Chapter 4

He woke up a couple of hours before landing. His co-traveler peacefully slept on his chair.

He called the flight hostess asked her for a coffee and went to the restroom. He needed to freshen up after a long flight. He had to be ready to act once the jet has landed. He won't have a lot of time in Budapest. If someone was trying a matter of time until they try to get to him again.

So he needed to find his contact in Budapest quickly. Back in SF Vlad told him that Serge is the person to talk to. He may potentially have some ideas about people who are trying to set him up. He is the new man in town - the one from the mother ship.

Vlad worked with Serge hand in hand for almost a year before he moved to San Francisco. He was handing over Budapest to him - introducing him to all his contacts and revealing all the secret spots. It was a regular procedure whenever a city owner was replaced.

So, once they land he will be heading to Café Gerbeaud to meet with Serge. He had to find out something about the call from Budapest. He didn't expect to get clear answers but he hoped to know who's currently actively doing any work in Hungary.

Touch down was smooth. It was raining outside - the weather he's used to since he was a kid. His travel companion just woke up.

• Hey man! How was your sleep?
• I'm happy that I could get some of it. Was working almost the full flight through. You were sleeping like a baby btw.
• Yes, I had a couple of rough days prior to that and needed some sleep.
• Do you want to join me? I'll have cab waiting for me. We can take you to the city center.
• That's very kind of you but my friend is already waiting for me at the airport.
• No worries, maybe next time.

Pilot announced that they can leave the plane. Arthur left the plane saying good bye to his new acquaintance and rushed to the airport building. He passed through the border control and went straight to the taxis outside of the airport building. There was no queue - it was still pretty early in the morning. He got into the first cab and said the address that was 5 blocks away from his actual destination. The driver doesn't need to know where he's heading - the less traces he leaves the better. That's why he never used UBER or other mobility providers.

After around 40 minutes of driving, he got of at the Dohány Street Synagogue. From here he needed around 10 minutes to the coffee shop. Although he mind was constantly busy, he really enjoyed walking the streets of this beautiful city. It reminded him of all the countless walks he took when he was growing up in Saint-Petersburg.

He entered to Café, went straight to the counter, ordered an espresso and asked for Serge. The barista told him to take a seat at a window. After 2 minutes the waitress brought him his coffee. There was a small piece of paper with the phone number underneath the saucer. He made a phone call. The bot on the other end asked him for his name. After he went through a set of questions, the meeting at the Elisabeth Bridge was arranged.

Arthur left the Café and slowly walked towards the bridge. He ripped the piece of paper in small pieces and threw it into the trash bin. He didn't take the straigt way along the river but a detour through the smaller streets doing a lot of turns - it was way easier to check if someone was following him.

He arrived at the bridge and started walking towards Buda. He knew his phone will start buzzing when Serge will be near him. He walked slowly making stops and enjoying the view from the bridge - he wasn't in a rush. About half way in his phone started buzzing but there was nobody near him - he looked to the other side of the bridge and saw a woman walking to Buda. He followed her but kept walking on his side. He knew he had to get to the other side at the and of the bridge, otherwise he won't be able to follow the girl anymore. Once he was close to the end he waited the road to get empty and rushed to the other side. He saw that the girl slowed down a bit helping him to follow her. She walked off the bridge, took the firs left where the parking was. She walked straight to her car, got it and started the engine. He get into the car on the passenger seat and she immediately started driving.

• Who are you? - he asked
• I will bring you to Serge.

They drove along the Danube in the early dusk not talking. He felt calm as if all of a sudden he was in a safe place, just enjoying the ride through the night city. They took the Liberty Bridge back to Pest and drove straight into the city. After around 10-15 minutes drive she stopped the car in a very narrow street Vasvári Pál u. 5.

• Get out here - two buildings further, ring the bell with the name Fodor Szabó.

He silently left the car and shut the door. The car drove away. He walked for 3 minutes and rang the bell - the door opened. He walked in and heard the voice from above saying:

• Go all the way up - third floor!

Arthur went up to the last floor. A middle-aged man was waiting for him in the door frame.

• How was your flight - he asked.
• It was good, thank you. May I come in?
• Yes, sure, I'm sorry. I'm just excited to see you. Please come in.

