Chapter 6 - THE INTERROGATION ON THE TARMAC
The freezing wind howled across the Midway tarmac,
biting through my coat like razor blades.
Nico and the guards moved with military precision,
flanking the luxury jet and blowing the emergency exit seal with a micro-charge.
The cabin door swung open with a hiss of depressurization.
Marcus Thorne sat inside in a plush leather seat,
clutching a glass of scotch so hard his knuckles were pure white.
His tailored suit was immaculate,
but his face was slick with cold sweat.
Marco,
Thorne stammered,
forcing an oily smile as we stepped into the cabin.
What a pleasant surprise.
I was just heading to Geneva for an urgent board meeting.
Put the glass down,
Marcus,
I said,
walking up the aisle and resting my hand on the butt of my Glock.
He set the glass down so fast some of the amber liquid splashed onto the mahogany table.
Now,
let's talk about Viktor Vance.
Thorne’s smile vanished instantly,
replaced by a look of profound,
helpless terror.
I don't know what you're talking about,
he whispered.
Viktor Vance is dead,
he died in a boating accident in Monaco three years ago.
Viktor Vance is alive and well,
and he’s been funding my daughter’s stay at St.
Margaret’s using your corporate routing keys,
I snarled,
grabbing him by the silk lapels of his suit and hauling him out of his seat.
Where is my wife,
Marcus.
Where is Alina.
I swear to God,
if you don't tell me right now,
I will throw you out of this jet at thirty thousand feet without a parachute.
I didn't touch her,
Thorne choked out,
clawing at my hands as I hoisted him toward the open cabin door.
I swear I didn't touch her!
Then who did,
I roared,
pressing the cold steel barrel of my pistol directly against his forehead.
Vance took her,
Thorne sobbed,
tears streaming down his powdered cheeks.
When Alina tried to hide Sophia at St.
Margaret’s six years ago,
Vance’s men intercepted her on the way!
They took her to a secure facility in the mountains of Montana!
They wanted to use her to force you to sign over your shipping terminals to the Bratva!
Alina fought them,
Marco!
She fought them every single day!
And where is she now,
I asked,
my voice dropping to a terrifying register.
Is she alive.
Thorne closed his eyes,
trembling uncontrollably.
I don't know.
I swear to you,
I don't know.
When Vance realized you were getting too close two years ago,
he moved her to a different location.
He cut me out of the loop.
I haven't seen her since.
Nico,
I said,
lowering the pistol an inch.
May you like
Tie him up and throw him in the back of the chopper.
We are flying to Montana.
