Paradise Burns Read Online Free

out my phone and rang Josh. He answered in his usual,
sickeningly enthusiastic tone.
    ‘How’d it go with Jimmy The Glove?’ he
enquired.
    ‘Is that what people call him?’ I asked.
    ‘Apparently.’
    ‘Do I want to know why?’
    ‘Probably not,’ he chuckled.
    ‘Fair enough. The meeting went fine,
despite finding out that Manhattan’s hired goons were the assholes that started
a fight with me last night.’
    ‘You’re shitting me?!’ said Josh,
laughing in disbelief.
    ‘I shit you not, my friend.’
    ‘I bet that went down well?’
    ‘It was fine – he seemed to find it
quite amusing, to his credit.’
    ‘Only you, Adrian. So are you happy with
the contract?’
    ‘Yeah, this should be a straightforward
job and easy money. It’s a property deal gone bad. He wants me to take out the
target to send a message, then recover the deeds to some land they were meant
to be buying from him before he screwed them over. It shouldn’t take me more
than a couple of days. Will be glad to get out of this place and go somewhere
slightly colder - this heat is unbearable.’
    ‘Surely the ice in your veins cools you
down?’ he responded in jest. ‘You need anything for me?’
    ‘Not right now, but I know where you are
if I need you. I’ll be in touch.’
    I was about to hang up, but then
remembered one final thing.
    ‘What do you think of “Mr. Hell” as my
business name?’
    Josh laughed, loudly, for a good two
minutes. I held the phone away from my ear until he’d calmed down.
    ‘Seriously?’ he asked.
    ‘Yeah, it’s how Jimmy addressed me when
we were exchanging pleasantries. Kinda liked it.’
    ‘Adrian, you know I love you, right?’
    I paused.
    ‘Yeah...?’
    ‘It makes you sound like a professional
wrestler. Who’s gay.’
    I remained silent for a few moments, to
try and make him feel uneasy. Although I knew that probably wouldn’t work.
    ‘Josh, you know I love you, right?’
    He laughed.
    ‘Yeah...?’
    ‘You’re a dick.’
    I hung up and walked out of Dimitri’s,
leaving a small tip on the table for the old guy. As I opened the door, I was
hit by a blast of heat, as if I’d opened an oven that’s been cooking for three
hours. I was only in there just under half an hour, but the increase in
temperature was staggering.
    The sun was pounding down as I walked
along the street. I had a white t-shirt and denim shorts on, with black
sunglasses and a baseball cap to complete my care-free tourist look. I’d
crossed over to the side of the street that was partially shaded, but it did
little to cool me down. It was a lovely day, don’t get me wrong, and if I was
on a beach, sipping a cocktail and surrounded by women in bikinis, I’d be very
content. But I wasn’t. I was walking down a very busy street in the center of
the business district. Maybe it’s because I’m not local and haven’t adjusted to
the climate or something, but I was baffled how anyone could walk around in a
suit on a day like today.
    I decided to get the lie of the land and
do some recon work for the job. According to the information I got from Jimmy
Manhattan, Jackson was attending a meeting here in town, which was scheduled to
finish about an hour from now. I was going to tail him on foot for as long as I
could, get a look at his car, any colleagues and just try and get a feel for
his behaviors. I also had his itinerary for tomorrow, so all being well I’ll
make the approach when he’s finished for the day, to minimize exposure and
attention.
    I walked on through the city, taking in
the sights around me. The working day was in full swing, and everyone around was
dressed for the office and rushing in all directions. People carrying bags, or
papers, or their morning coffee, weaving in and out of the crowds on either
side of the road.
    The road itself was just as busy, with
traffic – mostly taxis – nose to tail, fighting to get through the next set of
lights before they changed again.
    I came to a large junction, where