CHAPTER 61

That night I knew I’d sleep like the dead. When I arrived home, I fed Skies, then myself, then performed what had become a ritual since Audra Karras nearly died on my living room floor. I went downstairs and checked the lock and the deadbolt on the front door, then on the door that led into the garage. Upstairs I closed and locked all the windows except the ones in the living room on either side of my mattress. I wasn’t giving up the trade breezes no matter how many people wanted me dead. Though I did lock the sliding-glass door leading to the lanai. After all, I didn’t want to make killing me too easy.

It felt good to get out of my suit, and the hot shower felt even better. In the shower I thought of all the things I’d have to do once the verdict was finally read. I owed Josh Leffler a phone call. If he was game, I’d go online and purchase two tickets to the NFL Pro Bowl, which was being held in February at Aloha Stadium. Maybe I’d order three tickets, and we’d bring Audra along.

I would need to see Audra long before then, of course. Despite my initially being an ass, she had helped me every chance she could. Neither of us was the same person we were sixteen years ago. I thought I’d like to get to know the Audra Karras of today, learn about her experiences in college and law school, her stint as an AUSA in the Southern District of New York, her marriage to Marty Levy and her divorce. Maybe, if I could keep myself from pushing her away, I’d even like to date her, just to see where it took us. Maybe, I thought.

Back in the living room, I killed the lights and lay down on my mattress, covering myself with only a sheet. Grey Skies curled up next to me as I explored my feelings for Audra Karras. Soon enough my eyes closed on their own and I fell into a warm unconsciousness.

I may have made it to the first stage of sleep before my cell phone started ringing on the kitchen counter. I rolled off the mattress and dug through the clutter to find my cell.

The caller ID read RESTRICTED.

“Speak.”

“Mr. Corvelli, it is Iryna,” she said in a small voice.

My first thought was, You can save your thanks for the morning. “What is it, Iryna?”

“They have me.”

“Who has you? The DEA? They’re protecting you, Iryna. You’re free to leave anytime you want, but don’t. Wait until this is over, and I’ll help you out, help you find a place. Maybe we can even work on doing something about your immigration status. I’ve been toying with an idea.”

Actually, it was Flan’s idea. He was ready to remarry, especially if it was to a Ukrainian bride with legs as long as a football field.

“I have already left,” Iryna said, crying. “I went looking for one of my friends. Mr. Corvelli, I made a terrible mistake. Now they have me.”

“Who has you?” I said again, suddenly struck with a wave of anxiety.

“These men, I do not know their names. They want you to come to collect me.”

“Me?”

“Yes, they insist that it be you.”

“Can they hear me right now?” My voice was suddenly soft and trembling.

“No, just me.”

“Tell me where you are and I’ll call Special Agent Jansen.”

She sobbed. “No police, they said. If the police come, they will kill me before the police ever get through the door. They said you must come alone.”

I walked across the living room, opened the sliding-glass door and stepped out onto the lanai. If I went downstairs and walked out my door tonight, it would be like walking straight toward the barrel of a loaded gun and hoping it misfired.

“Please, Mr. Corvelli,” she said, crying. “I need you to come for me.”

I stared deep into the night. It had been my choice to dig for the truth that had placed Iryna in danger. Right or wrong, I had to live with my decisions. But if there was a chance of saving her, however slim, I had to try.

Didn’t I?

Without ending the connection I held the phone away from my ear and stared at it in the darkness, the seconds of the call ticking away like a time bomb.

You can’t let her die.

I’d seen enough death the past four years to last me a lifetime. But I was scared.

“Please,” she cried. “You must help us.”

I held the phone against my ear again. “Us?”

“There is another woman here, too.”

“Another woman?”

“They have her gagged and she may be unconscious.”

“Who is she?”

“I do not know,” Iryna said, weeping. “They tell me she is a lawyer.”