Page 101 of The Brigadier
“What a jerk,” I managed. “However, is it possible this was just another part of the charade being played and we jumped right into the perpetrator’s hands?”
“How so?” Aleks asked.
Vadim hissed. “No, I don’t think so. He was off, worried. He also didn’t take my visit lightly and wasn’t going to be but so helpful. However, he did something odd.”
I chuckled. “Odd?”
Vadim nodded. “Yeah. He was dying, barely able to breathe but he grabbed my wrist, yanking me down so I wouldn’t miss his dying words. They weren’t what you’d expect. He said something like it’s not who you think. He also sputtered that whoever it is wants to take over.”
“That makes sense given some things we’ve heard,” Aleks offered.
“That wasn’t it. I could tell in his eyes. I asked him who and he started to tell me then died.” Vadim glanced from one of us to the other.
Meanwhile, I glanced at Danny, who was soaking it all in.
“We’re back to fucking square one.” Now Aleks growled.
“Wait a minute. I have an idea. As I told my men, it’s risky and odd but in my mind, it could be the one thing to flush out the perpetrator.”
Vadim appeared enthused. “Then let’s hear it.”
“Yes, information extraction is what’s needed but Tanner isn’t going to give up anything because his goddamn family likely was taken hostage.”
Aleks whistled. “That’s tough but he should have come to us. No excuses.”
“And you and I both know the perpetrator was waiting to see what Tanner would do. His entire family would have been slaughtered and dropped on our doorstep.”
I could tell Vadim was watching me carefully. “I will agree with you, although he can’t be forgiven.”
“Not forgiven exactly but perhaps he can be allowed an attempt at salvation.” I waited until that sank in. “But he’ll only do it if we work together clandestinely to save and protect his family.”
“You’re suggesting bringing him back into the fold?” Aleks lifted his eyebrows.
“Not until he earns his way, which will take time. Keep in mind, he will only come clean if we do locate his family. I made a couple inquiries, and the sister is missing along with his entire family. The house is empty. Tanner is definitely under duress.”
“I don’t mean to put a damper on your idea but we can’t find the perpetrator. How the fuck do you think we’re going to find where his family might or might not be kept?” Vadim was more than curious as to my answer.
Now I grinned. “Because in our experience, guarding people and facilities is considered grunt work and the soldiers hate it. They always do something stupid like drink and spout off at the mouth when their shifts are over. We can learn that easily.”
“He’s right,” Aleks agreed. “Are you certain Tanner knows anything?”
“Not every detail but consider this puzzle a ladder. Another rung or two plus finding the soldiers and… having fun with them will provide more than what we have now by far.”
Vadim moved closer to his camera screen. “You didn’t come up with this on your own. Did you? It’s creative and very unusual.”
“Are you saying I’m not creative?” I acted appalled.
“You’re by the book, black and white and you know it.” Vadim was teasing. “Answer the question.”
Danny coughed from behind me. I elbowed him in answer. “I had a couple thoughts put into my head. Good ones.”
Vadim rubbed his jaw. “It’ll need to be highly coordinated. If we have any idea who is behind this fucking charade, we’ll need full manpower from all our sources.”
“A tough undertaking,” Aleks said half under his breath. “It’s close to coordinating a freaking war.”
“If I may butt in,” Danny said. “We are set up to run exactly that from here if necessary. Plus, we have handheld communications and satellite devices that rival anything from the military. We can use that when we’re in the field.”
In the field. He sounded far too much like Tanner.