Page 70 of Stripped

Chapter 32

The drive back to Glasgow was silent. It wasn't until they hit the mid-point on the M8 between Edinburgh and Glasgow and The Horn, the great sculpture, standing twenty-four meters high, could be heard blaring out its message to the passing traffic, 'Modern science speaks to us of an extraordinary range of interrelations," before it faded away out of earshot that Pim got the courage to speak. "I'm sorry for what I said at breakfast. I know you wouldn't kill me."

Wraith gave her a sideways glance. "Don't think of it. Your nerves were fraught. Alex and Sin can be difficult."

"I'm still sorry."

He reached out and gave her knee a squeeze, leaving his hand to rest there casually. "Stop. I know you didn't mean it."

"I've been wondering who really did kill my grandfather." She looked out the window. Gray clouds sat low on the horizon, mixing with the mist on the fields, blending so there was no beginning or end.

"What do you mean? Sokolov had him killed."

"I'm not sure."

Wraith glanced over his shoulder, switching lanes to pass a slow-moving lorry, the Land Rover easily over taking the truck. "I thought you weren't a detective."

"I'm not, but it was something Thomas said on stage to me, about being rid of my grandfather's grip."

"He talked to you on stage and you didn't tell me?"

"I don't know. I just remembered it and Sokolov never said he killed my grandfather, he just said my grandfather owed him a debt. A life for a life."

"Aye, a life for a life. Your grandfather must have taken someone from him and Sokolov repaid the debt by killing him."

"No, he implied that my life was the debt, and it was my debt to pay now that he was dead. What if Thomas killed my grandfather?"

"He had the opportunity to kill you and Paul, and he left you both with scratches. I don't think he had it in him. And remember, someone took him out."

"I don't know."

"Jesus Christ. Leave it for the professionals, Primrose."

"But they're just assuming it was Sokolov."

"I said leave it." The tone of his voice told her it was best if she dropped it for now.

"I will, but before we go to the theatre, I need you to do me a favor."

"What?" Wraith pulled off the M8 and onto Great Western.

"I need to see Irina. Offer her my condolences. I owe her that."

He shook his head. "No. Wait a bit. There will be time later this week."

"No, she blames me for her accident. I need to clear my name. I need to see her today."

"Primrose—"

"Please, Wraith. She lives in Kelvinside, on Mingarry. It won't take long."

"Fine." He pulled off on Queen Margaret Drive, taking them over the River Kelvin and eventually onto Mingarry.

"It's the flat with the red door. I won't be a minute," she said as he parked.

"I'm coming with you." He closed the car door behind him, following her up the path.

She knocked on the door, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. Zoya Petrov opened the door. "What the hell do you want?"

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