Bill sighed. “I havealready. They won’t give me a damn thing. Did you two have afalling out?”
Ryan found it in him tosmile. “I didn’t kill him. If you hadn’t figured it out by now, Iwork for a very—distinct division. I stayed away from him toprotect him. We were as close as brothers get. We would have doneanything for each other.”
Bill stared at the otherman for a moment. He’d served five years in the Marines and couldeasily recognize another war veteran. Only, despite the briefglimpse of grief he’d witnessed, which was barely discernable, hewas unreadable. This man was specially trained beyond what he knew.“Special Forces?”
Ryan took a deep breath andstared at him. “A long time ago, it seems. But yes, I was. Now Iwork deeper than that. I’m untouchable Detective, if you hadn’tnoticed, so I have nothing to lose. I didn’t kill my brother and ifyou ask for an alibi, I can have twelve people claiming to havebeen with me the night he was killed, in your office, in an hour;one of them being a close relative or friend of yours. Those dozenpeople could produce photographs, receipts and film footage ofplaces I’d never been.” Ryan noticed that the man didn’t even seemsurprised at that confession.
“Yeah, I figured that outafter five minutes of meeting you.”
Ryan shrugged. He hadnothing to lose by telling him what he knew. “I loved him. He wasmy only family left. Now I have to worry about his two children andhis widow. Three people I’ve never met. Georgy wasn’t stupid.Whatever he got caught up with was smarter than him. He was anhonest man. He believed in things that some people give up on—likejustice.”
Bill nodded. “I lost myfather in the line of duty Mr. Casey. I know the pain you feel now.I also know that your father served thirty five years as adetective in Chicago. He was decorated the likes I’ve never seen.We are a dying breed of honest men, like your brother. Even mycurrent partner takes kickbacks to look the other way. I can’ttrust him. So, off the record, I’m asking that you do me afavor?”
Ryan thought for a moment.This conversation was off the record. Even if it wasn’t, hecouldn’t be touched. “What is it?”
“I met him once, yourbrother. He was everything you just told me. I know that you thinkme just a man assigned to this investigation, but I became adetective for the same reasons as your brother.” He looked over hisshoulder to make sure they weren’t within hearing distance ofanyone. “All I want for you to do, when you’ve taken care of theperson who did this, that you bury the body deep, so it doesn’tland on my desk. I’m not a fan of paperwork and you are too damncalm not to let this affect you. I’m not stupid either Mr. Casey. Ialso have a brother.”
Ned opened the door at thatmoment. “Time is up.”
Ryan nodded that he’d heardhim but kept his eyes on the detective. Then, finally, he spoke.“My pleasure.”
That was several weeks ago.Now, he was working for the organization that he knew wasresponsible. It was a lot of research and intelligence on his part,but he was certain it was the Nickolov organization. His resourceswere solid. His superiors gave him leave to seek retribution. Theyreally didn’t have a choice. He was going to do it anyway. Then,almost as if it were meant to be, there was an opportunity when thetwo daughters were kidnapped.
A week went by before PeterNickolov’s oldest daughter’s body washed up on Miami Beach.According to the coroner her body was tortured, sexually assaultedand mutilated. Her hands and her face mutilated beyond recognition.Her father identified her by a tattoo. Ryan went and paid apersonal visit to the body of Anna Nickolov himself. Or what wasleft of it. The torture was gender specific and horrific. He’dworked overseas and had seen this handiwork before. The killerswere from the Middle East. This was a statement. Apparently there’ssome serious competition for the Nickolov family.
The day after the oldersister’s body was discovered, the younger sister was found alive.She’d spent the past few weeks under guard at the hospitalrecuperating. He’d seen the news footage. It was high profilebecause of the wealth the family had and the status of her fatherwith the city of Miami. She was a mess; battered and bruised on theoutside, and there’s no telling the mental anguish she’dexperienced. Public support was immense, and it disgusted Ryan. Itboosted his popularity. Only if the people knew what this manreally did.
Well, he’d seen worsethings happen to innocent people. Some things were hard to erasefrom his memory, but he didn’t let it affect him. He was good atwhat he did. Still, when you think you’ve seen it all, you realize,you haven’t. As for Peter’s daughters, it wasn’t his business andhe didn’t ask anything about it because he probably already knewmore than Peter and he had another focus. Peter seemed toappreciate that.
“I think you’ll do justfine Mr. Casey.”
Ryan stood up and adjustedhis suit, “Which hospital?” He already knew, but he had to play thepart.
Peter waved an arm towardhis man. “Ivan will fill you in and provide thetransport.”
He’d just been dismissed.That was fine with him. He could barely stand being in the sameroom with the man. Ryan turned to leave when he heard hisname.
“She knows what I dobecause during her captivity she was told, so I’m letting you knowthat she hates everyone right now. She blames me for Anna’sdeath.”
Ryan blamed him too. Hecould hear the sadness in his voice and honestly didn’t give ashit. He came in there knowing about the murder of his oldestdaughter and the trauma of the youngest and he just didn’t care. Hejust couldn’t lose sight of why he was there or who this man reallywas.
Public sympathy wasoutpouring for Councilman Nickolov when the media got a hold of thestory. They painted him as a distraught father. What the publicdidn’t know, is that he was responsible for more deaths than caraccidents in the last year in Miami
