London said: “And so you make them send hundreds of millions of dollars to the Bank of Liechtenstein. What’s the purpose of those transfers?”
Lester’s eyes darted to London’s, then ducked away.
Yes,Simon thought,we know about that, too.“What is happening in a few days’ time?”
“Nothing. No idea. What do you mean?”
Simon backhanded him. Very hard. Lester raised his hands to protect himself, too late. They remained up, trembling.
“Let’s try that again.”
“I don’t know. It’s his deal. No one knows except him.”
“Luca?”
“Why do you ask me if you already know?”
“Luca who? Or don’t you want to tell me because you think it might put your life in danger? Sorry, my friend. Your life is in mortal danger right this second.” He grabbed a handful of Lester’s hair. “Talk to me.”
“All I know is that it’s going to be in Europe. Italy, France, Germany. I don’t know where exactly. He’s got them all lined up and ready to go. The money is for them. Payoffs.”
“To who?”
“Prato Bornum.Them.Military. Government. Police. Businesses. He said it’s ‘a spark to light the fire.’”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I don’t know.”
“Guess.”
“A lot of people are going to die.”
“When?”
“Soon.”
“When?”
“Goddammit. I don’t know. This weekend maybe.”
“Is it or isn’t it?”
Lester nodded. “Tomorrow. Maybe Sunday.”
“You have to do better than that.”
“That’s all I know. He only told me so I could short the market.”
Simon drew a breath. Had he really said, “short the market”? It wasn’t enough to be complicit in the death of innocents; Lester planned on profiting from it. It was all he could do not to pummel the man.
London appeared shaken. “You…you…” She looked to Simon. “Break another finger. Break his neck. Go ahead. Do it.”
Lester met their gazes unrepentantly.
“Who’s Luca?”
“Family.”
