Crossing the Line (19 page)

Ethan waited until the waitress had gone and then chinked his glass against Revnik’s. “To friends in Moscow.”

“May the sun shine on them.”

“How’s the family?” Ethan asked.

“Good. My oldest son, Sergei, has won his first chess tournament.”

“That’s great. Shame you weren’t there to see him.”

“He’ll win more. Nine years old and I can’t beat him. Svetlana is thirteen going on thirty and my wife wishes she was thirty again.”

Ethan laughed. “How about work? Has it helped coming over here?”

“Definitely. It’s not as different as I’d expected. Similar requirements for patience, intelligence and surveillance and of course we’re dealing with the same filth, but nice to do it in better weather. I’ve learned a lot and hopefully dispelled a few myths. Russians aren’t always rude and drunk for a start. So how are you?”

Ethan smiled. “Glad to be back.”

Revnik talked about his current files and Ethan didn’t get any sense of problems between him and the other members of the team. “What do you think of Lindy?”

“Great ass.”

He laughed though he knew he shouldn’t.

“And she’s good. Sharp and thorough. I’m comfortable working with her. Before you ask about the others, I think they’re all fine—technically.”

“But?”

“Some are more concerned with making things look right than actually making them right. Miami is a dangerous city, so is Moscow, but I understand Moscow. Here, it’s as though we do little more than take the scum off dirty water. The water is still dirty underneath but it looks better, know what I mean?”

“Yes. But taking the scum off is better than doing nothing.”

“True.”

“Ever come across Viktor Petrenko when you were in Moscow?” Ethan asked.

Revnik scratched his chin. “Yeah. One of those enterprising crooks of the eighties who bribed officials so they could lay their hands on import licenses. He bought abroad, sold to the government at vastly inflated prices and made a fortune. Once perestroika became the buzzword, he was in an ideal position to invest in the newly privatized industries. He made a lot of money. Nowhere near the oligarchs but big enough. A rags to riches story. In many ways he was living the American Dream.”

“At other people’s expense.”

“Oh yes, the Russian Dream. He did spend time in prison.”

Ethan chuckled.

“Any particular reason for asking?”

“Not at the moment.”

No reason to distrust Revnik, but Ethan wasn’t prepared to reveal anything to anyone other than Frank.

* * * * *

Ethan turned onto his street, saw Luisa’s car on his drive and swore.

As he exited his vehicle, she jumped from hers clutching champagne. “Surprise.”

But not a good one. “What are you doing here?”

“Housewarming present.” She thrust the bottle into his hand. “Can I come in?”

“I’ve got a lot of work to do tonight.”

She stiffened. “You’re busy, I’m sorry. I was passing and I thought I’d drop the bottle off while it was still cold.”

She drove away before Ethan could say another word. Instead, he groaned. This was going to end badly.

* * * * *

Nik lived alongside his studio and while his photographic rooms were neat and tidy, the same couldn’t be said of his living accommodations. After he’d had the phone call from Anna, he’d taken out the garbage and put his dirty laundry in the hamper—the first time in weeks he’d seen so much of his floor. Encouraged by this major achievement he carried on tidying until the buzzer sounded.

Anna pushed past him with a bottle of vodka. “Clean glasses?”

Nik produced two tumblers and she poured large measures into both.

“
Na zdorovye
,” they chorused.

“I hear you had interesting time in Phoenix.” Anna settled on his couch.

“Aleksei needed photographs of a development he’s interested in.”

“Is that what he calling Katya?” She laughed. “She told me all about it, except she doesn’t know you filmed her.”

“I hope you didn’t tell her.”

“No, but she must have guessed. Aleksei was supposed to take me. He change his mind at last minute.”

“That was your good fortune.” Though it didn’t make sense. Sylvie was the one Aleksei had intended to use, until Petrenko said different. He’d never seen Aleksei so furious. Nik wouldn’t help wondering if Petrenko had it in for Katya. He hadn’t forgotten she’d mentioned his name the day he’d met her. Maybe that was one thing he could do for her—forget she’d ever asked if he knew him.

“It can’t have been that bad,” Anna said.

He frowned. “I thought she’d told you everything.”

“She did. But telling and seeing are different things.” She slid her hand onto his thigh. “Was it fun jerking off as you watched?”

“Fuck off, Anna.”

“I know you, Nik. I bet you watch it again. Katya and—what was his name?”

“Max Hastings.

