Hollywood Outlaw: A Hollywood Alphabet SeriesThriller (A Hollywood Alphabet Series Thriller Book 15) Page 25

  I tried to push all the terrible thoughts away when I got to the station. I immediately went to Lieutenant Edna’s office and told him about Joe’s phone call. Edna said he’d already been contacted by the agents. They expected to be at the station by ten. He’d also made arrangements for Captain Dembowski to attend the meeting.

  I then went to my desk, where I chatted with Leo for a few minutes, telling him about Joe’s phone call. After we discussed our case, the discussion turned to Pearl.

  “I went by his place after work last night and talked to the caretaker,” Leo said. “He let me look around and told me there was still no word from him.”

  “What was your impression after seeing his cottage?”

  “Same as yours: he left in a hurry. Something’s not right.”

  I decided that I needed someone to know about what Mo and Natalie had told me this morning, so I filled him in on everything, including Noah apparently being in league with Russell and Ryland. “Natalie and Mo said that Russell and Ryland met with Noah at his place yesterday. They’re convinced they’re planning something.”

  “They actually saw Ryland? From what I’ve heard, the guy hasn’t been seen in over a decade.”

  “Natalie downloaded some old photos of him from the Internet. She’s sure it was him.”

  Leo tugged on an earlobe as his gaze drifted off. He looked back at me. “What do you think they’re planning?”

  “I don’t have a clue, but Natalie and Mo think I’m in danger.”

  “They could be right, especially if Noah’s been working for them all this time. Have you talked to Edna?”

  I filled him in on my conversation and what the lieutenant had said about me possibly facing discipline if Dunbar found out. “I think I’m on my own unless I can turn up something proving they’re all part of a larger conspiracy.”

  “Does anybody else know about Noah being with Russell and Ryland?”

  “Just my friends and Joe Dawson. I’ve also been thinking about filling in Buck.”

  “I think that’s a good idea. The more eyes on this the better. Maybe we can all watch your back.”

  “There’s one other thing. I’m supposed to see Noah for dinner this week. I’m not going to let on that I know what’s been happening, and the dinner is just to make him think we’re still…I guess you could say friends.” I exhaled. “Do you think…?”

  “You don’t even have to ask. I’ll be close by, making sure everything’s cool.”

  An hour later, I was getting ready for the meeting in Edna’s office when I passed by what was usually an empty workstation and saw Charlie sitting there. I went over, took a seat in a chair next to his desk, and said, “How are the wedding plans coming?”

  My former partner dragged a hand across his unshaven cheek. “What do you think about ruffles on a guy’s shirt?”

  I chuckled. “Ruffles. Really?”

  He reached into a drawer and tossed a photograph on his desk. “Really.”

  I picked up the photo of Charlie dressed in a red polyester shirt with a large pointed collar and ruffles down the front.

  I laughed again. “Jessica really wants you to wear this?”

  “She says it’s some kinda fucking retro look she’s going for. I guess that singer, Tom Jones, wore a shirt like this once, and it turned her on.”

  I set the photograph back on his desk. “It sounds like it’s going to be a memorable event, Tom.”

  “Yeah, like a fucking execution.”

  I stood up and patted him on the back. “I’ve got a meeting to attend. I’ll see you at the execution, if not sooner.”

  The FBI sent special agents Phillip Cather and Diane Sanders from their financial crimes section in Washington, DC. After Lieutenant Edna introduced Captain Dembowski, and the rest of us told the agents our names and assignments, he asked us to update them on our cases.

  We spent the better part of the next hour going over the Bert Prince case and explaining how he was diverting money from his wife’s and daughters’ accounts and laundering it in overseas tax shelters. We explained that Marisha Dole was being charged as a co-conspirator in those crimes, but I expressed my doubts that we had the entire story.

  We then went over the Cole Abrams killing, telling them about Addison Blaine, her mother, and the House of Darwin.

