Chapter Nineteen #2
“Yeah. I swallowed a uranium pill with my coffee this morning. I’m going to take a look at your memory now.
” He left his glasses on the table. After a second, the image came through.
“He’s standing in what looks like an aircraft hangar.
” Bryn described what he was seeing. “Russo is there, and a group of men. They look gene-enhanced. Mostly wolves I think, maybe one or two vamps. Russo is making a speech. ‘When we’re finished, every other family in the city will know exactly what happens to those who cross us. When we’re done with Boston, we move on to New York, Chicago, Miami.
We’ll take out the cartels, the Yakuza, anyone that gets in my way. ’”
Bryn shifted his focus to Malavita’s intent. The man’s fear was genuine, as was his horror at what Russo was planning. But there was something else, a desperate hope that cooperating with the FBI would keep him alive long enough to disappear.
“He’s genuine in as much as he wants to save his own skin,” Bryn said, releasing Malavita’s wrist. He pressed his fingers to his temples as the familiar headache began to build.
“So Russo’s planning to hit the memorial service with an enhanced team and he sees it as a show of power,” Gunnar said.
“How many enhanced soldiers?” Bell asked.
“There were six I saw but there may be more, of course,” Bryn clarified.
“What about Russo himself?” Gunnar asked. “Will he be there?”
Malavita shrugged. “He’ll be coordinating from a distance, but close enough to see the results. Fucking power hungry maniac. He had a good thing going, why does he need more?”
Agent Bell cracked his knuckles. “You’ll testify to all of this in court?”
“If it means Russo goes down and I get to live through this, yes, providing you protect my identity.”
Bell’s phone buzzed, and he glanced at the screen.
“Excuse me for a moment.” He stepped out of the room, returning a few minutes later.
“That was our surveillance team. The memorial is at two this afternoon but they’ve spotted some of Kozlov’s people scoping out the area around St. Nicholas Cathedral. ”
“Then that’s our window,” Gunnar said. “If Russo’s going to move, it’ll be then.”
“We should get back to headquarters,” Bryn said. “Warden needs to know about this.”
“You need anything?” Gunnar asked.
“Emmett’s snacks and a bottle of water in the car will do.” Bryn managed a smile. “Besides, this is the fun part, right?”
The ride back to GCR headquarters was tense. Bryn forced himself to focus on the implications of Malavita’s information. “Russo perfected the drug and created super-soldiers,” he mused. “How do we fight something like that?”
“Armed,” Gunnar replied. “And with a lot of backup.”
Emmett leaned between the seats to give Bryn a candy bar and some water. “Here. I think it all sounds very scary.”
Bryn unwrapped his treat then took a huge bite. “Me too, Emmett, me too.”
When they got back to Marlborough Street, they found Warden in his office, reviewing something with Giles. The moment they walked in, Warden gestured for them to take seats.
“I take it the reading was productive?” he asked.
“Productive is one way of putting it. Russo’s planning to massacre the entire Kozlov family at Pavel Kozlov’s memorial service this afternoon,” Gunnar said without preamble. “Using enhanced wolves and vamps.”
Warden frowned. “He made the drug work then. How many?”
“Six to eight confirmed but we can’t be certain of final numbers. There may be more. He’s going for a scorched earth approach.”
“And the FBI’s response?”
“Bell’s coordinating with his superiors, but he’ll be coming through official channels to request our help because of the gene-altered connection.”
Giles leaned back in his chair. “This could be exactly what we need. If we can capture some of these enhanced men, we’ll be able to analyze the drug.”
“At the cost of how many lives?” Bryn asked. “The Kozlov family may be criminals, but they don’t deserve to be slaughtered.”
“No one’s suggesting we let that happen,” Warden said. “But Giles has a point. This is an excellent opportunity to get more intelligence. The Feds should be able to close a net around Russo’s team now we know what the plan is.”
“Using the Kozlovs as bait,” Bryn said, not bothering to hide his distaste.
“Using the situation to our advantage,” Giles corrected. “The memorial service is happening whether we act or not. At least this way, we have a chance to prevent a massacre and capture some of Russo’s people. Maybe Russo himself, if we get lucky.”
“What about warning the Kozlovs?” Emmett asked.
“Absolutely not,” Giles said. “If they know we’re there, they’ll either run or try to handle it themselves.”
“And if something goes wrong?” Bryn challenged. “If Russo’s soldiers are as enhanced as Danilo Malavita thinks they are?”
“Then we adapt.” Warden turned back to them. “This is what we do, Bryn. We take calculated risks to protect civilians from threats they can’t handle themselves.”
Bryn wanted to argue, but the pounding in his head was making it difficult to think.
The logical part of his mind knew Warden was right.
They couldn’t pass up this opportunity. But the part of him that had read Katarina’s memories, that had felt her grief and rage, rebelled against using people as pawns.
“Fine,” he said. “But I want to be there.”
“Absolutely not,” Gunnar said. “This will be far too dangerous and besides, you’re in no condition to be in the field. You’re not hiding that headache very well.”
“I’m perfectly able to sit in a surveillance van, nice and safe,” Bryn retorted. “Besides, you have someone else who can poke around in people’s heads if it’s needed?”
“He has a point,” Warden said. “But you stay in the van. Gunnar, you’re his shadow.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Gunnar replied.
A slow smile spread across Giles’ handsome face. “This should be entertaining.”
“Glad you’re amused,” Bryn said. “What’s your role in this circus?”
“Backup. Someone has to keep you from getting yourself killed.”
“Your confidence in us is overwhelming,” Gunnar said.
“I prefer realistic,” Giles replied. “You two have form.”
“Emmett, I’ll need you to monitor communications and liaise with the FBI, please,” Warden said.
“I can do that,” Emmett said, though he was pale and there were worry lines around his eyes.
“Good.” Warden nodded. “We have four hours to coordinate with Bell’s team and get everyone in position. Giles, Emmett, you’re with me. Bryn, go upstairs and rest. That’s an order.”
“But…”
“That’s an order,” Warden repeated. “Gunnar, make sure he actually rests instead of pacing around the apartment planning ways to improvise.”
“I don’t improvise,” Bryn protested. “I adapt creatively to changing circumstances.”
“Same thing,” Gunnar and Giles said in unison.
“Traitors,” Bryn said, but he was already heading for the door. “Fine. But I want details once you and the Feds have concocted a cunning plan.
“You’ll get one,” Warden promised. “And Bryn? Good work on the reading.”
As they climbed the stairs to their apartment, Gunnar nudged Bryn. “Have you been watching Blackadder reruns on BritBox again?”
“We’re in the stickiest situation since Sticky the Stick Insect got stuck on a sticky bun.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“I can keep going…”
“Let’s not go there.”
“Spoilsport. You know,” Bryn said as he wandered into their bedroom, pulling off his top, “when I imagined my career, I never pictured myself in a surveillance van watching enhanced humans try to massacre Russian mobsters.”
“Not what they cover in the training manual at the police department either,” Gunnar agreed.
“Think we can pull this off?”
Gunnar was quiet for a moment. “Ask me in six hours.”
“That’s not reassuring.”
“Would you prefer I lie to you?”
“Sometimes, yes.” Bryn gave him a quick kiss. “But not today. Today I need you to be honest with me about everything.”
“Including the fact that I’m terrified of letting you anywhere near this operation?”
“Especially that. See you in a few hours, wolf boy.”
“Try to get some actual rest, smart-ass.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Bryn dropped his pants then climbed into bed. Sleep was all the cunning plan he could handle at that moment.