RANSOM 1

He sat in an armchair, lost in thought. His head rested on his hand. In his other hand, he held a cigarette, which was slowly burning out. Silence reigned in the apartment. Rafał reflected on the failed robbery of the Adamski family's home. Because of one stupid mistake, Damian, his friend who also participated in the burglary, was now in prison. The man was overcome with rage and guilt. "Why Damian and not him? Kowalski has a wife and two children," he thought. The sound of the bell shattered the silence in the room. Two men dressed similarly to Rafi stood in the doorway. It was Kamil and Kacper.

"Hi. We have an assignment from the boss," Kacper informed. "

What?" "

In short, we'll kidnap the judge's kid, ask for a ransom, and force him to handle the case against Kowalski. We'll clear the boy out from outside the school on Friday. We'll drive up, you and I will catch him and put him in the car," Kamil's powerful voice rang out. "

And where will we keep him? "

"In the old warehouse next to the wholesaler. You'll be there in the morning, sort everything out, and

at 11 o'clock we'll pick you up. Do you understand?

" "Yes. That will be simple.

" "Good.

" Kacper and Kamil left the apartment. Dead silence reigned in the house again. Rafał lit another cigarette. He looked at The bulldog lying next to the fireplace. He took the leash, called Rubin, and opened the door. The animal flew out into the stairwell with a flourish.

The sun was shining outside, and the smell of a freshly mown lawn filled the air. The trees and shrubs were blooming. Birds were chirping happily, heralding a sunny and warm summer.

He was a respected and pleasant resident in the neighborhood. After a long walk, he returned to his apartment. He decided to tidy it up a bit. While tidying up, the phone rang. He looked for his cell phone. The name Karolina appeared on the screen. He answered the phone.

"Bye, honey," Rafał said.

"Hi. I'll be at your place at 7 p.m.

" "Okay.

" Rafał left the house again. He went to the grocery store. Behind the counter stood a fat, ugly Mrs. Lamus. The saleswoman served him red wine, fruit salad, and yellow cheese. He paid for the goods and left the store. Returning to the apartment, he prepared pancake batter and in it He dipped the thickly sliced ​​cheese into the pan. Then he threw the cheese into the hot pan to brown the pancake batter. He set the table, placed two silver-and-red candles, and the rest of the items. Karolina arrived promptly at 7 p.m. Her hair was long and loose, with a thin braid here and there. Her face was slender, her lips red

and thin, lightly painted with lip gloss. Her entire figure was slim and supple.

"Hello," she said, smiling slightly.

"Hi." "

I got into that college," she announced, as if it didn't concern her.

"So why aren't you happy?" Rafał asked, surprised, hanging his summer jacket on a coat rack.

"Studies aren't the most important thing."

"I know, but you have to be happy about them too."

"Kaśka didn't get in, that's why I'm sad."

"If you worried about everyone as much as you did about Kasia, you'd be Mother Teresa of Calcutta."

"Kasia is my best friend. Understand."

"I know, but... you can't worry like that, or all your hair will turn gray." A smile curved his lips, and after a moment he added, "I invite you to the room."

They both sat down at the table, the man opened the wine and poured glasses. Rafi glanced at the girl every now and then. He knew she would always be there for him, even in the worst moments of their life together. He loved her above all else because he knew what it was like to have no one; he himself had grown up in an orphanage.

"We could go somewhere out of town on Friday," she began.

"I can't.

" "Why?"

"The boss gave us a task.

" "Us?

" "Yes, me and the boys.

" "I'm worried. What if something happens to you?

" "It's an easy job.

" "If you say so." Karolina lowered her gaze.

They moved closer to her. They gently patted her hand, and he pressed her hand to his face. They closed their eyes. He released her hand and moved closer to the woman again. He gently hugged his beloved. His head nestled in Karolina's loose hair.

"I love you," she whispered.

"Maybe you could move in with me? You live alone." He pushed her away and looked her straight in the eyes. His companion didn't look at him. Her gaze was fixed on the painting. After a moment of hesitation, she replied.

"I have to think about it. Do you understand?

" "I understand."

There was a moment of silence. They were both lost in thought. If it weren't for their even breathing, anyone would say they were long gone.

He walked along Długa Street. The moon illuminated the asphalt. Large raindrops pelted his face. He turned into a dead end. Two hooded men stood under a small awning. Rafi recognized them. It was Kamil and Kacper. He reached them.

"Why did you bring me here?" Rafał asked

. "We need to discuss the details.

" "You could have come over tomorrow.

" "You're going to the warehouse first thing tomorrow morning.

" "It could have been a meeting at my place."

"No, Karolina's at your place. Why should we upset her?

" "Yeah, right."

Kamil spat on the ground. He glanced back, as if searching the building wall for a fourth person who was uninitiated. Finally, he choked out.

"There's been a change in the brat's delivery. There'll be a patrol on Długa Street. There'll be police like dogs, so why risk it? We'll take Torowa Street.

" "But that'll make the trip longer!" Rafi yelled.

"Quiet."

"So what? Do you want to experience shivers down your spine and handcuffs on your wrists? Not this time. Oh, one more thing: prepare a nice suitcase, preferably made of new leather," they continue.