Page 56 of Bound Vows
Katarina shrugs and smiles like I’ve just paid her a compliment. “Early warning systems prevent these kinds of disasters.”
“Or high-level intelligence from someone with intimate knowledge of our operational structure could be behind it.” I stand and walk around the desk until I’m close enough to see the pupils of her eyes. “Someone who understands our defensive strategies well enough to neutralize them.”
“Which is why we need to identify and eliminate the source. Internal security breaches threaten everything we’ve built.”
“EverythingI’vebuilt,” I correct again, noting how she unconsciously steps back when I do.
“Some threats to whatyouhave built might come from sources you trust too much to see clearly.”
“Sources like Maya?”
She glances at Alexei, who’s watching this exchange with tension. “I’ve told you before that your marriage has created security complications that extend beyond personal considerations.”
“The only obvious threat I see is someone who’s been systematically sabotaging my operations while pretending to investigate security breaches.” I place my hands on either side ofher against the window frame, trapping her. “Someone who has access to everything that’s been compromised.”
“You think I’m the leak?” Her laugh sounds forced and brittle. “After eight years of loyalty, you suspect me of betraying everything?”
“I suspect you of eliminating threats to whatever future you think we’re supposed to have.” I lean closer until she’s pressed against the glass. “The question is whether you’re sabotaging my operations to protect me or to remove obstacles to your agenda.”
“My agenda has always been your protection.” Katarina’s breathing becomes shallow as panic overtakes her composure. “Everything I’ve done has been to ensure your survival.”
“Everything you’ve done has been to ensure Maya’s isolation and my dependence on your continued presence.” I step back and gesture for Alexei to remain alert. “Including feeding information to federal agencies that results in raids timed perfectly to avoid casualties while destroying infrastructure.”
Tears form in her eyes, though whether from genuine emotion or tactical manipulation is unclear. “You’re wrong. I would never betray you, no matter what you think about my feelings. I’ve been trying to protect you from making the same mistakes that got Elena killed.”
“Elena’s death wasn’t a mistake. It was a targeted assassination designed to destroy me psychologically while eliminating someone I loved.” I return to my desk and pour another vodka. “The only mistake was trusting people who pretended to care about my welfare while pursuing their agendas.”
Katarina moves away from the window with renewed aggression. “She’s not Elena, Andrei. That girl will never be thekind of woman Elena was. Elena loved you enough to die for you. Maya loves herself enough to use you for her survival.”
“There’s also a difference between love and obsession. Elena’s love was healthy and reciprocated. Your obsession is destructive and one-sided.” I reach for my phone to summon security. “Which is why your employment with this organization is terminated.”
Katarina scoffs, and the sound morphs into hysteria. “You can’t fire me. I know too much about your operations. I know things about Elena’s death that would destroy you if they became public.”
Alexei moves toward her, but I raise a hand. “Such as?”
“The bomb wasn’t intended for you, Andrei. It was intended for her, triggered by someone who knew her daily routines well enough to time the explosion perfectly.” The admission tumbles out before she can stop it, and her face transforms with the realization of what she’s just revealed.
“Elena’s death was random retaliation. An attack on me that caught her in the crossfire.” I tilt my head, watching her as I add, “Unless you’re suggesting otherwise.”
Katarina backs away from me with growing panic. “Some truths would destroy everything you believe about love and loyalty and justice.”
“What truths, Katarina?” I ask, following her.
“Nothing. I misspoke. Elena’s death was exactly what you’ve always believed it was.” She backs toward the door while I follow with inexorable patience. “Random violence from enemies who wanted to hurt you.”
“Except you just said the bomb was intended for her. You said someone knew her routines well enough to time the explosion. Who knew Elena’s routines that well, Katarina?”
“Her family. Her friends. Anyone who has spent time around your house.” The words tumble out in a desperate rush. “Lots of people knew when she left for work each morning.”
“Not lots of people. Very few people, because Elena varied her schedule to avoid predictable patterns at my instruction.” I pull out my phone and scroll through old security reports. “Only three people knew she was leaving early that morning to pick up groceries before her doctor’s appointment. Me, Elena, and the person she called the night before to ask about meeting for lunch afterward.” I show her the phone records I’ve memorized. “The person who suggested she leave early to avoid traffic.”
Katarina’s face goes white as she realizes the trap she’s walked into. “I don’t remember suggesting anything about timing.”
“No? The phone records show a twenty-minute conversation between you and Elena the night before she died. A conversation where you recommended she leave at seven-thirty instead of eight-fifteen.” I close the phone and study her face. “Care to explain why you encouraged your sister to change her routine?”
“I was being helpful. Traffic was always terrible at eight-fifteen, so I suggested she leave earlier to avoid the rush. It was innocent advice.”
“Innocent advice that placed her in the location at the time necessary for a bomb to kill her. Either you’re the unluckiest sister in history, or you knew exactly what would happen when you made that call.”
