Chapter 10 #3
“Mr. Ashford,” a woman replies, her voice mature, precise, and dry enough to suggest she has no time to lose on small talk.
“Maren Garron, King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
I’d like to thank you for the evidence you provided and for the cooperation you and Ms. Brooks have given us.
As you know, we’ve been to the site and have launched multiple investigations that are currently ongoing.
” She pauses, and paper rustles faintly on the other end of the line.
“The materials recovered suggest criminal activities extending well beyond unlawful imprisonment and assault.”
Brenton continues, “Digital files, payment ledgers, and records that appear to correspond with several missing-person reports, including two journalists and one corporate whistleblower. We’re still waiting on forensic confirmation, but there are indicators of coercion, extortion, and human trafficking.
” Cracking my knuckles, I absorb the information.
A rat. A rat in my city, one I have let fester for far too many years.
“Where is he now?”
“We do not have a fixed location,” Garron says. “So far, surveillance footage and phone records suggest he may be staying with a relative, in a heavily guarded mansion.”
“How can I help you then?”
“We believe Mr. Vodianov’s fixation on you and Ms. Brooks may create an opportunity to apprehend him in a controlled environment.” My pulse strikes hard at Ella’s name. Instinct kicks in.
“Ella is not bait.”
“I understand, sir,” Garron catches up, measured and calm.
“Given the gravity of the situation and the volatility of this individual, setting up an operation in a designated space may be safer than attempting entry at a fortified residence. I have teams to protect too. Sending them into a mansion with limited intelligence about what may be waiting behind those doors could turn into a suicide mission.”
“What are you asking, then?”
“According to Detective Brenton, your mother’s charity auction in two weeks may draw him in, regardless of what we do.”
“The ball,” I murmur.
“Yes,” Garron says. “Based on the behavioral analysis we’ve received, as well as your statement and Ms. Brooks’s, we believe she could be a strong motivator for him to show up.”
“No.” My hand curls into a fist. “I’m not putting her at risk. It’s out of the question. He already got the money.”
“Money does not seem to be a strong enough parameter, according to our profilers. He appears to be driven by personal ego, and in this case, that means you. And based on the statement we obtained from one of the guards, Ms. Brooks has become…” Garron pauses.
“Forgive me, sir, but she has become a subject of obsession for him.”
“There is not a world in which my…” I stop myself, my temple pulsing as adrenaline floods my veins. “There is not a world in which Ella steps one foot near him. Do you understand me?”
“She would not have to approach him. We could present it as a voluntary conversation, perhaps make him believe she’s conflicted, or that he still has influence over her.”
“Have you lost your mind?” My voice drops low enough to sharpen. “I’ll do it. I’ll find a way. I’ll challenge him to a fucking fistfight on the terrace if necessary, but stop saying her name. She’s…”
I pause. Mental agility. Stop. Breathe. Be where your feet are. Do not let emotion cross the point you are making. Damn it. Those military mental-training tips Matt gave me over the years are finally being put to use.
“I understand,” Garron manages after a beat. “Then we could set up an operation with you as the primary point of contact. You’d be the one drawing him into position.”
“What would you need?”
“We would need consent for law enforcement presence on the property,” she elaborates.
“Complete floor plans, vendor lists, staff credentials, camera-feed access, service entrances, parking assignments, guest movement schedules, and direct coordination with your head of private security. We would embed plainclothes detectives inside, such as stage uniformed officers outside the property line.” She pauses, and I already hate whatever is coming next.
“I’ll add this only because it is operationally relevant.
If Ms. Brooks is present at the event, Cole Vodianov may believe he still has psychological leverage.
That could lower his guard and allow us to move him into a controlled area away from guests. ”
“I’ll think about it,” I lie, because that is not happening. I am not letting that man near my girl anytime soon. “And if he is armed?” I ask.
“Then the response escalates according to threat level. Preservation of life takes priority over a clean arrest.”
“I will not wait for permission if he reaches her.”
“I know,” Garron says, and there is no condescension in it.
“That’s precisely why we need you inside the plan rather than improvising against it.
Your security team can protect, evacuate, and, in some circumstances, detain, but they are not a substitute for a coordinated arrest operation.
If your people engage him without communication, we risk crossfire, panic or even a hostage situation. ”
“And if I refuse to let this event become a trap?”
“Then we pursue other leads,” Garron sighs with a hint of disappointment.
“But given his pattern, we believe he may come near the event whether we are there or not. The difference is whether we prepare for that possibility or fail to.” Well played.
I will grant her that. She must be one hell of a negotiator.
“Why wait two weeks when he could be out there any day for you to arrest him?”
“We are not waiting,” Garron snaps back.
“We are actively pursuing current locations now. The ball is a contingency and an opportunity if he has not been arrested by then.” I turn away from the window, looking over my chess game, Ella’s presence still very much etched into every particle of the air around it.
“I will provide the floor plans, camera infrastructure, vendor lists, and my security chief’s contact within the hour,” I declare.
“We will coordinate with your team,” Garron says.
“And we’ll schedule a property walk-through with your security staff as soon as possible.
” I can’t believe I’m doing this, bringing Cole into my territory, willingly.
“One more thing, Mr. Ashford,” she adds.
“Do not contact Vodianov, respond to threats or attempt to draw him out privately. If he reaches out, preserve the original message and notify Detective Brenton. I understand your position, but any off-book action could compromise us.” We exchange a few formalities before ending the call, and for several seconds, I stand still, watching rain comb itself down the glass.
My fist curls so tightly my knuckles turn white, and I have to look at my screen just so the sight of Ella can drag my blood pressure ten levels down.
I’m trying to do the right thing, but what if seeking justice for her puts her in harm’s way again?