Trafford's Trading Club

He met a weird guy.

Urey murmured to himself; meanwhile, he thought he should take shower to keep a clear head.

But when he sat up, he saw a black card lying quietly on the cabinet of the windowsill. His subconscious guided him to walk toward this card and pick it up.

Only when he touched this card, some obscure scenes flashed through his brain... He remembered some things that happened before.

He suddenly stood up and walked quickly to the window. Then he pushed the window open, throwing out the black card.

He didn’t know why he did that, but there was an instinctive impulsion that made him feel that it was reasonable.

After taking a shower and having a brunch in the dining hall, Urey looked around but he didn’t know where to go. This bewildered feeling had occurred when he came to the city for the first time.

There was excitement at that time, but now what only left for him was suffering.

"Should I leave here..." Urey murmured to himself again.

But he immediately got the answer, No!

With a deep breath, Urey walked into the hotel. He sat in the hall and stared at the clock on the wall, falling into contemplation.

When the minute hand moved half a circle, Urey made up his mind. He asked for using the hotel telephone, dialing.

Urey tried to calm and encourage himself. The front desk staffs were bending over for their work and didn’t notice him. Urey turned around and looked at the entrance of the hotel at random---the phone call went through.

"It’s me...You didn’t except me to get out eh... Not very well, Mr. Efim. I’m in a terrible situation now... ho ho, just because of this, I need my reward from you... Why? Yes, just like you said, a guy like me would probably not make waves... But do you really think I dare to call you without any evidence?"

There was a silence at the other side of the phone. Urey had a slight hint of cold smile on face, "Not too much, I just want a considerable reward. At eight this evening, Luca Bian Metro Station... Ask Anna to come to talk with me."

Then, Urey decisively ended the call.

...

...

This was the 27th playing card. All of those cards were from Vera’s fingers, which flew about 3 meters away and stuck in a wooden beam orderly.

(Don’t misunderstand. Those were actually metal pokers, instead of paper cards.)

"This is the information of that guy." Vicar came out of the room with the printed documents on his hand.

While shooting the 28th cards, Vera lightly said, "Tell me the situation."

"The guy’s name is Yakov, the owner of the art gallery. He has been working there for thirteen years and came from Belarus twenty years ago. Well... married, has a son and a daughter." Vicar said simply, "In addition, he has registered online casino accounts at three different websites...And, this guy’s bets are very huge, but mostly loses. Seems the art gallery owner has a very good income."

Vera kicked to turn the swivel chair to Vicar, meanwhile the 29th metal playing card flew over Vicar’s head, which made this thin man started sweating cold sweat. "Something is wrong with this guy."

"You mean this guy stole the painting?" Vicar walked to Vera carefully with the folder protecting his head, sitting down with relief when he knew Vera wouldn’t play cards.

Vera kept the chair turning and said, "Mostly loses? Then his financial condition must be very terrible, but since he’s still betting, the guy probably has a good family background---Obviously, his salary as an art gallery owner cannot afford that."

"He has extra income..." Vicar quickly said, "Using his authority to steal these famous paintings from the art gallery to get money!"

Vicar patted his head suddenly, and pointed at Vera, "To not be exposed, he shifted the misfortune onto you!"

Vera rolled her eyes, patting Vicar’s arm and correcting, "Onto F&C! Not me!"

"OK ..." Vicar said, "So what are you going to do?"

Vera hesitated for a while, "I’m just curious, how does he have the painting disappear?"

Vicar was wordless...

Wasn’t it the most serious issue to clarify this thing?

Vera suddenly stood up and put on a coat.

Vicar quickly said with frowning, "Recently the boss organizing illegal boxing matches was caught, lots of inside stories were disclosed, and many people were involved. Now, that world famous painting is stolen, I think the police must be very vigilant. So don’t be reckless."

"Since the painting is stolen by F&C, it must be in F&C’s hands, right?" Vera gave an evil smile and said, "Let me go to his home to check. Help me at any time."

Vera seemed to turn a deaf ear to the warning of Vicar.

"What about the holiday in Moscow?" Vicar grumbled.

"Bang!" the door was closed.

...

...

Rumbling!!

