“Don’t make this more difficult than it has to be,” Hawk said.
Krasnoff held his ground, causing Hawk to lose his patience. With a solid right hook, Hawk rendered the Russian unconscious. With a backup plan to take Krasnoff to a CIA safe house for interrogation if he wasn’t initially cooperative, having him unconscious was necessary anyway.
After an hour drive outside the city into a wooded location, Hawk turned onto a dirt road and clocked his odometer. He came to a stop along the side of the road and worked to uncover a swing gate camouflaged by branches and vines. After driving inside and resetting the gate, he navigated down a gravel driveway that meandered along a winding path to a small house that was tucked deep in a hollow.
Alex’s mouth fell agape. “Who told you about this place?”
“Blunt did,” Hawk said. “We’ve burned almost all of his hideouts—literally, in some cases—that he had to give up a few locations of the CIA’s best kept secrets.”
Hawk turned off the car and got out. After opening the door to the back seat, he dragged Krasnoff outside. The Russian started to awaken after his feet smacked against the ground. He gingerly opened one eye and then the other.
“Where are we? You know how much trouble you’re going to get in for this? People are going to be hunting you down left and right. You’re going to be on the run for the rest of your life. You’re going to—”
Hawk released Krasnoff, allowing his head to hit hard against a stump. With a clenched fist, Hawk knelt next to his prisoner and stooped over his face.
“If you don’t shut up, I’ll knock you out again,” Hawk said. “Do you understand?”
Krasnoff didn’t say a word, instead choosing to glare at Hawk.
Hawk drove his knee into Krasnoff’s chest before digging out a pair of brass knuckles.
“Your comrades left me a little gift,” Hawk said as he slipped the brass knuckles on his hand. “I figured there’s not a better person to use this on than you.”
“Now wait a minute,” Krasnoff said, hoisting both his hands up in the air. “Let’s not act so hasty. I’m sure we can work something out.”
Hawk narrowed his eyes. “If by working it out you mean that you’re going to tell me everything I want to know, then I’m sure we’ll be able to. Otherwise, it’s going to be a long night for you.”
Hawk snatched Krasnoff by the back of his collar, yanking him to his feet. “Let’s get you inside and get on with it.”
With some rope Alex found in a kitchen drawer, Hawk secured Krasnoff’s hands behind him and then tied the twine to the chair.
“Do you have to make it so tight?” Krasnoff asked. “I’m not going anywhere. I don’t know even know where I am.”
“I’ll make it tighter if you complain about it again,” Hawk said. “I’m showing you a little mercy right now. You better take advantage of it.”
“You Americans are all so tough when you gain the upper hand,” Krasnoff sneered. “But the moment the tables are turned, you beg and plead for your life like a whiny toddler.”
Alex chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” Krasnoff asked.
“That’s not exactly how I remember it earlier this evening when your henchmen had us outnumbered. Instead of grumbling and complaining, the only sound I heard was heads getting cracked against the pavement.”
Alex’s retort kept Krasnoff silent for the next minute or so as Hawk set up a video camera to capture their interrogation. Once Hawk finished, he clapped his hands and rubbed them together.
“We’re all set now, so let’s get started. Mr. Krasnoff, can you state your name and date of birth for the record, please?”
“Am I under arrest for some sort of crime?” Krasnoff asked. “If so, I need to speak with someone from my embassy immediately. If not, I demand that you release me right this instant.”
“None of those things are going to happen. No diplomats, no early release. Answers to questions get you time off for good behavior. Resisting and stalling will get you plenty of time sequestered here. I’m good with a little R ‘n R in the woods for a few days, maybe a week if necessary. I’ve been due for it since my—well, never mind that. Just know that the only thing that’s going to get you out of here quickly will be truthful answers to the questions that I’m about to ask you.”
Krasnoff sighed. “Get on with it then, will you? I’ve got plenty of things to do, things that require my immediate attention.”
“Like covering up a murder?” Alex asked.
“I didn’t murder anyone. I don’t know what you people are talking about. I’ve never killed anybody, not even accidentally.”
“Don’t be coy with us, Mr. Krasnoff,” Hawk said as he pulled out his cell phone. Here’s some footage of you the night Thaxton Thurman was murdered. Just hours after he was found dead, here you are parading around the crime scene and peering into it like you’re at some carnival freak show.”
Krasnoff shuddered at the suggestion, shaking his head. “That’s not what I was doing.”
“Then why don’t you give us your version of the story?” Hawk suggested.
“No way,” Krasnoff said. “There’s no opportunity for justice here. This is a—how do you say it in America?—a witch trial.”
Hawk glowered at Krasnoff. “It’s going to end just like one with you swinging from a rope if you don’t tell us what happened.”
“What difference will it make? You’ve already decided that I’m guilty. What else could I possibly say that would change your mind?”
Hawk walked into the kitchen and returned with a manila folder. “Mr. Krasnoff, I understand that you have a wife and two children back home in Moscow. Is that correct?”
Krasnoff froze. He said nothing, but the blank expression on his face let Hawk know the answer to his question.
“Humor me for
