Page 35 of Lash

The officer leans over the phone on the table. "Captain, it's me. Please, do as he says. I believe him. Please. Just…just call the men back."

A sigh. “Very well. But if you hurt any of my men—"

Lash snaps over him. "There will be nothing you can do, Captain. I am no better an enemy than Roberto Pugli."

"Just do it, Zoran," the mayor says. “This has nothing to do with any of us. Better we let those involved deal with each other."

A moment later, the radio squawks with a staticky order for the units stationed at the bus station to return to the precinct. Another few minutes later, the phone buzzes with an incoming message.

Lash flips a hand at the officers. "Leave."

Three of them tear out of the restaurant as if they were on fire. The officer at the table with Lash hesitates, however. “My phone?"

Lash arches an eyebrow at him. "I will keep it for now. Tell me the code."

"Six-one-six-seven-seven."

Lash nods. "Be gone. My time is short."

The officer hesitates, and then decides his cell is not worth the trouble—devices are replaceable—kneecaps not so much.

Lash dials the number, and we all sit silently, waiting as it rings.

"Mayor Puljik," comes a smooth male voice, his Croatian passable but heavily accented. "You have Dragos?"

"Roberto Pugli." Lash's voice is dark, heavy, and cold; he speaks in English. "I think it is time you and I put the past to rest."

A tense pause. "Dragos. Is it you?" Pugli answers in English.

"Indeed it is. Did you really think it would be so easy? A few police officers at a bus station? After all these years, you think I have forgotten? You think I have forgiven?"

Pugli doesn't answer right away. "Did you enjoy your little vacation in Las Vegas?"

Lash doesn't seem surprised that Pugli knew where he'd been. "I suppose."

"How do you think this will go, Dragos? I have only grown more powerful since you knew me."

"And no less a sniveling coward who pays others to do his dirty work." Lash's face twists into a rictus of hate. "A pathetic cockroach who murders innocent women and little babies."

Pugli just laughs. "I am a monster, it is true. But a monster you cannot touch. Enjoy your freedom while it lasts, Dragos. I was a fool to let you live. I shall rectify that soon."

It's Lash's turn to laugh. “You think so?"

"We could make a deal, you know. All I want is you. Your friend? Inez? The man who has her makes me look like…what is it the Americans like to say? A boy scout? I have contacts in the Brazilian Embassy. I can have her free in a matter of hours."

"A tempting thought, but I do not believe you. I am sure you have contacts in Brazil, but they will not cross Mercado, not even for you. Besides, I am not worried about Inez. Mercado does not know who he has captured."

"My sources say he knows quite well who she is."

"You misunderstand me, Pugli. Yes, he knowswhoshe is." Lash shakes his head, snorting. “Regardless, no. We both know how this ends.”

Pugli laughs again. "I suppose you have dreamed of revenge. Come to Lyon, then, Dragos. You and me, we can have an old-fashioned duel. Ten paces, turn and fire. Hmm?"

Lash snorts. "I think not." He ends the call with a stab of his finger.

I look at him. "That didn't go well."

He looks at me, the rage and hate on his face fading. He shrugs. "It went exactly as I expected. He’s not easily baited. I only wanted him to know his attempt to catch me was unsuccessful."