Page 22 - Brokenclaw - John Gardner

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‘You wish to buy? I make special price for you.’ She had all the grace of a

butterfly, but the sales pitch of a rocket launcher.
‘You make very special price for me,’ Bond muttered aggressively, slipping
one hand into the outer pocket of his jacket.
‘How special?’ the girl asked, almost flirtatiously.
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Bond’s lips hardly moved. ‘I want nothing from this store. I also do not want
to see anyone hurt. So you’ll take me to the back. To your store rooms . . .’ He
saw the girl’s mouth begin to open as though she would scream. ‘No!’ he
commanded sharply. ‘I’m not here to harm anyone. Just take me to the back of

the store and show me the rear exit.’
‘Rear exit . . . ?’ the girl gasped.
‘Rear exit, quickly – or someone will get hurt. First it will be you.
Understand?’
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She had gone the colour of pewter under her make-up and, biting her lower
lip, she nodded.
‘Good girl. Now, just smile and show me the way out. A very bad person is
outside looking for me.’

She nodded again and said with a choke that he should follow her. As they
walked towards the rear of the building a pair of heavy-set men approached,
speaking in rapid Chinese – Cantonese, Bond thought, or one of its multitude of
dialects. The girl spat back at them, the gist of what she said being obvious to

all. ‘If you don’t want trouble, keep away.’
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They passed through a beaded curtain which led to a long and high store
room, and the girl pointed to a door at the far end. ‘You go through there. Out in
street.’

Bond grabbed at her shoulder, pulling her close and sticking the forefinger
of his right hand into her side. ‘Take me out,’ he grunted. ‘Quickly. Chop-chop,
okay?’
Her eyes were wide with fear, but she gave a little nod and led him towards

the door.
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‘And nobody follow, okay?’ he grunted again when they reached the exit.
‘No alarms. No calling police. Just go on as normal, yes?’
‘Okay,’ she breathed, her hand on the doorknob.

‘Open up then and show me it’s safe.’
She obeyed quickly, her hand trembling. Such a waste, Bond thought. She
was probably a nice, generous girl socially. He would not have been averse to

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