The Front Range Butcher

by R Weir

  I wasn’t sure what he was talking about. “What debts?”

  “The charges against you for the attack and rape of a minor.”

  Though I was pretty sure I knew, I had to ask. “What minor?”

  “The damsel in distress, Milani.”

  “She is working for you?” I was pissed at the revelation.

  “Of course. I thought a smart detective like you would have figured this out by now. Apparently, I’ve overestimated your ability.”

  I ignored the shot at my skill level. But I was kicking myself for not making the connection. I thought I’d scared them off after the arrest, not to mention I’d had multiple people lining up to take me down.

  “You placed her at Boone’s to entrap me?”

  “We did. We knew of your past issue with a certain female client. We figured Milani would be hard to resist. You’d cave to her feminine ways and then we’d get you on statutory rape charges, since she is a minor.”

  “And when I didn’t give in to her and took the high road…”

  “We had to improvise and get you a separate way. She played the part perfectly. Too bad you didn’t give in, she is quite extraordinary in the ways of sex. Can turn even the strongest man into a begging fool to get her pleasures. We have trained her well.”

  It would appear she was an agent working for them. Who knows what twisted things they had done to rope her into their sick games.

  “The Denver Police have dropped those charges as of a week ago. Lack of evidence.”

  He shrugged as if not to care. “That can change rather quickly. We have options.”

  I didn’t care for where this was going.

  “Play the video,” he said to the driver.

  From the ceiling, a ten-inch video screen flipped down and in about thirty seconds a picture was displayed. In it was Milani, tied to a bed, naked, struggling to get loose. A masked man walked into the picture, carrying a large knife, which he ran the dull side of up one leg and down the other. There was no sound, but you could tell she was screaming, and there were tears running down her face. He then raised the knife, pointed side down and started stabbing. Instead of flesh, he stabbed the bed several times, leaving her alone. The video stopped, the screen rising back into the ceiling. It would seem they would kill her if I didn’t cooperate.

  “Was that staged for my benefit, too?” I asked, keeping my anger masked.

  “Would you like to find out? She may be one of ours, but there are many more out there to take her place. She means little to us other than an asset to get to you.”

  More sick games I was repulsed by. I thought it over for a minute, wondering what to do. It wasn’t my problem that a young woman used to frame me was going to die. I couldn’t save the world.

  “She means nothing to me,” I said. “Go ahead and do as you wish.”

  He started laughing as if not to believe me. “Funny, I wasn’t expecting that. I thought you were a knight in shining armor, who would come to the rescue.”

  “Not in this case. You can’t use her against me.”

  “Then I guess we kill her and dump her at your place. What will the police think then? Another investigation, maybe reopen the rape case. More legal costs for you and the possibility you lose your license, even for a brief time. What will that cost you. Believe me there is more we can do to make your life a living hell.”

  Damn, I was in a tough spot. No matter what I did, it would keep coming back at me. I would have to find Aleksi. I took a deep breath and exhaled.

  “You’ve convinced me. But I’ll need time and a promise no harm comes to the girl.”

  He smiled. “I knew deep down you still were a knight. I can give you a few weeks. She lives for now, but if I don’t hear from you, then she dies and is left on your doorstep. And after that, we make it even more personal. We know enough about you to find many weak spots we can exploit.” He handed me a card with a number to get a hold of him.

  The threat concerned me. I’d put those I’d cared for through enough lately. I had a difficult task ahead of me.

  “What happens to Aleksi when I find him?”

  “Ask him to meet with you. No matter the place, agree to it, then call us. We’ll then take it from there.” His confidence was spooky. Aleksi was someone to be scared of, but he wasn’t.

  “What reason should I use for the meeting?”

  “You need to hire him for something. He works for anyone for the right money. You’ll think of something to convince him.”

  “What if he is not in the states?”

  “Fly where you need to meet him. It doesn’t matter. Anywhere in the world. We’ll pay the cost once we get the results we want.”

  “You’re going to a lot of trouble to find him. What is it to you?”

  “It is of no consequence why. Do what we ask, and we leave you alone.”

  “Sorry. I’m not doing anything until I know why. I have to know what I’m getting into before I continue.”

  He thought for a minute, before telling his driver to head back to my car. He remained silent until we pulled up behind it.

  “Tell me or I walk,” I said. “I’m willing to take my chances if you don’t give me an answer.”

  He thought about my threat. “You really are stubborn. Another thing we learned about you.”

  “I am. I have the truth on my side. If you want me to help you find Aleksi, you need to give me more.” I reached for the door handle, ready to walk away.

  He sighed. “One of the men who was killed, Lok. He was the brother of my wife. She has made it quite clear we need to find him and avenge his death.”

  “Your wife holds a fair amount of power over you,” I observed.

  “She is no ordinary wife. She is one of great power in China. Something you should keep in mind while doing your task. Keep in contact, or Milani’s bloody corpse will end up in your bed. And your bloody corpse might be next to her.”

  Getting out of the car, I watched them drive away. I had a sinking feeling this wasn’t going to end well. For I didn’t have the slightest clue on where to begin looking.

