Ю Несбё - Macbeth

The raindrop continued eastwards, over the expensive shopping streets in District 2 West before descending towards a forest-clad hillside next to the ring road, which glittered like a gold necklace around the town’s neck this evening. There, at the top of Gallows Hill, the raindrop fell between the trees until with a splash it hit a large green oak leaf. Ran to the tip of the leaf, hung, collecting gravity, ready to fall the last few metres onto two men standing in the darkness under the tree.

‘It’s changed,’ a deep voice said.

‘You’ve been gone a long time, sir,’ a higher-pitched one answered.

‘Gone. Exactly. That’s what I thought I was. And you haven’t told me how you found me, Mr Bonus.’

‘Oh, I keep my eyes and ears open. I listen and look, that’s kind of my talent. The only one, I’m afraid.’

‘I don’t know if I believe you entirely there. Listen — I’ll make no bones about it — I don’t like you, Mr Bonus. You remind me a bit too much of those creatures you find in the water that attach themselves to bigger animals and suck.’

‘Suckerfish, sir?’

‘I was thinking of leeches. Horrible little things. Though harmless enough. So if you think you can help me to get my town back you can suck a bit by all means. Just watch it though. If you suck too hard I’ll cut you off. Now tell me.’

‘There are no competitors in the market. Many of the junkies moved to Capitol when the dope dried up here. The town council and the chief commissioner have finally begun to lower their guard. Downsizing. The timing’s perfect. The potential for new, young customers is unlimited, and I’ve also found the sister who survived when Hecate’s drug factory exploded. And she still has the recipe. Customers won’t have alternatives to what we can offer them, sir.’

‘And why do you need me?’

‘I don’t have the capital, the dynamism or your leadership qualities, sir. But I have...’

‘Eyes and ears. And a suckermouth.’ The old man threw down a half-smoked Davidoff Long Panatella as the raindrop on the branch above him lengthened. ‘I’ll think about it. Not because of what you’ve said, Mr Bonus. All towns are potentially good markets if you’ve got a good product.’

‘I see. So why here?’

‘Because this town took my brother from me, my club house — everything. So I owe it something.’

The raindrop let go. Landed on an animal’s horn. Ran down it to the shiny surface of a biker’s helmet.

‘I owe it hell on earth.’