Page 104 of Savage Justice
“The German police want to talk to him,” I chip in. “Will your government hand him over?”
Kristian shakes his head. “I’m afraid I cannot permit that. A matter of security, you see.”
“In other words, Kristian is worried about what else his idiot brother-in-law will spill once the police have him custody.” Nico mutters the explanation to me under his breath.
“But if the extradition order is granted…”
“It won’t be,” is Kristin’s simple response. “But please be assured, I shall deal with Borys myself.”
“You had your chance,” Ethan growls. “You blew it. And worse, you pissed me off.”
“I have apologised for that.”
“Did you? I heard an apology for what Borys did, not for your own actions. Or lack of action, should I say?”
“Then allow me to rectify that at once. I am sorry.” This is delivered through gritted teeth.
I sense that apologising does not come easily to Kristian Kaminski.
“I hope that this… difficulty will not affect our alliance.”
“We don’t have an alliance,” Ethan remarks. “Not anymore. I need allies I can rely on to keep their word.”
Kaminski’s patience is clearly as frayed as Ethan’s. “And I need allies I can rely on not to undermine my reputation,” he snarls, “and who will not seek to destroy my business interests. Your intervention has caused me considerable inconvenience and expense.”
“Expense? Ah, I see.” Now Ethan’s smile is genuine. “You gave the sheikh his money back.”
“I saw no other option,” Kristian spits. “I trust this is now the end of the matter.”
“Not quite. I want Borys Glodowski back.”
Kristian takes his time before answering. “I wish I could oblige you. Believe me, I have no desire to retain his company.”
“I know, I know. Your sister is fond of him.”
“She is, but that is not all of it.”
“Then why not hand him over?”
He slants a glance at Aaron. “Would you hand your brother over to me, Ethan? If our situations were reversed?”
“My brother doesn’t try to abduct children or murder innocent women.”
Kristian inclines his chin. “I take your point, but it is a matter of family, of loyalty. And… duty. I cannot agree to your request.”
“Then this meeting is over.” Ethan gets to his feet. “Good day, Mr Kaminski.”
“What now?” I ask as we watch the helicopter shrink to a mere dot on the horizon. “Has Borys got away with it?”
“Sounds like he took quite battering at the hands of his brother-in-law,” Nico reminds me. “And the Kaminskis are five point seven million euros down on the deal. I daresay Kristian will be taking that out of his hide as well.”
“That’s just money. He tried to steal my baby. He had my little girl kidnapped, snatched off the street. He sent a thug round to my home; he might have killed me. He would have if you hadn’t come. And he tried to ruin my career, had me thrown in jail. He’s just plain evil.”
Nico slings his arm over my shoulders and pulls me in to him. “I know. And he will pay.”
“I… I don’t want him killed.”
“No?”