“Yeah, I remember. Kayta and Max. Max and Katya. Does Aleksei know you have copy?”

“I don’t.” Because he’d kill him.

“Your nose is growing, Pinocchio. Maybe another part of you too.” She reached for his crotch and he groaned. “Does it make you horny watching her get fucked?” She opened the top button of his shirt. “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything. You’ve done me favors in past. If not for you, I wouldn’t have met Aleksei. Let’s watch.”

His heart pounded. “I don’t have a copy.”

“Come in bedroom and we watch what you don’t have.”

“I thought you wanted me to take some pictures.”

“Show me yours first.”

He was telling the truth when he said he didn’t have a copy. What he
did
have were copies of parts. He’d already watched the twenty minutes he’d extracted—three times. It was buried deep inside his computer. Only he could get at it. He felt guilty because he knew full well how bad it had been for Katya, but it gave him a hard-on even thinking about it. He’d never sell it, because if Aleksei found out, he’d more than kill him, but he knew the film could make him a fortune. There was always a market for rape movies. It was his get-out-of-trouble card and hopefully not his ticket to jail.

Anna took off her jacket and leaned against him. She wore a thin vest, no bra and her nipples pressed against his chest. He licked his lips and reached to slip the strap from her shoulder.

“Show me what you’ve got first,” she whispered.

He knew he was being led by his dick, but he still sat at his keyboard and typed.

* * * * *

“Max Hastings?”

“Who is this?”

Max didn’t recognize the voice on the phone, a female with a foreign accent.

“Don’t you remember me?”

“I’m afraid I don’t.”
Oh God.

“I don’t think I ever going to forget you, but I have something to watch and remind me what generous, loving man you are. Understand?”

This time he didn’t answer. The thundering pulse in his ears made him believe for a moment he might pass out.

“Max? You there?”

“Yes.” He wasn’t sure how he managed to get the word out. His throat was full of sand. “What do you want.”

“Not matter of what I want, but what I can give you. Yes?”

“Okay.”

“An exchange of gifts.”

“Yes.”

“How much you think my gift worth?”

“How do I know such a thing exists?”

“You have to take my word or maybe I send to wife.”

Max wished he was dead, wished the pounding of his heart warned of a fatal heart attack. He slumped at his desk. “How much?”

“Five million. You own bank. No problem for you. I call to arrange exchange.”

The phone went dead in his hand and he dropped it. He should have known not to trust the Russians. One night with a whore and he’d thrown everything away.

But after he’d raged, he forced himself to calm down and think. If blackmailing him had been the object from the beginning why did the girl contact him? After all, the deal he had with the Russians was of mutual benefit. Why would they jeopardize that? Maybe she was acting on her own. He had nothing to lose by checking. He picked up his phone.

* * * * *

Katya heard the phone and ignored it.

“Answer that,” Anna yelled from the other room.

“Hello,” she said.

“Katya?”

“Yes.”

“You sound disappointed.”

“I’m expecting a call from President Putin.”

Aleksei didn’t laugh. “What are you doing?”

“Watching an old movie. Waterworld.”

“When did it start?”

“An hour ago. What is this? FSB interrogation?”

“What are Anna and Natasha doing?”

“Anna has been in the bathroom for hours. Natasha was watching the film with me until a little while ago. Now she’s in her room putting on war paint. Do you want them?”

“No, I called to see how you were, but I couldn’t get through before. Is your phone switched on?”

“It’s charging in Natasha’s bedroom.”

The phone went dead in her hand. Katya replaced the receiver. She had no idea what that had been about, unless he was checking she hadn’t run off. But he sounded different. Cold.

Working at the university kept Katya grounded. People in the music department smiled at her, wished her good morning, asked how she was, told her to have a nice day. Although they were mere pleasantries, she found comfort spending time around people who loved music as much as her. Music kept her sane, and while she was immersed in it, it kept her safe even though she suspected she was slowly drowning. This path could have only one end.

She came out of a rehearsal room cross with herself after butchering Mendelssohn’s violin concerto in E minor and jumped when she saw Ethan leaning against the wall.

“Hello, again. That sounded fantastic.”

Heat flooded her face. What was he doing here?

“If you’ve finished can I buy you a coffee?”

She ought to tell him to run away as fast as he could, but the need to be normal, to be with someone normal made her say yes. “Maybe ice-cream?”

They walked to the food court.

“Feeling better?” he asked.

