“There are no constant friends and no constant enemies, only interests are constant” – Winston Churchill.
A silver airbus landed at Heathrow Airport. The London air was moist and fresh.
– Solomon Grande? – the British border officer read in the passport, – the purpose of your visit?
– Business. To participate in a scientific congress.
– Are you a scientist? In what field?
– Actually, I'm an infectious disease doctor, a plague specialist. We will have a conference here on this topic.
The officer slapped the stamp in the passport. The way to the country was open.
– Solomon!
It was Yesenia's voice. They met on the social media, first on a professional basis, and then friendly relations began.
This is exactly how Solomon imagined Yesenia: with her father's Irish-toned nose, her transparent, ever-smiling eyes, and her unusually white-skinned. But, her figure was fattening, figure she took after her Colombian mother.
Solomon joyfully stepped forward and they embraced like good friends.
–Welcome to London! So tell me, how did you arrive?
–There is no direct flight from our country. I flew through Rome.
They approached the silver “Golf”.
– Hey Solomon! We've the steering wheel on the right and the passenger on the left. Look, don't confuse.
Yesenia laughed lightly. Solomon liked this lack of complexes very much.
Soon they reached the city center. Solomon peered avidly at the famous London landscape. He is in the capital of Great Britain-unbelievable, but true! His report was included in the congress program at the last moment.
–Thank you, Yesenia! It was you, who facilitated my arrival.
–Your work on the plague is unique. Without it, no one would have considered my opinion.
Yesenia drove into the famous Oxford Street and turned towards the prestigious May Fair district, and soon the car pulled up at the door of the Victorian-style hotel.
The spacious hall was fragrant with spring. Right in the middle were huge vases with freshly cut branches of blossoming Sakura trees. Real wood burned in a large fireplace. Around them, sitting comfortably in armchairs, the guests read the latest newspapers.
Solomon's attention was attracted by rare photographs on the walls. On one of them, Sir Winston Churchill with his constant cigar was depicted at the entrance to the hotel. On the other- Her Majesty the Queen of England in front of the hotel.
They approached the front desk, behind which stood a graceful blonde girl.
–Sir, unfortunately, your room will be ready by three o'clock. Please wait in the meantime.
–Yesenia! You'll have to keep me company until three o'clock.
–Aren't you tired? Would you like to take a nap in a armchair by the fireplace?
– Napping during the day in this splendid city, in the company of such a charming girl! That's outrageous.
– Then let's go, sir!
They walked along the streets of May Fair, and the girl told the guest about London.
Solomon liked the company of Yesenia more and more. The ease of communication, the eternal charming smile on his face-all this attracted him very much.
– Listen Yesenia! If you don't mind, let's have some to eat. I won't turn down an English steak with chips.
– That's a good idea. There's a cheap but cozy pub not far away where the chef makes wonderful steaks. Let's go.
– A fine drink, – Solomon said, smacking golden ale in the pub.
– The ale is pumped from barrels stored in cellars. Previously, the water in the Thames was a source of all sorts of infections, including plague, and the inhabitants used ale as drinking water.
–So the plague killed the people here to?
–It did, and more than once. Rats and fleas. The banks of the Thames were crawling with them. There were many inhabitants. They settled in the slums next to the river. The years 1665 and 666, Satan's numbers, were fateful for London. It began with the great plague. People were not buried in time, and corpses were dumped into the marshes. At the same time a great fire broke out in London. All the shacks and wooden buildings burned. The city was nearly destroyed, but most importantly, the slums and rats disappeared, and with them disappeared the plague.
Solomon listened carefully to the story.
– And where are these swamps now, where they threw those who died of the plague?
–They are right under us, – Yesenia said in a whisper.
–Under us?
–Yes! The May Fair was built on the site of former swamps where corpses were dumped. Then there were fairs, hence the name. Well, now there are expensive hotels and restaurants.
–Are you saying that under us are the bones of those who died from the plague?
Solomon's eyes sparkled, either from ale or from the word "plague".
–Yes! Thousands of bones, victims of a terrible epidemic. But now it is not customary to talk about it out loud. You see, Solomon, everyone forgot about the plague. For many, it simply does not exist.
– Because doctors and antibiotics were able to curb it and keep it under control. But, as soon as this control relaxes, the irreparable happens.
Their faces were so close that they could feel each other's breaths.
Solomon's cell phone beeped.
"Welcome to London, Solomon," the message was.
At the end, there was the signature "Yersinia".
–Something serious?
– What a stupid English joke!
– Why do you think it's English? It could be from another country.
– Maybe. But, notice who it's signed by. Just when we were talking about the plague, Mrs. Yersinia herself sends me a message. Isn't that what plague bacillus is called in microbiology?
