“Okay, but you’re taking those pain killers as soon as we get upstairs.”
“Deal.”
“You know, if the Kozlov family is actively hunting Russo, it means the game has changed,” Gunnar said as they headed into the building.
“Yeah, and not for the better.That thought is not helping my headache any, by the way.”
Gunnar grunted.“Think I might be getting one too.”
Chapter Eighteen
Later that evening, Bryn sat slouched in his beanbag, a cold compress pressed against his forehead, while Gunnar worked at his desk nearby.Gunnar had turned off the overhead lights in favor of a lamp on his desk, which cast long shadows across the cluttered office.Bryn was grateful for the simple consideration.
“You know, staring at me isn’t going to make my headache go away any faster,” he said without opening his eyes.
“I’m not staring,” Gunnar replied.“I’m reviewing case files.”
“The same page you’ve been reviewing for the last twenty minutes?Because you haven’t clicked that mouse once.”
“It’s a very complicated page.”
Despite the throbbing in his skull, Bryn smiled.“You’re a terrible liar.”
“How are you feeling?Really?”
Bryn opened his eyes.Gunnar had abandoned all pretense of working and was watching him with an intense expression that meant he was cataloging every sign of pain or discomfort.“Better than I was two hours ago.Still feels like someone’s using my brain as a drum kit, but the meds are dulling the pain.Warden stocks the good stuff.”
“Good.Reading that woman did a number on you.I’ve never seen you react so strongly on connection like you did with her.”
“Katarina’s emotions were…I don’t know.Intense doesn’t begin to cover it.The grief was bad enough, but the murder fantasies she’s been nurturing?Those packed a punch.”Bryn shifted the compress to another spot.“I’ve never read someone with such a vivid, detailed revenge scenario.I think she must have rehearsed Russo’s death a hundred times in her head.Makes her dangerous.”
“Makes her predictable.People that focused on revenge tend to make stupid mistakes.”
Bryn sat up straighter, wincing at the movement.“Where’s Emmett?He said he’d track down that fifth dagger.Or did I miss him going home?”
“He went to grab dinner and check on something.Should be back soon.”Gunnar’s expression grew concerned again as Bryn rubbed his temples.“Maybe you should call it a night.Go to bed, get some real rest.”
“There’s too much happening.”Bryn reached for his coffee mug, found it empty, and made a face.“Besides, if I go now, I’ll lie in bed thinking about everything we don’t know.”
“I’m sure Warden could provide a sleeping pill.”
“No thanks.The last thing I need is more drugs.”
Gunnar’s phone buzzed before he could respond.He glanced at the screen and frowned.“Bell’s calling.”
“Put it on speaker.”
Gunnar answered the call.“Bell, you’re on speaker with Bryn and me.”
“Good.I’ve got updates on the Kozlov situation, and none of its good news.”Bell’s voice had a rough edge.
“You sound worse than me, Bell,” Bryn said.“You need rest.”
“Yeah.I remember sleep.Vaguely.”
“What do you have for us?”Gunnar asked.
“First, we’ve confirmed that Katarina isn’t working alone.Boston PD spotted at least three known Kozlov associates in the city over the past week.They’re keeping a low profile, but they’re here rather than on home turf in New York.”