“I’m fine.” Had she said she was ill?

“You grab a table and I’ll get your ice-cream. What flavor?”

“Vanilla, please.”

She picked a spot by the window and waved when Ethan looked for her. The smile on his face was open, but she reminded herself she knew nothing about him other than what he’d told her, other than his desertion in Paris.

“Did you come to see your friend again?” she asked when he sat down.

“I came to see you. I was worried.”

Her stomach clenched. Worrying about her was dangerous for both of them.

“I Googled,” he whispered. “You didn’t tell me about the other murders. Maybe your uncle was involved in something shady. Lucky you left when you did.”

She nodded.

“How are things with your friend Anna?” Ethan asked.

Had she told him Anna’s name? She shrugged.

“How about I find you somewhere else to stay?” he asked.

“I don’t have enough money for a deposit. I’m not paid until the end of the month.”

“I thought you brought four thousand dollars with you?”

Ashes filled her mouth. “I didn’t say that.”

“You told me on the plane.”

No, she hadn’t.

“Look, I know how hard it can be starting out on your own. Let me help you until you get on your feet. I can lend you money.”

“No—thank you. Are you returning to Moscow soon?”

“Not for a while. I’m renting a place in Miami. I go back to Sanibel on Fridays.”

“That sounds good—to get away.”

“Why don’t you come with me this weekend?”

She made herself smile when she wanted to cry. “Sorry, I’m busy.”

“The offer’s good for whenever. Have my number in case you change your mind.” He wrote on a napkin.

As she wondered if she should pick it up, she heard her phone ringing.

“Oh you have a phone. I didn’t… Aren’t you going to answer that?”

She held it tight to her ear.

“It’s me,” Park said. “You done?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll meet you by the music school. Five minutes.”

“Okay.” She turned to Ethan. “I have to go.”

She left the napkin on the table and took the number in her head, though she wasn’t sure of him anymore. Her memory of the lovely guy who’d held her hand as they walked by the Seine was turning into worry about a guy who’d walked out on her once and had now walked back knowing too much.

* * * * *

Aleksei was waiting at his house. He kissed her on each cheek, then stood back and stared in a way that made her uncomfortable.

“Had a good day?” he asked.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Who bought you ice cream?”

Her heart lurched. “How do you know I’ve had ice-cream?”

“There’s some on your cheek.”

She rubbed her face with her fingers. There was nothing there. A pit yawned in front of her.

“Have you been following me?” she asked.

He widened his eyes. “I’ve just come back from New York.”

“Park, then? Why? No, don’t bother answering. Am I not allowed to speak to anyone but you? One of the other violin teachers bought me ice cream. Is that a crime? If you want me to like you, let me breathe.”

“Sorry,” he said. “You’re right. I just want to keep you safe.”

She clenched her fists. “I’m safe at work.”

“Okay. No more Park. Close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“I want to show you something.”

“How can I see anything if my eyes are shut?”

He smiled and opened a long black box. Inside was a slender silver chain with a single sparkling jewel. A diamond. She bit her lip.

“I don’t wear jewelry.”

“Start by wearing this.”

“You haven’t earned the right to give me something like this.”

He was silent for a moment and then closed the box. “I was trying to say sorry for Phoenix.”

“You already said sorry. I heard you the first time.”

“Don’t you like it?”

“Yes, but I don’t want it.”

His mouth tightened.

“You dropped to your knees,” she whispered. “That meant more than diamonds.”

“Have the necklace as well.”

She shook her head. “You think I could ever wear it and not remember why you’d given it me?”

He sighed, then tossed the box aside as if it meant nothing.

“You’re angry.”

“I wanted you to have something special.”

She dropped to the floor and pressed her face against his knees. “You already gave me something special. Now I do the same for you.”

She reached for the button on his pants, flipped it open and felt his cock swell against her arm. As she pulled down his zipper and tugged at his shorts, Aleksei groaned and threaded his fingers in her hair.

“I’m trying to be good,” he said with a moan.

“You’ve been good. Now you can be bad.”

Katya wrapped her hand around the root of his cock and licked the head. The breath caught in his throat and his legs trembled as she fluttered her tongue around the tip. Heat pooled in her belly as she played with him. When she looked up, his cock buried in her mouth, and met his wide-eyed gaze, she felt more powerful than she had in a long while.

“Katya, Katya.” He whispered her name over and over again.

When he came in her mouth, she swallowed.