– Did you think that this letter was from me? So know, Solomon – my name is not Yersinia – plague bacillus. My name Yesenia, very different and means “beautiful”!
Yesenia said this in an offended voice.
– Yes! You are really beautiful! Okay, let's forget this stupid joke.
– Solomon! Your eyes say it's time for you to sleep.
Solomon silently agreed with Yesenia. His eyes closed on their own.
Soon he was alone, going up to the his room.
A beam of mean English sun penetrated the room through the curtain.
After a quick breakfast of English style eggs and bacon, Solomon went to the porter.
An elegantly dressed middle-aged man approached Solomon.
– Good morning, sir! Let me introduce myself, my name is William Spencer. I'm the head of hotel security. If you have any problems, please come to me personally. Here's my card.
– Thank you very much. But, so far I have only one problem – to get to the conference on time.
A London cab drove Solomon to his destination. He was on his way to the conference he had dreamed of all his life.
Solomon got out of the car and looked at the well-built building of the middle of the 20th century.
After filling out an application and other formalities, Solomon received his badge and the conference program.
"Where is Yesenia?" he thought.
"I'm in a cafe, on the third floor"– a message came from Yesenia.
She was sitting at a table in the company of a swarthy guy.
–Meet Solomon, my friend Carlos, who arrived from Colombia.
–Pleased to meet you, – said Solomon.
Carlos had black curly hair that contrasted with colorless eyes. His appearance was not credible. However, they began to drink coffee. Carlos and Yesenia talked to each other in Spanish, and Solomon got bored.
“ The third one is clearly redundant” thought Solomon and said:
– Okay, my friends. I'll go and listen to the lecture on genetic engineering,
–See you later, when you're free, – answered Yesenia.
The day flew by imperceptibly. An SMS from Yesenia came to the phone.
"I suggest we take a boat trip on the Thames."
"Great idea! Where and when? "
"Meet me at the pier near Big Ben in half an hour”.
The first thing Solomon saw as he drove up to the rendezvous point was that Yesenia was alone, fortunately without the unpleasant Carlos.
She was wearing a tight black dress that both accentuated and highlighted her not modeled but attractive figure. Her lush ashy hair was folded into a purple headscarf, and a necklace of black pearls adorned her snow-white neck.
– You look just gorgeous! You have great taste! – Solomon said.
They sat in the catamaran as it sailed down the Thames. They sailed on, and Yesenia told about the sights of the British capital that came into view as they sailed.
Solomon listened, and his gaze was drowned in the abyss of her large, clear eyes.
What a miracle Mother Nature had created by crossing her children from different parts of the world-an Irishman and a Colombian! The creation turned out to not have a very model-like appearance, but after all, women are not born to strut around on catwalks with long legs and a subtle body. Women are born to attract the attention of men, who will appreciate them and want to have offspring from them. That is how Mother Nature intended it, and that is the process, that is now taking place between Yesenia and Solomon.
By the end of the river walk, the London weather had broken up-the clouds over the Thames had cleared and the sun was shining.
Yesenia face lit up even more.
– We must ride that wheel in this weather,– she said, pointing to the "London Eye".– I hope you're not afraid of heights.
–With you, Yesenia, I'm not afraid of anything.
They crossed to the left bank of the Thames and soon found themselves in a glass cabin at a height of 140 meters. The view from there was amazing.
Yesenia untied the purple kerchief and let loose the luxuriant tresses of her ashy hair, whose fragrance enchanted Solomon and made him take his eyes away from the panorama of the city.
– You're beautiful! – said Solomon softly.
Their faces drew together. It seemed that they would kiss each other a moment later.
Yesenia was the first to come to senses. She pulled away slowly, looking around with a smile at the other passengers in the cabin.
Over the Thames, the night lights were lit.
–It's time for me to go home, Solomon, and you go to the hotel and get ready for tomorrow's performance.
Solomon completely forgot that he had a performance tomorrow. So, he returned to the hotel, went down to the business center and plunged into work.
"Good evening, Solomon."
An unfamiliar caller requested contact on the screen.
"Who are you and what do you need?"
"My name is Yersinia."
"Yersinia is the name of the plague microbe."
"And I am the plague microbe. Now your report is about me.”
"How do you know what I'm doing right now?"
Solomon looked around. There was no one in the business center.
“You are looking for me in vain. You will not find me. I'm a little.”
How does she manage to find out about everything that happens to him?
"Can you turn on the camera and show yourself?"
"Do you want this so much?"
"Yes, I want to see you."
"Well, look Solomon, you asked for this yourself. It’s not my fault."
Solomon hesitated. Why should he be afraid? After all, the plague isn't transmitted over the Internet.
"I didn't change my mind. Turn it on.”
