Page 33 of The Devil's Revelation
FIFTEEN
DMITRI
I leave nothing to chance, but I know an opportunity when I see one.
“Call for you,” my bodyguard says as he hands me a burner phone. His face is impassive and gives nothing away. I nod and dismiss him with a wave of my hand.
“Yes?” I say calmly, waiting.
“I have your report,” the voice on the other end says briskly, as if they know I have no time for idle chatter. They are correct.
“And?”
“She checks out. Nothing connects her to any kind of law enforcement or mercenary team. She grew up in the system, aged out, went to school, and got her mechanic’s degree. Worked for some big shot in Missouri like she said. Has a small nest egg, but nothing lucrative.”
“And you did a complete search of her? No chance she is hiding something?”
“Our guys are the best in the world, Mr. Norikov,” the voice says, though I detect a hint of affront at my obvious questioning of their methods.
I make a soft noise in my throat. “Be that as it may, you must remember whom you are dealing with,” I remind him coolly. “Should you fail, you will be the one to pay the price.”
There’s silence on the other end for a moment. “Yes, Mr. Norikov, I’m aware. I have done the most in-depth search one can, scoured worldwide databases and records, and she is clean.”
“Fine.” I hang up without another word, and sit, thinking.
So it would seem that Ms. Mills is nothing more than a run of the mill mechanic with excellent skills. I open the top drawer of my desk and pull out the file I had made on her. It lacks the information from my call, but I don’t need it. Izzy’s unsmiling face looks back at me from the photo, and I wonder how I can use her.
After all, she’s working in the shop that we run more than a few of our endeavors through. A fool would trust her blindly and assume that she will keep her mouth shut, should she see something. I am no fool.
I pick up the phone and place another call.
“Sir,” the voice on the other side says when they answer.
“You have yet to give me your report,” I say darkly.
The line is quiet, and I can practically see him trying to come up with an excuse or a lie. “Sorry, sir, I got distracted,” he finally gets out.
“Yes, with your newest flavor I’m sure,” I return calmly. “Instead of sticking your cock in every available pussy, did you at least follow your new co-worker as asked?”
“I did,” he rushes to assure me. “She hasn’t left her apartment since she got home. I’ve got cameras and guys watching the place. I also got in touch with someone to hack her phone and she’s received no calls.”
Idiot. If I didn’t have a use for him, I would kill him now. Instead, I say, “I expect you to keep an eye on her at the shop and ensure she’s not sticking her nose anywhere it shouldn’t be.Ponyal (understood)?”
“Da,” the other man replies, and I can hear the relief in his voice.
Perhaps it’s time to test Isabelle Mills’s integrity. Then I’ll know if I can use her, or if I need to dispose of her.
