Thankfully, he pulled himself together somewhat. “We were walking, talking, arguing really… It got pretty heated. He told me the lives of millions in Russia were on the line, and his movement was the only hope they had of taking back their country. Gretchen could help, and they needed her. That was the last thing he said before we were jumped.”
“By whom?”
“I don’t know. They got me in the neck with a needle, and whatever it was knocked me out. When I came to, the sun had come up, and Sergei was gone.”
Sam looked to Freddie. “Find out what we have for cameras in that area.”
He got up and left the room.
“I swear to God that’s what happened.”
“Did you see the people who jumped you?”
“Not at all. One minute I was talking to Sergei, and the next I was waking up to sunshine. I guess I’m lucky they didn’t kill me, too.”
“Why didn’t you report this incident to anyone?”
“I was afraid I might get blamed for whatever happened to him, and I didn’t want Gretchen to know I was with him. As far as she knew, I was in the dark about her rekindling things with Sergei.”
He was indeed very lucky they hadn’t killed him, Sam thought. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
She went out to the hallway to meet with Hope. “If the video supports his story, I vote to spring him after we get a written statement.”
“Agreed, as long as he commits to staying local.”
“Thanks for the support.”
“Always. Let me know what the video from the park shows.”
“Will do.”
After she left, Malone said, “Sergei was murdered by the Russians.”
“I agree.”
“Cruz can take the statement and follow up with the video. Go home.”
“Thanks, Cap. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“I’ll be here.”
Sam turned back to him. “You’re not overdoing it, are you?”
“Nah, I’m fine. Taking it one emergency at a time, and I put Acting Deputy Chief Ruiz in charge of overseeing the repairs to the building, so that’s one thing off my plate.”
“Thank God it’s not on mine.”
She left him laughing as she walked to her office to get her stuff.
Freddie came into the pit from the morgue side as she was locking her office door. “Archie is looking for video.”
“Can you get Curtis’s statement nailed down in writing and then let him go if his statement jibes with the video?”
“Yep.”
“Thank you. I have to, um… The new VP thing…”
Smiling, he said, “Go. I’ve got it.”
