Haluk Pekerdem… Ah, that Haluk Pekerdem. I tried to picture him lying next to me. And failed. It just wasn’t happening.
I was feeling sleepy again. But I thought I heard strange sounds in the flat. I froze and listened carefully. Yes, someone was in my flat. Perhaps even more than one person. Whoever they were, they hadn’t turned on a light. It could only mean trouble.
I considered confronting them. I was half dressed and barefoot. It’s true that shoes aren’t necessarily required for Thai boxing, but this wasn’t a question of fun and games. It could well be a question of life and death. As always, the right shoes were essential. And then there was the damage that might be caused to my flat, my home. Life and property both hung in the balance!
I was just sitting up when two shadows appeared before me. I’d have had to be blind not to notice the glinting barrel of a gun pointed right at me. Both of them wore ski masks. I guessed that they were male, strong, and young.
The one nearest me seemed somehow more alert and in charge. Indeed, he spoke first.
“Give me the key,” he hissed, waving the gun at my nose.
I’d have to think carefully before springing to action. And springing out of a prone position would be no easy matter.
“What key?” I said, buying time.
“Don’t play dumb. The first question is always ‘who are you?’ or ’what do you want?’ I’d expected more of you. Don’t drag this out. And don’t try any tricks.”
Well, at least he had a sense of humor. The voice was unfamiliar.
“That last line of yours was a bit hackneyed,” I said, reaching for the lamp.
He rapped my hand with the gun.
“We won’t be getting married or anything. There’s no need for that light.”
“But how I am supposed to see what I’m doing, sweetie?” I asked.
I’d hoped to be able to spring out of bed and onto my feet. “Now if you’ll just allow me to get up.”
He pushed me back onto the bed with his gun.
“We know all about your special skills. It’s better you stay like that. We don’t want to hurt you. Just hand over the key…”
Good for Okan. So, he’d sent a pack of his dogs after me. Or he’d hired some. Well, he did have the backing of the Hanoglu family.
“So,” I said. “What am I supposed to do?”
“Just tell me where the key is. I’ll get it myself.”
“Who sent you? Okan?”
“You talk too much!”
He pressed the gun into me, just under my chin. So that’s what’s meant by “looking down the icy barrel…” It was freezing.
Actually, I was glad he hadn’t switched on a light. For one thing, he would have noticed the key on the nightstand right next to me.
For another, he hadn’t yet considered that I had the home-court advantage. I knew the exact location of every stick of furniture in my flat, as well as the positions of every potential weapon. Anything I got my hands on could be smashed into him or his partner.
With the gun sticking into my chin, I couldn’t see the other intruder. But I sensed that he was close to the foot of the bed. Right around where my knees were.
I did a quick calculation.
“It’s right next to me, by the table light.”
As he reached toward the nightstand, he turned his head to look for the key. Big mistake! And mistakes are never handier than at moments like these.
The blow to his kidneys with my strong right hand surely cracked two ribs. The other man took a reverse kick to the face and was buckled over and bellowing.
By the time the gun was pointed at me again I was on my feet and standing right between them. It’s my favorite position. Nothing’s more fun than leaping into the air and smashing a leg into one assailant, a turned foot into the other. Throw a midair spin into the equation, and it’s sheer joy.
I did it!
When I landed, there was now a gun in my hand.
We stood there, at the corners of a triangle. The partner, who hadn’t yet spoken, was now unarmed and no doubt dumbstruck at the loss of his weapon.
“Enough already!” said the one in charge. “Put it down.”
“You put yours down,” I said. “My gun’s as good as yours.”
As I took a step back, I checked the safety catch. It wasn’t on. They meant business. Still, it seemed a heavy weapon for a job like this. I’d have chosen something smaller, lighter, more elegant-chic shiny steel beats dull black any time. After all, they weren’t on safari! They’d set out to break into a flat and shoot at close range, if necessary, a person-not a wild boar!
Stamping his foot like a petulant child, “Drop it!” said Mr. Take Charge.
My gun trained on him, his on me, I reached over and grabbed the key.
“Drop it!” he said.
“Hah, you’re repeating yourself!” I scolded. Then I bluffed. “I recognize your voice.”
He said nothing.
I shoved the key into my underwear. These days, I sleep in designer label boxers left over from my old lover. Not only are they manly, they’re sexy as hell. I mean, if Madonna can get away with it, why can’t I?
The key was cold. I tingled.
“Don’t push us,” he said in a low voice. “We don’t want to hurt you. This has got nothing to do with you. Give me the key and we’ll forget all about it.”
The other one was still rubbing his nose. Not being in possession of a weapon, he concentrated on licking his wounds.
There would be that can of pepper spray on the dressing table, if I could reach it. It looked like an ordinary can of deodorant. I’d bought it when self-defense techniques became all the rage after the explosion in purse snatching. I’d never actually used it, though.
Actually, I had no idea whether it would do any good. After all, the three of us were breathing the same air, and in close proximity to each other. No, I’d have to rely, once again, on my skills in Thai boxing.
Chapter 31
When they came to, they had been stripped of their ski masks and were stretched out on the floor. Arms handcuffed behind their backs! It hadn’t occurred to me that rabbit fur handcuffs could be used for such serious business, but
The first one to open his eyes was the partner. A supporting actor, I said to myself. An extra, even. He’d also been the first to pass out.
“Hello,” I said. “Are you alright?”
He floundered for a bit, then stopped when he realized he’d been cuffed.
“Argh?”
“What a big baby. You keeled over at the first blow. You’re just not built for this line of work.”
He tried hopping to his feet. And failed, managing only to rock in place.
“Argh?”
Either he was a complete idiot or he simply didn’t understand me. I’d kicked him in the head, but surely hadn’t cause brain damage. No, I couldn’t have!
“Speak up,
Wide-eyed, he stared at me.
“He can’t talk. Don’t bother…” said the other one.
I hadn’t noticed in the darkness, but now that they were open and the lights on, I saw that the one in charge had huge, dark blue eyes. Liquid eyes, as though he was on the verge of tears. His thin lips made him look suitably tough, however.
“He’s a mute,” he clarified.
“Well then, I guess you’ll get to do all the talking,” I said.
“What do you want me to say? You’re in big trouble, and it’s getting bigger all the time. There are only two of us. You polished us off. Bravo! But what about the next time? And the next? How much can you take? How many can you handle?”
“My, don’t you talk pretty,” I said. “I could listen to you all day.”
“Go on, keep making fun. When you finally realize what you’re up against, it’ll be too late.”
“I already know all about them. Now tell me who sent you.”
He was smarter than the other one. Instead of simply writhing around, he was checking out his cuffs while trying to turn onto his side.
“I tested them out. They’re sound,” I said. “Strong enough, anyway…”
“That’s enough. You’ve had your fun. And we can see that you’re a good fighter. Now take off the cuffs and let us go.”
“Go? Go where?” I asked. “We were just getting warmed up.”
“Look,” he said. “What are you going to do? You can’t kill us, so you’ll have to let us go. So don’t push me. Take off the cuffs!”
The liquid eyes grew even larger, and filled with malice.
“Maybe I’ll call the cops.”
“You wouldn’t dare. You’re in trouble, too. And you lied to them.” Bending his knees, he tried to sit up. From a seated position, it wouldn’t be all that difficult to stand up. And if he stood up, I’d have to chase him around the flat. A light kick sent him sprawling. It was safer that way.
“First, you’ll talk!” I said. “If you don’t, I’ll keep you here, like a dog or a cat. Both of you! It could go on for days or weeks. I wouldn’t mind one bit.”
“You wouldn’t dare!”
