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“Too bad for him,” he told his brother. Then he spoke into the phone. “Strange here.”
“Hey, buddy. I’ve got some good news and some bad news.”
“Don’t worry about it. I didn’t think you could get me reinstated anyway. Besides, things have changed here for me. I’m staying.”
“Fuck. That wasn’t what I needed to hear. I didn’t get the green light to bring you back, Dylan. Not yet. But everyone here knows your work. All I need is another week to remind them what you’ve done for this agency and they will be more than ready to get you back in the field.”
The face of the child appeared in the back of Dylan’s mind. “I’m never coming back, Black.”
“I hate hearing that, but I understand.”
“What’s the good news?”
Black’s voice came through loud and clear. “An agent in Russia found evidence that links Niklaus Mitrofanov to the Russian front company, Spetssetstorsky Construction.”
“Got it.” That was the business the Knights had bought into with the ten million ransom monies.
“My man has his hands on a laptop that has incriminating e-mails. They’re from Mitrofanov to the president, who happens to be his cousin back in Russia, with details of the con. The agent is remote at the moment. Once he can upload an encrypted file to me, we’ll have enough evidence to take down Mitrofanov.”
“That’s all I need, Black.”
“Strange, don’t make a move until I have the evidence in my hands.”
That’s not happening. Erica’s safety was the most important thing to him. The sooner Mitrofanov was off the streets the better. “I’ll handle things here. You let me know when you hear from your man.” He clicked off his cell. “You stay here and keep a lookout on the shop.”
“Where are you going?”
“Black just gave me enough to have Mitrofanov arrested. I’m going to get Jason and then we’ll put that motherfucker in a cell.”
* * * *
Erica’s hair was damp from the shampooing that Kelly had just given her. “I only need a half inch off to get rid of my split ends.”
“Got it. While I’m cutting, I want you to put your feet in here.” Kelly pointed to the tub on the floor. “Nicole looks pretty, doesn’t she?”
The way Kelly had done Nicole’s updo looked stunning.
“She does,” she said, placing her toes into the warm water. “Is that how she’s going to wear her hair at the wedding?”
“She’s still deciding. Erica, I hope you don’t mind being my last customer.”
“Don’t mind at all. I’ve had a great time.”
By the table of food and drink near the back, Gretchen, who was on her third glass of champagne, was teaching the rest of the girls an old traditional English folk song about a man in love with a woman named Sally.
Ethel’s cell rang and she stepped away from the chorus. She walked over to her and Kelly. “I’ve got to go and do something for Jason. I’ll be right back after I finish. Keep an eye on Gretchen. Another glass of champagne and she’ll be dancing on the table.”
Ethel left and Kelly began clipping her hair. “You look so lovely and relaxed. After all you’ve been through, it’s nice to see you this way.”
“I’ve fallen in love with Cam and Dylan. Which has been wonderful for me. But I still have those moments—those horrible moments.”
Kelly nodded. “That’s going to go on for a while, I’m afraid to tell you.” She lowered her voice to almost a whisper. “I’ve never told anyone in Destiny about what brought me here. It’s something I’ve never wanted to talk about until now. I was kidnapped, too.”
“I had no idea.” Erica was glad to have someone who could really understand what she’d gone through. “You always give the impression of being so put together and upbeat.”
“At first it was a façade, but now I really am better. I just wanted to let you know that as time passes the memory lessens.”
