Dmitri…
We meet with Adam and his father at their accounting firm on Washington Street. Their offices are on the twelfth floor with a magnificent view of the bridge. Efrem started in a little storefront in the Meatpacking District. When Father sent him the Morozov business and contacts for allies interested in a legitimate front, the Zaitsev Firm moved into a series of increasingly elaborate buildings until settling here.
Adam greets us with a handshake and a huge grin. "This is a surprise. Dad will be right in. Can I get you a coffee? Something stronger?"
When Efrem bustles in, all smiles, and takes a seat, Father tells them what happened. Plain, unvarnished truth.
"You kidnapped mybrother?"Adam asks. He laces his hands over his head. "I don't believe you, Ilya is a fuck up, but he wouldn't- This can't be real."
"I'm sorry,moy drug,my friend. It's true," Father says to Efrem. "He was involved in the same human trafficking ring whokidnapped Dmitri's…" He glances at me for a moment. "...guest, Ava."
Efrem's in his late sixties and looks ten years older today, his face red and haggard. "No…" he says, staring at the table. "That's impossible."
"After Ava correctly identified Ilya's voice," I say, "Roman and I followed him to his new place. I broke down the door. The girl was there. His captive is eighteen years old. Your son bought achild."
"This is impossible," Efrem croaks. "We've been friends for thirty years, Maksim! You're- you're lying. How could you do this? How could you blame my son?"
I slam my hand on the table, making it shake. "She was wearing afucking shock collar," I roar. "Your son held a girl captive for six months. He locked a shock collar around her neck to keep her from escaping."
"You're lying!" Efrem shoots to his feet, clumsily knocking his chair over. "I will not stay here and hear this filth about my son."
"We brought you the surveillance videos," Father says. "We can show you the apartment. You can speak to the detectives we called after we took him."
"Is he in police custody?" Adam asks, leaning forward. "Why haven't we heard from them?"
"We have him," I say.
His eyes narrow. "Did you hurt him?"
Drawing in a deep breath, I nod. "Yes."
"How could you!" he shouts, looking like I'd punched him.
"Did you hearanythingwe just said?" I understand his pain, and it will take a while for this to sink in. Still… "Adam, how can you overlook the crucial information about the eighteen-year-old girlyour brother fucking bought like a pet,wearing a shock collar in captivity?"
"Your fucking family isjudginghim?" The denial is over, now Adam's into the anger stage. "You, being the judge and jury of my brother? After all the death you've caused, the crime we have covered up, your dirty money and you have the fucking audacity to judge Ilya? Just- take us to him. Take us now."
"I can show you all the evidence," I force myself to stay calm, emotionless. Like aPakhanshould be. Like my father is now. "You'll see that I'm telling the truth. You know I'm not lying to you. I can see it."
"What we need to know is what you're going to do with him once you truly accept what's happened here," Father says.
"That will be for our family to decide," Efrem says, straightening his jacket with shaking hands. "Son, deal with these… people. Let me make it clear that this is the last time I will ever speak to you, Maksim. We are no longer friends. We are no longer family. All your accounts will be divested immediately from our firm. Deem yourselves lucky that-" he shuts up. Even in his rage, Efrem's not irrational enough to threaten us with exposure. Especially when we've brought in so many other high profile criminal clients.
"Understood," Father says coldly. "I am sorry to see it end this way."
"I would've been sorry too," Efrem chokes out. "Until you kidnapped and beat my son."
There's a chill radiating from Father that seems to cool Efrem's bluster. "Your son gave money to the Red Trade. You are fortunate he is still breathing.Youare fortunate we don't demand recompense from your family in the form of his life. Plan on paying five million dollars to that girl for her care and support. You are welcome to leave now. My captain will take you to Ilya."
Efrem sweeps from the office, not waiting for his son to follow him.
Adam's eyes are red. He can't look at me and I think the realization is crushing him. The silence stretches out until I take pity on him. "Let me show you what we have."
Father stands up, buttoning his jacket. "I will see you back at the office," he says. As he leaves, I see his shoulder droop, just the slightest bit.
To Adam's credit, he doesn't say a word. He watches the videos and reads through the reports. When he sees the pictures of Ilya and the girl dressed like a child, he puts his hand to his mouth with a convulsive heave.
"Ilya's always dated younger girls, but…"
