"Dibdin, Michael - Aurelio Zen 02 - Vendetta UC - part 02" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dibdin Michael)

regime had been disposed to honour the commitments of
the former president, it would have had considerable dif-
ficulty in doing so, since the latter had prudently diverted
another considerable slice of the country's GNP to the
Swiss bank account that was now financing his premature
retirernent. All this was very regrettable, but Oscar was a
realist. He knew that while governments come and go,
business goes on for ever. So rather than stymie his
chances of profitable intervention in the country's future
by pointless litigation, he reluctantly agreed to accept a
settlernent which barely covered his expenses. To sweeten
the pill, he asked for and was given the Lincoln Con-
tinental as well.
At the time Oscar had seen the car as just another of the
fancy gadgets with which he loved to surround himself,
but it undoubtedly saved his life when the kidnappers
tried to take him. He was driving back from the local
village church when it happened. Much to most people's
surprise, Oscar never missed Sunday Mass. Experience
had taught him the importance of keeping on the right
side of those in power, and compared with the kind of
kickbacks, favours and general dancing of attendance
which some of his patrons expected, God seemed posi-
tively modest in His demands. It was true that you could
never be absolutely certain that He was there, and if so
whether He was prepared to come up with the goods, but
much the same could be said about most of the people in
Rome too. As long as all that was needed to stay in with
Him was taking communion every Sunday, Oscar thought
it was well worth the effort. Unfortunately the local village
church lacked a suitable landing place for the Agusta, so
he had to drive.
As he rounded one of the many sharp bends that Sun-
day, Oscar found the road blocked by what appeared to be
a minor accident. A car was lying on its side in the ditch,
while the lorry which had apparently forced it off the road
was slewed around broadside on to the approaching lim-
ousine. Three men were kneeling beside a fourth who was
lying face-down in the road.
As Oscar got out to help, the men turned towards him.
'instantly, I knew!' he told countless listeners later.
'Don't ask me how. I just knew!'
He leapt back into the car as the 'accident victim' rolled
to one side, revealing the rifles and shotguns on which
he'd been lying. Several shots were fired, one of which
wounded Oscar slightly in the shoulder. He didn't even
notice. He threw the Lincoln into reverse and accelerated
back up the road.
Tlie kidnappers gave chase on fnot, firing as they ran.
But the African president, even more of a reaiist than