Debutant. Chapter 18. Zugzwang. Part 2

This novel is fictional; there is no need to look for intersections with historical events. This is a continuation of “Debutant” by Nikita Savelyev, the first readers of which were readers of F1News.ru…

Chapter 18. Zugzwang. Part two

Henry was not tormented by long waits; the silent guards immediately escorted him to the room, where Manuel was found. Himself. It seems he hasn’t changed a bit since they last met. Equally dark and smiling. In a crimson shirt and the unchanged gold chain is also in place. Manuel leaned on a chair in front of a table laden with snacks and serenely smoked a cigar.

Henry looked around – the room was just a room, the standard furnishings of an average American family’s home. Henry sat on a bumpy chair. The rest disappeared somewhere, leaving only Osvaldo behind.

– Long time no see, compañero! – Manuel showed his gold teeth. – Imagine, I find out you’re in New York. I think what a coincidence.

– How did you find me in the city? – Henry asked somberly.

“Intuition,” Manuel grinned smugly. – I had no doubt: before the race you will appear in Monetti’s office. And my boys know how to wait. That is why I have ordered you to be invited to visit.

“They could have invited me in a less extravagant way.”

“Come on, Osvaldo, for the tone,” Manuel winked at his assistant.

Henry didn’t even notice as an impressive fist crashed into his ribs. Oh, it hurts! It feels like it came like a sledgehammer. It was as if the wind had blown him off his chair.

– Do you think I will play with you with toys? – Manuel’s eyes flashed with anger. – Because of you, donkey, tens of thousands of green burdens are down the drain!

“Sorry, it happened like this,” Henry squeaked as he writhed in pain on the ground.

– For such mistakes they put on concrete fins and send them to the Hudson to swim! – now Manuel was really scary. -Where were you looking? Didn’t you notice the signal? You’re a pilot, not a sheep. Even while racing, do you confuse the colors of the flags and your boxes with those of others?

Henry lowered his head humbly and tried not to look Manuel in the eyes.

– Why are you quiet?

“I’m sorry,” Henry glanced sideways at Osvaldo. He looked even more terrible from below.

“Why didn’t you come to me later, you’re such a brute?” – Manuel asked lovingly.

Henry considered lying.

– Anxious? – suggested Manuel.

– Well, yes.

“There’s a line of idiots for money, but no one comes to Uncle Manuel and converts,” Manuel sighed. – And how to manage such a team. Um, Hendrik?

Henry felt it was best to remain silent rather than express his condolences. One hope is that Manuel wants something. What if he’s just being bullied?!

“You set me up, Henry, and I believed in you,” Manuel said ruefully. – Such a promising young man was such a disappointment.

“I’m ready to improve,” Henry held his breath and sat down next to the chair, not bothering to climb up.

– But if? What have you got for me, huh? – Manuel stood up and towered over Henry. “I will hit you so others don’t.” Let them know it’s dangerous to play with me. Osvaldo, do you have the gun?

Osvaldo silently lifted his shirt. The impressive cannon naturally protruded behind the wide belt. It would be better if you forgot it at home.

-Are you afraid? – asked Manuel.

“I’m scared,” Henry admitted honestly. Fear has already paralyzed all feelings.

“Sit down,” Manuel sat down himself. – You’re lucky, I’m a rational person. Are you ready to repay your debt?

“Don’t doubt it,” Henry said hastily, and sat down on a chair, keeping Osvaldo in his sight. Take your hand off your belt, idiot, you see, the boss has a different opinion.

“When I heard you showed up, at first I seriously considered killing you.” I don’t care about the benefits, but I would enjoy myself,” said Manuel. -Are you shaking? That’s right, maybe I’ll change my mind. But I appreciated the way you settled in Europe and thought about how to take advantage of your fast-paced career.

– Think about it, a career…

– You better keep your mouth shut. I admit, because of the embarrassment with our load, which was your fault by the way, I changed my job profile. Could you imagine?

Henry shrugged vaguely, it wasn’t getting any easier from hour to hour. It’s unlikely that Manuel is selling soft toys now.

“Growing plants is yesterday’s thing, and it is troublesome, the smallest failure in the chain – and the greens cried,” Manuel admitted. – Now the compañero and I are engaged in betting.

– With bets?! – despite the seriousness of the situation, Henry smiled.

– What confuses you? – Manuel frowned. “You know what the scope is, and if something happens, there’s no evidence.” There’s only money in your hands, and as you know, they don’t smell.

“I’m very happy for you,” Henry said carefully.

– Don’t grin, but rather listen. The American leg is on Sunday. Do you think the stakes are high if championship leader Sam Murphy retires?

“Crocus isn’t the most reliable car, they break down often,” Henry thought. – You won’t get rich at that rate.

– Right. For example, what if we focus on a specific reason for the collapse and indicate its approximate time?

– Then of course the coefficient will increase. But can you really influence Murphy’s problems? Do you have your own people in your team? – Henry was surprised.

– Why do we need people when we have you? – Manuel narrowed his eyes.

Henry looked at his interlocutor in shock; it took him a moment to understand.

– Do you think I have a chance of ruining something in his car? Even if I miraculously get to Crocus, it will take time, and the car is under constant surveillance. I’m just not allowed in their boxes, that’s completely out of the question,” Henry protested vehemently.

– Don’t talk nonsense. You will collide with Murphy on the track,” Manuel stated roughly.

– How? – Henry even laughed. – You don’t understand, we have different cars, we never meet in a race.

– Even when overtaking in a circle? – Manuel’s eyes turned into two slits.

– Yes but…

– No buts. We will discuss the approximate time, let’s take a margin of, for example, five rounds. You slow down sharply for Murphy, he stares at your ass, and it’s done. I am with the money and you are free of obligations to me.

– What if Murphy dodges? What if we get hurt? Manuel, the speed there is over two hundred kilometers per hour. In racing you can’t predict anything in advance. “This is very dangerous,” Henry insisted feverishly.

“Now listen to me, promising racer,” Manuel said coldly. – You must have forgotten: we have no secular dispute. You will do as you are told. So make sure Murphy doesn’t dodge. And period. I believe in you.

– But…

“The discussion is over,” Manuel slammed the table. “And if you are afraid and don’t want to suffer, tell me, Osvaldo will help.” Good?! Will you take him for a walk to the river?

“Not the best idea, I guess.”

– What then?

“I agree,” Henry managed.

== To be continued…