  Chapter 60

  After some deep thought, I decided where to begin. I wasn’t sure I’d get answers, but it was worth a phone call. Since the FBI had kept tabs on Aleksi’s organization, Vlast, it was time to reach out to Agent Dezmond Price. He wasn’t at all thrilled to hear from me, still angry after what I had done during our last encounter but listened and agreed to meet me for a late lunch.

  Agent Price had provided me assistance last year in the Aaron Bailey murder case. When WANN Systems sent Aleksi, his brother, and cousin after me, resulting in the death of the cousin after he shot April, Price had the other two rounded up and on their way to Cuba as terrorists. But I more-or-less double-crossed him by telling their lawyer, Tony Bristol, where they were being kept, because I needed Tony’s help on another matter. He in turn got them released before they left the country, getting Price in hot water with his boss at the Bureau. This pissed him off, putting me on his shit-list. Now I needed his help again, uncertain of how much he’d be willing to assist. Odds are he probably will take the free lunch and walk out without providing me anything of value.

  I arrived before him at the Stapleton Panera Bread where he wanted to meet, waiting at the front when he pulled up. He was driving a nice American Ford sedan. He stepped out on the cool but sunny day, sharply dressed in dark jacket and slacks, his golden shirt open at the collar. He nodded as he passed me, ordering broccoli cheddar soup in a bread bowl and iced tea when we reached the counter. I decided on a turkey sandwich, fresh danish and iced water. I paid, then we found a quiet table away from prying ears, and sat, waiting for our meal. After sitting down, he pulled out his iPhone 7 Plus and started reading. I’m sure it was important stuff, so I tried not to be offended at being ignored.

  “Updating your Facebook page?” I joked. “Or is it Instagram. I don’t think you accepted my friend request on either one.”

  �
�Funny as always,” he replied tersely, while typing away. “Texting my wife about our daughter. She’s not a teen yet but has hit those teen year rebellion phases. Argues with my wife all the time. Fun coming home to unrest after dealing with the world’s troubles every day.”

  It was the most he’d ever revealed about himself to me. Not that we’d spent a lot of social time together.

  “I remember being a rebellious teen,” I said. “My dad took me to a Sheriff friend of his and had me locked up for a few hours. Scared the hell out of me.”

  He laughed then. “I doubt my wife would be thrilled if I locked up our daughter, but I’ll keep that one in mind if it continues to escalate. What did you want to talk about today? I’m sure it wasn’t about our personal lives.”

  “I’m looking for someone and thought you might be able to assist. Aleksi Platov.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me!” He sneered when hearing the name.

  “I’m normally a jokester, but not in this case.”

  They called out our order, so we went and grabbed it from the service counter. His soup smelled good, the bread bowl a nice twist on the zero-waste idea. I wondered if the paper my sandwich was wrapped in was edible.

  After several spoons full of soup, he looked up at me with the same surprised look. “Ballsy to ask about someone you helped get away from us,” he said. “Why the hell do you think I’d even consider helping you find him?”

  Two bites into my sandwich, I had decided their turkey was not as good as in the past. It wasn’t as moist as it once was. Toast, the restaurant I’d eaten a turkey sandwich at several weeks ago was miles better on the taste meter. Maybe I needed to fill out a comment card.

  “Because in the end you still caught the bad guys,” I replied. “Brought down a big corporation doing harm to the country. Yes, he got out from under your confinement, but you knew holding him wasn’t going to hold up over the long run.”

  “I did it to help you. And you turned on me. Not something I can easily forgive. I don’t like being played.”

  “You weren’t. The situations I get in are often fluid, requiring me to go in different directions than originally planned. Doing what is necessary for my client so they get satisfaction. In the end that is all that is important to me, no matter whose feelings are hurt.”

  Dezmond finished up his soup and started eating the bowl, breaking off small pieces of it.

  “I can put my aggravation aside to hear why you want to find Aleksi.”

  “Pressure from another Chinese government agent.”

  “Which one?” His interest was piqued.

  “I don’t know his name. But his wife looks to be high up in the government and the sister to Lok, whom Aleksi killed. It would appear they want revenge.”

  He looked thoughtful. “A female high up you say. Not a lot of them in the Chinese government. Shouldn’t be hard to narrow down who it is. Why would you want to help them?”

  “I don’t. But they have put pressure on me in the form of blackmail and a frame up. Used an under-aged agent against me.”

  “Common tactic by them. What did you do?”

  “Nothing. But I’ve been accused of rape and child porn. The charges were dropped officially, but now he is threatening to kill her and drop her on my doorstep.”

  He tutted. “Tough spot to be in. I doubt Aleksi will come running if you called him. What is your plan?”

  “Like I said earlier, my business often is fluid. In this case I’ll play it by ear. I do owe Aleksi, so I don’t plan on setting him up. If I can find him, I’ll likely explain what is going on and get out of the way, if I can.”

  Dezmond took his knife, cut my danish in half and began eating it.

  I frowned. “I’d have bought you one for your own.”

  “Needed a little sugar. Besides I like to aggravate you as well.” He smirked as he took an appreciative bite of my danish.

  I finished my less than impressive sandwich and grabbed the other half of the danish before he got his hands on it.

