With all the death I’ve seen in my life, I’m no stranger to evil, and this man doesn’t fool me. He’s evil.
I say nothing, though, just walk up to him and extend my hand, like the businessman I am. I’m here to strike a deal, and that requires me to play a part.
“Pleasure to meet you as well,” I finally say. “Now tell me why I’ve been told that this investment is worth making.”
Time passes, and I listen to his business proposal.
“Between the state-of-the-art security and exclusivity of the property, it’s the safest place for any important person to retire and live out a private life,” he says, giving me a look that says he knows exactly the type of people I work for.
He’s sold me. The place is incredible and would, without a doubt, be a profitable investment.
Cain’s face is like a cold slab of marble as he speaks, and I can see the calculations going on behind his eyes. He launches into a detailed explanation of his latest real estate venture on The Elysian property.
When he finally finishes, I say the only thing left unsaid, “I’m in.”
* * *
It doesn’t takeus long to fly back into Teterboro, then we’re back in the car and driving toward the city. The landscape passes like a blur outside my window as we speed down the highway, through the Holland Tunnel, and then uptown to Sasha’s apartment.
The city is an endless sea of skyscrapers stretching into the horizon as we drive. Soon, though, we are pulling up to the building.
In the light of day, this place looks even worse than it did last time.
The crusty paint on the door is peeling off, and today there are broken liquor bottles on the stoop. There’s no way I’m letting her come back here.
I don’t care if the threat has been extinguished; Sasha will never step foot in this place again.
Inside is worse than the outside. As we walk down the hall, the wood creaks, and a musty smell radiates through the air. It’s rancid. Like rotten carpet and mildew.
I stop short when I get to Sasha’s door.
It’s not closed. “We should have kept eyes on the apartment.” I motion to the broken wood sitting ajar from the hinge.
Someone kicked it open. There’s even a shoe print on it.
With the missing drugs, we dropped the ball. Keeping watch here hasn’t been a top priority for us.
My men have been spread too thin. And seeing as I’ve been preoccupied with Sasha…Well, let’s just say I’ve let things fall through the cracks.
A mistake.
The upheaval makes sense. Someone came here searching for something. Roman’s words crash over me.
“She has something they want.”
They came here for it. My gaze darts around the room.
The furniture is tipped over, and her bed is disheveled.
Whoever broke in also flung every cabinet open, and then they smashed plates and glasses on the floor.
Taking careful steps through the room, I search for anything of importance.
The glass crunches under my feet as I explore.
Something tells me I’m too late.
Then I see a wood case resting against the wall near the fire escape.