“Of course. I spoke with Ruiz.”
“How’d that go?”
“She’d probably say it was a waste of her time.”
“Sam…”
“What? I was nice and respectful, and I engaged in the conversation.”
“I’ll bet you did.”
“I did! She doesn’t agree with me that family members should be involved in cases where we’re able to be helpful like I was.”
“Oy vey, Holland. I’m sure I’ll be hearing all about it.”
“She did mention that I won’t always have my protectors in place around here. I can’t imagine what she’s talking about with that nonsense.”
A huff of laughter was his only response.
Lindsey came out of the morgue as they approached. “So, weird thing… I can’t find any cause of death for Ivanov. Other than the postmortem injuries sustained when they pushed the body out of the moving vehicle and possible ligature marks on his wrists, there’re no injuries of any kind.”
“Isn’t poison the murder weapon of choice for Petrov dissenters if a hotel balcony or high-rise window isn’t available?” Malone asked.
“That’s my thought, too. I’ve sent the tox screen to the lab and will keep you posted on what they find.”
“Thanks, Linds,” Sam said.
“What’s going on out there?”
“The Russians want their guy back, and my detail is not happy.”
Lindsey shook her head with grim amusement. “This place gets nuttier all the time.”
“Sure does.”
Sam and Malone pushed through the morgue door and encountered a full-on conflagration between Patrol, Vernon, Q and the Russians, who’d arrived in two black SUVs with diplomatic plates.
Speaking of international incidents…
Vernon appeared out of the scrum and hustled her back inside.
“Hey, it was just getting interesting out there.”
“Not funny, Sam. These guys are pissed off. They’d love to get their hands on you.”
He was as stressed out as Sam had ever seen him.
“Thanks for letting me know there were Russians after you,” he added.
“They’re not after me.”
“Maybe not, but you’d be one hell of a prize.”
“Everyone is on my case today.” The grinding anxiety from earlier resurfaced with a swiftness that stole her breath.
“Why’d you just go pale?”
“I don’t know. I’m feeling weird lately.”
