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“Make sure there are no cameras in here too.”

At that, he nods then sets Semion, Cassiopeia’s second guard, to the task.

Knowing that’s under control, I make my retreat.

I head over to the changing area, withdraw my phone from my jacket pocket, then take a seat on one of the low armchairs.

With a gimlet stare, I watch the women’s interactions as I catch up with business.

Boris: Rundel is on the move.

Me: He’s left the state?

Boris: The state troopers seem to think he moved into Tennessee.

Me: Is he using Cassiopeia’s car?

Boris: Da. I’ve given the license to the state troopers. They’re tracing it.

Me: Why haven’t they stopped him?

Boris: No cop has come across him yet.

Me: There’s an APB out on him?

Boris: Nyet, Pakhan. Just a BOLO. We don’t want to make this official, do we?

That has me gritting my teeth.

I didn’t need to be told that, but Rundel’s persistent escape from Bratva-shaped justice is starting to piss me off.

Boris: That’s why it’s taking more time than we’d like.

Smart man, usingwe.

Me: Likelihood he knows of Cassiopeia’s presence in Florida? Why head south instead of north?

Boris: Have to assume he’s just drifting. Plus, there’s a heavier Albanian presence in the Carolinas. He’ll be avoiding them at all costs.

Boris: It’s not as if he’ll know the Albanians are individual gangs, and after that turf war last year, EVERYONE knows they made the Carolinas their bitch.

Me: True. Who do we have in Tennessee that’ll trace him?

Boris: I’m on it, Pakhan. You can trust me with this. I’ll keep you updated.

Me: I’m missing a Brigadier, Boris. Success in this will serve you well.

Boris: I won’t let you down, Pakhan. Thank you for the opportunity.

Lips pursed, I prop my cell on the coffee table and start a video call with my Obschak. Pavel got shot a couple months ago; otherwise, I’d have demanded his presence atNavbefore now.

Pavel’s grin is surprisingly cheerful when he connects the call. “Pakhan, I didn’t know you cared.”

“You look like shit,” I sign.

He sniffs. “I almost lost my small intestine. I’m lucky I’m not swimming in shit.”

“It’s the large intestine that stores feces, not the small.”