The Vig E-Book

Andrew Davie

• Herausgeber: Next Chapter
• Kategorie: Krimi
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

Gropper and McGill continue to operate as unlicensed private investigators, working out of a diner in Charleston, South Carolina.

While McGill handles the business end, rarely leaves the diner, and lives off a steady diet of pancakes, bacon, and coffee, Gropper must deal with a feared debt collector and former prizefighter, Daryl Jackson, and possible retribution from the Cartel he and McGill had interfered with a few years earlier.

Not to mention, Gropper must reckon with the passing of time, loss of people close to him, and decide whether he can still do the job.

Leseprobe

THE VIG

MCGILL AND GROPPER THRILLERS

BOOK FOUR

ANDREW DAVIE

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Hong Kong, June 1996

Charleston, South Carolina 1996

Charleston, South Carolina June 2018

Next in the Series

About the Author

Copyright (C) 2022 Andrew Davie

Layout design and Copyright (C) 2022 by Next Chapter

Published 2022 by Next Chapter

Edited by Tyler Colins

Cover art by Lordan June Pinote

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the author's permission.

For Thelma

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thank you, Heather, for reading an earlier version and suggesting feedback, Tyler for the edits, and Miika, Petteri, and Next Chapter for giving these characters a new home.

HONG KONG, JUNE 1996

Gropper was on the sidewalk outside of a ramen shop and across the street from Lloyd’s Bar in Tsim Sha Tsui. He covertly watched Kwun in the reflection in the window. Kwun had dyed blonde hair in a pompadour and wore a black leather jacket, the favored look of a rockabilly musician from a bygone era. Kwun closed the door of his car and dragged a comb through his hair. Some women walked by, and Kwun called out to them. Gropper couldn’t hear what was said due to the traffic. However, the women paused, answered Kwun, and continued to walk away. One of them looked back over her shoulder. Kwun had a reputation as a ladies’ man, and as far as Gropper was concerned, this helped confirm it.

Kwun watched the girls disappear. Afterward, he made his way to the bar. Going to Lloyd’s every Friday night had become a ritual. Kwun would have two glasses of wine and review his business transactions from the week.

The bar was heavily fortified, so Kwun never had to worry about anything. Kwun would usually stay for an hour, and then he would head home. Gropper had analyzed the schedule and decided this would be the best place to handle business. It would be difficult, but if Gropper was successful, it would leave everyone in utter confusion, and practically ensure Gropper’s escape. Gropper waited another minute after Kwun had gone inside before he crossed the street himself. Inside, the bar was quiet. It was a classy place, postmodern, and dimly lit. Against the right wall were shelves with rows of liquor bottles. The wine cellar was downstairs. Tables for two to four people were scattered throughout the room.

Kwun sat by himself at a table near the back. A notepad and a glass of red wine were the only items visible on his table. Two other patrons sat at various points between the entrance and the back. Each of them worked for the syndicate. One of them was reading a book, and another listened to music and mouthed along with the words. The bartender was the only person in the place who didn’t appear to be connected.

Kwun himself would be another story. Even though he was higher up in the organization, and certainly above getting his hands dirty, he enjoyed mixing it up. He was easily enraged, which suited Gropper’s plan nicely. Gropper opened the door and strode in as if he was inebriated but trying with all his energy to look completely sober.

“I’m sorry,” the bartender began to say to Gropper, “this is a private club.”

The bartender made a gesture that suggested Gropper should stop and turn around.

“I just want one drink,” Gropper said.

Gropper had already started walking toward the back with the confidence of someone who would be able to talk his way into having a drink, even if this was a private club. Once the bartender realized Gropper wasn’t going to listen, the bartender barked a quick command to the muscle.

Both men immediately lifted their heads and stood simultaneously to address the problem. Gropper, however, had already made it to the rear of the establishment. He stumbled a little to give off the proper impression and banged into the corner of Kwun’s table. It was enough of a shot to knock the wine glass onto its side and splash the contents on Kwun’s notebook.

Immediately, Gropper began to apologize and grabbed at a place setting on a nearby table. The bartender started yelling at the two others who, though they clearly could have destroyed the bartender, took his abuse without comment. They moved quickly to grab the interloper when Kwun put his hand up to stop them.

Kwun finished assessing the damage and looked at Gropper. “Why don’t we talk about this?” he asked calmly.

“Thank you; that would be great,” Gropper said. He handed a napkin to Kwun, who blotted at his shirt and pants. Gropper took a seat at the table and continued to apologize without stopping for a breath. His words came on in a stream of consciousness barrage. However, almost as soon as Gropper had sat down at the table, Kwun walked toward the rear of the place. Gropper stood, followed, and continued his apology.