Shaun shuddered as she imagined the other possibility. What if the Kobas had decided the poisoning was Karl’s responsibility? His death would be on her conscience. She hadn’t poisoned herself, but she was the catalyst for a series of bad events: Jozef going to prison, moving out from the family home, Karl losing his job.
“And Jozef hired you?”
He dipped his head in a nod. “Yes, he had Havel pick me up after I left the mansion. I thought Jozef would try to use me for inside information, but he only asked me to take over family security for him. He’s a good man.”
Shaun nodded thoughtfully. From what she’d seen, Karl was both loyal and good at his job. He took it seriously, but he still connected with his subject. When Shaun had stayed at the mansion, she’d felt most comfortable with Karl as her escort. Perhaps Jozef knew that and it was why he’d hired the bodyguard.
“Tell me about the transition.” When Karl glanced at her questioningly, she added, “I mean the transition of Jozef’s team, and you, from the Koba estate to here. That would be a huge undertaking. What happened to Jozef over the past year? I know he was in prison, but how did he get out? How did he build all this from inside a jail cell?”
She waved her hand around to indicate the building.
Karl sighed, looked up and down the hall and then sank to the floor to sit opposite her. “I’m not sure I should be telling you this, Shaun.”
“What can it hurt?” she urged. “I’m at sea in this situation and more information about the family and your move can only enhance my understanding.”
His brow wrinkled. “I’ll tell you what I can, but I’m in charge of family security, which is now you. I’m not privy to operational information unless it pertains to my position.”
“Whatever you can tell me, I’m sure it’ll help.”
“Well, after Jozef was taken away, the family scrambled. They were used to him directing everything, including family security, field missions, local enforcers. I think they realized that Havel was in the process of removing the men, along with Jozef’s assets. Anything paid for by Koba money remained, but the rest went. It was clear that Jozef had the loyalty of his team, though Krystoff did attempt to bribe them into staying.”
Shaun’s eyes widened but she didn’t say anything. She hadn’t expected Karl to be so candid, especially after he’d demurred for some minutes. The faraway look in his eyes told her he was reliving the experience. It must’ve been very tense, with his own fate likely still undecided at that point. Karl confirmed her belief.
“After the move, I met with Krystoff, who had no choice but to let me go. I think it was a blow considering he’d just lost ten of the best men he had, and his nephew was behind bars. But I’d failed to protect a member of the family and as a result you were injured.”
“That’s nonsense!” Shaun exclaimed. “You couldn’t have done anything. You said Krystoff knew that.”
Karl gave her a half smile. “Things don’t work that way in the organization. He had to let me go and I deserved the punishment.” When it looked like she would argue, he held a hand up. “To be honest, I prefer working for Jozef and Havel. They’re both measured and realistic when it comes to security.”
Though he didn’t say it out loud, Shaun picked up on the subtext. Krystoff was not a measured boss and perhaps had unrealistic expectations of his men. Her experience in the Koba mansion had taught her that Krystoff was a man of changing moods.
“Jozef moved his team away from the mansion taking a large chunk of the Koba security with him,” Shaun ventured, while Karl nodded. “What’s happening now at the estate? Do they have enough security?”
Karl shrugged. “Mr. Koba hired more people, but good men are hard to come by. Jozef was responsible for filling the security positions. He cast a wide net to find people who were skilled, discreet and loyal. I’m not sure who exactly is working there now, though I’m certain Jozef will have files on everyone by now. He doesn’t leave any detail to chance. He still loves his family and if he has any concerns with their personnel, I’m sure he’ll approach Krystoff.”
Shaun smiled grimly, remembering the ease in which Jozef and his team had kidnapped her. Both from the hospital in Ukraine and the hospital in Montréal. When it came to knowing his job, Shaun had never seen anything less than precision from Jozef.
“I’ll tell you one thing, just between you and me,” Karl interrupted her thoughts. “It’s a damn good thing Jozef and Krystoff don’t plan on going to war.”
“Why is that?” Shaun asked. Then, thinking of the family, added, “Besides the obvious.”
“Because Jozef would bury his uncle under a pile of rubble so deep, Krystoff would never again see the light of day.”
Shaun’s mouth went dry. “You’re that confident he would win?”
Karl didn’t hesitate. “There’s no doubt, and Krystoff knows this. It’s why the family is remaining amicable.”
“Amicable,” She repeated, her mind on her conversation with Saskia, the speculation over who’d tried to kill Shaun.
“I believe Krystoff intends to hire Jozef’s team for jobs, like a broker I suppose.”
“And do you think Jozef will go for that?”
Karl shrugged. “Probably. He has no reason not to.”
Shaun was deep in thought when a shuddering bang hit the wall, making her jump. She gawked as Karl leapt to his feet so fast, he looked like a blur. She looked down the hall and saw Jozef striding rapidly toward them. He must’ve banged his fist against the wall to get their attention. Jozef was signing furiously.
What are you doing? His question was directed at Karl.
“My apologies, Mr. Koba, I was answering Dr. Patterson’s inquiries.”
On
