Chapter Nineteen
The following morning, Bryn hovered behind Emmett in the office, peering at his latest whizzy spreadsheet. “I haven’t had enough coffee to get my head around this,” he complained.
“You’re on your third mug,” Emmett said.
“Not seeing your point. Tell me again how you’ve analyzed case priorities.” Bryn shifted from foot to foot, enjoying the dull muscle aches that had resulted from Gunnar paying him a lot of close personal attention the previous night.
“I could color-code everything better to make it visually easier for you?” Emmett suggested.
“Yeah, that might be best. I can do colors.”
“How’s your head?”
“Attached.”
“That’s good,” Emmett replied, all bright-eyed enthusiasm. Today’s sweater vest had a pale pink diamond pattern and his bowtie was a darker shade of pink. Bryn had, as usual, selected a wardrobe of all black and the contrast between them was extreme.
Gunnar’s expression was one of amused tolerance. His cell rang and he reached for it. “Oh hey, Bell. I’ll put you on speaker. Bryn and Emmett are here.”
“Morning all. I hope you’ve had your coffee because I have news.”
“Not enough,” Bryn complained, “you never call with good news like The Hammer got eaten by a shark or Everard Templeton’s parachute failed to open during a charity skydiving event.”
Bell snorted with laughter. “Nothing that good, Bryn. We had to release Katarina Kozlova this morning. We couldn’t hold her indefinitely without charges, and knowing someone’s planning murder isn’t the same as being able to prove it in court.
” Bell’s sigh was audible over the connection.
“She walked out of here an hour ago with a smug smile on her face.”
“Fantastic,” Gunnar said, untying then re-tying his messy bun. “So now we’ve got a revenge-obsessed murderous Russian loose in the city, and no way to track her.”
“Gets worse,” said Bell. “She made a point of asking the receptionist for directions to the nearest flower shop. Said she needed to pick up something for a memorial service.”
“Her brother’s memorial?”
“Yes. The Kozlov family is having a big service for their fallen prince. That’s why they’ve been gathering in the city. If Russo is planning a preemptive move, that’s where he’ll do it.”
“With half the Russian mob no doubt in attendance,” Gunnar said. “Christ, Bell, this could turn into a bloodbath. If the Kozlovs know what Russo is doing, why would they set themselves up as targets?”
“Russo has been out of the country. I think it’s a case of complacency. They don’t think he’s ready to take them on yet.”
“But he is!” Emmett exclaimed.
“Is it wrong that a bit of me says let them get on with slaughtering each other?” Bryn asked, sitting his ass on the edge of Emmett’s desk.
“No comment.” Bell’s tone was wry. “Ask me what else, I dare you.”
“Jesus, Bell, isn’t that enough for this time of day?” Gunnar was getting growly.
“You’ll love this. Fifteen minutes after we released Kozlova, one of The Hammer’s lieutenants walked into our office asking for protection.”
Gunnar stared at his cell. “What the actual fuck?”
“Yeah, that’s what I said. Danilo Malavita. Mid-level guy, been with Russo’s organization for about five years. He’s scared out of his mind, claiming his boss has lost it and is planning something that will start a war.”
“As opposed to their normal criminal agenda, I suppose,” Bryn griped. “Because that pushes pacifism down everyone’s throats, doesn’t it?”
“And he wants to make a deal?” Emmett asked.
“Hi, Emmett, yes, he wants full witness protection in exchange for everything he knows about Russo’s current operations. Says he never signed up for what Russo’s planning to do.”
Gunnar glanced at the clock. “Bryn needs to read him while he answers questions in case he’s a plant.”
“Indeed. Can you be here by ten?”
“We’ll be there.”
After Gunnar ended the call, Bryn sat on the edge of Emmett’s desk swinging his legs. “Well, things don’t stay still for long around here, do they?”
“You up for this? I should have asked before volunteering you,” Gunnar said, grabbing his jacket.
“Of course. This’ll be interesting.”
“I’d take the bike but Warden won’t let me at the moment. He likes armor-plated glass between you and the outside world.”
“Maybe we should bring Emmett. He gets a gun.” Bryn pouted.
Emmett bounced. “Ooh, road trip! But I don’t have a gun anymore. I don’t like them so Warden said I didn’t have to carry one.”
“You have him wrapped around your little finger, don’t you?” Bryn grinned.
