Page 18 of My Russian Protector

We wait about an hour and a tall man walks in through the front door. Alex recognizes him and stands to greet him.

“Hello again, mister?” the man says.

“My name is Alex,” Alex holds his hand out to the man.

“And you, Miss?”

“Anna Pavlova,” I tell him as he shakes my hand.

“Let’s talk in my office,” he tells us and we follow him behind the reception desk and down the hall.

Alex and I sit together on the small sofa in his office, and he leans on the edge of his desk, crossing his arms. Alex senses my apprehension and begins the conversation for me.

“Anna Pavlova is the daughter of a small-time criminal from Moscow named Dimitri Pavlova. When she was a child, he abandoned her and her mother and went on the run from the mob. She asked me to help her locate him and we did. He’s your Mayor.”

The Constable walks around his desk and sits down, grabbing a pen and notebook.

“Anna here has a story to tell you that will give you everything you need to arrest him tonight, but first, we’re going to need some assurances,” Alex says.

“You came to me, I didn’t come to you. Why should I be making you any promises?”

“As I said, her story will provide you with everything that you need to arrest him today. I’m sure that a quick search of his home will turn up enough evidence to put him away forever, but first, we need to know you’re on our side.”

“What is it that you want?” the Constable asks.

“You deal with Anna. As far as you’re concerned, I’m a ghost. You don’t run a check on me. I’ll be out of your village as soon as this situation is put to rest, and you’ll never see me again. Deal?”

“Do I have your word that you haven’t committed any crimes in my jurisdiction?” the Constable asks.

“I did discharge my firearm at two men but it was self-defense. You’ll understand why when you hear her story.” Alex can’t help but grin.

“Were these the Mayor’s men?”

Alex nods.

“Okay, you have my word. You’re a ghost.”

“Anna, tell him what happened,” Alex gives me the go-ahead.

“This morning, two men broke into my hotel room and abducted me. They brought me to my father, the Mayor’s home, where I was held against my will. I spoke with my father, the Mayor, and he told me that he was going to kill Alex and then either kill me or sell me to a man who would rape and kill me,” I tell him.

“And you escaped?” the Constable asks me.

“No. Alex rescued me. That’s why he had to shoot those men. They were going to kill us both,” I explain.

“And your father? What happened to him?”

“Nothing. Alex promised me he wouldn’t hurt him and he didn’t. They know where we’re staying and we won’t be safe unless he’s arrested.”

“And you’ll testify to this?” he asks.

“Yes,” I nod.

“I need you to write your official statement. In the meantime, I’ll get my men ready to storm his compound. He’ll be in custody tonight. That I promise you.”

I complete my statement and hand it to the officer at the front desk as the rest of the police force put on their riot gear and retrieve their high-powered rifles.

“I want you both to stay here. He’s probably sent someone to wait for you at the hotel. It won’t be safe for you to return,” the Constable says as he leads his men out the door.

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