She gathered what she needed, pleased when he came in to sit at the counter and talk to her while she worked. She chopped plum tomatoes and basil, minced some garlic, shredded some mozzarella, added some cracked pepper and poured olive oil over them to marinate. For fun she began to prepare a pretty tray of antipasti.
“I thought we could get another dog, a puppy, as company for Bert. You could name him, since I named Bert.”
“Two dogs, no waiting.” He considered. “It’d have to be Ernie.”
“Why?”
He nipped one of the hot peppers off the tray. “Bert and Ernie. Muppets?Sesame Street?”
“Oh. That’s a children’s program. Bert and Ernie are friends?”
“And possibly more, but since it’s a kids’ program, we’ll stick with friends.”
“I named Bert for Albert Einstein.”
“I should’ve figured.”
“He is very smart.”
Her computer signaled.
“That’s incoming mail,” she said, and stepped out of everyday.
She walked to the computer, leaned over and brought up the mail. “It’s Cosgrove.”
“He took the bait.”
Blackmail me, blackmail the Volkovs. You won’t live to spend the money. Back off now, and live.
“He’s tying himself to the Volkovs with this response. It’s not concrete, of course, but it’s a start.”
“Let me answer this one,” Brooks requested, and took a seat.
“Oh…” Then Abigail’s uncertainty turned to a nod of approval. “That’s very good.”
Tell the Volkovs you’re being blackmailed, you’re a liability. They eliminate liabilities. Pay now, and live. Payment is now $100,000. You have twenty-nine hours.
“I’ll route it.”
He gave her the seat, stood behind her, rubbing her shoulders, as she worked what he thought of as strange magic with the keyboard.
“Now he could call the bluff. He could let this go past the deadline, wait it out.”
“No, he won’t.” Brooks leaned down, kissed the top of her head. “He’s shifted from using the law as a lever to using the Volkovs. He’s sweating. His next response will demand a guarantee. How can he be sure we won’t come back for more?”
“That’s irrational.” Once the message was routed, she turned in the chair to look up at Brooks. “It’s all dishonest, it’s extortion. Asking for a guarantee’s not logical, and would cost another twenty-five thousand. He should either agree to the payment or ignore any other communications.”
“Side bet, ten bucks.”
“I’m sorry?”
“I have ten dollars that says he’ll come back whining for a guarantee.”
Her brows drew together. “You want to wager on his response? That doesn’t seem appropriate.”
He grinned at her. “Afraid to put your money where your mouth is?”
“That’s a ridiculous expression, and no, I’m not. Ten dollars.”
