Page 25 of Licence To Howl
Vissier began to stutter. ‘N – n – n – no.’
Devereau flicked his gaze towards the other men. Rospo Accetta and Rick Moore had managed to swallow their mouthfuls of food and were watching their boss with silent wariness. Despite their burly, masculine facades they both looked anxious. It was the Australian, Mike Lancaster, who caught Devereau’s attention, however. His hands were twitching and his eyes kept straying to the door. He was looking for an escape route. Perhaps this little show wasn’t about Vissier at all.
Solentino placed his fork onto his plate and stood up, placing his hands in his trouser pockets. If he was attempting to act casual, he was failing dramatically. He loomed over the table and held everyone’s full attention. Devereau had met a lot of dangerous people in his time and they rarely impressed him - but the menace which exuded from Solentino was quite extraordinary.
‘You see,’ Solentino drawled, ‘it’s come to my attention, Gee, that somebody has been speaking to the Greeks. Stefan Avanopoulos phoned me this morning and mentioned that he’d be able to help with our German transportation issues now that Bartan is out of action. He even said that he would be able to transport materials toanycity of my choice, be it Paris, Berlin or London. Those were his words. Not mine.’ Solentino raised his thin eyebrows at Vissier. ‘You know Avanopoulos, don’t you, Gee?’
Vissier swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing. ‘I have met him once or twice. I don’tknowhim.’
‘You’re not friends?’
‘No!’
‘You don’t work together?’
‘No, boss. Never.’ Vissier’s eyes shone with fervent denial.
‘You don’t pass him information from time to time? As a friendly gesture?’
‘No.’ Vissier’s hands came together in plea. ‘I would not betray you, boss. Please believe me.’
Solentino pursed his mouth. From underneath the table, Devereau felt Scarlett’s knee nudge his. He dropped his hand and sought hers out, squeezing her fingers in warning. Whatever was going on here, they couldn’t get involved. There was no intervention would help anyone’s cause. Quite the opposite in fact. Anything they did to interrupt Solentino right now could cause irreparable and potentially life threatening damage – not to mention that there had to be a reason why he was calling out his own people right in front of them.
‘You know what, Gee?’ Solentino said.
‘Wh – what?’
‘I believe you. You’re right. You are loyal.’
The air seemed to sag out of Vissier’s body. ‘Yes. Yes! I am loyal! Thank you, boss. Thank you. I –’
‘But,you, Mike,’ Solentino’s tone was sad, ‘youare not loyal like Gee is.’
The Australian, whose eyes had been fixated on the door until that moment, began to rise out of his chair.
Solentino jerked his chin at Accetta, who turned to his companion and forced him down again. ‘I’ve told you before that coordination between us is key. It wasn’t merely the events of 9/11 alone which struck terror into the hearts of people all around the world. Or 7/7. Or the Paris attacks. It was the way in which all these events were coordinated. Chain reactions of fear,’ he said grandly. ‘Our plans must be coordinated and our group must be coordinated also. You, Mike, you are not coordinated. Not with me. Not with us.’
He paused for effect, while the Australian’s obvious anxiety escalated. Devereau was feeling much the same. 9/11? 7/7? Paris? Was this bastard planning something as horrific as those attacks?
Solentino stared at Mike Lancaster. Everyone else stared at Solentino. ‘I know you’ve been speaking to Avanopoulos behind my back.’
‘No! I mean, I spoke to him last week but it wasn’t behind your back. I wasn’t doing anything wrong. I thought he might be able to help us with the project next month. He has contacts and –’
‘So you did go behind my back,’ Solentino said silkily. ‘You just admitted it.’
‘I didn’t tell him anything! We’ve been having issues with transporting all the goods and he has access to boats that could help. All I did was approach him about maybe moving some of the boxes for us and sourcing the last few items.’
‘You should know by now, Mike, that you don’t speak to anyone without my permission. Not ever.’ Solentino got to his feet, strolled over to the Australian’s chair and stood behind him, placing both his hands on his shoulders.
‘I get that now. I won’t do it again. It was a mistake on my part.’
‘You’re sorry?’
‘Very sorry.’
Solentino’s hands squeezed down. It was obvious from Mike Lancaster’s wince that it was painful.
‘Please, boss,’ he said in a strained voice.
