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“Suit yourself,” Williams said as she stepped into the elevator.

Matthew stood up and grabbed the files on Williams’ desk. He’d done his job. The rest would fall to the Bureau and the justice department. Regardless, the puzzle wasn’t solved, and he couldn’t stop putting it together. Olivia deserved to know the truth.

Three hours later, Matthew had a list of events and possibilities. He’d learned a lot of things about the major players in the case but had just as many new questions as he did answers:

1960 AKRAAN Arms Co. Est. in Russia - Vladek’s Father?

1961 Vladek Rostrovich, born - youngest child of 3

1963 Muhammad Rafiq, born - eldest son (younger sister?)

1980-1982 Vladek, U of Oregon (no major)

Meets Elizabeth Cole (could have been student? Next of Kin?)

Father and siblings die in car accident (Dec of ’82 - Vladek heir)

Aug 3, 1983: James Cole, born. Why not list Vladek on birth certificate?

1983-1988: Vladek and Rafiq - arms dealing, trafficking

Diamonds? 1987 (something happens between here and 1989)

Mar 14, 1989: James Cole, kidnapped from home. (No suspects)

Kidnapped by Rafiq? Why?

Look into Rafiq mother/sister death (revenge motive)

1992-1994: Rafiq, Desert Storm

Stash kid instead of kill? Ransom? Collateral? What the fuck am I missing?

James Cole kept in brothel (Narweh - deceased) Check years 1989-?

Narweh (no known last), death cert? Pakistan? Review Olivia statement for other possible countries.

1997 James Cole (Caleb) ‘rescued’ by Rafiq

Olivia statement: Caleb seeking revenge for 12 years.

Why would Rafiq come back for boy? “Caleb” age 14

2002 Balk Diamonds goes public

Why the delay 1987-2002? Vladek Rostrovich: reinventing or hiding?

Knows about son? No current offspring. James Cole sole heir?

2009 Olivia Ruiz kidnapped

James Cole “Caleb” deceased?

Balk suddenly interested in slave trade? Motive?

Balk - location unknown. ????????????????

Chapter Twenty-Two