On the platform, a strong wind followed by the coming Metro---when the Metro stopped, the crowds overflowed this platform.

Anna was an attractive and traditional Russian woman. She only carried a long-belt mini bag. Until almost all the passengers got off, she stood up and walked toward the door.

She walked with a charming smile of a model. With traditional and modern beauty, she attracted lots of men’s eyes.

She seemed to look for someone in the crowd.

"Stop! And don’t turn around!" A voice appeared behind her suddenly.

Then the voice went on, "Now, move to the track side slowly. But remember, do not turn around!"

She could even feel something was poking her back gently.

Thought Anna couldn’t see the person, she still showed a smile, turning slightly and said softly, "Urey, calm down... I’m happy you told Mr. Efim to let me talk to you. And I’m so glad to see you again."

Urey sneered, "Are you? More glad than screwing with Yefim---the son of a bitch?"

Anna sighed, "Urey, you should know my difficulties...I didn’t intend to lie to you."

"Shut up, Ms. Anna, I’m not a kid, and won’t be depressed over this. My anger was gone." Urey said lightly, "I don’t care whether you were fond of me, it doesn’t matter---I only want money, understand?"

Anna suddenly said, "I heard something is in your hand. What’s that?"

"Do you think I’ll tell you that?" Urey sneered.

Anna nodded and said, "Well, since you are so straight, then I’ll also get to the point... How much do you want? What’s more, don’t you think it would be more convincing for us and more favorable for you to show me something, even a little bit? Without proof, we will give you nothing."

When Anna was saying that, she secretly put down one of her arms. And in her palm, a small cosmetic mirror case was opened, swaying toward the back.

"Ten million, Euro."

"No problem, but you must show me something of the evidence." Anna said with no concession.

Urey snorted, "Do you think I’ll show you that? There is no leeway in the negotiation. Your only choice---give it or not?"

"Urey." Anna suddenly called, as turning her body to Urey.

"I warned you don’t turn around! Do you want to die?" Urey’s eyes opened wide, but it couldn’t hide his panic.

Anna smiled and looked at the clothes covering Urey’s arm. She stretched out her hand, lifting the clothes.

A series of continuous fast actions.

"Since when can a finger shoot bullets?"

"Hum!" Urey snored again, "So what even if you saw through me? Do you think I’m carrying it on myself? Let me tell you, if I can’t go back safely today, the whole Moscow will know your scandal tomorrow!"

"Don’t be nervous." Anna smiled and approached to Urey.

"Stay back!" Urey said as taking a step back subconsciously.

Anna was still walking close, which made Urey had to take back again and again until touching the wall. Now he must try to escape from this place.

But his arm was quickly caught by Anna--- the woman kissed him with a fast speed.

He had enjoyed such passionate kisses for many nights before, when he lost himself in the gorgeous relationship.

But soon he sobered up!

The continuous pain lingered in his mind, and made his pupil open widely.

It turned out there was a small, silvery and very delicate pistol in Anna’s hand. Under the rumble of the metro arriving at the station, it had been shot several times.

Across the clothes Urey grabbed.

Two times, or three?

When Anna stopped the kiss, she used her palm to cover his wounds. Then Anna stood on tiptoe and whispered to Urey, "Dear Urey, maybe you don’t know, I know you better than you do. I deeply remember your looks and tricks...So, talking is not what a good man should do."

"Anna..."

Urey felt that his strength was leaving away from his body.

"I’ll miss the time with you." Anna said like his wife, untying his clothes and snuggling up to him, "Farewell."

She took a step back and hurriedly got on the metro, which was about to leave.

...

’I shouldn’t be here... It’s right to leave this place.’ Urey regretted.

Urey’s body crept down through the walls slowly. He even lost the ability to speak--- When he sat down on the floor, the wall was reddened by the blood.

People finally noticed this injured man, and got into chaos--- Some people looked him over, and some helped to call an ambulance.

Now Urey couldn’t feel his voice, and his sight turned dim and blurry.

When his body completely collapsed on the ground, he found a black card was in his hand...Was it the one he threw away?

Urey didn’t know.

But he heard a voice.

"Dear customer, what do you want?"