Yersinia's video window lit up, and Solomon made out a female figure sitting with her back to him. Suddenly, rats appeared and began to climb on the back of the sitting woman.
–Turn to face me, Yersinia! Turn around!
The figure turned sharply, so that the rats flew off shoulders. Solomon gasped in horror. The terrible Mask of Death was looking at him! In the next moment, there was terrible hysterical laughter.
Solomon put an end to this nightmare with one click. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead. The sound of the phone suddenly ringing threw him up in his chair.
– Hello! Solomon! -he heard the voice of Yesenia.
–Yesenia is you?
–It’s me. So I decided to call you.
–You did the right thing. Please turn on the camera. I really need to talk to you live now.
Yesenia turned on the camera.
–Look, this is my bedroom.
She herself was in a pink nightgown with lace sleeves. After the nightmare, Solomon took pleasure in looking at the object of his sympathy.
–You don't really stare at my sleepy face.
–Come on! Is it possible to see it on a tiny screen? I just want to see you.
– Well! That enough. I'm going to sleep. Goodnight Solomon.
– Goodnight Yesenia.
When Solomon opened his eyes, it was already light enough.
Solomon opened the toilet lid to empty his bladder and saw something that made him slam the lid back on with a cry. A huge rat bounced around inside.
Solomon hurriedly pressed the flush button and, after waiting a little, carefully opened the lid again. The rat was still there. Solomon rushed out of the room and ran into the hall, shouting loudly:
–There's a rat in my bathroom!
If a bomb had exploded in the hall, it would have had less effect than what Solomon said. Half-naked, barefoot, with tousled hair and bulging eyes, he looked like a madman.
The first person to run up to him was the head of the hotel's security service, the same Mr. Spencer. He quickly took Solomon by the arm and led him aside.
–Mr. Grande, please calm down and explain what it all means?
–I want to ask you, what does it mean when I wake up and see a rat in the toilet bowl?
–Sir, you understand that with your obscene appearance and the word "rat", you are spreading panic in our hotel and scaring off visitors.
–I understand everything very well, but, what can I do, if I have a rat in the toilet? Do not doubt that if there were an elephant, I would gladly say the word “elephant”.
–Mr. Grande, understand. Our hotel's 100-year reputation is at stake. Rats can't just show up here. This is a carefully planned provocation, and therefore, I ask you to describe in detail everything that happened to you.
Solomon told everything that had happened to him, not forgetting to mention Yesenia, her friend Carlos, the messages sent by Yersinia, and even more so, yesterday's terrible communication on the computer.
Spencer listened to him attentively, took some notes, and said:
–Sir, you will now go to the conference and behave as you did yesterday. I mean to take part in scientific meetings and also to continue the carefree pastime with Yesenia. I asked for one thing, so that no one would know about our conversation. No one should suspect that you shared your doubts with me with your friend Yesenia. It is possible that she is involved in this case. Yesenia is the only one in this city who has complete information about you. Is it true?
–Yes, it is!
–Do you already have my card? Now you write down your phone number.
Solomon came to the conference. At last came the solemn moment, which he had been waiting for all his life. At a highly professional forum in the imperial capital, his name and the name of the country were announced.
He ascended the pulpit.
–Dear chairman, ladies and gentlemen, Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to speak at this prestigious forum.
The fact that our society has forgotten about the plague is the great merit of doctors of several generations, including ours. However, such well-being can lull our vigilance and cause the plague to reappear with even greater force. After all, it is enough to steal or buy a developed antibiotic-resistant strain of the plague bacillus, inject it into a chicken embryo, dry it, place it in an aerosol can, and inject it into the ventilation system of any institution, or just a residential building. You know, colleagues, how contagious the plague infection is. Of course, modern medicine will be able to weaken and localize the focus, and if earlier the death rate from the plague was up to 90%, now it is much lower at up to 10%. However, I think that none of those sitting in this hall doubts that fear and panic will seize our society if plague patients appear among us.
There was complete silence in the hall. Everyone listened with interest to the speech. Yesenia was also present in the hall and listened attentively to him.
Suddenly, Solomon saw how Carlos sat down next to Yesenia and began to say something quickly to her. Yesenia's face tightened and became concentrated.
Solomon continued his speech by presenting to the public interesting data from previously unpublished methods and experiments.
Suddenly, Solomon saw that Yesenia's place was empty. Carlos disappeared with her.
"Where did they go in such a hurry? – thought Solomon, – and the phone is turned off!”
At this time, the chairman called a break, and those present in the hall began to go out.
Solomon ran up to the third floor towards the cafe; it was empty there.
A message has been received on the mobile phone. Solomon immediately opened it; it was from Yersinia.
"Don't look for her."
The number again was undetectable.
“Come back to the conference!”
“Someone is watching my every move. And this someone is very close."
