47- Russian

  The Paddock Bar wasn’t open until five o’clock, so 47 went to the Lobby Lounge. Many guests were having afternoon tea. The assassin thought that sounded good; a hot drink would help ease the nasty withdrawal symptoms. He sat in a comfortable armchair overlooking the long room, ordered the drink, and eyed the crowd. His attention settled on three men sitting at a nearby table. They spoke Russian and were dressed a little too smartly for the teatime clientele. 47 was almost positive they were gangsters. He wasn’t exactly fluent in their language, but he knew enough to catch the gist of the conversation. One man complained that they shouldn’t have to be in a long meeting the following day. A second man asked if they knew where it was being held. The third guy answered that it was obviously in the hotel’s business center, probably in a conference room the reverend had reserved. The first man commented that the “food better be good.” The second Russian joked, “It’ll probably be Charlie’s chicken!” That evoked laughter.

- Hitman: Damnation, chapter 25