Extreme Faction by Trevor Scott Read Free Book Online Page A

19th Century, the stones used to build the city. He also knew that anyone who needed a place to hide, or had been in trouble for some reason or other, had used the Catacombs. His briefing upon first arriving in Odessa included a warning to stay away from them. There were no bodies buried there officially, but many had lost their way in the mazes, never to be heard from again.
    â€œThe Catacombs,” she said, skeptically, like she had questioned his working for the fertilizer company. “I’ve heard they can be a dangerous place.”
    Jake shrugged. “You can get killed walking across the street. Sometimes you have to take chances.” He realized he had summed up his philosophy on life in two sentences.
    They looked at each other for a moment. Then she slowly rose.
    â€œI’m sorry to come here and bother you,” she said.
    Her face seemed to reveal so much, yet nothing at all. Her lips would quiver, as if she were about to say something, and then she would hold back. Jake was entranced with her. He felt like he knew her, had some tie with her, but he couldn’t figure out how. They had met twice, three times now, and each time had been strange. He met her at the door, feeling a bit funny letting her out in his underwear, considering they hadn’t done anything.
    She stood in the hallway outside, about to say something.
    â€œWhat about coffee?” Jake asked.
    She looked toward the elevator and then at her watch. “I should get to the conference, really. My boss is expecting me by eight.”
    â€œYou have twenty minutes. I could throw on some pants.” Jake smiled.
    She looked down at his underwear. “Then I wouldn’t be able to see your nice butt.”
    Now she had embarrassed him, which was hard to do. And her use of the word “butt” came out awkward with her accent.
    â€œHow about lunch?”
    Jake was about to confirm, when he realized he had set up a time to meet with Tully. “I’m sorry. I can’t. Dinner?”
    She shook her head. “My boss wants us to discuss the conferences we attend over dinner. There’s supposed to be an interesting talk on a new grass hybrid that grows quickly in arid climates.”
    â€œSounds fascinating.”
    She gave him a smirk he hadn’t seen before; something between disturbed and annoyed. “Like fertilizer.”
    â€œExactly. Maybe we could see each other after dinner for a drink.”
    â€œPerhaps.” She started to leave, and then turned again. “Which conference will you be attending?”
    He thought fast now. He hadn’t planned on going to any of them. “I’m not sure. I might slip in and out of a few.”
    She nodded and swept off down the hall, and he watched every swaying step.
    â—
    Lunch would actually be the first meal of the day for Jake. It was a fairly nice day. A bit overcast, but no real chance of raining. Jake had walked ten blocks to the Pecheskato Cafe off of Deribasovskaya Street. It was eleven a.m.
    Tully was already inside the crowded restaurant, sitting at the bar with a vodka sour in front of him and a cigarette hanging from the side of his mouth.
    â€œYou look like shit,” Tully said, shaking Jake’s hand. “What can I get you?”
    â€œA beer.”
    Tully waved to the bartender and ordered a Czech Pilsner.
    They ate a quick lunch at the bar, Tully washing his down with two more drinks. When they were done, Tully seemed a little uneasy.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Jake asked.
    Tully lit another Marlboro. “I’ve got to get back to the consulate.”
    â€œDid you send the tape off to Langley?”
    Letting out a puff of smoke, Tully nodded. “Yeah, I’ve got to do that also. Could you do something for me. You know, if you’ve got time.”
    â€œI have to meet MacCarty and Swanson at four,” Jake said. “I think they’re both a little nervous after Tvchenko’s death.