Page 56 of Edinburgh Escape
“I’m glad you called,” Ace answered. “Dmytro has some information for you.”
“You’re on speaker,” Callum said. “I have Ewan Drummond with me. He knows who I work for and wants your tech team to look up some wire transfers his father has made over the past twenty-eight years.”
“You think he was being blackmailed?” Ace asked.
“We don’t know,” Callum said. “But it’s better to know where that money went in case it impacts the family.”
Ewan rose from his chair and came to stand beside Callum. “I’m Ewan Drummond, and you are?” he said.
“Ace Hammerson, with Brotherhood Protectors International. Callum has kept us up to date on what’s going on. My tech guy, Dmytro, has some information about the organization threatening your cousin and now you.”
A white-haired man appeared on Callum’s phone. “Hello, I’m Dmytro. Do you have access to a larger computer screen with access to the internet?” The man spoke with a Russian accent. Or in his case, Ukrainian.
Ewan nodded. “On my desk.”
In less than three minutes, Dmytro walked Ewan through granting him access to Ewan’s computer. Once he had control, he popped images of men onto the monitor. “Your cousin has been working with the Kholdov Coalition, Russian mobsters who have infiltrated several casino operations in the UK, Europe and the Netherlands. They are known for loaning money to gamblers who either have lots of money or have access to money through family.” Dmytro’s face appeared on the monitor.
“Like my cousin,” Ewan said. “How do we get them to leave us alone?”
“You can pay them what your cousin owes, though by now, interest is compounding by the second.”
“If I pay them now,” Ewan said, “my cousin could get right back into the same situation.”
“I’m working on an alternative,” Dmytro said. “My contact says the coalition is operating on the down low in territory where they shouldn’t be. The Donchenko Bratva governs the Russian mafia in the UK, including casinos in Edinburgh. They might take issue with another organization moving in.”
“Are you talking mob war?” Callum asked.
Dmytro shrugged. “Maybe. Depends on how much they care that someone else is shaking up their customers.”
“Brilliant,” Ewan said. “My family could be caught in the middle of a war between Russian mobs.”
Ace appeared on the monitor. “I’m calling in all my assets. We’ll be in the air within the next hour. Peter Atkins should be there anytime.”
“Three-hour flight time, if you have access to a jet,” Callum noted.
“And we do,” Ace said. “About four hours total, by the time we reach Drummond Estate.”
“While stirring up the Bratva, Monroe will check into your father’s bank account and find out what he’s been spending his money on.”
A young woman with bright purple hair leaned over Dmytro’s shoulders. “All I need is the name of the bank, your father’s name and the account number.” She shook her head. “Never mind, just the name of the bank. I’ll have that info to you within the hour.”
Ewan’s brow dipped. “How old are you?”
“Don’t let her taste in hair color fool you,” Dmytro said. “She’s almost as good as me.”
The young woman snorted. “I can hack circles around you, old man.”
Dmytro shook his head. “She’s twenty-one but has ten years of experience.”
“Twelve,” Monroe called out in the background.
Ewan gave Dmytro the name of his father’s bank.
Ace’s face appeared. “Stay safe. We’ll see you on the other side.”
The call ended, and Callum stepped back. “I’ll let Maggie know what’s happening and keep an eye on her and Bryce.”
“I’ll speak with Fiona.” Ewan’s gaze met Callum’s. “Had I known what my cousin has gotten us into, I wouldn’t have invited Maggie to visit Drummond Manor.”
