Prologue

Outside the parking garage the temperature had dipped below freezing, and the rumble of traffic had long since faded as the city shut down for the evening. Even the smallest sounds reverberated through the stark expanse, cascading in a diminishing ripple of echoes. A fluorescent light flickered overhead, occasionally sputtering a warning of imminent demise – resulting in an uneasy illumination of the ominously darkened space.

A grey American-built sedan with government plates punctuated the late-night silence as it pulled down the ramp onto the lowest level and parked in a far corner, cutting its lights and engine. Inside the vehicle, the driver sat motionless, scanning the car’s surroundings. One hand silently toyed with a worn key fob, an unconscious habit, mechanical in its regularity.

After several minutes, footsteps disrupted the equilibrium as a figure approached the vehicle from the far end of the garage. The passenger door opened and the new arrival sat down, passing a CD-ROM to the driver. The passenger’s grey eyes darted to the rearview mirror, peering into the dim light of the garage…searching.

“This is the outfit we need help with. We have nine months,” the passenger said in a low voice, seasoned with years of cigarette abuse.

The driver nodded and waited for more. His passenger smelled of alcohol, garlic and dried sweat.

“We appreciate the hand. I…I know it’s a hell of a favor, but your guy said he could make this happen, so...”

Satisfied there was nothing more of value the visitor could impart, the driver leaned towards him…slowly…invading the passenger’s space to whisper in his ear.

“I’ll get it to him. This meeting never took place.”

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