Page 38 of Choosing Stella

“So you think it was Volkov?”

“He’s one possibility.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“You don’t think the chief of security having access to security equipment is suspicious?”

“I think it makes him one of several people with access.”

“He called me offering to save me from a murder charge, and then men carrying his company’s equipment tried to drug me.”

“Bellacorte owned the casino. Volkov runs security. That makes Volkov worth looking at.”

“But you’re not convinced.”

“I don’t accuse people of murder because I don’t like their timing.”

Stella sat back.

“Very evidence-based of you.”

“That’s the job.”

“You’re going to hate tarot.”

“I already have concerns.”

She laughed softly.

It disappeared quickly.

Her eyes drifted toward the evidence sleeve again.

“What would they have done if they’d gotten me?”

I waited before answering.

I didn’t know, and she didn’t need me filling the gap with guesses.

“They came prepared to restrain you and sedate you.”

“I noticed.”

“That tells me what they intended to do first. Nothing beyond that.”

She looked down at her water.

“Take me.”

“What do you mean?”

Her eyes closed for a second.

“I don’t mean you. I mean them.”

I understood.

“They wanted to take me somewhere.”