Read Art and Murder for Free Online Page A

to pretend to be from Romania, but everything about the passport itself is authentic.”
    â€œHow the hell did they end up with Romanian passports? If they robbed some tourists, the passports will light up the customs’ computer like the Vegas strip.”
    â€œThey didn’t take them from anyone using them. They’re basically blank. These guys have a connection. All they need is a passport photo to make one up.”
    â€œReally? That sounds interesting. If you’re giving me the straight goods, I’d like to get one for myself, as well as my friend.”
    â€œI’ll ask them,” Clive said.
    â€œHow well do you know these guys where we’re going?”
    â€œI met Klaus a while back at a nightclub. He introduced me to his two friends later. Him I know really well, but the other two are a little more standoffish.”
    Jack knew he couldn’t ask many more questions without arousing suspicion. The rest of the trip was relatively quiet, but the closer they got to their destination, the more jittery Clive became.
    After driving down some back-country roads, they arrived at a property surrounded by a high, chain-link fence. Jack hadn’t seen a sign to indicate what road they were on, but texted a rough location to Laura when Clive parked in front of an electric gate and pushed the intercom button. Eventually a sleepy voice said, “Who’s there?”
    â€œClive. I gotta talk to you. It’s urgent.”
    The gate opened and they drove down a driveway lined on both sides by large cedar trees. Motion-sensor lights illuminated the roadway, and Jack saw a birdhouse on a tree that faced down the driveway. Closed-circuit television camera? What have I gotten into? The 9mm pistol tucked in the back of his belt usually felt uncomfortable, but not now.
    They arrived in a yard illuminated with floodlights and parked in front of a modest, ranch-style house. Nearby was a storage building with a large sliding door on the front. Two men came out of the house and approached them as Clive turned off the ignition.
    â€œYou sure these are the only two guys here?” asked Jack. “I really hate surprises.”
    â€œI think so, but … uh, they’re heavy-duty and won’t like it that I brought you along. Better just let me do the talking.”
    As soon as they stepped out of the car, one of the men gestured with his thumb at Jack. “Who the fuck is this?” he asked Clive. He had a French accent, Jack noticed.
    â€œIt’s okay, Anton. He, uh, his name is Jack.” Clive paused, then glanced at the other man. “Hey, Bojan. Sorry to wake you guys up, but I, uh, was …” He paused again and looked at Jack nervously. “Well, me and Klaus and Liam were sort of being rough with one of this guy’s, uh, lady friends. To compensate for hurting her I agreed to give him a pound of coke.”
    â€œYou brought a pimp here … to this place,” said Anton. His voice was cold and ominous.
    He whispered something to Bojan, who looked at Clive and asked, “Did you search him?”
    â€œYes, of course,” Clive lied. “He’s not packing. I know he’s cool.”
    â€œBut you brought him here,” Bojan said, the anger in his voice almost palpable.
    â€œI, uh, made him keep his head down below the dash, so he doesn’t know where he is,” responded Clive with another nervous glance at Jack.
    Jack nodded, pretending to agree. Actually, I don’t really know where I am.
    â€œUh, but, there’s a problem,” said Clive.
    â€œI’ll say there’s a problem.” Bojan’s tone was menacing.
    â€œNo, I mean the reason I agreed to bring him,” Clive continued. “He … a couple of his ladies are holding Klaus and Liam in a hotel room until he gets the pound.”
    â€œHolding Klaus?” Anton said incredulously. “What are you talking about?”
    With a nod toward