have the language skills and well, to be honest, I was hoping to get away for a few weeks,' Pinkie confided.

'Persia. You want me to go to Persia?' Johnny let what Pinkie had said sink in; all he could think of were arid deserts and bandits. He realised that Pinkie had been priming him to join his network of contacts all along.

'I gather hopeless missions are rather your line,' Pinkie said dryly. Johnny knew then what he had to do and he bowed to the inevitable.

He got to Libby as she was about to board the Paris