I went over to the window and looked at the garage I had just mined. It was about thirty metres away. Not much. I should keep further back from the window.
– What are you proposing? – I was addressed by the chief drug dealer of Kushchino, whom I had found in three days and who had spent five minutes listening to my far-from-simple speeches.
– I am proposing cooperation. On my side – connections in Germany and points of sale. On yours – the goods and delivery to the border. Payment for the goods on the spot.
– I need to think, – Mamon drawled slowly. He turned out to be a plump, swarthy little fellow of about fifty. He had an indecently shabby look. At first I didn’t believe my eyes – a drug baron? Or a mechanic from a cattle yard? Have they all gone mad over there?!! Hans and this one too?! Bloody masqueraders!
Mamon got up from his armchair and addressed the silent lad by the door:
– Ring those lads and tell them there’s a problem. Let them wait for a call.
Then Mamon turned to me:
– Why should I believe you? I don’t know whether you’re a serious man or not.
Time. I moved further away from the window, stood by the wall – the garage isn’t visible from here – and pressed the button of the remote control. All the same, Mamon’s security was on the dim side. They took the pistol away at once, but the massive fountain pen lying in my trouser pocket they stupidly examined and handed back. Bad move. The remote was inside it.
Beyond the window came a roar. Splinters of glass sprayed ringing onto the floor.
– My warning number one, – I said, studying the backs of the heads of Mamon, his secretary and two guards, all of whom had thrown themselves to the floor.
– I understand everything, – said Mamon a minute later. He got up off the floor, brushed himself down, examined the cuts in his jacket and shot me an indignant look a couple of times. What’s he seething about? The jacket on him is a cheap one. He can buy another couple of dozen like it at the village shop, it won’t ruin him.
– I understand everything, – Mamon repeated. – But you’ll have to wait while I think. They’ll take you to the guest room.
– By all means.