Page 56 of Claim Me
I turned to face him, offering another smile. “I’m going to make this as painless as possible. At least for today.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’m well aware of your affiliation with Vladimir Popov.” He hadn’t expected me to be so blunt. The slight twitch justunder his eye was another affirmation my assumptions and the information gathered had been correct. “I’m also aware that you were the detective assigned the murder case of Jameson and Clair Valentine and yes, I did say murder, although of course you led everyone to believe otherwise. I find that interesting since there’s clear, hard evidence the vehicle that Mr. Valentine was driving had been tampered with.”
I was embellishing what Mikhail had told me, but the method of murder was logical and simple, often overlooked by detectives or mechanics if they didn’t know what they were looking for. He swallowed, which allowed him to gain his composure.
“I assure you that several experts were used while investigating the tragic deaths of the Valentine family. If any evidence of murder had been found, I would have done everything in my power to bring the family justice.”
Laughing, I glanced around the room before placing my attention directly on the family outside. “Of course. I guess it was simply luck that you were assigned both cases. Especially when both the accident and Charlie’s shooting were done outside your jurisdiction.”
When he didn’t say anything, I slowly turned my head toward him.
“I don’t know what you want me to say, Mr. Dmitriyev. I’m assigned cases. I don’t get to pick and choose.”
“Do you know who I am, Detective?”
“You own Genesis, a highly respected resort and casino in Las Vegas. I believe you’re also vice president of Dmitriyev Enterprises.”
“Correct. Since it’s apparent you did your homework as I did mine, then you’re already aware of our more… illustrious beginnings in Las Vegas after emigrating from Moscow. Yes?”
He was more nervous than before, darting a look over his shoulder at his family. “What do you want from me?”
“What do I want. Let me think.” I rubbed my jaw, realizing I’d forgotten to shave that morning. Hell, I’d been lucky I’d grabbed a change of clothes. “Let me put it this way. I require your assistance. Allow me to show you something.” I pulled out my phone, navigating to the photographs I’d taken of the unnamed kidnapper. “As you might imagine, Ms. Valentine was extremely distraught after her brother’s death and I being a good citizen and a very good friend of Charlie’s offered to take her home.”
He took a step away, never blinking as he watched me.
“Being that in my line of work I need to be security conscious, I checked the surrounding woods next to her house. Imagine my surprise when I found some asshole dressed in dark clothes, packing a weapon and carrying a duffle bag. You’ll never guess the contents.”
At least he was starting to sweat.
“I’ll cut to the chase. Zip ties. A blindfold. Rope and a syringe full of a muscle paralyzer. I don’t mind telling you that my instincts and training received as a boy kicked in. Take a look at how I handled the situation. Victor was very accommodating before he took his last breath. I have a much better understanding of what I’m dealing with and how much danger Ms. Valentine is in because of a business deal gone bad. That’s what this is. Right?”
I shoved the phone into his face. His exhale was ragged.
“I think I created a work of art.”
“What is this, extortion?”
Laughing, I realized I was genuinely having a good time. “Not at all. Call it a common courtesy.”
“I could have you arrested for threatening a member of law enforcement.”
Leaning closer, I waited until two beads of sweat rolled down his face. “You could, but you won’t. And why? Because during your investigation of my family, you learned we handle our issues in house. Brutally.”
His exhale was his only answer.
“Don’t worry, Ryan. You won’t need to come in on your day off. There’s nothing to find. I couldn’t have the lovely and very talented Ms. Valentine take a walk and realize she remained in danger.”
“Does that mean you’re admitting to a murder?”
I chortled, even clapping him on the arm. “Call it taking out the trash, something I’m very good at. I think we can cut to the chase. I know you’re working for Popov, which is fine. We all need to make a living. As part owner of the Marengo Resort and Casino here in Seattle, all future business activities will come through me.”
The news did shock him. Good. That meant Charlie’s attorney wasn’t corrupt. I had to take the wins where and how they came.
“So, now that I have your rapt attention, you can provide your assistance by giving your boss a message. And I’m not talking about the chief of police. I’m talking about the Pakhan of thePopov Empire. I do like to hit the ground running so I’ll be at Marengo from early morning through the night tomorrow getting acquainted with the staff and determining the next course of action. That will be the only time I’m available to speak with Mr. Popov. I understand he believes he has business regarding the resort, so I’m prepared to tell him he’s wrong. You will provide the invitation to him for me.”
“I’m afraid I can’t?—”
