Page 34 of Lash

The officer looks at Lash for guidance. Lash takes the phone from the officer. "Captain, I am Lash. I believe you have instructions to apprehend me and my companions."

A pause. "I have not heard of Lash. My instructions were to apprehend Nicolae Dragos."

“That is me. Who gave you these orders?"

Another pause. "Why should I tell you?"

"Because you care about the lives of your officers."

A gruff snort. "I suppose I do. It came from the mayor."

"Get him on the line, now."

"It is not so easy, Dragos."

“My name is Lash. Dragos is dead." Lash's voice is hard and cold. "I do not care if it is easy or hard. Do it or your men will suffer. I do not wish to do that. Do not make me."

"Very well. Give me a moment."

“You have two minutes. Keep this line connected."

A minute or two later, the line clicks. "This is Mayor Puljik. You are the man known as Nicolae Dragos?"

"Yes," Lash says.

"What is it you want, Mr. Dragos?"

"Who gave you my name?"

A pause. "A file was delivered to my office—a folder with information on you. Later, I received a call. The man did notidentify himself, but he knew who I was, he knew my family, my address, everything about me. He said you were a terrorist, and he had information that you would be entering my city, and that you should be apprehended."

"And you believed him?" Lash asks.

“Whether or not I believed him seemed irrelevant," Puljik says. "He did not make any overt threats, but it was very clearly implied that I had no choice."

“He has something on you, I assume," Lash says. “Extortion and blackmail are his favorite tactics when he doesn't think bribery will work."

An uncomfortable pause. "Yes, if you must know. I was…indiscreet, and he has photographs. It would ruin me."

"What were your instructions once you had apprehended me?"

"There is a number I was to call."

"And say what?"

"That I had you in custody."

"Give me the number."

"I do not know who you are or who he is. This has nothing to do with me," Puljik says. "But I am not crossing him."

“You are smart. You shouldn't cross a man like Pugli—take it from me. But you aren't crossing him. I want to speak to him." Lash has the phone on speaker so we can all hear.

"Text the number. Captain, withdraw your men."

"I'm not sure I believe you, Mr. Dragos," says the police captain.

Lash gestures at the officer with the gun. “Convince him."