“Yeah, I’ll bet. You better start taking this more seriously, Logan. Petrov’s nobody to fool with.”
He straightened. “I get it. Believe me.” He shifted the phone closer to his ear. “The meeting went better than expected. Petrov’s a businessman. He liked what we had to say. He’s already had us vetted. Since we’ve got no connection to law enforcement other than the raid in Blancha Springs and handing his boy, Daniel, over to the county sheriff, I think he might go for it. The question is, what happens if he does?”
“We need him to corroborate the information our informant has already given us.”
“I thought you said Henson wasn’t talking.”
“This is someone else. But we need more info. A wire would be best, but we can’t risk it. If Petrov found out, you’d be dead before we had a prayer of getting you out.”
“So what’s the alternative?”
“One of our inside people put a bug under Petrov’s private table. He eats in the club almost every night. Always sits there. He and his latest mistress.”
“Platinum blonde? Big tits and too much makeup?”
“That’s her. Name’s Sasha Jankova. See if you can get him to invite you and Skye to supper. Then bait him, get him talking. Like you said, he’s a businessman. He likes to brag about how he came from nothing and how much he’s worth now. If you can get him to incriminate himself, we’ll get it recorded. Combined with the informant’s testimony, we’ll have enough to nail him on drug and racketeering charges.”
Charges that carried very long sentences. Just what Petrov deserved. “We’ll see what we can do.”
“Keep me posted—for both our sakes.”
“Will do.” Edge ended the call and set the phone down next to the bed. Skye drew back the covers, inviting him to join her.
Edge tossed the robe and climbed back into bed. They still had hours until morning.
* * *
Enjoying the luxurious suite, they slept late, then ordered room service for a breakfast of coffee, eggs Benedict, and fresh-squeezed orange juice, which they enjoyed in front of the windows overlooking the Bellagio fountains. The sun was well up by the time Skye dressed for the day in khaki cargo pants and a pair of sneakers, a white tank, and white jeans jacket.
She glanced over at Edge, who wore jeans and a light blue, short-sleeved button-down. He tossed a navy blue windbreaker over the back of a chair to cover the shoulder holster he planned to wear when they went out.
Cross was right, Skye thought. Petrov was a dangerous enemy and not to be underestimated. Edge would be armed with his Beretta, while Skye carried her little .380 semiauto in her purse.
They were ready to prowl the shops, have lunch at Mon Ami Gabi in the Paris Hotel and Casino, maybe gamble a little, whatever it took to pass the time until Petrov called.
Or didn’t.
Edge grabbed his windbreaker just as Skye’s cell phone rang. Worry rushed through her as she recognized Conn’s number. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Good news.”
“Really? I could use some.” She flicked a glance at Edge, who’d moved a little closer. “It’s Conn.” She put the phone on speaker.
“The good news is the police arrested Klaus Mahler last night. He and a guy named Webb Rankin.”
“Wow, that is good news. According to Callie, Webb Rankin was Sarah’s supposed husband. He was one of the men who had killed her. I’m glad they caught him.”
“Callie’s safe,” Conn said, “but even so, she and Lila are going to stay with me a little longer. Both of them are anxious to get back to work, so they’ll be looking for jobs. Apparently, Lila has some experience as a bookkeeper. Callie’s looking for a job in a restaurant. She’s decided to go back to community college in the spring, pick up where she left off, maybe even continue, get her bachelor’s degree.”
“That’s great.”
“They want to share an apartment as soon as they have enough money.”
“Tell Callie I’ll loan her first and last month’s rent and whatever else she needs. She can pay me back once she’s settled.”
“Okay, I’ll tell her.”
“Thanks for everything, Conn. You went way above and beyond. I know Callie and Lila appreciate it.”
