her
tale of woe. “So what are you going to do about it? I demand those
bastards be brought to trial.”
David Flashman clucked his teeth before delivering his answer.
“That could be a little difficult, Miss Fullerton. It’s the chief
of police who brings people to trial in this country, not the other
way round. Obviously I will report your accusations to the
ambassador who will raise the matter with the foreign secretary,
but...”
“But what!” yelled Vicky.
“But you must appreciate, and I am making no judgement, this
is the same story we get all the time from women caught smuggling
drugs. The drugs are always planted and the nasty foreign men are
always abusers who take advantage of their unwilling victims. I
suppose it’s true in some instances, but...”
“BUT WHAT!!!” screeched Vicky, rising out of her chair,
hysteria now setting in as she conveniently forgot about her own
whorish part in the events of yesterday.
“...But the chief of police! Really, Miss Fullerton!”
exclaimed David Flashman. “Chief Karinov is a well respected man,
not just in Mordavia where he is revered for his fight against
crime, but across the international stage. I’m afraid your
accusations would have had a little more credibility if you had not
chosen to include him in your lurid tale.”
“You bastard!”
“Calling me names will hardly help!” responded David Flashman
with a surprising degree of authority. Enough to shut Vicky up and
return her bottom to the chair. “Now you asked what will happen and
I will tell you plainly... I will make my report, and include what
you have told me. The wheels will then go into motion, but I fear
they will not be well oiled by your accusation of violation in the
most bizarre of forms. In the meantime, due process will take place
here. You are both under arrest – you, Miss Fullerton, face the
death penalty - the other Miss Fullerton could spend up to twelve
years in jail. We will question this man, Sergio Markov, but I do
not see there will be much to gain. He has no motive - he gave you
no contact in Britain to pass the package on to. It was for you
apparently – a very odd, but valuable gift. I suggest you take time
to consider. I’m sure the Mordavian police are not really
interested in you. They want the man behind the supply.”
“There is no man. It was Sergio.”
“Then you will be at the mercy of the Mordavian Court. We are
powerless to intervene in the legal system of another
country.”
“You will report this, though, won’t you?” pleaded Vicky.
“People in Britain will believe me. My parents, my friends, my
tutors – none of them will doubt I’m telling the truth. We must
fight this!”
“ I will submit my report, Miss Fullerton, and I will visit
again in a few days time. Good day to you both.”
David Flashman was met a few minutes later by Dimitri Karinov
who escorted him to his uncle’s office in the Police Headquarters
which also acted as a holding prison.
“Mr. Flashman, a pleasure to meet you again...” said Yuri as
he rose from his desk to shake David Flashman’s hand and slap him
heartily on the back. “...And under such regretful circumstances.
How did you find the two women?”
“As expected - they appear physically well. There was some
bruising on the older one’s face which would be cause for concern
if the press were to get hold of a snap, and some very disturbing
accusations concerning an outrageous contraption and penises of
extraordinary size. Naturally I will be submitting a report to the
ambassador. He may wish to come and see them for himself... the
girls that is, not the penises... as might a delegation from the
United Kingdom. Brussels may even elect to get involved, especially
in view of your application to join our illustrious European
Union.”
“I fail to see why that would be necessary,” Yuri gruffly
replied. “It is an open and shut case. She was carrying drugs – she
admits this. Our laws are very simple where
David Sherman & Dan Cragg
Frances and Richard Lockridge