Arthur went in. He put his bag on the floor at the entrance and went into the dining room. There was some wine and food on the table.

• Have you been waiting for someone? - Arthur asked.
• Why?
• It just looks as you were wating for some guests.
• No, I was only waiting for you. Wanna drink?
• Sure, scotch would be good!
• We have Glenmorangie and Caol Ila.
• Caol Ila, please.

Serge went into his open kitchen and grabbed a bottle of Caol Ila and two glasses. He poured whiskey in the glasses and gave one glass to Arthur.

• So, how can I help you?
• You heard what happened in San Francisco, right?
• Some of that, sure.
• I wanna find out who was calling me from Budapest when I found out about the murder of my friend.
• Are you sure, she was murdered? Did you see her body?
• Not personally but I saw the news about the murder.
• You know, the news don't mean shit. We create news ourselves.
• Yes, I know, but these weren't the news from us.
• It doesn't matter it's the same all around the globe - you cannot trust the news anymore - Serge took a sip of whiskey - What's the phone number you got called from?
• Here it is - Arthur reached his mobile phone to Serge - I have another question - who's currenlty working in the city?
• The usual suspects: Americans, Russian, some Brits, Germans and lately more and more Ukranians, though I'm not sure they are to be taken seriously - I'd say only if they work for Brits, Americans or Germans. Oh, yeah, there're some Croatians as well.
• Who do you think could call and warn me?
• I have no clue to be honest. I wouldn't even be sure that the call was made from Budapest.
• Could you, please, try to find out for me who could that be - or at least who's currently the most active ones in the city.
• Sure, I'll try to find something out for you. By the way: are you sure your friend is dead?
• I've seen it on the news.
• Have you seen the body? Have you seen her name on the news? I don't have to tell you that we live in the post-truth-time - you shouldn't believe anything you haven't heard or seen yourself.
• No but I don't think there were multiple accidentes in the same hotel on this day. Plus, I got a call if you remember.
• Yes, I do remember and that's exactly what makes me suspicious. Do you wanna stay at my place today?
• No, I'll stay in a hotel. Can you recommend one? Not too big and rather central.
• Emerald is pretty good. Should I get you a room?
• Yeah, thanks! Can I pour myself some more whiskey?
• Absolutely - serve yourself. I'll call the hotel and get you a room for a couple of nights. You can decide yourself if you wanna stay there. Try to relax tonight - go out, get some drinks. I will contact you tomorrow, when I will find out more about your situation.

Sergey took his phone and was calling the hotel. Arthur poured himself some more Caol Ila and was sipping it looking out of the window on the evening Budapest. It was time to visit his hometown again. That's what he'll do once he's done with current issues.

• I booked for you two nights in the Emerald
• Great! Thank you. I'll be going then. I'd like to spend some time alone and get some rest. Let's get in touch tomorrow.
• I'll call you tomorrow. I'll spend the night trying to find out who could have been involved in the phone call that you received. Should I drive you to the hotel.
• No, I'm fine - I'll walk.

He took his bag and left Segey's appartment. He was walking the night streets of Budapest and mentally taking some time off of the problems he unintenionally got in. He still had no clue, who could want to set him up and why. He was also thinking about Sergey's words that as long as he hasn't seen the body of Sasha himself, he cannot be sure that she's dead.

He had good memories about Budapest. He remembered how they were roaming the streets of the city together with Vlad before he trasfered to SF.

Thinking about the past and the present, he reached the hotel. He got the keys at the counter and went up to his room. He dropped the bag on the bed, took his clothes off and went to the shower.

After he got out of the shower, he put on new clothes and put the dirty ones in the cleaning bag. It was time for a drink. He took his phone, his wallet and the key-card from the room. He went downstairs into the hotel bar and ordered an old fashioned. He finished it quickly, put it on his room and left the hotel. He needed to get outside. He decided to walk until he finds another bar. He was hoping to get his head clean, to get some fresh perspective on the situation he's currently in. He wasn't sure anymore if Sasha was dead or not. He didn't find out who was calling him from Budapest and why. Someone was playing a game with him the rules of which he doesn't know.

He was walking passed an Irish Pub and decided to go in. He went straight to the bar and ordered a Guinness. He hasn't done 2 sips yet when a girl sat next to him.

