Page 26 of Dark Desires
“Barnes,” I say, folding my arms over my chest, “what do you know?” I raise my finger. “And no bullshitting.”
We’re at the police station, and I’m sitting in the interrogation room with Lev and Luk, all three of us facing Detective Barnes.
It’s all meant to look like he’s interrogating us, but it’s actually the other way around.
He’s sweating already, glancing nervously between us. I know Barnes well enough—he’s on our payroll. And his help had been invaluable during the war with the Molina Cartel. But I can tell he’s uncomfortable with the heat of this case.
Tonight, however, we’re not in the mood to fuck around. Our family was attacked, and we’re going to get to the bottom of it.
He pulls at his collar, as if the room is suddenly too warm
“I told you, Alexei. My hands are tied. This shooting is high-profile. All eyes are on it. It’s not like the usual cases I can help with.”
“You help because we pay you to help,” Luk cuts in. “This doesn’t change because someone’s got you feeling twitchy.”
Barnes’ eyes dart between us. “This isn’t your typical situation. The Feds are sniffing around, sent an agent over. You know what that means. This is going beyond Chicago. My ability to help is limited.”
Lev smirks, shaking his head. “You think we care about the FBI?”
Barnes shifts in his seat. “I just can’t give you details on this one. They’re all over it. Agent Patterson’s brought in a team. The whole thing is locked down.”
I lean forward, lowering my voice. “Barnes, we don’t care how tight Patterson has you tied up. You’re going to tell us what you know, or you’re going to explain to our people why you don’t remember who you work for.”
Barnes’ eyes widen, his face flushing. “Come on, Alexei! I’m doing my best here.”
“Your best isn’t good enough.” My patience is wearing thin.
Before Barnes can respond, the door to the interrogation room swings open, and a woman strides in.
She’s around my age, tall, with sharp, scanning eyes. She’s wearing an FBI badge clipped to her blazer, and a no-nonsense expression on her face that practically dares someone to challenge her. Her dark hair is pulled back into a tight ponytail.
I get the sense she’s going to be a pain in my ass, but for the moment, I admire the no-bullshit attitude she gives off.
“Gentlemen,” she says, “Detective Barnes won’t be speaking with you anymore about this case. I’m Agent Jamie Patterson, FBI.”
Lev glances at me with a smirk. “Well, isn’t this a surprise? DC’s bringing out the big guns for our little crashed party.”
Patterson crosses her arms. “Surprise or not, the FBI is stepping in, and that means you three can take a step back.”
Luk speaks up. “And why would we do that, Agent Patterson? Our family was targeted.”
She flicks her eyes to him. “Which is exactly why you’re not to be involved. We don’t let involved parties run their own investigations.”
I let out a cold laugh. “Involved? You think we’re behind this?”
“You all have a lot of enemies, Mr. Plushenko. Maybe you’ve made some waves, and now you’re dealing with the fallout.”
Every time someone says my last name, I’m reminded of how miffed Domenico was that I kept it, instead of changing it to Ivanov. The old man and his old ways.
Lev jumps in. “Agent Patterson, we’re family men, here to protect what’s ours.”
Patterson’s gaze narrows. “Family men, right.” She looks to Barnes, who looks on the verge of passing out. “Barnes, escort them out. Our investigation is closed to them—and to you.”
I get the sense she knows just who Barnes is.
Barnes clears his throat. “You heard her. Time to go.”
I open my mouth to speak, but there’s no point in protesting. If the Feds are in, that’s the end of it—for now, at least.