Solomon began to look around carefully. Nothing suspicious.
"This someone controls my every step."
Solomon looked down. The break ended and the conference participants entered the hall.
Instead of going downstairs, Solomon quickly walked towards the cafe.
–Where is your emergency exit? – he asked the waiter.
– Over there, through the kitchen.
Solomon passed the kitchen and went down to the first floor in the service elevator. Another door, and now he was in the backyard.
"Do you think you could hide from me?"
Solomon took off his badge, turned it over in his hand, and, without thinking, threw it into the trash.
"Now let, the plague bitch, look for me in the garbage."
London cab pulled up in front of his raised hand.
–Where shall we go, sir? – asked the taxi driver.
–To the Tower, – called Solomon, the most popular excursion route in London.
The taxi arrived to the Tower. Solomon bought a ticket and headed to the fortress. The guide talked about the history of the Tower, about the ravens, about the prisoners, and about the jewels of the Royal dynasty. The phone was still silent and Solomon calmed down.
"So all this time she followed me through this stupid badge."
Solomon dialed Yesenia's number.
The phone was still off. He nervously tossed it into his pocket, but then the bell rang.
–Hello, Mr. Grande. Did I disturb you, sir? – Solomon recognized Spencer's voice.
–Absolutely. I'm even glad you called.
–It something the matter, sir?
–Yes, it happened. Yersinia monitoring my every step.
–Where are you now?
–On a tour of the Tower.
– Fine. After 30 minutes, go to the Royal treasury. This is the safest place in London. I'll meet you there.
–Agreed.
Solomon entered the royal treasury with a crowd of tourists. A huge wall was showing a movie about the coronation of the Queen of England. Then began the treasury itself. Solomon noticed the massive half-meter-thick iron doors.
"What a safe place this is,"– he thought, as he looked at the crown, which bore a huge diamond.
–Good afternoon, Mr. Grande, – someone nearby said softly.
–It's good to see you, Mr. Spencer.
–A very original place for rendezvous, isn't it, sir? – Spencer smiled, -Do not be surprised, but this is the most protected place in London. Here, every inch is carefully viewed and recorded. I know this well. I worked in the tower security service for 7 years. Now tell me, what happened to you today?
Solomon began to tell the story in order, not concealing the disappearance of Yesenia, the letters received from Yersinia, and the badge thrown into the trash.
Spencer listened carefully and said.
–To be honest, I don't see any crime, sir. Someone's stupid jokes that you take too painfully. Drive back to the conference, sir, and for God's sake, don't take it so personally.
Spencer's words calmed Solomon somewhat and he regained his peace of mind. They headed for the exit. Solomon got into a taxi and drove towards the institute.
Phone rang. The number was unfamiliar but memorable because the last digits coincided with the date of Solomon’s birth.
– Solomon, where are you? – he heard Yesenia's voice.
–Is that the same I wanted to ask you. Where did you run after my performance? And the phone is off.
– They took my mother to the hospital. She had another heart attack. I was with her the whole time. My phone has been dead since morning. I'm using the other one now. So, Solomon, where are you now?
–I was on a tour of the Tower.
–Have you gone for a walk in the Tower? In the middle of a conference!
–Yes! I understand that it's stupid. Your hasty departure and those idiotic text messages from Yersinia confused me.
–And you decided to hide in the Tower?
Together they began to laugh.
–You see, Yesenia, I lost my head without you.
–I see, Solomon, I see.
Solomon arrived at the hotel late in the evening. The day had been busy, and he was quite tired.
"I need to relax," he thought and dialed Yesenia's number.
– Hey! How Mom?
–It's okay, she's sleeping. How are you?
– Good! Can I invite you to a restaurant?
–Great idea!
– Come on, tell me in which restaurant we will spend this evening?
–Okay, wait.
Solomon even closed his eyes in anticipation of an early meeting with Yesenia. He really liked the girl. And this was despite the warnings expressed in the morning by Mr. Spencer.
"She is not capable of evil; my intuition does not deceive me," Solomon thought.
He received a message from Yesenia:
"Restaurant Sherlock Holmes. See you in an hour. "
And then there was the address.
It was already late in the evening, when Solomon left the hotel.
–Is everything all right, sir? – Mr. Spencer asked.
–More than right, – Solomon answered enthusiastically and getting into a taxi.
The clock in the hotel lobby showed noon as Spencer and security personnel stood at Solomon's door.
"Dont disturb," read the sign on the handle.
–Why isn't he answering calls? Strange. Bring the keys.
In Solomon's room, Spencer began to look around carefully. An open bed, a Jacuzzi filled with water, 2 glasses on the bedside table.
–It looks like he wasn't alone, -Spencer said, – of course! I do remember. There was a lady with a hood thrown over her head. Let's go to the monitor room! Don't touch anything here.
