Read Peccadillo - A Katla Novel (Amsterdam Assassin Series Book 2) for Free Online Page A

the door, and put her cane between her legs.
    The driver turned onto the Plantage Doklaan. “Isn’t the harbour closed on Saturday night?”
    Katla shrugged. “If it is you can drive me back.”
    “Easily offended, aren’t you?”
    Katla studied him. Early-thirties, dark hair, black leather jacket, thin gold chain over a white shirt. Dark stubble on his chin, dark rings under his eyes.
    “Not offended,” she replied. “I just don’t think it’s a good policy to question the mental capabilities of your passengers.”
    He frowned. “I did that?”
    “You questioned my request to be taken to the Vlothaven.”
    “True, but I didn’t doubt your sanity.” He turned onto the De Ruyterkade. “If I suspect a passenger to be stoned, drunk, or otherwise under the influence, I ask them to repeat their request, to avoid misunderstandings.”
    Katla checked herself in the mirror of the sun visor. “So now I’m drunk or stoned?”
    “You look sober, but your request was odd.”
    “Believe me, behind every request I make lies purpose and reason.”
    “Then you’re an oddity yourself.” He grinned at her. “No offense.”
    “I guess that could be construed as a compliment.”
    The Mercedes purred smoothly through the chaotic traffic behind the Centraal Station and accelerated, speeding down the sweeping curves of Westerdoksdijk.
    “I’m not in a hurry,” Katla said. “Keep to the speed limit.”
    He slowed down and glanced in her direction. “I know what I’m doing.”
    “You do? So why are you speeding?”
    “What is this? Are you with the police? I wasn’t speeding.”
    “Sixty-two in a fifty zone. I’m sure this Mercedes can brake faster than average, but I don’t want to be pulled over because you’re eager to get rid of me.”
    “I’m not.”
    “So why are you speeding? To impress me with your driving skills?”
    The driver took a deep breath and stared straight ahead through the windshield.
    “The meter is coupled to your mileage, isn’t it?”
    He grunted an affirmation.
    “So speeding is to your disadvantage. You burn more fuel and risk a fine. Still think you know what you’re doing?”
    “I can see why some people might be eager to get rid of you.”
    Katla shrugged. “Common sense is only irritating in other people.”
    They continued in silence. She knew why he was speeding, but he obviously couldn’t tell her that he was indeed eager to get rid of her. Not because she annoyed him, but because he wanted to take as many fares as possible. And driving her to the harbour wouldn’t get him a return fare.
    They reached the Spaarndammerdijk. The driver turned to her and said, “I’m not too familiar with the harbour. Should I take a right here?”
    “Up ahead, at the fork,” Katla replied. “Follow the Nieuwe Hemweg and take a right at the next intersection.”
    The driver nodded, tapping his hands on the wheel as he slowed down at the traffic lights and turned right, driving parallel with the motorway.  
    Katla pointed at the neon sign to her right. “Take a right at the Gunco building.”
    The Mercedes halted at the gate. The terrain between the low warehouses was dark and looked deserted, the beams of the Mercedes reflected by huge stacks of wet timber. Next to the rolling gate was a small gate for pedestrians.
    The driver looked at her. “You walk from here?”
    “Not a chance.” Katla handed him a keycard. “Hold this against the black box on the left pole.”
    The driver turned down his window, held her keycard against the reader, and the gate rolled sideways. He handed her back the keycard and drove past the gate. The gate stopped in its tracks and rolled back to close again.
    The driver stopped the car. “How do I get out again?”
    “With my keycard,” Katla said. “After my meeting.”
    “If I have to wait here I’ll have to leave the meter running.”
    “I’ll probably be half an hour.”
    “Fine by me,” he said and put the car in gear. “Straight