The Archfornicator of Canterbury

67 Black goes in the red

The US Embassy in Nuevo Saunabad was busy as ever. Bulimians queued for visas, some of them having been there for days. The Marines at the gate made sure everything happened in the proper order. On the second floor, Richard Black was trying to put off making a call he knew he had to make. He lit up a cigarette and dialled a number that he was only supposed to use in a real emergency and waited.

"Hello."

"Black here."

"I know who it is. Do you have it."

"I know who has it. He is willing to make a deal."

"How much."

"Five million."

"That can be arranged. Make sure you get every cent back after you've killed him."

"Of course."

The line went dead. Black drew his lungs full of smoke and started blowing smoke rings. He knew he wouldn't have to wait for long.

Three hours after the call, a man in a dark suit carrying a suitcase arrived at the Embassy. The suitcase was handcuffed to his wrist. He was shown to Black's office.

"Mr Black. I have to ask you for the passphrase."

"O come all ye faithful."

The man placed the suitcase on the table, undid the handcuffs and left without saying another word. Once he had left, Black dialled the combination he knew by heart and opened the suitcase. It contained five million US dollars in used banknotes.