The Last Watch Read Online Free Page B

history?’ Semyon asked indignantly. ‘We did, of course. And I took Kevin prisoner. I went to see him later. It was already the twentieth century then … nineteen oh seven … or was it eight?’
    He swung the steering wheel sharply as he overtook a Jaguar sports car and shouted through the open window:
    â€˜Use your brakes, you stupid ass! And he wants to swear at me!’
    â€˜He’s embarrassed in front of his girlfriend,’ I explained, glancing at the Jaguar as it disappeared behind us. ‘Letting some old Volga cut him up like that.’
    â€˜A car’s not the right place for showing off to a girl – the bed’s the place for that. The consequences of a mistake there are more upsetting , but less tragic … Ah, I tell you what, if things get tight, call Gesar and ask him to send me to help. We’ll call in to see Kevin, drink some whisky. From his own distillery, by the way!’
    â€˜All right,’ I promised. ‘The moment the pressure comes on, I’ll ask for you to come.’
    After the ring road the traffic was calmer. Semyon stepped on the gas (I’ll never believe that he has the standard ZMZ-406 engine under the hood of his hurtling Volga) and fifteen minutes later we were approaching Domodedovo airport.
    â€˜Ah, what a wonderful dream I had last night!’ Semyon exclaimed as he drove into the parking lot. ‘I’m driving round Moscow in this battered old van, with one of our people sitting beside me … Then suddenly I see Zabulon standing in the middle of the road, dressed like a hobo for some reason. I step on the gas and try to knock him down! But he just waves his hand and puts up a barrier. We go flying up into the air, and somersault right over Zabulon. And we drive on.’
    â€˜So why didn’t you turn back?’ I needled him.
    â€˜We were in a hurry to get somewhere.’ Semyon sighed.
    â€˜You should drink less, then you wouldn’t be bothered by dreams like that.’
    â€˜They don’t bother me at all,’ said Semyon, offended. ‘On the contrary, I enjoyed it. Like a scene out of some parallel reality … Oh, hell!’
    He braked sharply.
    â€˜More like its lord and master …’ I said, looking at the head of the Day Watch. Zabulon was standing in the parking bay that Semyon was just about to drive into. He gestured for us to come closer. I said, ‘Maybe that dream was a hint? Will you have a go?’
    But Semyon was not inclined to try any experiments. He drove forward very smoothly. Zabulon stepped aside and waited until we ’d halted between a dirty Zhiguli and an old Nissan. Then he opened a door and got into the back seat.
    It was no surprise that the door’s locking device didn’t work.
    â€˜Evening, watchmen,’ said the Higher Dark Magician.
    Semyon and I exchanged glances. Then we looked at the back seat again.
    â€˜Almost night,’ I said. Semyon might have a thousand times more experience than me, but as the one with the greater Power I would have to do the talking.
    â€˜Yes, night,’ Zabulon agreed. ‘Your time. Off to Edinburgh?’
    â€˜To London.’
    â€˜And then to Edinburgh, to investigate the case of Victor Prokhorov.’
    There was no point in lying. Lying never helps anyway.
    â€˜Yes, of course,’ I said. ‘Do you object, Dark One?’
    â€˜I’m all in favour,’ Zabulon replied. ‘I’m almost always in favour, strangely enough.’
    He was wearing a suit and a tie, only the tie knot was lowered slightly and the top button of his shirt was unfastened. He looked just like a man who was in business, or who worked for the state. But the mistakes in that assumption started with the word ‘man’.
    â€˜Then what do you want?’ I asked.
    â€˜I want to wish you a pleasant journey,’ Zabulon replied coolly. ‘And success in investigating the