  I then said, “A woman named Paulina Kristoff was hired by Addison Blaine in the capacity of what’s called a ‘Beta’ to take care of Abrams’ every physical, emotional, and intellectual need. According to Addison’s mother, Kristoff didn’t feel she was being paid sufficiently for her services and was secretly also working for Nicolai Asimov. She was stealing money from Abrams’ accounts, until Addison found out about it. Several million was diverted from the accounts into offshore tax shelters before she stopped it.”

  Agent Cather, who was about forty, with sandy brown hair, spoke up. “Paulina Kristoff was much more than someone who was helping Asimov steal from Cole Abrams. Before her death, she’d been in league with Asimov for years, helping him steal millions from other subjects and several corporations.”

  “What can you tell us about their relationship?” Captain Dembowski asked.

  Cather began laying out a story that I realized was taking our investigation to a whole other level. “Nicolai Asimov has been on our radar for years. We’ve suspected his involvement in covertly infiltrating corporations by planting his financial operatives on the inside. Most of these operatives are women, highly trained in gaining the trust and cooperation of their marks, at the same time obtaining valuable insider information to make millions in the stock market.

  “In other situations, as with Bert Prince and Cole Abrams, they take a more direct route, using their operatives to steal money and launder it through zombie corporations or charitable organizations. Asimov’s ability to infiltrate and destroy the financial well-being of one of the most famous families in American is an indication of both his finesse and his hatred for our society. He’s also a terrorist.”

  “A terrorist,” Leo said. “This is the first we’ve heard about terrorism. We were under the impression these crimes only involved financial gain.”

  Agent Sanders, a slender woman with dark hair and eyes, took over. “Nicolai Asimov is a Chechnyan citizen. He became radicalized, converting to an extreme Islamic doctrine sometime in the early 2000s, before immigrating to the United States. Since parting ways with Deidre Blaine, it’s our belief that he’s used his method of infiltrating corporations to fund jihadist activities inside Russia. His goal is to expel the Russian presence from the North Caucasus region and eventually establish an independent Islamic emirate.”

  “Asimov is dangerous and cunning,” Cather said. “He’s used his operations to skim millions from individuals and corporations, all with the intent to establish an Islamic state in Russia. There’s also been some rumors he’s funding terrorist groups that want to attack the United States.”

  “It’s our belief that Asimov knew Paulina Kristoff’s position had been compromised,” Sanders said. “He probably killed her to keep what she knew a secret.”

  I told them about the burns that were found on Cole Abrams’ body. “It appears someone, maybe one of Asimov’s other operatives, tortured him, probably to obtain his financial information.”

  “That’s likely,” Sanders agree. “Asimov is extremely brutal in his tactics.”

  “He must also know that we’re onto him.”

  Agent Cather agreed with me, adding, “That’s why it’s imperative that we move quickly. We have a federal warrant to serve on Nicolai Asimov. We plan to serve that warrant today.”

  FIFTY-ONE

  Preparations for the raid on Nicolai Asimov’s compound in the Santa Ynez valley, about an hour north of Santa Barbara, took most of the afternoon. The FBI was joined by Homeland Security and the federal Marshals Service, with a total of over twenty agents in the convoy of cars that headed north with us.

  Buck and I followed behind the feds,
with Leo and Darby behind us in a separate car. Captain Dembowski had also insisted on coming, along with Lieutenant Edna, even though this was now a federal show and we would all be taking secondary roles in the raid.

  As Buck drove us, I told him my concerns about our investigation. “Once Asimov is in custody, everything goes to federal court, where the lawyers will be in control. That’s all going to diminish our chances of ever finding out who’s the operative behind the Prince case and who probably murdered him and Abrams.”

  He glanced at me. “Maybe there’s some records at the compound that will give us something to go on. It makes me wonder how many of these financial operatives Asimov has embedded.”

  “Agent Cather told me after the meeting that this is the break the feds have been after for years. He said there could be hundreds of operatives scattered around the world. According to him, Asimov’s reach is wide and deep. There could even be others like him that are out there at work.”

