London Bridges - James Patterson [87]
“How do you feel about that?” I asked.
She laughed. “It’s why I loved him.”
She had things to tell me that night in the English countryside. A negotiation was begun between the two of us. Or rather, I got to listen to her demands.
“I want safe passage out of England for myself and the children. New identities, and we get to keep some savings to live on. I’ll tell you where we want to live, but not right now. That will come a little later.”
“Prague?” I asked. It was a small joke.
“No, definitely not Prague, Alex. And not Russia, either. Or anywhere in America, for that matter. I’ll tell you where, when the time comes. But first, let’s decide on what I have to give you to guarantee our safe passage out of England.”
“Oh, that’s easy. You have to give us a lot,” I said. “You have to give up the Wolf. But can you do that, Klára? What do you know? Who is he? Where is he? What did Martin tell you?”
Finally she smiled. “Oh, he told me everything. Martin adored me.”
Chapter 114
THE WOLF FLEW his own plane into Teterboro Airport in the northern corner of New Jersey. A black Range Rover was waiting there for him, and he took it into New York City, a city he’d always despised. The traffic was bad, as usual, and it took him as long to get from Teterboro to Manhattan as it had to fly to the metropolitan area from New Hampshire.
The doctor’s office was situated in a brownstone on Sixty-third Street just off Fifth. The Wolf parked the Range Rover and hurried inside.
It was a little past nine in the morning. He didn’t bother to check if he was being watched. He didn’t think so, but if he was, there was nothing he could do about it now. Besides, he felt he had this morning sufficiently covered. As usual, there was a plan for every eventuality.
The nurse on duty for the plastic surgery was also there to act as a receptionist. She and the hotshot surgeon would be the only ones present for the procedures. He had insisted on a staff of two and that the office be closed to other patients for the day.
“There are a few legal forms for you to look over and sign,” the nurse told him with a tight smile. She might not have known who he was, but she suspected there had to be a very good reason for this much secrecy, not to mention that she was being paid handsomely to work this shift.
“No, I will sign nothing, thank you,” he said, then pushed past her and went looking for Dr. Levine. He found her in a small operating theater that was already brightly lit, and very cold.
“Reminds me of Siberia. A gulag I spent time in one winter,” he said.
The doctor turned, and she was mildly attractive, slender, well preserved, probably in her early forties. He could fuck her, in a pinch, but he wasn’t in the mood right then. Maybe later.
“Dr. Levine,” he said, and shook hands with the surgeon. “I’m ready, and I don’t want to be here more than a few hours. So let’s begin. Now.”
“That’s not possible,” Dr. Levine started to object.
The Wolf raised his hand to silence her, and it almost seemed as if he might actually strike the doctor. She flinched.
“I won’t be needing general anesthesia. As I said, I’m ready. So are you.”
“Sir, you have no idea what you’re saying. None, I assure you. The procedures we have scheduled include a face, neck, and brow lift. Liposuction. Jaw and cheek implants. And a nose job. The pain will be unbearable. Trust me on that.”
“No, it will be bearable. I’ve known much worse pain,” said the Wolf. “I will allow you only to monitor my vital statistics. There will be no more stupid discussion about anesthesia. Now, get me ready for the procedures. Or else.”
“Or else what?” Dr. Levine bristled. The small woman rocked back on her heels.
“Just or else,” answered the Wolf. “That covers a great deal of territory, don’t you think? It covers pain beyond what you believe I cannot endure. Can you, Dr. Levine? Can your two children, Martin and Amy, endure such pain? Or your husband, Jerrold? Let’s begin. I have a schedule to keep.”
Always a schedule.
And a plan.
Chapter 115
HE NEVER ONCE SCREAMED, never made a