Detective Tillman watches the surveillance video completely through twice, then places his hands on the keyboard and spends a few moments typing. “I’m sending a copy of this footage to my e-mail,” he says as he works. “Are there any other angles, or is this everything?”
“That’s all of it,” the security guard confirms.
“I know you are going to have questions for us, but I have to ask first, was there any word on Maximo?” I direct the question at both the security guard and Detective Tillman.
“I asked around the emergency room, and the nurses said he was rushed directly to surgery,” the security guard explains. “I’m afraid I don’t have any other updates right now.”
“Why don’t you go see if you can find out anything else. Oh, and bring back some coffee, please,” Detective Tillman instructs him.
“Yeah, of course,” the security guard agrees before stepping outside and closing the door.
Detective Tillman reaches into his pocket and pulls out his cell phone, fiddles with it for a moment, then sets it on the desk beside him. “You don’t mind if I record our conversation, do you? For my report, you understand.”
“I don’t mind,” I reply as Trenton waves dismissively. “I just don’t know how much help or detail we can provide.”
“There was an attempt to kidnap you, Ms. Monroe, just the other day. You indicated at the time that you thought you were being targeted by members of the Russian mafia, the Bratva, specifically the Volkov family. Do you think this was another of their attempts at retribution?”
“It was definitely Irina Volkov,” Trenton speaks first. “She was driving the van. My boy Joey Lamb saw her just before the shooting started.”
“Joey Lamb, that’s the name of the deceased victim?” Detective Tillman clarifies.
“Yeah,” Trenton confirms. “Joey glanced over when he heard the van coming and spotted her just before they gunned him down. His warning gave me a moment to get back into cover and probably saved our lives.”
“That lines up with what the video showed as well,” the detective agrees. “I hope you understand that I have to ask, but you do have permits for those guns you were carrying?”
“Yeah, I’ve got it right here,” Trenton says as he digs his wallet out of his back pocket. “I’m licensed to carry in the city. So are Joey and Maximo.”
“Just checking,” the detective says as he glances at the permit, then turns his attention back to me. “When we last spoke, Ms. Monroe, it was your assertion that the Volkov family was retaliating against Mr. Luciani for funding a police crackdown on their business ventures. Is that still your position?”
“There’s nothing else that I know of which could have motivated this,” I reply. “If I knew anything else that might help put a stop to this insanity, I would tell you.”
“I’m sure you would, ma’am.” The detective nods. “Did Mr. Luciani discuss our last conversation with you? We had identified another one of your assailants from the botched kidnapping, a man named Jacob Sizemore. We have a warrant out for his arrest and had contacted our counterparts in New Jersey for assistance in tracking him down. We had learned that he had associates in Jersey he may be staying with.”
“Maximo told me that you had identified this Jacob person and that you were trying to track him down, yes.”
“Jacob Sizemore was known to be associated with a motorcycle gang known as the Gargoyles. Were you aware of that?” the detective presses.
“All I know about this Jacob person is what you told Maximo,” I lie smoothly, already prepared for this line of questioning. “Were you able to apprehend him?”
Instead of answering me, Detective Tillman turns his attention to Trenton. “And you, Mr. D’Angelo, do you know anything about him?”
Trenton spreads his hands and shakes his head in negation. “Maximo may have talked to her about it. I wasn’t in the loop,” he replies coolly.
“Of course, you’re just the hired help, right Mr. D’Angelo?”
“You said it, Detective,” Trenton agrees.
“To answer your question, Ms. Monroe, we have not been able to apprehend Sizemore at this time. It’s my understanding that our men in Jersey intended to try and pick him up at a bar these Gargoyles frequent, a place they refer to as their clubhouse. Before we could, there was an explosion and fire there that injured several people. We’ve gathered information that our suspect, Jacob, was there at the time of the fire and fled, but he hasn’t been seen by any of his associates since that time.”
“When did all that happen?” Trenton asks innocently.
“Just last night. It’s entirely possible Mr. Sizemore will pop back up in the next few days, but if either of you have any information regarding his whereabouts, I encourage you to let me know.”
“Are you insinuating that Maximo might have had something to do with all that?” I ask with forced indignation.
“Is that so far-fetched?” Detective Tillman raises an eyebrow at me. “Ms. Monroe, if you care about Maximo, please help me out here. I know with him being injured today you must be beside yourself with worry, and I won’t press you right now. But I have questions that I will get answers to, ma’am, with your help or without it. It would be much better for you, and for Mr.Luciani, if you helped me nip this threat before it grows any wilder. It’s already well out of hand, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Maximo was shot by these Volkov criminals today. He might be dying right now for all I know. Despite that, you’re going to sit here and act as if he might have something to do with their crimes? I appreciate that you’re trying to cover every angle, Detective, but I think you’re approaching this entirely the wrong way. Why don’t you get out there, track down this Jacob person, or Irina Volkov who caused this violence today and arrest them? Do that, and you’ll get your answers. Maximo and I don’t have anything for you, and I resent the insinuation that we’re bringing this upon ourselves!” My voice rises until I almost sound hysterical, and I can’t help but be a bit proud of my performance.
