When firefighters managed to put out the fire in the old shed they found the charred bodies of two black men. Forensics determined that both had died with their necks broken while they were in bed, apparently in a sexual act.
They were able to identify one of the victims, who turned out to be Olivier Labeau, a twenty-seven year-old Haitian immigrant. It was not possible to identify the other man.
Boris Krupin loaded his bags and took Adhiambo by the hand. They hurried down the decrepit stairs of the hotel and passed along the concierge desk. The Russian had paid the rent and left an important tip to the employee to seal his mouth. A large, blond man -in fact a former member of the Russian army, former companion of Krupin- was waiting for them at the door of the hotel with a huge old car that had the engine running and the trunk open. Boris threw the suitcases into the trunk and closed it; then he and Adhiambo entered the back door of the car, which set off immediately for Brighton Beach. The purpose was to get lost in that area where Boris had a lot of contacts and to get away from the conflictive story of which they had both been actors.
Shantaya allowed the old Haitian woman to let out all her feelings, though she somehow perceived that in her tone there was more fury and anger than sorrow for Olivier´s murder. The Madame had decided to manipulate the feelings of the old woman in the most convenient way for her. Although there was no doubt that Boris had been responsible for the killings to avenge the tortures inflicted on Adhiambo, she pretended to have no idea of the physical perpetrator of the massacre. In fact Shantaya had hired Olivier to scare her ex-pupil and extract the information they had actually obtained on the identity and address of the woman who according to her view had stolen Federico from her. She had no idea that the two thugs would torture the girl and leave her disfigured, provoking the wrath and terrible revenge of Boris Krupin. But in the end, what right did she have to judge other people for their sadism? Self-criticism forced Shantaya to recognize that all that had happened because of her decision of hiring to two marginal drug addicts instead of to resort to a professional just because it was more expensive. To reveal all that to Saraphina would have caused the witch to blame her for Olivier´s murder, so Shantaya managed to convince the clairvoyant that Zahra was ultimately the person responsible for it and asked her to concentrate reading her cards and give her information about the Kenyan´s vulnerabilities.
Saraphina displayed her tarot cards on the table.
“ ... I can confirm that the woman you call Zahra is a practitioner of a very powerful ancient magic which prevents me from reading more deeply her heart and predict her actions and desires... I see that she is very much in love and I presume it must be from your man ... she laid the loop around him and the man has drunk her juices and this produces a very strong tie ... I see much restlessness and many constraints in their lives ... they will be exposed to great dangers and I cannot determine if they will get away from them. The two lovers are aware of the dangers that hang over their heads.” The medium made a moment of silence and went on. but not everything is lost for you”
Shantaya had already heard what she needed. If Federico and his African girlfriend already knew that they were taking risks they would be planning how to be protect them. As a consequence Shantaya knew she had no time to lose. She would hire a professional she knew from her distant childhood in Louisiana. The woman took an old, faded calendar and flipped it through until she found the name she wanted.
<Decoudreau, Narcisse>
Shantaya wondered if the phone number would still be valid after all the time elapsed but would ultimately allow her to track the hit man to his current whereabouts.
Following Boris´ instructions Adhiambo looked for the telephone number of the flower shop where they had received her with generosity shortly before. When she dialed it Imani immediately replied. In a somewhat hasty way Adhiambo explained what had happened and that she had been forced to reveal the identity and address of her benefactors so she urged them to disappear from the scene. Imani listened carefully without interrupting her and finally said.
"Give me your phone number. I'll ask Zahra call you right away.
"Okay, but also you and Zafil must get under cover, since you are in danger too. Tell Zahra to call me on this cell phone...”
After a short time Zahra called her in an alarmed tone. Adhiambo narrated the episode of aggression and interrogation to which she had been subjected.
"So the thugs said Shantaya wants Federico back with her and she wants you dead. You must hide in a safe place. The same thing holds true for Federico.”
"But we have nowhere to go. I have no protectors in this country.”
"Boris told me that he can temporarily lodge you in a safe place until you get a permanent solution. It is the least we can do for you since I am unintentionally responsible for giving them your name.”
There was a silence on the line. Adhiambo insisted.
"Zahra, are you still there?"
“Yes, I can hear you.”
"They must leave your apartment and the flower shop without any loss of time. Prepare your bags with the most essential right things now. Call me when you're ready and I have instructions to send Boris's driver to pick you up right away.”
––––––––
She had finally obtained the man's current phone, which now lived in New Orleans. The woman anxiously dialed the number and when she got the answer from the other side sighed with relief. Despite the time she had immediately recognized his voice. She spoke directly to him in Creole.
“Hi, Narcisse. I´m Shantaya Washington, Zulime Labasilier´s daughter. Do you remember me?”