The Untouchable

Chapter 92

"I read it, yeah," Daniel said, taking a sip of his coffee. The bitter taste gave him a bit of strength. "He isn't dead, just in a coma. Plus, they've started an investigation, Sennoy"

"Andrei, not Sennoy," he muttered, irritated. " The investigation's gonna point to Kozlov, not me. And I've already got word from the clinic - Matvey's in rough shape. No way he's coming out of that coma. Had a stroke on top of a massive heart attack. If he does wake up, he'll be nothing but a drooling vegetable. I've got everything locked down, so chill. You bailed 'cause you were scared I'd screw it up?"

"Yeah," Daniel lied, downing the rest of his coffee in three big gulps before putting the cup back under the coffee machine's spout. "Well, that and other reasons. I need some guarantees, Andrei. Right now, I've got nothing but vague promises. Remove the block at the Border Guard and help me get a passport. You won't lose anything."

"Why do you need the exit ban removed and a passport?" Sennoy asked, clearly suspicious.

"To make sure you're not screwing me over," Daniel replied, stepping back to the window as the coffee machine whirred too loudly. "Ga-ran-tees, Andrei."

"And how do I know you'll come to me?" Sennoy's tone was equally guarded.

"I'll send the files after you lift the block and help me get into the consulate," Daniel said, feeling his heart race. "I have files with very important information. With it, you can take down Alexander in days. He knows I'm the only one with those files, so I'll be setting myself up for serious trouble. I'll have to seek your protection. How's that sound?"

"Really?" Sennoy chuckled, pleased. " Real interesting. And how'd you get this so-called 'important' info? Wait, let me guess - he handed it over to you himself, thinking you'd start catching feelings for him, huh?"

"Yeah," Daniel confirmed quietly, returning to his cup.

"What an idiot Sashka is!" Sennoy whistled in excitement. "He must really be in love! Well, that sounds solid, if the information isn't crap. Send it over."

"I'll send it when you lift the block at the Border Guard and help me get into the consulate," Daniel whispered, watching the light-brown foam of his coffee as the dark liquid seeped through, just like his thoughts.

Sennoy grew cautious.

"You seriously feeling bad for him? The bastard who locked you up for nothing and treated you like shit for a year? You outta your damn mind, Dan?"

"You're going to screw me over too," Daniel muttered, slowly settling back into his chair. "And if you thought I'd stolen millions from you, you'd do much worse. I'd be dead by now."

"You're comparing apples and oranges," Sennoy said more calmly. "I ain't hot-headed like Sashka. I think things through, stick to facts, not bullshit. So no, I wouldn't have done the same. I get it now - you're scared of me. But you don't gotta be, Dan. We ain't in prison no more, where I had to be harder. I'm not gonna hurt you, alright? Say something, Dan. You there?"

Daniel stared at his coffee, lost in thought. There was nothing to say, and he didn't want to. He'd made his condition clear, and now Sennoy had to deliver, or else there was no point in going further - he'd be trapped with angry spiders. Even if the most dangerous tarantula was on death's door, the others were just as deadly. Alexander might not kill him, but enraged Georgy could. Sennoy, even more so.

After a long pause, Sennoy finally spoke up. "Alright. I'll lift the block even before you send me the information. Will that make you feel better?"

"At the consulate, there's a secretary named Natalia Danilova. She's going to report to Alexander when I show up. Can you... make her quit quietly, without alerting him?"

Sennoy laughed. "Quick on the uptake, huh? I'm impressed. I can do that, sure, but why the hell should I? So you can leave right away?"

"No," Daniel took a deep breath. "You'll meet me at the consulate when I go to apply for my passport. I'm playing fair. I just want assurance that I won't end up an undocumented, powerless slave again."

"I see. But how many times have I told you I'm not stupid like Sashka?" Sennoy's tone softened. " Dan, don't lose your shit over nothing, alright? I know you're mad 'cause I boxed you in. But trust me, I ain't gonna take your passport, and I ain't slapping you with a felony. You're gonna live good with me, no drama. Once this mess is sorted, you'll head home with a fat paycheck. You believe that?"

"I believe you," Daniel said absently. "Please let me know when Danilova quits. And please, no accidents."

"How I handle it is none of your business, Dan. Don't tell me what to do," Sennoy snapped. "But there'll be results. And don't you try to pull a fast one on me."

"Let me go, Andrei. Please, let me go," Daniel choked on his words, a tiny glimmer of hope flickering. Maybe Sennoy hadn't lost all his humanity? But Sennoy crushed that hope swiftly.

"No. Don't ask."

Daniel ended the call and let the phone drop to the floor with a dull thud. His heart slowed its frantic pace as he came to terms with what he'd just heard. Well, he wouldn't be human anymore either - Sennoy had destroyed the last of his doubts. He brought the cup to his lips, inhaled the rich aroma of arabica, and downed it in one gulp.

Three hours later, Sennoy finally hit him back: the block was lifted, he could check for himself, and Natalia Danilova would be "persuaded" tonight. Daniel immediately shot a follow-up message to Maxim and settled in to wait. Time dragged by painfully slow, squeezing his lungs, making it hard to breathe. Hunger left him dizzy and nauseous, but he couldn't bring himself to eat - the thought of food just turned his stomach.

At last, Maxim's message came through, confirming the way was clear. Daniel sighed, dialed the final number for the day, and quietly reached out to the consular secretary.

"Hello, I'm Daniel King, a U.S. citizen. I have an urgent message for Mr. Richard Mason." He trembled as, after a long musical pause, the voice on the other end said.

"Hello, Mr. King. This is Richard Mason."

The bridges were wired with explosives - all that was left now was to push the button in a day or two.

That was it.