“We’ll check in with Warden on the way out,” Gunnar cautioned. “I’m sure he’ll have an opinion, so behave.”
* * * *
Thirty minutes later, Bryn was slumped in the passenger seat of the car, nursing a travel mug of coffee that was strong enough to wake the dead. Gunnar was behind the wheel and Emmett was in the back. Giles hadn’t been around when they left and wasn’t needed for this job anyway.
“This could be rough on you,” Gunnar said, glancing over at Bryn.
“Do I have a choice?” Bryn took another sip of coffee. “If this guy has actionable intelligence about Russo’s plans, we need it now and we need to know this isn’t a trap.”
“I know. But pushing yourself when you’re already running on fumes isn’t a great idea.”
“It’s my job,” Bryn said. “You don’t need to baby me.
In training I managed a lot more readings before I passed out.
Fun memories. Besides, cooperative subjects are easier to read and I doubt this guy will be as intense as Katarina was.
That woman’s head was a minefield full of bombs with ultra-sensitive triggers. ”
“I packed snacks,” Emmett contributed.
“And that’s why you’re the most important member of this team,” Bryn said, grateful for the change of topic. He and Emmett spent the rest of the journey discussing the relative merits of Cheetos over Lay’s Bugles and whether Hershey’s Kisses were worth unwrapping.
They met Bell at the federal building, where he escorted them through security to an interrogation room masquerading as something less intimidating.
“We should have our own office at this place,” Bryn commented, “we’re here so often.”
“We couldn’t afford to fund your coffee habit,” Bell said.
Danilo Malavita was already seated at a table, flanked by two agents. He was a thin man in his forties, wearing an expensive suit and tie, but his knee was bouncing and there was a visible twitch beneath one eye.
“Mr. Malavita,” Bell said as they entered, “these are the specialists I mentioned, from GCR. They’re going to help us verify your information.”
Malavita fixed on Bryn, and he blanched. “You’re the augur. The one who can read minds.”
“Truth, memory and intent,” Bryn corrected, settling into a chair across from him. He pulled off his gloves but kept his dark glasses on. “I’m not psychic, just gene-altered. I’m guessing you know what that means.”
“I heard stories. Russo’s been obsessed with finding you for months.
He was apoplectic when you got away in Philly.
I was in a different city and felt the sonic boom.
” Malavita’s hand shook as he reached for his water glass.
“That’s part of why I’m here. What he’s planning… it’s not only criminal, it’s insane.”
“Why don’t you tell us what you know,” Gunnar said. “Bryn will verify it.”
“And I get witness protection?”
Bell, from his position by the door where he was standing with Emmett, nodded. “That’s the deal.”
“Okay then. From the raids that have been happening on drug manufacturing sites, I guess you already know that Russo’s been working on the development of a synthetic drug.
A drug that works on lupines and sanguines.
It makes them stronger, faster, more dangerous.
Enhancing the enhancements, if you like. ”
“We know.”
“It’s been trial and error. A lot of failure. He refined the drug by using it on subjects coming in for regulation testing and now it works. He’s got six or seven men ready to go.”
“How do you know?” Bell asked.
Bryn reached across the table. “I need to hold your wrist, Mr. Malavita.” Malavita held his arm out and Bryn gripped his wrist. “Okay. Carry on.”
“I’ve seen them in action. They’re not gene-affected humans anymore, they’re monsters.
They can do things…” Malavita shuddered.
“Russo’s planning to use them to eliminate the Kozlov family.
All of them. Every last one. It’s Russo’s idea of a test of their capabilities and obedience before he puts them to work on the streets. ”
“Truth.” Bryn leaned forward, ignoring the spike of pain behind his eyes.
“When?” Bell asked.
“He’s been waiting for the right opportunity, and Pavel Kozlov’s memorial service is perfect. He’ll do it there. The entire family will be in one place.”
“And you have a problem with that?” Gunnar’s voice carried a note of skepticism.
“I signed up to run numbers and collect debts, not to be part of a genocide,” Malavita snapped.
“Russo’s talking about this like it’s some kind of demonstration.
Showing the other families what his enhanced soldiers can do.
He’s going to start a war that will burn down half the city. The Kozlovs are only the beginning.”
Bryn removed his glasses then pinched the bridge of his nose. “He believes he’s telling the truth.”
Malavita stared at him. “Your eyes are…glowing.”