Page 13 of My Russian Protector

7

KEEPING PROMISES

ALEX

Anna is asleep on my chest and I gently move her onto the bed. Today is the day that I make progress on this case. I promised her that I would find her father and nothing is going to stop me from giving her what she wants. I just hope she isn’t too devastated when she finds out the truth about him.

The woman downstairs said that the mob and the government are the same thing and that the mystery man from the restaurant was most certainly working for Anna’s father. Putting the pieces together, I have to conclude that he’s holding some public office as a front for his illegal activities.

My plan for the day is to visit the local administrative offices so I can determine exactly which position he holds. I slip on my pants and shirt and carry my shoes out the door. If Anna wakes up, she’ll want to come with me. After the amazing night we had, I don’t want to start the day with an argument, so I slip out before she has an opportunity to notice.

I engage the GPS and pull away from the curb. The government offices are located on the northern edge of the village, which is about a twelve-minute drive from the hotel. With any luck, I’ll discover Dimitri Pavlova’s new identity and be back in time to have breakfast with Anna.

I pull into the parking lot of the administrative complex and see that the constable's office is on the left and the Mayor’s office is on the right. I wouldn’t put it past Dimitri to take a job in law enforcement, but I decide to start with the Mayor’s office. Village police are wary of strangers, and I don’t want to run into them if I can avoid it.

There’s an empty reception desk at the entrance of the building, and I slip past it before anyone sees me. I’m not exactly sure what I’m looking for. Maybe I thought I would see Dimitri sitting in an office or walking through the halls.

I spot a wall lined with plaques and awards and decide to take a closer look. I browse through the mahogany and brass shrine and read all of the names. Nothing stands out to me so I continue down the hall. Here’s where things take a turn for me. Inside a glass display case is a photograph of the current Mayor at his inauguration. Dimitri Pavlova, a small-time gambler, is now Dimi Pankatrova, Village Mayor. I have to admit a move like this takes more guts than I gave the man credit for having.

I rush out of the building unseen and hop back into the car. I’ll stop at the restaurant and pick up breakfast before breaking the news to Anna. I start the engine and am about to put the BMW in gear when someone taps on my window. It’s a tall, burly man in a blue police uniform. I consider driving off, but since there’s only one inn in the village, I wouldn’t be hard to find.

With a sigh, I roll down the window and say, “Good morning, Officer.”

“Constable actually,” he replies.

“How can I help you?” I ask him.

“Please step out of the vehicle so we can have a talk,” he steps back and waits for me to open the door.

I get out and lean against the car. I don’t want him to spot the handgun that’s tucked into the back of my pants.

“What do we need to talk about, Constable?”

“I’ve never seen you before. What business do you have in our little community?”

“I was looking for the Mayor. It seems his office is empty today. I planned on trying again tomorrow,” I tell him.

“Do you have a cell phone? With a car like this, I imagine you do. Why didn’t you call and make an appointment?”

“I’ve been traveling and wasn’t sure when I’d be here,” I lie.

“Traveling from where?” He looks me up and down, telling me that he’s already determined the answer.

“Moscow.”

“What business does a city boy with a fancy car have with our Village Mayor? Maybe you know him from his days in Moscow?”

“Mayor Pankatrova is from Moscow? I had no idea.”

“So, what is your business with the Mayor?”

My patience has worn thin so I smile politely and say, “That’s confidential. Sorry. Is there anything else?”

He looks me over one more time and crosses his arms. “I’m not stupid. I know our Mayor is not an upstanding citizen. If you were here to put a bullet in him, I’d have to think twice before I arrest you, but I don’t want any problems in my village. Understand?”

“You think your Mayor is crooked?” I ask him point blank.

“I know he is,” he replies, “but I have a duty to keep the residents safe, so if you’re bringing trouble his way, we have a problem.”

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