Page 109 of The Fighter
With the tense atmosphere in the room, it was hard to pull out a picture of Lord Nikolai Wolf and hand it to Khan. “I found this picture and it validates what Erika said. You look a lot like him.”
Khan stared at the picture of his biological father but he didn’t speak, so I continued.
“I assume you’ve seen a picture of Lord Wolf before?”
“Of course, but the most famous one is of his corpse after he was killed. I haven’t seen this picture before.”
“He was forty-two in that picture so four years younger than you are now.”
“He was forty-three when he died, wasn’t he?” Khan handed the picture to Pearl.
“Yes.” I nodded. “Anyway, I felt it was important to talk to witnesses that knew Henry, Dina’s husband, so I tracked down his friend and roommate, Michael, and Laura and I went to interview him.”
Magni’s voice was low, as he looked at Laura. “When was this? Why didn’t I know? Did you at least bring guards?”
Laura crossed her arms. “I’m two seconds from being done with your grumpy ass for today. I’m a lethal fighter and so is Raven. Now be quiet and listen to what Raven has to say.”
Magni growled low but kept quiet, so I continued.
“Michael still lives in the building where Henry and Dina lived. He showed us the attic and the place behind the apartment building where he found Dina. From the beginning I had Dina’s husband, Henry, as the prime suspect, so I asked a lot of questions about him, but from what Michael remembers he was very happy with Dina and they seemed to get along. The thing that stressed them out was the fact that Henry didn’t get his prize money.”
Khan frowned. “What do you mean?”
“He was supposed to receive a million dollars, but he only got one hundred thousand. Apparently, Marcus claimed that marrying his daughter was the highest prize any man could get.”
“I thought Michael was a jealous lover of Henry.” Laura pitched in.
Nodding my head, I shifted my balance. “Yes, and that made him a suspect as well.”
“Why didn’t Henry get his money?” Pearl asked.
“Because my father was broke,” Khan said matter-of-factly and then he leaned his head back. “Ahh… so the blackmailer I heard Mr. Zobel talk about was Henry.”
“What blackmailer?” Pearl waved a hand. “Go back, you lost me.”
“As I said, Laura and I were suspicious of anything Michael told us because he was Henry’s roommate, and we weren’t sure if maybe something more was going on between them.”
Laura piped up again. “They shared a small bed.”
“Yes, but Michael’s story turned out to be true because I found Marcus’ wristband with sound clips of Dina begging him to pay Henry the rest of the million dollars.”
“Poor girl.” Laura rubbed her face.
“Would you like me to play some of the clips for you?”
“Yes.” Magni narrowed his eyes. “Anyone who doesn’t have the stomach for it can leave but we’re hearing it.”
I played the nine sound clips, from the first ones begging for Marcus to pay the money to Dina growing harder and colder, to the last ones where she began threatening him.
“Dad, I know what you did and why you took that money. You are bankrupt! Mom told me and I would help you, except you already stole my husband’s fortune so I can’t feel bad for you. You’re a thief and a liar. But here’s the thing. I also know that Khan isn’t your son. That’s right, I heard you and Mom talk about it years ago. Since you won’t answer my calls or do the right thing, then I guess you leave me no choice than to play dirty too. If you don’t make sure to pay Henry his money, I’ll share that piece of information with anyone who will listen. Just pay what you owe us and I’ll never mention it again.”
I played another sound clip and watched them all sit with stern faces and listen.
“I’m learning about the things you’ve done, Dad. I always knew you were a tyrant to your family but the fear on people’s faces when someone mentions your name, it’s disturbing, and now that I know how cold-hearted you are and that you’d steal money from your own daughter, I believe the rumors. I’ll never let you see your grandchildren or come close to me again unless you pay the money you owe and make it up to me.”
Magni sighed. “I knew Dina had a temper, but for the most part, I remember her as a soft-spoken and good-natured girl. For her to speak like that, it’s crazy to think how desperate she must have been.”
Dina’s voice filled the room again. “Khan has been trying to get in touch with me. Did you know that? I guess that means you told him that you’re not his father. So far, I haven’t picked up, but next time he calls I’m telling him everything unless we have the money.”