The guards started playing the video recordings from the previous night.
– Stop! Here it is! He leaves the room and goes down the stairs. Goes down to the basement.
–Sir, someone is leading him. Look, he has a cell phone in his hand with the screen on.
Indeed, Solomon was walking, holding a mobile phone in front of him and carefully following the image on the screen.
–Went into the basement, going to the underground sewer. He entered freely into the collector. How could this door was unlocked?
–There are more questions than answers so far. The underground collector is already out of our area of expertise. Call Scotland Yard immediately.
Half an hour later, Inspector Johnson was carefully examining Solomon's room. His assistant took fingerprints from the glasses and immediately checked them in the database.
–I'm more interested in, what your client's guest looked like? – asked the detective – let's go, Spencer, let's try to see her face.
They went down to Spencer's office.
–Here she comes with him to the hotel. Her head is covered with a hood. And now she leaves the hotel but alone. And again, the faces can not be seen even with high magnification. The lady is deliberately hiding. I wonder where he got her from? After all, he didn’t pick up it off the street, did he? You said he was a medical scientist, didn't you?
–Yes, he is a participant in a scientific conference, – Spencer replied, -and where did the client go last night? That's what we're going to find out from the cabbie. We got his number.
–Well done, good job.
–The cabbie said that he dropped his client to the "Sherlock Holmes" restaurant.
– That's great. Send an employee over there right away. Have him go through all the video recordings footage and get a picture of the lady.
Soon the detectives had an image of Yesenia in their hands.
–I seem to remember her, – Spencer said, – let's play through the footage of the first day of the client's arrival.
–Here, look. It was she, who was with him when client checked in.
–She booked a room for him, the porter recalled.
–Who paid for the room?
–It's strange, but this is not the organizing committee of the conference. It was paid in cash by this particular lady.
–Well, well – this already smells like a planned action,– said Inspector Johnson, – the criminals needed your doctor to settle in this hotel. Why?
–Yes, because the sewer of London passes under us, and from there it is easiest to go unnoticed to the Thames. Let's go down to the basement.
The detectives put on knee-high rubber boots, put on respirators, and opened the door to the sewers.
–Normally the entrance is locked, but on this day the door was open,– Spencer said.
–Well, it's clear that someone tried in advance. It's probably from the pest control team you called the day before. Everything is professionally planned. And here is your client phone or what is left of him.
Johnson shined a flashlight on the wreckage of Solomon's phone.
–Completely broken, beyond repair. And the SIM card must have been thrown far into the Thames. Your client was kidnapped and lured here, stunned and taken away. No mobile, no peeling. What was his job?
–A major specialist in the plague.
–Wow! It smells like bioterrorism. We need to call it counterintelligence. He will soon be loaded onto a foreign ship and taken away.
–He is our client. He must be found.
–What can we do? Lots of precious time was wasted.
They returned to Spencer's office.
–So it is. A professionally planned kidnapping of a bioweapon specialist.
–Sir, here's the fingerprint data, – Johnson's deputy reported, -belonging to two different people. In the criminal file cabinet, it does not appear.
–There is data from the border control database that Solomon Grande arrived from Armenia 3 days ago. The second person's fingerprints are not identified.
–Wow! Your night guest is a subject of Her Majesty and has not left the country for the past few years, -the Scotland Yard detective concluded,-Think Spencer, think! We have very little time.
–Let's check his cell phone number, – said Spencer, – it is not connected to roaming, local and probably bought right at the airport. Then where did he put his?
–Did he have? – Johnson asked.
– Sir, the restaurant waiter remembers a customer calling home and talking loudly to his mother. He was then asked not to make noise, – the hotel security worker reported.
– How did the waiter understand that he was talking with mother? Does he understand Armenian? Well, let's get this waiter here.
A clean-shaven man, immaculately dressed in a cream coat, entered into the office.
–Please remember, what phone your client had?
–Ordinary, sir.
–You must remember what size screen the phone had-large or small. Smartphone or simple cell phone?
–I understand perfectly what you want to know, sir. No, it was not a smartphone, it was a simple mobile phone.
–Come here, look at the screen, -Spencer increased the record where Solomon was holding a mobile phone, -did he talk on this phone?
–No, sir. That was smaller, thin, with a keypad.
– Excellent! But how did you understand that he was talking to his mother, do you know the Armenian language?
– No, sir, – the waiter smiled, – all the people of the planet speak with mothers in the same intonation, and the last word is usually "mother" or "ma".
–Well done, you helped us a lot. Now to business. It is already obvious that Mr. Grande had two phones: one a smartphone with a local network card, with which he connected to the Internet, and the second one was a simpler model, connected to roaming. Great idea. After all, in this way, it can always be detected by a satellite. So, gentlemen, we need a list of all the numbers from Armenia that have connected to roaming in our country.
