The Assassins by Alan Bardos (best novels in english txt) 📗

need to explain. I know how these things work,' Matthias said knowingly.

Johnny wasn't sure if Matthias was implying something about Libby or if he felt he’d been slighted in some way, but under the circumstances Johnny thought it best not to challenge him.

Matthias turned back to the gendarmes. ‘Let him go. Didn't you hear the gentleman?'

'But he's a terrorist, sir,' one of the gendarmes said.

'How can he be a terrorist? He took the house for all he could last night!' Matthias barked, not used to having his orders questioned.

The gendarmes let go. Johnny couldn't work out if Matthias actually believed his story or if Libby had secured his patronage in some other way.

'The main reason I was hoping to see you again, was to apologise for my conduct last night. Copying another player's betting strategy is inexcusable.'

'Think nothing of it, Lieutenant, my pleasure.' Johnny smiled - Matthias was just a fellow cheat acknowledging a fellow cheat, he wasn’t implying anything about Libby.

'But I must thank you and the young lady.'

'The young lady? What about the young lady?' Johnny asked.

'Without her knowledge of the service entrance we’d never have got out of that place with our shirts,' Matthias grinned. It was impossible for Johnny to tell if he was grinning because of the money he'd won thanks to Johnny, or as a result of Libby's services.

'As it stands, I won enough money to buy a new mount, so I’m very much in your debt.' The Lieutenant seemed blissfully unaware of the crowd, who were anxiously watching the exchange. Their blood was up - they needed a sacrifice and Johnny was determined that it wouldn’t be him.

'In that case, I’d be grateful if you’d allow me to be about my business and take this man into custody. I believe he's a terrorist. I saw him tampering with the Archduke's car,' Johnny said, pointing at the chauffeur.

The Lieutenant bowed and signalled to the gendarmes who took charge of the chauffeur and dragged him through the crowd. Johnny knew he'd come back round presently and start screaming bloody murder. He wanted to be with Breitner before that happened, so he shook hands with the Lieutenant and hurried back to the reception.

Chapter 37

Breitner returned to the reception and made his way through a phalanx of officials who had gathered around General Potiorek. The decision to change the programme of events had caused some confusion and without the local liaison provided by the Governor’s aide-de-camp, Colonel von Merizzi, the Archduke’s retinue were struggling to make the necessary arrangements. To Breitner’s surprise, they were still discussing possible routes that the motorcade should take when it left the reception.

'Might it not be better if we advanced directly to the hospital along Appel Quay and cut out the planned route through Franz Josef Street?' one of the Archduke’s aides asked, as Breitner took up position next to the Governor.

'Yes, those backstreets are far too narrow for a speedy exit. Appel Quay provides a much better option,' Potiorek agreed.

Very well, we shall adopt that route,' a staff colonel from the Archduke's Chancellery said, before turning to catch Dr. Gerde, Sarajevo's Chief of Police, who was hurrying to leave. 'Dr. Gerde, would you be so good as to repeat the Governor's exact words to the drivers?'

'Yes-yes, of course,' Dr. Gerde said impatiently, barely acknowledging the staff colonel and rushing to take his place at the head of the motorcade. Breitner realised he didn’t have much time, as the Archduke evidently wanted to leave immediately. It was now or never.

'General Potiorek, forgive the intrusion - may I have a moment of your time, please?' Breitner asked, as obsequiously as he could.

The Governor barely glanced at him. 'Breitner, I thought I'd made it perfectly clear that the Archduke's visit is not your concern.'

'Forgive me, Your Excellency. My undercover operative has returned. If you would care to hear what he has to say, you'd agree that it's imperative we cancel the remainder of the Archduke's programme.'

Potiorek glared at Breitner, fighting to hide his irritation. 'Cancel the programme? Quite impossible! Didn’t you hear? His Highness has asked to see Colonel von Merizzi in hospital. What kind of intelligence officer are you?'

The Governor pushed past Breitner before he could respond, and went to join the Duchess of Hohenberg, who had swept in holding a small bouquet of flowers. Breitner followed in the forlorn hope that he could make his case directly to the Royal couple and he watched as the Duchess addressed her husband.

'Franzi, are you visiting the wounded without me?'

'Yes, before the official engagement at the museum. My duty is clear, Sophie, but I can't have you exposed to any further danger,' the Archduke replied.

'And what of my duty? I will go with you to the hospital,' the Duchess said and Breitner was once again touched by the affection they had for each other.

'But Your Highness, you are not scheduled to attend the reception at the museum,' Potiorek interjected.

'As long as the Archduke appears in public today, I will be at his side,' the Duchess said firmly, putting an end to the discussion.

No matter how many undercover operatives he ‘conjured up’ for General Potiorek, Breitner knew that in the charged atmosphere it would be futile to suggest abandoning the hospital visit, let alone the rest of the official programme.

He wondered whether von Merizzi, wounded and lying in hospital, regretted persuading the Archduke to come to Sarajevo the previous night. Now it was also on his account that the Archduke was being put in harm's way, yet again.

*

Johnny entered the foyer and began to search for Breitner. This would be his last chance. If the little Hungarian couldn't arrange some sort of commendation, everything Johnny had gone through in Sarajevo would have been for nothing.

'You always remind me of a little