Page 5

“Ah, Mr B’Old.” Blowhard stood in the doorway of his apartment, looking at James.

 James looked up from the chair, his eyes still adjusting to the light. “Hello Barry.”

“Here for some chess?” Blowhard spoke as he looked around his room. He noticed a woman through the open door to his kitchen. “Who’s the chick?”

“That’s Euroback, Edith Euroback.”

Blowhard walked over and poured himself a whiskey. “So I guess no chess.”

“I’m here for the list, Blowhard.”

“Which list James, my shopping list, my Amazon best movie list, my….”

“No Blowhard, the password list.” Euroback spoke as she entered the lounge.

“You will not find it in my kitchen.”

James looked at Euro and noticed the sandwich in her left hand. “You made a sandwich?”

“You had a drink, I had a snack!”

“I am glad my unknown hospitality is satisfying you both, but what list are you talking about?”

James and Euro looked at Blowhard.

“I haven’t stolen anything for years now, not since the volcano incident.”

“But my source is reliable, they have never been wrong before.” Euro stared at James as she spoke.

Blowhard looked Euro in the eyes. “You are talking about Joe Diamond I presume?”

“I can’t reveal my sources Mr Blowhard.”

“I beat him in the biggest online chess tournament last year and he promised revenge, I thought he would beat me this year but it seams he is trying to stop me playing in the tournament.”

James got up and poured himself and Blowhard a drink. “Online chess tournament eh.”

“Yes James, it pays 10,000 dollars to the winner, together with my eBay auctions I can still afford this place.” Blowhard smiled at James. “I’m pretty popular on Facebook and MySpace you know.”

James stared blankly at Blowhard and Euro. “Facebook?”

“The internet James, what do you auction Mr Blowhard?” Euro sat down and took a bite of her sandwich.

“Barry, please.” Blowhard looked slightly embarrassed. “I sell; well I sell off bits of my old lairs.” “The volcano one sold out in a week. Made quite a bit from that one.”

James took a sip of his drink. “So do you know anything about this list? Barry.”

Blowhard looked Euro up and down before replying. “I heard it was on the whistleblower site a few hours before it was shut down, but that’s about all I know.”

“It’s impossible to copy, light refracting paper.” Euro stood up, a stern look on her face.

“Ever heard of typing?” Blowhard tried not to smile. “Someone re-typed the list, MI6 can’t think of everything.”

James stood up. “Thank you for the drink and the sandwich.” Glanced at Euroback and continued. “I think I know where it is, I will call you when I’m back in town Barry. I have a feeling I could win the next one.”

.

Page 6