–Here's the number fixed in the name of our client. If it is turned on, then consider that we have found it, – said the assistant inspector.
Everyone began to look forward to the data from the satellite. Finally, the long-awaited red arrow appeared on the screen.
– Yes! There is a signal! – Spencer exclaimed.
–Your client is sailing the Thames. He's on a vessel called the “Cecile”, – Johnson's deputy concluded.
When the image was zoomed, everyone clearly saw a flashing red arrow on the outline of one bulk carrier.
–I congratulate you, gentlemen! -said Johnson, – now it remains to send the river police there with a capture group. That's how technology makes our job easier. Even the genius of Sherlock Holmes would take a long time to find this guy.
Solomon slowly opened his eyes. It was dark all around. His head ached. His limbs were bound and his hands were bent behind his back. He began to remember the events of the previous night.
After the restaurant he and Yesenia arrived at the hotel. Yesenia was very shy and kept covering her face with her hood. They went up to the room, drank whiskey and relaxed together in the hot tub. Solomon was not without delight in remembering luscious form and the unique whiteness of Yesenia body. Then they had another drink each. For this, Yesenia got out of the Jacuzzi and captivating Solomon with her naked body went into the room for another portion of whiskey. Then they slowly danced in embrace by the fireplace....
He woke up to the ringing of his cell phone. Yesenia was not around.
"Turn on the screen, Solomon," came a message from Yersinia.
The screen lit up and Solomon saw Yesenia's frightened face. She was tied to a chair, her mouth stuffed with a rag.
– As you can see, I have your bird in my hands. And on how you will obey me depends her future fate.
Yersinia in the mask of Death was dictating her will.
– Don't touch her! I'll do whatever you want! – Solomon shouted into the phone.
– I don't doubt it. In the meantime, don't you dare call for help, or you'll get your Yesenia in pieces. Then they ordered to get dressed, leave the room, go down to the basement and open the door in the far corner. Solomon obediently carried out all orders. Suddenly, strong hands grabbed him and threw a bag over his head. Solomon felt something injected, after which he lost consciousness …
Through the cracks in the door a meager light penetrated and gradually Solomon's eyes made out a room filled with sacks everywhere. Solomon felt a slight rocking and heard the splash of water.
"I'm sailing on ship, but where to?"
Solomon looked around for a sharp object, but saw nothing.
The ship continued to sail. Solomon knew that every minute was precious. The longer the ship sailed, the less chance he had of salvation. He began to roll around on the floor, but stumbled over bags of groceries.
What could be in the food pantry with which to untie this plastic noose on his arms?
"Boxes!" – he thought.
It remained to find them. He rolled across the floor again, now in a different direction. Bags, more bags. Suddenly there was a clang of bottles. It was a whole crate of bottles.
"A bottle is just what I need."
He was able to pull one bottle out of the drawer.
“I have to break it in such a way that it doesn't make any noise. After all, security will come running to the noise and then "goodbye freedom."
Solomon rolled to the door and listened. No one seemed to be there. The pantry's iron door was securely locked, and the guards knew he couldn't get out. He must break the bottle. Yes, there will be noise, but there is no other way, bottles have never been broken without noise. He will have to take the risk.
And suddenly, he remembered. A lighter! He wasn't a smoker, of course, but this lighter had been presented to him just yesterday evening in "Sherlock Holmes" restaurant as a souvenir. It had a picture of the Conan Doyle hero with a pipe in his hands. Solomon was very glad to get such a present, because from his early youth Holmes was his favorite character. Now he carried the lighter in his pants pocket. He only had to get it out. But how?
"I have to get him out of my pocket at all costs."
Solomon assumed the "candle posture" and began to shake. But to no avail. Another effort. A cell phone fell out of his pocket. Another effort, and, fortunately, the lighter was on the floor. Solomon lay back and took a breath. Then he fumbled for a lighter and was able to light it. Flames began to lick his fingers, burning his skin. The pain became more and more unbearable, but Solomon continued to burn, for he understood that a plastic handcuff was being burned along with his fingers. Another effort. His fingers unclenched in terrible pain. Maybe it's better to break the bottle? But then there is a danger that, having cut off the plastic, he will cut his fingers. In addition, he will make a lot of noise, because it is not a fact that his guards are far from the door. I must try the lighter again. This time he did it much harder, his fingers cramping in pain. Come on, dear Sherlock Holmes, help your admirer!
