Red Notice

95

Tom was dumped on the buffet-car floor, the side of his face thumping hard onto its unyielding surface. A couple of small shards of broken glass pierced his cheek. His hands were still zip-tied behind him, but he’d have been incapable of breaking the fall even if they’d been free. He lay in a pool of liquid and it trickled into his open mouth. The alcohol burned his cuts.

Tom could hear Laszlo barking out orders nearby.

‘Be quick!’

But he couldn’t really work out where he was, let alone try and turn what was left of his head to look for the speaker.

‘Brother, I want this train fully operational in ten minutes. You need to organize the equipment. I will meet you at the engine.’

Another kick helped him get his bearings.

He opened one eye to see Laszlo squatting beside him. He felt the South Ossetian grip his wrists, then slice through the zip-ties. With the speed and elegance of a magician, Laszlo liberated his Omega.

As he stood up once more, Laszlo dropped his own broken wristwatch next to Tom’s head and left the buffet car.