Page 105 of Mile High Ruin

I already know what he’s going to say. “Petrov.”

Anton nods. “Indirectly. The Belgrade company is controlled through a nominee, but the nominee’s brother works for Viktor Petrov’s logistics operation.”

Marek leans forward. “So Viktor finally stopped pretending Warsaw was finished.”

“He never pretended,” I say.

“He did publicly.”

“Public statements are for people who believe them.”

The younger Petrov brother should have known better than to point a weapon at me, or to come near my family at the first instant. He has of course never succeeded before. But last night, they came close.

“Tonight they got very close,” Anton says. “And now they’re getting more creative.”

I know exactly what he means.

None of us says her name.

Marek reaches for a thin folder lying beside him and places it on the table between us. “I had more inquiries made.”

My attention moves to the folder. “About Petrov?”

“About the attendant.”

I look at him. “When?”

“While you were at the hospital.”

“You investigated her without asking me.”

Marek gives me a flat look. “You were shot, Vadim. Then you disappeared into a hotel suite with a woman whose bag contained the device that led armed men straight to our runway. I decided curiosity was justified.”

Anton doesn’t look up from the laptop. “It was justified.”

“You are both becoming very comfortable tonight.”

Marek pushes the folder toward me. “I can put it away if you would rather know less.”

I take it.

The first page contains the basics I already saw in the crew records: Sloane Mercer, twenty-six, American, six years in commercial aviation, recently terminated, no adult criminal record, no obvious connection to Viktor Petrov or anyone associated with my organization.

Then I turn the page.

There is considerably more.

Marek watches me. “She has a sick brother.”

“I know.”

He pauses. “What?”

I continue reading. “Her brother is sick.”

“Yes, I heard you. I’m asking how you know.”

“She told me.”