The plastic burst quite unexpectedly, and just as suddenly, Solomon's hands were released. Solomon quickly set fire to the plastic on his legs and jumped up. Now we need to make noise, now let the guards come running. He grabbed the necks of two bottles at once and made a noisy uproar. Quick footsteps were immediately heard outside the door. Now let them in, now he is armed and dangerous. Solomon stood by the door with the two remains of the bottle. The bolt creaked. In the next instant, light and fresh air burst into the pantry. The guard stepped inside. Solomon could only make out the figure of a strongly built guy. In the next moment, he pounced on him from behind, driving the broken glass with all his might into his neck and throat. Then he pushed him forward and jumped on to the deck.
The ship sailed along the Thames, and all around were such familiar views of London. There was no time to look and loud voices were heard from above. Solomon stepped over the side and jumped into the river. As he was about to dive, he remembered the whirlpools and strong undercurrents that Yesenia had warned him about. Would he have drowned in this famous river after such a successful release? Solomon gathered his strength and swam to the shore without emerging from the water. He swam well and soon found a sandy bottom under his feet. He quickly reached the shore and only now felt how cold the water in the Thames was.
The ship he jumped from reached the bridge and slowed down. River police boats barred his way with a howl.
Solomon rummaged through his pockets. That cell phone is gone. He left it on the ship. That's why the police are focusing on the ship, and he is standing wet on the shore. Was all his efforts in vain? The police were already coming to the rescue.
"No not in vain!" – thought Solomon and strode forward with determination.
The “Eye of London” was spinning overhead. Solomon went out to the quay and, without paying attention to the stares of passers-by, entered a red telephone booth and began to dial Yesenia number from memory. Not the one she had given him on the first day of his arrival, which of course he did not remember. He dialed Yesenia's exact second phone number, where the last digits matched his date of birth.
–Hello! Who is this?
It was Yesenia. So, nothing happened to her, she's out there and she's fine.
– It's me, Solomon.
–Solomon! Where are you?
–I was kidnapped, but I managed to escape.
There was a pause, during which Solomon tried to guess the expression on Yesenia's face. Either she was amazed or annoyed.
– Yesenia! Admit it, you were used as bait to kidnap me, weren't you?
– Wait, Solomon, don't jump to conclusions. I'll explain everything to you now.
– There's nothing to explain. It's all clear.
– Solomon! Where are you?
– At the “Eye of London”.
– Don't go anywhere. I'll be right there.
Solomon hung up the phone and went to the café across the street. No one was there at that hour. He walked to the bar, soaking wet.
– Sir, are you all right? – the barman asked him, astonished at his appearance.
– I'm fine, I want whiskey,– Solomon said, and to make it more convincing he took a wet fifty pound bill.
The barman poured it for him. Solomon emptied it in a gulp took another and sat down at a table by the window – an excellent vantage point.
There were few people willing to ride the “London Eye” at this hour, and the booths went up mostly empty.
The pain of his burnt fingers prevented Solomon from holding his glass, but the whiskey warmed and cheered him up.
A silver Golf drove up. Yesenia got out first. Carlos appeared behind her. They looked around. Carlos gestured to Yesenia at the entrance of the “London Eye” and walked in the opposite direction.
Solomon jumped out of his hiding place, ran up behind Yesenia, grabbed her arm and pushed her into an empty cabin. Carlos saw this and rushed in their direction, but it was too late – the cabin went up. Solomon leaned Yesenia against the transparent wall and stared at her frantically.
– You lied to me! You lied to me from the first moment you met me! You lied and pretended!
– Wait, Solomon, let me explain!
– You lied to me and went to bed with me!
Yesenia looked down and saw Carlos, who was rushing around in a helpless rage, draw his gun.
– Let go of me! – she screamed.
But it was too late. The shots rang out. Solomon grabbed Yesenia and dragged her to the floor, but he could not save her. Without support from the crumbling wall of the cabin, Yesenia's shot body collapsed, slipped out of his hands, and fell out.
Solomon remained on the floor. From below you could hear the shouts of the crowd and the sirens of the police cars approaching…
Solomon went down to the hotel lobby. The doorman wheeled his suitcase behind him.
– The check out, please, – said Solomon.
– Don't trouble yourself, sir. It's all paid for, – replied the porter.
– May I ask by whom?
– The hotel management, – she replied, and added in a frank tone, -I'm sorry you're leaving us so sad, sir.
– Personally, Miss, you will bring me only good memories, – answered Solomon.
The girl blushed a grateful smile.
– Aren't we all worthy of your fond memories? – Mr. Spencer approached.
Solomon glanced at the hotel staff. Waiters, porters, maids, elevators, footmen – all lined up in the lobby.
After the past events Solomon spent a week in the hotel for rehabilitation under medical supervision. All this time, the staff at the hotel treated him with increased attention, constantly surrounding him with heartfelt care.
– Thank you for everybody my dear ones! I will never forget the kindness and care that you showed me at a difficult time. Thanks again and goodbye!
