Sudden Death Read Online Free Page B

money was.
    His dad nodded slowly.
    ‘Well,’ said Popov, ‘you know the rest of the team already, but I thought we were still missing a little something up front. Another striker. So I bought the best . . .’ Popov paused, obviously relishing the moment. ‘Devon Taylor.’
    ‘Wha–?’ interrupted Jake. ‘How? Taylor’s on a contract with Barcelona for another three years.’ The transfer a year before had been huge news, the biggest ever signing.
    Popov waved his hand and smiled at Jake. ‘Contracts? They’re not so important. The crucial thing is to have the rightteam.’ Popov paused, then looked meaningfully at Jake’s dad. ‘And the right manager.’
    His dad had kept his composure through Jake’s outburst. ‘Taylor is quite a coup,’ he said. ‘He’s a brilliant young talent.’
    ‘And of course we have the new stadium, funded by my American friend Christian Truman and his company, Truman Oil. State of the art technology, a capacity of eighty thousand. Leisure facilities that rival –’
    ‘I’ve seen the plans, Mr Popov,’ said Jake’s dad. ‘It’s very impressive. But I have other concerns to factor in. Like my son.’
    ‘And I respect them, Steven,’ said Popov. ‘Your son would of course be more than welcome to join you in St Petersburg. Wouldn’t you like that, young man?’
    ‘My son has a life here,’ Jake’s dad said quickly.
    Typical
, Jake thought.
Don’t let me speak for myself.
    Jake noticed that the vein running down the centre of Popov’s forehead was a little pronounced; blue under the Russian’s pale skin.
    ‘I think you have been – how do you say –
perturbed
by your friend’s death, so I will leave you to your grief. Don’t give me your answer about the coaching position now.’ Popov took out a silver case from his jacket and opened it. He placeda card on the bookshelf beside the door. ‘This is my private number. Sleep on it.’
    Popov nodded to the bodyguard, who opened the study door with one of his massive fists. The meeting was clearly over.
    At the front door, Popov waited while his attendant opened the umbrella, then stepped underneath. The rain spattered off the top.
    ‘I look forward to speaking with you again, Steven.’
    Jake’s dad smiled. ‘I don’t think I’m going to change my mind, but thank you for coming over.’
    Jake and his dad watched as the Mercedes pulled away, then his dad closed the door.
    ‘So are you going to take the job, or not?’ Jake asked.
    ‘I don’t know yet,’ his dad replied.
    ‘Well, when will you know?’ Jake said. He couldn’t keep the anger out of his voice.
    ‘Just go to bed, Jake. I’ll see you tomorrow.’
    Before Jake could answer, his dad was back in his study, shutting the door behind him.
    In his room, Jake lay on his back on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
    Maybe I should have stayed in Paris.
    He had been nervous about coming back to London.His dad had always been a footballer rather than a dad. They’d both tacitly understood that this was the chance to build a relationship. But it was like building a house of cards. A small wobble could bring down the whole thing.

4
    ‘I ’m making some eggs,’ his dad said as Jake came into the kitchen next morning. ‘You want some?’
    As if everything’s just normal
, thought Jake.
    ‘I’ll get myself some fruit,’ he replied stiffly.
    His dad was facing the stove, fiddling with a pan. He was also wearing a shirt and tie. That was pretty weird for a Saturday. After years of early rises for away games, he normally liked to take it easy at the weekends.
    Jake took a banana from the bowl and went to the French windows. The sun was glinting through a few thin shreds of cloud on to the small back garden. After last night’s rain, the trees had that fresh, just-washed look. Jake’s head, in contrast, felt overcast and his thoughts dulled. He’d hardly slept a wink.
    He finished the banana. ‘Have you decided what you’re going to do?’ Jake