  “Any ideas on where he could be?” I asked.

  “Nothing solid. I don’t think he is in this country right now. He has a few aliases he uses to get around we are aware of. But nothing has popped up. He could be home in mother Russia enjoying the early days of autumn for all we know.”

  “I doubt you have any direct lines to contact him.”

  “Hardly. And we aren’t friends on Facebook or Instagram either.”

  He had read my mind, beating me to the joke.

  “Any suggestions?” I was hoping for a lead, but it wasn’t looking promising.

  “Nothing I can help you with. You can try the lawyer he used here in town. Otherwise it’s a matter of finding someone who has used his services in the past.”

  Smart suggestion. I did know of someone, though they were in jail right now and hardly the type who’d talk with me. Still it was an option and would require a trip to the West Coast.

  “How did you get along with Agent Alegre?” Dezmond asked with a smirk.

  “Best buds.”

  “Not what I heard. She may dislike you more than I do.”

  “I’ve not taken her to Panera for lunch, so you probably are right. Should I send her a gift card in the mail?”

  He looked at me and shook his head.

  “Catalina would probably see the name and call the bomb squad. If I were you, I’d save my money.”

  Good advice. I wondered if she’d do the same thing if I sent flowers. I laughed at the image of men in oversized padded Explosive Ordnance Disposal clothing carrying roses to their doom.

  Chapter 61

  While looking over flight options to San Francisco, my phone rang, from an unlisted number. When I didn’t know the caller I often let it go to voicemail. For some reason, I decided to answer it.

  “Is this Jarvis Mann?” asked the male voice on the phone.

  I was often leery of confirming, telemarketers being persistent pests I choose to avoid, and a lineup of people making idle threats, but I said, “Yes.”

  “I’m the public defender for Darren Woodley. I wonder if you have some time to meet and talk with me.”

  “About what?”

  “I’d prefer we did this in person, instead of over the phone. I’d be happy to meet you anywhere you want.”

  Might be a chance for someone to buy me a meal for once. “Boone’s on Evans. Say around six?”

  He agreed, getting the address from me and hung up without saying anything further.

  It was around four, and I decided on taking a chance she was available, so I went to my computer and brought up Skype. It had been how we had communicated during the Aaron Bailey case. Finding her profile, the app showed it was online, I pushed video call and centered myself in front of the webcam. After three rings she answered.

  “My oh my, Jarvis Mann in living color,” said Lyndi Albers. “Last time I heard from you, your arm was in a sling, your beautiful face, black and blue.”

  Fortunately, my face had healed, along with my leg from my latest scrape. It would seem I was perpetually healing from something physical.

  “You look lovely as always, Lyndi,” I replied.

  “Another year older, but still hot has ever, wouldn’t you say!”

  She was that—hardly looking her age, which was around forty-six. Today her pink bikini covered her tan skin, barely, from what the camera could see. She had on a big floppy white hat, her long blonde hair covering her shoulders. Her perfect teeth showed through her sexy grin. Much of her life was spent by the pool.

  “Do you remember the last time we connected via Skype?” she asked.

  “Hard to forget. You put on a quite a show.”

  “Not as much as I wanted, for you didn’t share with me as much as I shared with you.” She pouted in disappointment.

  “I’m shy that way.” I tried not to blush.

  Her lips curled up in a wicked smile, “Really? You weren’t shy in Vegas. We could always he
at up the airwaves now. I can’t think of a better way to use up my bandwidth.”

  I shook my head. “I guess I enjoy real sex over the virtual kind. Besides I’m seeing someone now and I’d hate for her to walk in on me in the middle of an internet grope.”

  She pouted again then winked. “Who knows, maybe she’d like watching you. We all have hidden voyeur tendencies. But no matter. You obviously didn’t call me for an information highway quickie. What can I help you with?”

  “Have you kept up with Logan’s progress through the court system? I lost track after testifying against him earlier this year.”

  “Serving his jail time somewhere here in California. I know he keeps appealing his sentence. Blowing his money on lawyer fees if you ask me. He is guilty and knows it. Can’t come to grips with what he did.”

  “Any ideas if he is still in contact with any of his old cronies?”

  “Not real certain. My daughter still talks with him by phone, though mostly because he is her father. She was disgusted with him. But she gives in and answers when he calls. Who specifically are you looking for?”

  “If you remember, there were some Russians he sent after me at first. I’m trying to track them down. Not sure if Logan would talk with me or not, after what happened. I’m also interested in talking with his former head of security, Kyle Lambert. He is the one who may have actually called the Russians into the mess Logan created.”

  She looked thoughtful. “I remember Kyle. He was a jerk. A tough guy through and through. I don’t know what happened to him though. The company pretty much collapsed. I believe he took some of the heat, but I don’t remember if he ended up in jail as well. Burton plea bargained and didn’t have to serve any time, other than community service. Last I knew he was still living here in California, though I’m sure he is broke. When the news got out and the stock collapsed, it wiped him out, as that was where most of his wealth was stored.”

  Burton was Logan’s partner and co-founder at WANN. They both equally were guilty, though often one will rollover on the other to save jail time.