  Buck smiled. “It’s kind of like a den of rattlers. Once you go poking ‘round with the stick, there’s no telling what will come slithering out.”

  I glanced over at him. He was wearing a sports coat with a western cut, Levi’s, and boots. I tried not to dwell on the fact that he was one of the most handsome men I’d ever known.

  “Sometimes I think you really miss Texas,” I said. “You ever given any thought to going back there, maybe working for the sheriff’s department somewhere?”

  He cut his eyes to me. “It’s crossed my mind a time or two. How’s that old saying go, you can’t step into the same stream twice, ‘cause the water’s always flowing and you’re always changing.” He looked back at the highway. “I think that boat has sailed for me.”

  What he’d said made me think about how we all make choices in life that forever change the future; choices that can never be taken back. The choices that I’d made seemed to all rush back at me at once as I glanced at the ocean after we passed the city of Santa Barbara. If I could change the past, I knew that I would take some of those choices back. I again felt that hollow, empty feeling I’d had last night after leaving the hospital.

  “What about you?”

  His question surprised me. “I’m sorry?”

  “You ever thought about finding another stream, maybe sticking a toe in and changing course?”

  Maybe he was a mind reader. “More than a few times.” My eyes stayed on him as he turned off the freeway toward the Santa Ynez Valley. I decided it was time to own up to what was going on. It was time to tell him about Noah.

  I spent the next several minutes going over what I’d learned about Noah and how I believed he was working for Russell and Ryland. “Russell’s son thinks Noah could even be a hit man for them, working in the same capacity as Ryan Cooper did years ago.”

  “You believe that?”

  My lungs deflated. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.” I took a moment, then said, “But, I do think that Noah is dangerous and unpredictable.”

  “Does he know…” He glanced at me. “…that you’re onto him?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t think that would be healthy for me.”

  “You need to take this up the chain…”

  “Already done. Edna said not to waste my time. He thinks Dunbar might even try to discipline me for engaging in an unauthorized investigation.”

  Buck was quiet as he considered what I’d told him. When he looked back at me, I saw that his expression had changed. There was concern, but also something else. “What does this mean…for us?” he asked.

  My gaze flickered over to him, before moving off and losing focus. “I don’t think…” I took a moment, brushing the hair out of my eyes. “I don’t know, Buck. All I know is that my life is…” I drew in a watery breath. “I’ve made a lot of bad choices.”

  “You ask me, you’ve only made one bad choice.” I looked at him as he continued. “To quit on us.”

  “I didn’t quit. If you’ll recall, your ex…”

  “Like I’ve said before, that’s over. She’s out of state and no longer an issue.” We were out of the mountains now, heading into the Santa Ynez valley. Rolling hills and small ranches dotted the area, some with vineyards. His gaze came back over to me. “The truth is, Kate, I love you. I’ve always loved you.”

  I felt my eyes tearing up as I glanced at him. This beautiful man who knew about all my faults, my past, and my mistakes still loved me. That realization melted the wall I’d built up between us. The thought crossed my mind that maybe you can step back into the same stream.

  Buck went on. “You ever thought that maybe it all works together in a way that’s meant to be?”

  “I’m not sure what you mean.”

  “Maybe it was meant to be this way; that you and I would find each other again after some bumps in the road.” He reached over and took my hand. “All I know for sure is that you never give up on life. Even when the road turns and seems lost, you keep moving forward, one day at a time. And I won’t ever give up on us, Kate.”

  I took a breath, doing my best to stay in control. “I won’t deny that I still have feelings…very deep feelings for you.” I looked into his beautiful eyes. “Let’s give it some time.”

  He squeezed my hand. “Fair enough. I’ve got as much time as you need.”

  The compound where Nicolai Asimov controlled his financial operations was located in a canyon a few miles from the town of Solvang. The small community was modeled after a Danish village, with provincial buildings and windmills, similar to what you might find in the Norwegian countryside.

