“You think this is Tatiana toying with us?”
A quick hesitation and finally, “I don’t know if it’s toying or not. She’s made it clear that we weren’t to follow her, so why would she then show us where she was? And even if it’s to lure you away, she’d have to know we’d question it. Maybe it’s one of the people working for her? Trying to fuck with her before they die? There’s no way they’re still alive if they’ve seen her face.”
“If this is her, why would she take Rori to Canada? There’s nothing there unless she has a home base, and even then, it’s almost too obvious,” John reasons.
“Or that’s her entire plan. We go to follow, the entire place will be crawling with the local police, and Canada has their own rules around organized crime. You try to go there and shit is going to go very badly.”
“Another interesting thing, though, is that there were murmurings another Russian Pakhan was in the area. An Ilya Romanov.”
“Why does that name sound familiar?” Titus wonders aloud.
“Because he is the largest Russian Pakhan on the West Coast,” Zeno replies grimly. “His territory is central in Washington, but he also has moved into Oregon, overtaking the state from other groups and running it with an iron fist. He’s been setting his sights on California, but Timur has a damn tight hold over it. Along with another Pakhan, Rodion Kiselyov, but he’s much smaller than Timur and is closer to the Mexican border.”
“Romanov being in Canada doesn’t sound all that strange to me,” I point out. “He’s right on the border, so it would make sense that he’s spotted there.”
“At the same time as this plane goes on and off grid?” Zeno asks skeptically.
He has a point, though I think he’s barking up the wrong tree. It doesn’t surprise me though. He and Urso will take Tatiana getting past them personally, so they’re going to look at everything under a microscope now. “Look into it, but I think that she landed in California somewhere and is lying low until she can see if we’re following her. She had to know that we wouldn’t listen.”
“No, she knewyouwouldn’t listen,” he corrects firmly. “I get it, I do, but this isn’t going to be a simple go in and retrieve her, Alonzo. I just want you to have all the facts before you make any moves and get yourself killed.”
His lack of faith in me makes me want to punch him. “Then find me some information and make it fast.” I hang up, not willing to listen to any more.
The silence is tense, until finally Titus says, “Alright, since we’re going into this blind, I suggest we start looking at all the locations we’ve got, and then we make a plan.”
“She could be fucking dead by then,” I snap, my temper bubbling. I’m tired of playing it smart. Tired of being cautious. I want to storm that house and find her. Bring her home and never thinking about these fucking Russians again.
“Go cool off, Alonzo,” Titus orders, watching me with a knowing expression. “We’ll get to work. The faster we move, the faster we can find her and get her out of here. But we have to be smart. We don’t know where she is, and if we go in too fast, she could get caught in the crossfire. Now go, and I’ll let you know what we find out within the hour.”
I want to snarl at him that he’s not in charge, but instead I get to my feet and storm off, Hades quickly following behind me.
Red tinges my vision as I head up to the rooftop terrace of the guest house. Carlo went with a more traditional Italian-style home with this place, lots of steps and all. When I get there, I slam the door open, and realize at the same time that Hades lets out a low warning snarl that someone is already up here.
Namely one of Carlo’s guards. In his hand is a device that looks a hell of a lot like a listening device, but not plugged in. The question now is if he’s just getting here or leaving. He lets out a start, turning like he’s planning to run. “Do it, and I sic the dog on you,” I warn him sharply. He pales, and his eyes dart to Hades, who is slowly stalking forward in time with my steps. “What are you doing here? Lie to me and I’ll let him loose,” I add in warning before he can speak.
“I-I-I was j-j-just supposed to l-l-listen in and see what information you have,” he rasps.
“And what did you hear?”
“N-n-nothing, sir. I only just got here.” He trembles with fear. He can’t be older than twenty, and has far too much tolearn. Still, I don’t know that I can trust him. I’m inclined to believe him, but I need information first.
“Why does your boss want to know what we’re talking about? What business is it of his?”
A hard swallow, and the device in his hand shakes. “He never really said. Just to let him know what was said. He’s not happy that you found the devices that he had the men hide. A few of them got some good beatings for the screw up.”
“And what do you think will happen when you go back to him and tell him that you heard nothing from us?”
His face turns ashen. “I…I guess I’ll take whatever punishment the Don feels is acceptable,” he gets out in what he probably thinks is bravery but is more of a squeak.
This kid isn’t going to get far in this place. He’ll be dead within a year.
“You want to work for him? This is what you wanted to do?”
“I…”
“Speak up, boy. I want an answer.” I already have a plan forming in my mind. This kid isn’t great at his job yet, but I can use him.
A weak shrug. “I’ve never known anything else. My father is…or was one of the Don’s security, but he died two years ago on a job and my mother and I needed the money to keep afloat. The Don doesn’t automatically pay for families, especially not ones that he feels don’t deserve it.” That last part is said bitterly before he clams up.
