Page 37 of Donovan Blake: Passion

“What has you calling so early?” Donovan asked. “It’s early morning there.”

“Our British counterparts picked up Ari. His fingerprints were all over your car and that kill switch, and he’s also connected to a couple of open cases so it was all above board.”

“Fingerprints?” Donovan repeated.

“I was surprised as well. He got careless.”

“That’s what happens when you’re overly confident,” Donovan remarked. “What have you learned about him?”

“His full name is Ario Baptiste. Believe it not, his name means fearsome force.”

“Wow, that’s weird. What else?”

“He’s Spanish, and he was a Taekwondo world champion.”

“Yes, I know. Alexi made it a point to tell me.”

“He’s not being very cooperative, but we have learned he’s been with Kozlov for about two years. He’s an enforcer and a bodyguard, but he also does other jobs, like following you for example. But Donovan, I’m going to play a short clip from his interrogation and I want your assessment. Are you ready?”

“Sure, just let me go somewhere more private,” Donovan replied, striding down the hall and into the library. “Okay, go ahead.”

As Donovan watched the two minute replay and studied Ari’s facial expressions and body language, all he could sense was how uncomfortable the man was.

“Sam, how long is the full interview?”

“Only about thirty-minutes. It was their initial meeting but he was asked questions about the portrait.”

“I want Phoebe to watch the whole thing. She can read people like no-one I’ve ever met.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Sam, really. We just sat down to lunch, but as soon as we finish I’ll call you back, although…” he murmured thoughtfully, “she should watch it on a bigger screen.”

“I’ll upload it and email you the link.”

“Yes, that would be great. Speaking of videos, has anything been picked up from the mini-cam in the picture frame?”

“Not a thing. No-one has been in that room since you left. It must only be used for specific meetings.”

“That’s annoying.”

“Early, days, Donovan. Is there anything to report from there?”

“The security team I arranged has arrived, and so has Jane’s bodyguard.”

“And the package?”

“Peter said it will arrive tomorrow.”

“Excellent. Everything’s moving along, and we have one of Alexi’s most trusted enforcers.”

“Any word on Jimmy Pike and the thug who overdosed? What’s his name?”

“Oleg, nothing yet, he’s still recovering, but Jimmy will be transported to London today so we should start getting information out of him fairly soon.

“Sam…do you think we’ll get him? Alexi, I mean.”

“He’s a snake,” Sam replied solemnly. “Snakes can slither from sight in a heartbeat, and with his money and connections it won’t be easy to pin him down. But he’s arrogant, and arrogant people make mistakes.”

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