  We stopped at a bakery with a nearby park, where the taskforce gathered. Alex Fiore, a deputy marshal with a burly build and a thick shock of gray hair, explained how he wanted to proceed. “Asimov’s compound is located about five miles up Highway 246, about a mile off the main road. I want to try and keep some element of surprise on our side.”

  An assistant handed out Google Earth maps of the compound as Fiore went on. “The plan will be to take four cars for the initial warrant service, while the rest of you hang back. I’ll give those of you that stay behind the go signal when we’re cleared to proceed.”

  Everyone in the task force offered to be a part of the initial raid, but Fiore stuck by his plan to take just a small group, consisting only of federal agents for entry into the compound. After lots of negotiations, four deputy marshals, FBI agents Cather and Sanders, and four Homeland Security agents were chosen.

  Buck and I stopped along the highway with the rest of the locals and watched as the feds took over, making their way up a dirt road into the compound.

  “Nothing like being spectators in our own game,” Buck said, rolling down the window. The late afternoon was cool, with a breeze coming from the ocean a few miles away.

  I gathered my hair, pulling it behind one ear. “I just hope they have enough people. Asimov’s bound to have some form of alarm or security system.”

  Ten minutes later, my worst fears were realized when we got a frantic radio call from Deputy Marshal Fiore. “Code nine…code nine…we’re meeting heavy resistance! All personnel move in now!”

  FIFTY-TWO

  “Automatic weapons fire,” Buck said, as we made our way down the dirt road to Asimov’s compound. Leo and Darby were behind us, followed by Edna and Dembowski. We were trailing the other federal agents that had been held back.

  I repeated to Buck what I’d heard in the muffled radio traffic back and forth between Fiore and the other agents. “It sounds like Asimov’s people have barricaded themselves inside the compound. Our side is taking cover and returning fire.”

  “Better call the cavalry. We’re gonna need a lot more firepower.”

  I made the call for assistance before we stopped about a hundred yards from the estate, which was sealed off by massive steel gates. I couldn’t see much that was beyond the gates, except for the roof of a Spanish style compound and several outbuildings.

  We met up with the agents that had
made the initial raid on the compound, where I told Fiore, “I made the officer needs assistance call, but it will probably take some time to get any help out here.”

  He acknowledged what I’d said, before telling me, “We’re going to have to wait it out, until we’ve got some additional personnel and weapons.”

  As it turned out, our wait wasn’t that long. We heard a thunderous roar coming from somewhere behind the main building of the compound.

  “It sounds like an airship,” I said. “Somebody’s leaving…”

  My words were cut off by the sound of rotor blades and an engine accelerating as a helicopter rose up, banked, and took off behind the compound.

  “It must be Asimov,” Buck said, coming over to us. “He’s probably left his people behind to take the fire.”

  Less than a minute later, as the helicopter was disappearing on the horizon, the electronic locks on the massive double doors leading to the interior of the compound released and the doors swung open. The weapons fire we’d heard earlier had stopped. There was now an eerie silence, as though the compound was empty.

  “Maybe Asimov’s people left in the chopper with him,” Fiore said.

  Agent Cather spoke up. “Let’s take a cautious look through the gates, see if anybody’s around.”

  After some discussion about the merits of checking the compound or waiting for more personnel, Agents Cather and Sanders led the way over to the gates, with the other federal agents following. Buck and I trailed behind with our guns out, along with Leo and Darby. The captain and Lieutenant Edna had stayed back, Dembowski telling us that he needed to call the acting chief to apprise him of the situation.

  We stopped at the steel-plated gates, which I thought might have been designed for the purpose they had just served. The inner courtyard looked empty, and the residence beyond was quiet.

  After waiting a couple of minutes, Fiore said, “Let’s spread out and check inside the gates. Stay alert and watch yourselves. Make sure you have cover. It could be that Asimov’s people are still inside.”