Page 42 of Special Agent Anastacia

“So tell us, how did you get here then?”

“We cut through the woods around the hospital grounds and made it to the bus stop just as the bus pulled up. Hanna got us seats in the back, and we eventually asked the driver where we could transfer to get another bus that brought us closer to this area. Then we walked in from the lake road. It took forever. Hanna had to pretty much balance me. We stopped a lot.”

“See – this is my dilemma. I don’t understand why you didn’t just tell the bus driver about Vlad. Get him to call the police.”

“We thought about it, but Vlad promised if we told anyone about him, he would go back and kill my mother and Beth before they could catch him.”

“And you believed him?”

Carly’s blue eyes held a certainty he couldn’t argue with. “You don’t know him, Nash. He’s a psycho – like Mom said, the epitome of human depravity. So, yes, we effing believed him.”

Nash said no more.

***

After they enjoyed their meal, Ana took a good look at the wound on Carly’s leg and frowned. “Hey kiddo, this is infected and needs cleaning, likely a shot of antibiotics too.” She checked the wound closer, saw it oozing, and added, “Probably should be bandaged to keep it clean. I think we need to take you home so your dad can drive you to the hospital and get that looked at.”

Stiffening, Carly instantly balked. “No. You don’t understand. I don’t want to see my family. If I contact them, Vlad will kill us all. He said so.”

Nash, seeing the girl’s sudden spike in agitation, cut in to calm the waters. “Right. It’s why you came here; to get Ana’s help.”

Hanna reached for Ana’s hand to get her attention. “I told Carly you could protect us. That you’re a cop and you have a-a gun. It’s why we came here… to find you. She’s trying to protect her family.”

Ana stared at Carly, her expression that of a cop interrogating a suspect. “Okay, look… tell me how you figure that Vlad will somehow know if you contact your mom and dad or go to the police? And that he will wage retribution. I can see you believe this so make me understand.”

Before the other girl could gather her thoughts, Hanna answered. “Yes, we truly believe he will know. Ana, he is the same man, the same devil who killed my parents. I recognized him.”

“What?” Ana’s shock couldn’t be forced behind her usual business-like mask. Even though the thought had crossed her mind, she’d never really believed the possibility. “Hold it. You told me that the man who shot your parents was killed by his partner to save you.”

Hanna’s lips began quivering, her eyes watering, and her hands fluttering in front of her chest as if she were losing her mind. “I know. I thought so too. Hewasshot… but I guess he didn’t die. I ran away with the other survivors and hid fordays. It’s possible Russians came and found him still breathing… right?”

“True.” Ana watched her cousin closely. There would be ‘tells’ if she were lying to them. Signs that a professional like herself would be able to pick up.

Yet Hanna looked back at Ana, her gaze never wavering. “It’s the only thing I can think of.”

Satisfied that Hanna truly believed her conviction, she reiterated, “You’re sure it’s him.”

“Yes. First, I recognized his face, but my suspicions were confirmed when I spotted the spider-like tattoo on his wrist. I’ll never forget it. There was a healed wound that cut through the image, marking it as different from the others. Ana, after he shot my parents he lit a cigarette as if killing people meant nothing to him. His sleeve slipped back, and I saw the ink design. Vlad is that same man.”

Ana looked over to Nash who nodded back at her, letting her see that he accepted the truth of Hanna’s story. After all, they knew Vlad had meant to kill Lew, so it had already been established they sought a man who didn’t hesitate to use his weapon. And when he’d turned his gun on Sadie and Boris, they put it down to him killing the woman in retribution for her sticking a knitting needle in his brother’s neck. Since he couldn’t stand to see his sibling bleed out, he’d shot him too. All justified kills in a maniac’s mind, if there were such a thing.

After hearing Hanna’s story, they understood the bastard better.

Vladimir Smirnova was simply a cold-blooded, psychopathic killer.

Chapter Thirty-one

After breakfast, while the girls cleaned the kitchen, Nash joined Ana in the bedroom. “So… what’s the plan?”

“Carly needs to go to the hospital. I’d take her and leave you here with Hanna but I’m just not sure the girls want to be separated.”

“Maybe it’s better if I take her. She trusts me. Besides, I want to check in on Lew anyway and make sure Mom is okay. No doubt, Carly will want to see Beth also. Hanna will be fine if you stay here with her. Maybe you can get Dave to come over to take her statement. He’ll need to be updated on the latest events.”

“Right. Good idea. Let’s tell the girls so they know the plans.” Before she could walk away, Nash pulled her back, taking her in his arms. He kissed her soundly, liking the way her body became instantly pliant, and her lips inviting. “Hmm… I could get used to this.”

“Cool it, hot stuff. We have things needing our attention.”

“Fine but I’m gonna copy and paste this moment for every time I get the chance for a replay.”

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