Chapter 14
"You look like shit," said Suarez. My head was still pounding late in the afternoon even after taking some painkillers.
Maybe I may have or have not had more shots of tequila after I left Ivan's penthouse.
I ignored Suarez's words and immediately dived in the results that were sent in from forensics.
Mariya Kuznetsov. The prime Minister's adopted daughter. Eighteen year old whose origins were not known. I stared at the file of the girl who had long black hair and grey eyes.
"Williams you need to take this," Suarez said handing me the phone.
"Yes this is detective William,"
Caller, "I am calling about Marie. I know what happened to her. I don't have much time but please don't tell anyone I called" she stammered.
The voice at the other end was of a young lady not younger than seventeen or older than twenty. Her voice was quivering as she spoke.
"Miss calm down, I don't know who Marie is share with me her full name to understand what you mean."
"The prime Minister's daughter Mariya Kuznetsov.
The abduction was all staged. He took Marie from school.
One of his men came and told her that her father wanted to see her.
I saw them arguing and Marie refused to go with him then he forcibly pulled her into the car and it went away.I can't say anything else because I don't feel safe but I hope this will give you information on how to find Marie.
Please find her. The prime minister is the one who has her.
She was scared of him. He is not a good man. "
"Hello Miss, hello." The line on the other end went dead and I turned to Suarez.
"I hope you got all that." He nodded at me wheels in my head turning and the pieces started falling into place. The man had no remorse while speaking about her even though his acting seemed convincing.
"Nikko trace where that call came from. Suarez I want every detail regarding the girl who just called. Who she is, where she is from and most important of all who she is to Mariya Kuznetsov," I ordered.
Judging from the call the investigation had been taking a different direction from the main focus. I got up and picked up my coat informing Suarez where I was headed.
"I'm going to check out if there is anything helpful from her school mates."
I drove off through the city trying to focus on the case and not my messed up personal life.
A thought or two slowly slipped out on what happened with Ivan.
I tried my best not to allow any feelings to get the best of me.
Shutting them all down I repeated a mantra in my head to focus on the present.
I arrived at the school after half an hour battling with my not so scary demons.
At the school gate I was asked for my identification and so many questions making the whole ideal seem suspicious.
There was a call which was made at the principal's office to inform her of my visit.
After fifteen minutes of interrogation I was allowed to enter the school grounds.
For a school there was so much security you would think it to be a prison. The students walked in their navy blue and grey uniforms and watched me warily as I got escorted to her office. The atmosphere of the place felt like a medieval times boarding school with so much mystery.
Assuming the role of Sherlock Holmes I carried my head high confidence in every stride I took. I found myself standing in front of a brown mahogany door that was opened after three knocks.
"Come in," said a stern voice. Before a huge desk and comfortable looking chair sat a woman who was fit for authority. Her auburn hair was tied into a neat bun not one stray strand. Her piercing green eyes met mine and a cold smile formed on her face.
I could tell this was from years of practice on how to hide any emotion she felt. She was clad in the navy blue color of the school uniform deducing she was a woman who preached water and drank it.
"Detective Williams what a pleasure to have you hear today."
"The pleasure is mine Mrs..."
"You can call me Ruth."
Not wanting to sound impolite I used the name she gave me and began telling her the reason for my impromptu visit.
"I understand that one of your students went missing about a week ago and after carrying out the investigation in different angles I am led to believe that maybe there might be a lead about her disappearance within school grounds."
She observed me for a while not giving anything until she motioned I have a seat. "I appreciate your efforts detective and will do everything to assist you in your investigation," she offered.
"Let's start with something simple. Tell me about what kind of student Miss Kuznetsov is."
She held a calm peaceful expression by the mention of the girl's name.
"Where to start. Mariya has always been a really good student.
Calm, composed and level headed for her age.
She has topped her class ever since she joined Agarwood High.
Not one case of indiscipline or any sign of rebellion.
I was even surprised she was abducted. She is a student who didn't stand out apart from her exemplary academic performance and intelligence. "
With a heavy sigh she kept quiet and continued reminiscing on memories only she knew. Following on the words of the headmistress I could tell there was nothing left to add. "May I interrogate some of her classmates or friends?"
"For that detective it's going to prove quite difficult if we do not have consent from their parents or if you do not have any official documents to allow you to conduct any investigation within the school premises," she said.
Of course what did I expect. The woman wouldn't allow any of the students to be witnesses especially considering the three quarter population of the school consisted of children from high class families.
There was nowhere it would lead me if I pushed for her to give me any statement when I had no permissions. I offered her a handshake thanking her for her time and left her office.
On my way out I bumped into the rude boy who was one of Ivan's henchmen. He looked at me slightly surprised and my expression would mirror his had I not schooled it. Getting inside my car I asked Siri to make a call.
"Hey Nikko I want you to check if the prime minister's daughter had any dealings with Ivan Bratan this case seems to be more than what meets the eye."
After ending the call I took a deep breath allowing my mind to drift on what the boy was doing there. A small note on my dashboard caught my sight and I picked it gingerly.
Drop the case or meet your end.
It said.