"Smith, Martin Cruz - Red Square" - читать интересную книгу автора (Smith Martin Cruz)

'Granted, Chechens are different. If we were all a pile of skulls, they wouldn't mind. But remember one thing, the biggest mafia is still the Party. Never forget that.'

Arkady opened the transmitter and slapped out the batteries. Through the window he noticed customers growing restless, although Rudy seemed in no hurry. If anything, after his initial nervousness, he was in a serene, valedictory mood.

The problem was that the transmitter was militia goods, never strong cause for confidence. Arkady twisted the connecting jacks. 'You're not scared?'

'I'm in your hands.'

'You're only in my hands because we have enough to put you in a camp.'

'Circumstantial evidence of non-violent crimes. Incidentally, another way to say 'non-violent crimes' is 'business'. The difference between a criminal and a businessman is that the businessman has imagination.' Rudy glanced at the rear seat. 'I have enough technology here for a space station. You know, that transmitter of yours is the only thing in this car that doesn't work.'

'I know, I know.' Arkady lifted the contact prongs and gently slipped the batteries back in. 'There was a woman in your car. Who is she?'

'I don't know. I really don't know. She had something for me.'

'What?'

'A dream. Big plans.'

'Is greed involved?'

Rudy let a modest smile shine. 'I hope so. Who wants a poor dream? Anyway, she's a friend.'

'You don't seem to have any enemies.'

'Chechens aside, no, I don't think I do.'

'Bankers can't afford enemies?'

'Arkady, we're different. You want justice. No wonder you have enemies. I have smaller aims like profit and pleasure, the way sane people live around die world. Which of us helps other people more?'

Arkady hit the transmitter with the recorder.

'I love to watch Russians fix things,' Rudy said.

'You're a student of Russians?'

'I have to be, I'm a Jew.'

The spools started to roll.

'It's working,' Arkady announced.

'What can I say? Once again, I'm amazed.'

Arkady laid transmitter and recorder under the notes. 'Be careful,' he said. 'If there's trouble, shout.'

'Kim keeps me out of trouble.' When Arkady opened the door to leave, Rudy added, 'In a place like this, you're the one who has to be careful.'