The Searcher Read Free

cooking or some other manual skill. “I make it work for me. There is advantage in it. But not always. Not now.”
    Hammer thought he knew where this was heading, and wondered whether he should save the man his discomfort and tell him that Ikertu didn’t do matrimonial work, no matter who the client. Too grubby, and too messy. But Rapp interested him, and he wanted to see how he would come at it. With a nod he encouraged him to continue.
    â€œIn one corner of my life there is currently too much risk. It is dangerous for my interests. I am hoping that you can restore the balance.”
    â€œI’m an investigator, Mr. Rapp. I work best with specifics.”
    Rapp nodded, twice. A resolution made. His hands tensed again and his eyes stayed locked on Hammer’s, transmitting a certain expectation of power.
    â€œMy wife is sleeping with a man. A young man, Russian.”
    Hammer nodded in sympathy, and confirmation. He raised a hand.
    â€œMr. Rapp, we don’t do that kind of work. Never have.”
    â€œYou don’t know what I want you to do.”
    â€œI can imagine. You want us to prove it’s happening. Get some evidence, get rid of the guy.”
    Rapp shook his head. A brisk shake, impatient, as if Hammer might yet disappoint him.
    â€œI have all that. No. Something else. I want you to study him, this man. Where he goes, who he calls, his e-mails, bank accounts, everything, going back as far as you can.”
    â€œYou planning on ruining him?”
    â€œI can do that on my own. And I will. No. She gives him money. I know this. An allowance, she will say, but it is blackmail, in another form. I want to show he has done this before, with other women. That it will get worse. That as I was a business proposition to her, so she is to him.”
    â€œYou know he’s done this?”
    â€œI have reason to believe.”
    â€œAnd then what?”
    Rapp’s eyes screwed a little tighter and he shook his head again, not understanding.
    â€œWhat does that accomplish?” said Hammer. “Where does it get you?”
    â€œShe stops entertaining thoughts of freedom.” Rapp’s hands relaxed and separated, his voice chill. “It restores the contract. And then I can stop worrying.”
    Hammer was glad he had allowed Rapp to come this far. This was a species of craziness that in all his years he hadn’t seen before, not quite in this form. One for the collection. Before he let him down he had one more question.
    â€œWhy us, Mr. Rapp? You clearly have resources.”
    â€œBecause if this comes from you she will be forced to believe it. From Isaac Hammer.”
    Hammer raised an eyebrow to acknowledge the compliment.
    â€œWell, peace of mind is important, Mr. Rapp. But I’m not sure we’re the right people, and I’m not sure you’ve thought this through. First thing, we don’t eavesdrop. Not on phones, not on e-mails. We can’t, and we won’t.”
    Rapp cocked his head a fraction, as if to suggest that between men of the world there need be no pretense about such things.
    â€œIt’s a practical objection, Mr. Rapp. A lot of people would love me to put a foot wrong, and so for your benefit, and all my clients, and the couple hundred people on this floor whose livelihoods depend on me not screwing things up I try very hard not to. OK? Apart from anything else, we do things properly, I get to charge you more money.”
    Hammer smiled, a little curtly.
    â€œAnd we could. We could do things properly. But I don’t want to, is the thing. This kind of work I leave alone, because I don’t like it, and neither do you. Even if I do a great job, you’re never going to think fondly of me again. You’re not going to send me a Christmas card. I’m like the guy who comes to do your drains. You forget the sweet smell I leave behind and remember the stench that brought you here in the first place. Some of the stench