Page 127 of Winning Bid

“And then shortly after he went missing, you were dating Mr. Anderson?”

“Yes.”

I’d love to beat the smug look off his face. He sneers, “Ms. Devlin, when you date multiple men at the same time, are they aware of each other? Or would you describe yourself as a cheater?”

“Objection,” Dana says. “Asked and answered. She clearly stated she didn’t date them at the same time, but Mr. Walsh is making it sound like she did.”

The judge gives her a sharp look. “Ms. Horowitz, the objection is sustained. Mr. Walsh, find a new line of questioning, or this witness goes to the defense.”

“Ms. Devlin, tell us what happened the last night you saw Mr. Johnson.”

Okay, here we go.

She says, “He hung out at my bartending job, then walked me home.”

“Go on.”

“That’s it,” she lies. “He left right after. I never saw him again.”

“No further questions, your honor.”

60

ANDERSON

“Mr. Walsh, call your next witness.”

Tanner gives me a slight smile. “The prosecution calls Yuri Kravchenko, AKA Vittorio Mastriani, AKA Pierre Cassel, to the stand.”

Who?

The rear doors open, and my heart stutters in my chest as Moss walks in. He avoids eye contact, staring ahead with a determination that frightens other people. I see it on their faces. But I know what that determination means in Moss’ world.

He’s doing something he doesn’t want to do.

Betrayal is not a familiar feeling for me. I like Moss. Though, I suppose that should be past tense. But right now, I see a man bound by duty. He’s protecting someone. Or maybe he’s tired of being the bloody hand of rich men. But then, my pity dies as something clicks. He’s the one who told us about the video. Was that real or a trap? My gut sinks with that realization.

Turns out, when you hide a body with a friend, you should hide two bodies.

After he’s sworn in, Tanner asks, “Mr. Kravchenko, what moniker do most Bostonians know you by?”

“Moss.”

“That’s your business name?”

“Da.”

“And please state for the court what business that is.”

He clears his throat and leans to the microphone. “Break bones. Stab hands. Whatever it takes to make problem go away.”

Tanner paces as he speaks. “Let me remind you that you are under oath. Have you ever killed in the line of duty?”

“Da. Before I come to this country, I help many people—governments mostly—deal with their problems. I fix.”

“And you worked for Anderson West in this capacity?”

“Da.”

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