Maksim: You need to come back to the office immediately. Situation unfolding.
Me: On my way
“I have a work emergency. I have to go.”
Giselle spoke in a rushed tone. “You should know that my superiors are ready to do everything they can to shut these two organizations down.”
“I can’t guarantee we’ll get a full conviction on everything you’re looking for if we rush this,” Yuri told her.
She shrugged helplessly. “We understand that, but our priority is keeping our citizens safe.”
I was pissedthat I was going to be late for dinner with Mila. I made a mental note to text her. It was half past six when I walked into the bay. “Does someone want to tell me where Maksim is?”
“In the back offices.”
I found him talking to two men who were standing on guard in front of one of the offices.
He looked relieved when he saw me. “I’m glad you’re back.”
“What happened?”
“Arkady was on the south end of our property, doing inventory and someone beat him up.”
I let out a long, slow breath. “How bad?”
“Knocked him out. And his arm was so badly broken he’s now at the hospital, awaiting surgery.” He stepped closer. “Sergei was the one who happened to be there. He stopped the guy, but he got away.”
That statement made my blood run cold. “Where’s Sergei now?”
“He’s doing his own personal inventory on our artillery and asking how to get supplies to make bombs.”
“Shit.” I rubbed my tired face with one hand. “I need to talk to Grisha.”
“You also need to go to the hospital. Arkady made you his medical guardian and he’s under our insurance, so they’ve been asking for you.”
I cursed as I realized that even if I left now, I’d still be late for dinner with Mila. I needed to call her. “It has to be me?”
“That’s what they told me, and you should know the police are there. They want to take Arkady’s statement.”
“Has he made one?”
“He’s feigning amnesia right now. He wanted to talk to you. He wanted to see what you wanted.”
My phone started to ring. It was Grisha. “Get someone to drive me to the hospital, and I want them to wait for me. I don’t want to deal with parking.”
“What do you want us to do with Sergei?”
I paused. “Let him count his guns. Just don’t let him shoot anyone.”
He nodded, already calling someone on his phone.
“Axel here,” I answered Grisha’s call while I walked across the bay. Ahead of me. I could see someone running to get a vehicle.
“I assume you’ve been calling me about Sergei landing on your doorstep.”
“I was looking for clarity about your expectations in regard to him.”
“He’s in charge.”
