The line clicked dead.
The detective with the mole finally dropped into the chair across from me, folding his hands like he was trying a newstrategy. “Ryder, possession of a firearm is a serious offence. If you’d just?—”
“Look, I’m just a handsome, gentle soul who was just minding his own business.”
His stare flattened. “You were caught aiming a loaded weapon at a site under active search and seizure.”
“Incorrect. I wasdisarmingan idiot with a loaded weapon outside a site under active search and seizure. There’s a difference.”
A muscle in Moustache’s cheek jumped.
Good. At least one of us was entertained.
“So,” I continued, “did you find anything interesting inside? I hear it was a mess.”
Mole leaned forward, lowering his voice. “Ryder… this only gets worse if you keep playing games.”
I smirked. “Detective, if I were playing games, I’d be having fun.”
Another sigh. Moustache looked so close to losing his patience that it was almost comical.
“Look,” I said, finally pulling my legs off the table only to lean my chair back onto two legs. “Have you charged me or not?”
“You’re already in custody, Mr Finn,” he warned.
“Fantastic,” I said. “Does that come with room service? Because I’m?—”
Three sharp raps, and it took a moment for me to realise it was coming from the door.
“Please,” I said, sweeping my arm out. “Answer. I won’t be offended.”
“Jesus Christ,” Moustache muttered as he stood. “Stay put.”
I winked back. “I’ll do my best.”
The door cracked open, a uniformed man speaking in a low whisper.
The detective’s head snapped toward me, eyes sharpening. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me?” he snarled. “How is he being released?”
I clicked my tongue, standing. “Ah, well, it’s been fun, guys.” I rapped my knuckles against the table. “I hope you both go fuck yourselves.”
With a wink at both detectives, I pushed the door open and stepped out into the hallway.
“Took your fucking time,” I said, finding both Roman and Maxim waiting for me.
“Hello to you, too,” Roman muttered dryly.
“Have the charges been dropped?”
“Of course,” he said, as if it was obvious. “You’ll owe my father.”
I nodded, knowing you didn’t want to owe Sasha Antonov, but that was tomorrow’s problem. Today, I had enough shit to deal with.
Following Maxim outside, he opened the back door of a sleek black car forRoman, and I followed inside after.
“Where’s Violet?” I asked the second the car door shut behind us. “Tell me you got her out.”
Roman didn’t meet my eyes. His jaw knotted. “She’s been taken.”