Solomon began to settle into a cozy London cab.
–I'll go with you, sir. It is my duty to ensure your safety to the end, – said Mr. Spencer, and sat down beside him.
The cab drove along the familiar streets of London. They drove in silence, each thinking of his own things.
– Mr. Spencer! – Solomon broke the silence, – I don’t understand, – why they scared me with stupid messages on my cell phone? Why did they put a rat in my toilet? They could just steal me from any secluded place.
–It is not so easy to kidnap a serious person in a city that is under total video surveillance. But, with the help of psychological blackmail, the criminals were able to get you to voluntarily leave the room and through the basement room to find yourself in the London sewers. Well, the rat was planted on you so that we would call the deratization team, which deliberately left the door to the basement open. So it's all very well thought out and quite professional, including your relationship with Yesenia.
At the mention of Yesenia, Solomon sighed heavily.
– Sir, she must be the one you're most worried about.
–Yes, you're right. It's a terrible feeling when the creature you love turns out to be…
Solomon could not finish the sentence. He silently took a lighter with the image of Sherlock Holmes from his pocket and twirled it with still unhealed fingers.
–I understand your worries, but Yesenia was doomed in any case. As the autopsy showed, she was a heavy drug addict, just like her brother Carlos, who owed a large sum to the Colombian cartel. If he didn't pay, they would sentence him to death. So, an English prison was his only salvation now.
They drove to the airport in silence.
– There's your check-in counter, sir, – said Spencer pointing to the red-green Italian airline signs, – let's say goodbye, from now on you're under the jurisdiction of Heathrow airport security.
– Thank you for everything, Mr. Spencer. Thank you and goodbye.
– I would say – see you soon. As far as I know, you received offers of cooperation with our specialists?
Solomon looked hard at Spencer.
– After what happened to me here, I am not in a position to discuss this topic yet.
– Okay. Let's postpone it until the court.
– What court?
– Trial of criminal gangs. You are an injured party and a valuable witness all rolled into one. Without your presence, it will be impossible to pass judgment on this criminal. So get ready sir. You will soon be summoned to an English court, and at the same time discuss cooperation issues with your colleagues.
Solomon went to check in, and Spencer headed for the exit.
– Where are we going sir? – the cab driver asked him.
– To St. Paul's Hospital, – Spencer replied, – please, stop at some flower shop.
The cab rolled back to London.
Spencer entered the hospital, went up to the third floor and approached a room with armed guards at the door.
– How was she? – he asked the guards.
–Fine, sir.
Spencer quietly entered the room and placed a bouquet of flowers on the bedside table. The patient lay with back to him, but disturbed by the smell of the flowers, he turned to face. It was Yesenia.
– How are you today? – Spencer inquired.
It was as if Yesenia had not heard his question.
– Did he fly away? – her eyes were full of tears.
Spencer nodded yes.
– You still haven't told him?
Spencer shook his head negatively.
Yesenia sobbed quietly.
– Stop your hysterics, Agent Yesenia! – ordered Spencer sternly, and then added more gently, -Understand, I was acting in your best interests. Until the trial of the criminals takes place you, the undercover agent infiltrated, must not be exposed.
– Even him?
– Even him.
– But he's gone. You could have at least hinted that I was alive.
– No, I couldn't. Solomon is an unpredictable man, who knows what his reaction would be if he knew you were alive. He might not have gone to the airport, he might have turned back to London.
– That's exactly what would have happened.
– The case is done, a large transnational criminal group was arrested, dealing in drugs, weapons and kidnapping. You and Solomon played a huge role in exposing them.
–The role of bait, really?
– Don't call things by their proper names,– Spencer said in a philosophical tone, -who'd have thought the Solomon would get out of hand at the end of the operation and run off the ship, James Bond style. I'm not even talking about the incident on the “London Eye”. This is your fault! How could you, an experienced agent, give in to emotion and rush to meet him at the most important moment, without consulting us! You almost blew the whole operation. Thank God, you only got away with those injuries.
– You should have told me that you were going to put his life at risk.
– We had no other choice. We had to take that risk to get hard evidence against the perpetrators.
– He could have been killed.
– That was out of the question. We had calculated everything beforehand. What's the point of kidnapping and killing a valuable specialist at the same time? As you can see, we were right.
Yesenia stopped crying and stared sadly at one point.
– Okay. Winners are not judged. We're all heroes now, including your Solomon. By the way, he'll be in court soon, he'll testify, the perpetrators will go to jail. In addition, Solomon, as a specialist, aroused great interest in our scientists and they intend to invite him to London for joint work. So very soon you will meet him.
– Do you think he will forgive me? – there was a glimmer of hope in her big, see-through eyes.
Spencer smiled.
– I don't doubt it at all.