• Hi! It was a beautiful long haired brunette in a dark, tight dress and a leather jacket.
• Hi! Do we know each other?
• I'm Nadja. What is your name?
• Hi Nadja! I hear a light South German or Austrian accent.
• Austrian. Do you speak German?
• Ja, das tue ich - but it's not the language I prefer. If you don't mind, I'll continue in English. What brings such a beautiful lady as yourself to talk to such an average guy like me?
• You looked lost but cute when you came in.
• Is that a reason to come and talk to a guy?
• If you like him - yes.
• Thank you! It's very nice of you but I'm not in the mood right now.
• Will you take my number? I'd love you to call me some time - she smiled at him beautifully.
• I'm sorry, I'm not in the mood. I'm really not.
• Give me you phone - you won't regret it

Arthur unlocked his phone and slid it to Nadja. She took it and called herself.

• What are you doing?
• Calling you.

She put the phone to her year. Arthur's phone started buzzing. He looked at his screen.

• Where did you get this phone? - he sounded really angry - Who are you?

He grabbed her hand, took her cell phone and put it in his pocket. He threw the money on the bar counter and started to drag her out of the bar.

• We need to get out of here fast. Where did you get this phone from?
• A guy outside of the bar gave it to me. He paid me 500 euros to talk to you and to call you from this phone

Arthur was walking fast pushing off people that were on his way. Shortly before the exit a guy tried to stop him. Arthur kicked him off his legs and continued to walk.

They ran out outside and kept walking really fast to not draw any attention. Arthur was faster, so he was almost dragging Nadja over the pavement.

• Can you walk a bit slower - she asked - I'm on high heels, I cannot walk that fast.
• We have to get some place safe as fast as possible. Keep walking close to me - it's safer for you.
• Why should I trust you?
• Do you have anyone else you can truly trust right now? If I will let you go, they will probably get rid of you.
• Who are them?

Arthur was looking for a cab although he wasn't sure the driver won't be one of the people who sent Nadja to him. The were walking pass the pizza shop that offered deliveries. He saw a courier on a scooter that just came back from the customer and was walking to pick up the next one. He jumped on the scooter, shouted to Nadja to get on and they rode away. He needed to get out of the city fast but he also wanted to find out who was behind this all.

Arthur rode to Sergey taking smaller streets and checking for the tail. They stopped 3 blocks away from Sergey's appartment, left the scooter on the pavement walked into the closest coffee shop and sat at a table.

• Please, order something for yourself. Get me an espresso. Try to act normally. I have to make a call.

He walked outside and called Sergey.

• Don't talk just listen. I have the phone I've been called from when I was in SF. I need you to find out who the sim card is registered to. I also need a car to get out of the country - something low-key. I'll have to take a girl with me. I'll share my location with you. Be fast - the sooner we'll get out of Hungary, the better. Bye!

He went back it and took a sip of coffee.

• Italian espresso is much better.

He saw that Nadja was shaking. He took her hand.

• Try to relax. I know that you're afraid - don't be. We'll take care of you.Do you have your passport with you?
• No. Why?
• We'll have to leave the country - it's not safe to stay here for you. I will drive you to Austria. Where should I drop you off? It's better if you don't stay at your home - they can get to you.
• I don't think I'll feel safe back in Austria. Can I go with you?
• It won't be safe with me either. But I can take you with me to Hamburg.

Arthur's phone buzzed. It was Sergey. Arthur went to the bar and paid.

• Get up - we have to leave.

They went out of the coffee shop and started walking.

• Where are we going?
• We need to get a car. Just keep walking.

He checked his phone. Sergey was approaching. A small, white SUV stopped and Sergey got out.

• The papers are in the glove box. Where is the mobile phone?
• Here you go. Please, try to find out as much as you can - when was the sim card bought, who was it registered to - anything you can. Contact me as soon as you know anything. He turned to Nadja.
• Get in the car. We gotta go.

They got into the car and started driving. It will take them around 40 minutes to get out of the city. It was starting to get dark. Budapest was glowing.

• Stunning city. I will definitely come back - thoughts were flying through Arthur's head. The longer he will drive the calmer he will get.