Page 59 of Collin: Episodes 13-15
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Émeric’s eyes sharpened.
“It’s my fault we have a government-grade operative here.”
“Barker and Bernstein would have hired someone else to do their dirty work, Collin. If they had the money for Mikhail, they had money for someone else like him. You don’t know what else might have happened. They might have targeted Linda instead if Mikhail hadn’t been focused on you.”
Lead dropped into Collin’s stomach. Not Linda. She didn’t deserve this. “Yes, sir.”
“How does your sister have Dana?”
Collin shook his head. “Please don’t ask, sir.”
Émeric glanced toward Mikhail. “Did she really kill Barker?”
“If she didn’t kill him, then he’s in the hospital.”
Mikhail paced closer, and they stopped speaking, both of them watching him. In time, Collin fell into a cold half sleep, slumped over. He woke to Mikhail kicking him.
“Calling Richard now,” Mikhail informed him. “We see if he have record.”
“He’ll have it.” Collin shifted on his knees. His legs burned, and he could barely move.
Mikhail dialed and put the phone on speaker.
Richard picked it up on the first ring. “Reevesworth speaking.”
“Have you collected the record?” Mikhail snapped, reverting back to his perfect English.
“I have it.”
“I will send you the location. Come alone. No weapons. We’ll shoot to kill if you bring anyone. We will kill your boy and your husband if you have a weapon.”
“Understood. I want proof they’re still alive.”
“Proof of life.” Mikhail laughed. “My pleasure.” Mikhail approached Collin, motioning over one of his companions. He clipped the zip ties around Collin’s wrists and grabbed one of Collin’s hands. Collin pulled back. Mikhail’s companion whipped him with the pistol upside the head. Collin fell, stunned.
Mikhail pressed Collin’s hand against the ground. He slammed the butt of his rifle into the back of Collin’s palm.
Collin screamed. Émeric shouted.
Mikhail’s voice filtered through the white pain coursing through Collin’s nerves. “Enough proof, Richard? Or should I do the other as well?”
“Sufficient. I heard both of them,” Richard said.
“Yes, I suppose you would recognize their screaming. The boy seems quite obedient to you and your Frenchman. How do you do that?”
“Specialized techniques,” Richard bit out. “Are we bargaining? Information is not free.”
Mikhail chuckled. “Perhaps. Twenty-seven minutes. Be there or someone starts losing fingers.” He hung up.
Collin dragged his broken hand against his chest. His eyes sought his sir’s.
Émeric’s face was a perfect mask. “Get up, boy.”
Collin rolled to his knees.
“Don’t look at your hand. Put the blanket on. Get warm.”
