The Last Ring-bearer - Kirill Yeskov [114]
"Yes, sir! Listen, Lieutenant, we've learned that he used to have a broad here…"
"Seven Jasper Street?"
"Ye-e-es…" Marandil drawled in disappointment. "So you know already?"
"Certainly. It looks like he'd spent the night before last there. So?"
"So shouldn't we shake something out of her?"
Mongoose grimaced tiredly. "What do you expect to shake out of her? What positions they've used and how many orgasms she's had? What else can she tell? Tangorn is not enough of an idiot to talk business with his lover."
"Still, maybe…"
"Captain, I repeat: forget everything that has anything to do with Tangorn – these are my problems now. Should you meet him in the street, just cross to the other side and then have the Dol Amroth pennant hoisted, all right? By the way, concerning your problems: I understand that you're now harvesting the old Mordorian network. Forgive my question, but – what for?"
"What do you mean – what for?"
"Is it any kind of an obstacle to you? In any event, why have you started grabbing the agents, instead of putting a watch on them to figure out their connections?"
"We were in a hurry, just in case the DSD is double-dealing…"
"DSD?! Was it they who gave you the Mordorian network?"
"Well, yes. A goodwill gesture…"
"Captain! That's a fairy tale for retarded children! Try thinking this over one more time – why would they make you such a princely gift? What do they want in exchange? Well, whatever, those are your problems, like I said; do what you think best. Goodbye!"
Mongoose headed for the door, but turned around half-way:
"Oh, and one more thing, Captain. In anticipation of your professional enthusiasm…" He hesitated, as if choosing the right words, then put scruples aside: "Anyway: if any of your men comes any closer than three arrow-flights to Jasper Street, I'll feed you a salad of your own balls. Understand?"
Their eyes met for only a moment, but it was enough for Marandil to comprehend clearly: this one will follow through.
… Mongoose's foresight came true the very next day. A certain Inspector Vaddari, one of Umbar police operatives, desired an urgent meeting with Marandil downtown. The inspector was not one of those policemen who worked for the Gondorian embassy directly, but was quite aware of all these games: he was an old and experienced detective who knew the seamy underside of life like no one else. He should have made commissar long ago both by seniority and by merit, but had not – and therefore took bribes with no qualms. It should be mentioned that corruption was a hallowed tradition of the Umbar police (both colleagues and honest citizens treated a policeman or a customs officer who would not be bribed with cautious suspicion: "Better not turn your back on this guy"), but unlike some of his coworkers, Vaddari always delivered the services purchased and never blamed circumstances beyond his control.
"Mister Secretary, your people were looking for a certain Tangorn when suddenly the search was called off yesterday. Are you still interested in this man?"
Marandil leaned forward cautiously: "Well… I suppose I am."
"I'm prepared to tell you exactly where he's going to be tonight, if we agree on the price."
"May I ask where the information comes from?"
"You may. He sent me a letter with a meeting proposal."
"And why did you decide to sell out a potential client?"
"I haven't even considered that. It's just that he hasn't listed secrecy as one of the conditions of the meeting, so I'm strictly following the letter of the agreement. If this Tangorn doesn't foresee such a possibility, then I don't want to deal with such a fool."
"Hmm… So how much do you want?"
"Three dungans."
"What?! Are you freaking nuts, man? Like, totally disconnected from reality?"
"My part is to offer…"
"You should know that I really don't give a crap about this whole business!"
"Who're you kidding,