Free The Gates of Hell (Matt Drake 3) by David Leadbeater Page B

Not as many as I need.”
    “And yet you did nothing to help those people. In that village. Do you even remember? You allowed our own soldiers to interrogate them.”
    “I was a soldier, like them. I had my orders.”
    “And then you threw down to the highest bidder.”
    “I served my dues, Drake.” Alicia topped her rum off and banged the bottle down hard. “It was time to reap the rewards.”
    “And look where that got you.”
    “You mean look where it got us, don’t you?”
    Drake remained silent. It could be said that he’d taken the high road. It could also be said that she’d taken the low road. It didn’t matter. They had ended up in the same place with the same losses and the same future.
    “We deal with the Blood Vendetta first. And Kovalenko. Then we see where we’re at.” Alicia sat gazing into the distance. Drake wondered if her thoughts centered around Tim Hudson.
    “We still have to talk about Wells. He was my friend.”
    Alicia laughed, sounding like her old self. “That old perv? No way was he your friend, Drake, and you fucking know it. We will talk about Wells. But at the end. That’s when it’ll happen.”
    “Why?”
    A soft voice floated over his shoulder. “Because that’s when it has to happen, Matt.” It was Mai’s feathery tones. She had sidled up to them with soundless ease. “Because we need each other to get through this first.”
    Drake tried to hide his surprise at seeing her. “Is the truth about Wells so terrible?”
    Their silence said that it was.
    Mai moved between them. “I’m here because I have a lead.”
    “A lead? From who? I thought the Japs had subbed you.”
    “Officially, they have.” Mai’s voice carried an amused lilt. “Unofficially, they’re talking to the Americans. They know the importance of capturing Kovalenko. Do not think my government are without eyes to see.”
    “Wouldn’t dream of it.” Alicia snorted. “I just wanna know how you found us.” She shook her jacket as if to throw off a tracker.
    “I’m better than you,” Mai said, and now laughing. “And this is the only bar for three blocks.”
    “It is?” Drake blinked. “How ironic.”
    “I have a lead,” Mai repeated. “Do you want to come with me now and check it out or are you both too drunk to care?”
    Drake was off his stool in a second and Alicia swung around. “Lead the way, little sprite.”
     
    *****
     
    A short cab ride later, they were huddled around a busy street corner, listening as Mai updated them.
    “It comes directly from a man I trust at the Intelligence Office. Kovalenko’s ranches are managed by a few individuals he trusts. This has always been the case, though it aids him now more than ever when he needs time to. . . well, do whatever it is he plans to do. In any case, his Oahu ranch is managed by a man called Claude.”
    Mai drew their attention ahead to the line of young people filing through the arched and gaudily lit entrance to an upscale club. “Claude owns this club,” she said. Flashing lights advertised ‘Live DJ’s, Friday night bottle specials and special guests.’ Drake scanned the crowd with a sinking feeling. It consisted of about a thousand of Hawaii’s most beautiful young people in various states of undress.
    “We might stand out a bit,” he said.
    “Now I know you’re all washed up.” Alicia smirked at him. “The Drake of a year ago would’ve stood by the two hot women he’s with, grabbed a cheek in each hand, and goosed us over there.”
    Drake rubbed his eyes, knowing she was uncannily correct. “The mid-thirties changes a man,” he managed, suddenly feeling the weight of Alyson’s loss, of Kennedy’s murder, of constant intoxication. He did manage to fix a steely eye on both of them.
    “The search for Claude starts here.”
    They smiled their way past the doormen to find themselves in a narrow tunnel filled with flashing light and fake smoke. Drake was momentarily disoriented and put it down to the weeks of