A Pinch in Saint Petersburg - Howard A. Sherman (fastest ebook reader .TXT) 📗

to restore a Romanov as Tsar over all of Russia and continue the Imperial Russian Empire." he says, almost not believing what he is saying himself. "It is a ridiculous idea to think they could eliminate a democracy and replace it with an autocrat with absolute power and unquestionable rule over Russia. Ordinarily we would laugh at such a thing but the people involved are serious. Very serious." he says, his voice slowing down and growing deeper. "Give us what we want and you get what you want - your family back. We desire a single favor of you. Just a single chore to perform."

Looking into into this man's eyes you know he is the eye of your personal hurricane.

Sergei takes a short sip from a tiny espresso cup.

>ask mafiya about favor
"Simple." he starts. "Gain us access to the Tsar's Treasure Exhibit and we will clean out the room and disappear. Without a crown or a scepter or a ruble to his name, he will be an empty suit sitting on an invisible throne. You will be reunited with your family as soon as we gain access. You will not wait even five minutes beyond that time." Slapping his hands on his knees as if concluding a business meeting he adds. "Let me repeat myself just this one time so there is no misunderstanding: You give us access to the treasure exhibit and your family is returned to you within minutes."

The well-dressed Russian man is paging through a newspaper.

>ask him about the exhibit
"You not very fast, eh?" the Russian says as he leans over and talks in a much quieter voice. "We are mafiya in case you didn't figure this out already. A common term that does not adequately describe us. I prefer the term 'crime syndicate'. We have vast resources with which we make money. We have trucks. We have men. We have weapons. But we do not have access to this exhibit. Give us this the treasure we seek and you get the treasure you seek - your family back." Sucking in some air he adds "I wait here until you finished. Come see me when we have the access." Snapping his fingers and pointing up to the ceiling he beckons you to come closer as he leans forward. "One more thing I must mention." he whispers. "You will be followed from this moment and until we have concluded our business. Do not do anything stupid. We hear you are smart. So be smart, yes?" Sergei leans forward, picks up a tiny espresso cup and takes a sip.

Dmitri enters from the northwest (following you).

Boris enters from the northwest (following you).

"Hey you fail in Sergei's task I party with your daughter, OK?" Dmitri says with a sickly smirk.

>show putty to boris
Boris is unimpressed.

"Boris, you strongest man in sports club yet?" Dmitri asks casually. "Oh, da!" Boris replies, pride evident in his wide smile. "They order new weight bench to hold extra weight. Old bench cannot support 1000 pounds!" he says with a bearish laugh.

Sergei taps away at his cell phone for several seconds. He seems to be using the phone's calculator function.

>show putty to sergei
"Find a good place for that C4 so the explosive can cause the most chaos." Sergei says in a dry vein of humor.

The wiry Russian mobster gives Boris a hard shove, stopping the Russian bear from studying the fingernails on one of his large paws.

The well-dressed Russian man is paging through a newspaper. Imprint

Publication Date: 05-31-2010

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