Page 22 of Maximus

CHAPTER 10

Reaper handed him a leather pouch. “I’ll destroy that after you’re done with it.”

Maximus nodded. “Thanks.” The information the pouch contained was not for public dissemination. However, to gain Elena’s trust and help, he would provide a small portion of the evidence the Council had against him. The horrendous acts against humanity funded and perpetrated by Abrasha Molchalin were hard to read about, but she’d asked, and if he wanted to gain her trust, she needed to know.

“How is she?” Reaper asked from the doorway.

“Still sleeping.” Maximus nodded toward the kitchen. “Tea?”

“I’m a coffee type of guy.” The man smiled momentarily before saying, “We’ll be waiting, one way or the other.”

Max knew what they’d be waiting for. Either they’d continue with the mission, albeit with restrictions on Elena’s interaction with other people, or they’d escort Elena out of the country until they found a way to take Molchalin out. He hadn’t told her that. That consideration wasn’t in play at that point, but should she decline to help, she’d need to be protected, and by protecting her, it would protect him as he worked. It was a sucky solution,but one that would have to be addressed should she not be convinced by the evidence he’d give her.

“Thanks,” Max said as Reaper turned to leave.

“Whatever it takes, my man.”

“For as long as it takes,” Max said as he shut the door and stared at the leather pouch. The information it contained proved Abrasha’s guilt beyond any doubt. He heard the bedroom door open and turned around. Elena stood in a pair of yoga pants and a baggy sweatshirt. Her hair was a bit tousled, but her cheek was less swollen, and the red marks were lightened dramatically. The finger marks on her neck had darkened, which sent that familiar bolt of hatred through him. Itchiness that he couldn’t scratch started to build, which wouldn’t end well for Molchalin’s security chief.

“Who was at the door?”

He lifted the leather pouch in his hand. “Delivery of the proof you requested.” She walked across the room and extended her hand. “You might want to have breakfast before you look at that.” She wouldn’t be able to eat after she saw what was on those pages.

“I don’t normally eat breakfast, but thank you.” She kept her hand extended.

“Remember you asked for indisputable proof.” After he handed it to her, he went into the kitchen and made her a cup of tea, taking it to her as she sat on the couch. Returning to the kitchen, he retrieved his cup, then sat on the other end of the sofa.

She pulled out the packet of papers and opened the file. He watched her expressions as she read the information. When she turned the page and saw the first picture, her hand flew to her mouth, and she gasped. “Oh my God.” Her eyes popped up, searching for him. “Oh my God.”

He nodded. “That’s only the tip of the iceberg.” He nodded to the pile of papers on her lap.

Her hand shook as she turned the photo over and read the next report. He sipped his tea and watched as she paled when she read the narrative. Flipping the paper, she saw the picture of Abrasha pointing a gun at a woman. The next photo showed the woman’s brain exploding from her skull. Elena shook her head but kept reading. About halfway through the papers, she stopped and put the paperwork back together. She put all of it in the leather pouch and handed it to him. “I’ll help you. He doesn’t deserve to be a free man, and he needs to stand trial for the atrocities he’s committed.” He took the pouch and handed her the tea that had been steeping. She took out the leaves and set them on the small saucer.

“Why hasn’t he been brought to justice?”

“He’s very wealthy and travels with what constitutes a small army. Just when we think we have him, he slips away.”

She took a sip of her tea. “But he won’t expect anything at the show.”

“He won’t be at the show you’re putting on.” Max twisted his position on the couch to look at her and leaned back on the arm of the couch.

Elena frowned. “What do you mean?”

“He’s out of the country, in China. When he makes these trips, he’s always gone over two weeks. Has he ever missed his art showings before?”

She nodded. “Several times, which is always nice. The guests seem to have a better time when he’s not in attendance.” She shivered and took a sip of her tea. “Now, I understand why.”

“Instead of putting on two shows, can you push the date of this one back?” Max had an idea.

“I could, but what excuse would I give?”

“Being attacked.”

Her eyes widened. “Well, it would be the truth.”

“Exactly. Tell him you need time to recover and ask if he would be all right with pushing the date back by two weeks. That would give him time to complete whatever he’s doing and return.”

“Then you’ll arrest him.”

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