Chapter 39

He dragged himself back onto the sofa and pulled out his communicator. He thought about calling Headquarters, but the device was surrounded by the most glorious neon blue glow. He could only stare at it, enthralled. He wondered why it was buzzing in his hand, then he remembered that he’d missed a check-in with Vincent. He punched the button to receive the call.

“Kolya, where the hell are you?”

“Vikushka! Come over and party with me.”

A long pause. “Are you drunk? Where’s the girl?”

“Some nice F.I.S.T. agents took her. They didn’t even shoot me much.”

“What? You’re shot? She’s kidnapped? Talk to me, partner.”

“I am talking to you, Vikushka. You sound so orange. I really like oranges.”

Another long pause. “We’re on our way. Whatever the hell is wrong with you, try to snap out of it by the time we get there.”