Page 55 of Collin: Episodes 13-15
That did not deserve an answer.
They waited in silence. Collin risked a look toward Émeric. The dark Frenchman was holding very still. But he didn’t seem injured.
Bruiski returned. “Transferring your call now.”
“This is Reevesworth. Who is this?”
“This is the man who has your husband and your boy toy,” Mikhail replied. “Collin has some instructions for you. Do listen carefully.”
He held the phone toward Collin.
Collin swallowed. “Sir.”
“Collin.” Mr. Reevesworth’s voice was tight.
“I asked you to put something somewhere, sir. They want it. The record, sir, in exchange for Mr. Moreau.”
“And what do they want for you, Collin?”
“I don’t think I’m for sale, sir.”
“Everyone has a price,” Richard said. “I’ll bring the item. It will take…at least an hour to retrieve. Tell me where and when.”
Mikhail turned the phone back toward himself. “I’ll tell you where in one hour. We meet in ninety minutes.”
“I want proof Émeric is alive and well. Let me hear him.”
“Fine, fine. You can’t trace this call.”
“I’m not trying to. You surprised us.”
Mikhail stomped over to Émeric and ripped the gag out of his mouth and the blindfold off.
As soon as he could speak, Émeric snarled something in French.
Mikhail backhanded him just as he had Collin. “English. Only. No tricks.”
“English, peaglish,” Émeric growled. “I’m alive, Richard. Green as grass.”
Mikhail laughed. “You have your proof. I will call you in one hour.” He hung up and walked away.
Collin met Émeric’s eyes. There was a good twelve feet separating them. It felt farther.
Mikhail’s phone rang. He answered and listened, then snarled, cursing in a mix of English and Russian, and stormed back toward Collin.
“Your sister is a—-.” Collin understood less than half of what Mikhail said because so many of the insults were in Russian. Mikhail kicked him in the stomach. Collin doubled over. Another kick sent him rolling onto his back. His lips and cheek were well and truly split now.
He laughed through the blood. “What, did Alice mess with your plan?”
“You know. You know about this?” Mikhail’s nostrils flared. “Where she go? What she do? How you know?”
Oh, Ash. Stay safe. Collin smiled. “You taught her to shoot. One. Two. Three.”
Mikhail howled. “Should not have taught unloyal swine. Drown you in tub. Put in garden. Make ’tatoes.”
“Yeah, like you did with Dad.”
“Did not drown. Just shoot.”
