The driveway was canopied by trees. Collar stared up at them, taking in the breathtaking beauty of the fluffy white snow on the branches; then she turned her attention to her right. The four men walked with the barrels of their rifles pointed to the ground, but as they got closer to the front door, they dropped to a knee and lifted their weapons toward the entryway.
“Stay put,” Kramer said over his shoulder.
Kramer waddled up the front porch and paused.
“He’s doing what I think he’s doing, isn’t he?” Collar turned to Risen.
Risen looked at her but didn’t answer her rhetorical question.
“You’re kidding me? Why didn’t we just call them and set up an appointment? Warn them a dozen federal agents were about to knock on their door. This is bullshit.” Collar reeled.
Kramer heard her, but it didn’t stop him from knocking. “FBI. We have a warrant to search the premises.”
There was no answer. He tried once more. Again, nothing. Kramer leaned to the side, trying to peer inside the window. Then he turned to his men and said, “Kick it in.” He left the porch and joined Risen and Collar.
“You know nobody is inside, right?” Collar said.
“You don’t know that.”
“But I do.”
On three, one of the men jammed a battering ram through the front door. The men filed inside, shouting, “FBI! On the ground!”
For a split second Collar thought they’d found someone. A slim smile grew on her face, but soon faded when one of the men retreated with the home’s only inhabitant. In custody stood a ninety-year-old grandmother. She shook uncontrollably while she stood slouched over on the porch in a long tattered overshirt.
“Unbelievable.” Collar shook her head. “Bang-up police work, Jimmy.” Then she walked away.
Risen ran to catch up and grabbed her by the arm to spin her back around. “Look, I’m sorry this didn’t work out. I know you’re tense and you want to find your niece and your operative, but—”
Collar interrupted. “But what?”
“These things take time,” he said, hoping to reassure her.
“That may be true, but this was a fool’s errand.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean . . .” Collar leaned in to whisper to him. “How well do you know Kramer?”
“Well enough.”
“Maybe you should dig deeper.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? You think he’s dirty? Somehow involved in this?”
“I’m not saying that directly, but what neighbor would tip someone off about the duplicitous behavior of a ninety-year-old grandma.”
Risen stared at Kramer, who stared back unashamedly and unflinchingly.
31
Upstate New York
SALAD WAS DELIVERED first. A wedge of iceberg topped with caramelized onions, chopped tomatoes, cuts of bacon, and a Gorgonzola dressing. Niki’s mouth watered at the sight of it, unaware she was licking her lips, but she soon remembered she had to stay in character. As much as she wished to taste the salad, she couldn’t tear into it now; it would give away that she wasn’t under the influence of the drug they tried to give all the girls.
Leaning back into her seat and tilting her head to the right, she glanced at the man next to her. But he paid no mind to her. He tore into his salad, and from the way he slopped up his food, it seemed lust wasn’t his only sin. Gluttony had more power over him once the food arrived. As she watched him eat, she was disgusted as Gorgonzola cheese dripped from his lips and got stuck in his untrimmed beard.
She reached for his shoulder and brushed her palm over it. He stopped midchew and turned to see who touched him. His face softened after he realized it was Niki. She leaned in, teasing his ear with her warm breath before whispering, “I want you.”
Excited, he swallowed a mouthful without chewing fully and began choking on the contents. Immediately, he pushed away from the chair and grabbed for his throat. He tried to cough, but nothing came up; his entire airway was blocked. All attention was drawn to him, just the diversion Niki needed. She lifted the steak knife that was stabbed inside the wedge salad and stuffed it into her cleavage, handle first. She feigned concern for the man but remained in character.
Most of the guests stopped eating and turned to notice the man choking after hearing his chair fall to the ground.
Groans rose in concern for his safety. Sergei hustled toward him. He slapped the man on the back a few times, but that didn’t work. He reached around the man’s rotund belly, locked both hands, and thrust into his gut. It only took two thrusts before the projectile of regurgitated lettuce was shot forward onto Niki’s plate.
Guess I won’t be eating that. She stared at her plate full of saliva-soaked food.
“And he’s okay.” Sergei stepped in front of the man and studied his face. The crowd erupted in applause for Sergei’s magnanimous gesture. Completely disregarding the despicable behavior that was taking place otherwise. Amongst the demented affairs of the evening, Sergei was the hero of the minute.
As the crowd applauded, Niki eyed the other seven women. She wondered how the drug was interacting with their systems. Most were glazed over, unaware of the dire situation the man next to her had just endured.
After the commotion calmed, dinner was served. Finally, Niki thought. A plate full of foie gras, a delicacy Niki had neither tried nor wanted to. Gross. Seriously? Where’s the filet? C’mon, I’m starving, and they give me this?
The duck liver stared up at her as her stomach ached. She reached for her fork and gingerly cut into the meat. She stabbed it with the prongs and brought it to her nose, sniffing before bringing the meat into her mouth.
On her first bite she paused midchew and looked around. Across the table girl number six lay hunched over with a man hovering over her, trying to feed her a forkful. Niki overheard him say. “C’mon, you need your strength. Especially for me tonight.”
Niki gagged, but she wasn’t sure if it was because of the man’s wicked comment or the texture of the liver in her mouth.
After that bite, she too slunk into her chair, rolling her head around and putting on a show to act like the other women.
How long would this drug last? Niki imagined it wouldn’t be all night, and if these men intended to do horrible, unspeakable acts to the eight women while their inhibitions were lowered, it had come sooner rather than later. Niki began to wonder, what was the auction for? Sergei mentioned some would be leaving, possibly going far away from the US, but the way these men were acting, it seemed they were there under the assumption sexual acts would be taking place that very night. As if the eight would be bid on for intercourse instead. Maybe that was the trial run Sergei had mentioned. Niki shook her head in disgust.
Dessert arrived before the main course was even finished. Crème brûlée. Something else Niki had never tried but had always wanted to. Problem was, none of the other seven showed interest in the dessert, but Niki had to wash the taste of her dinner out of her mouth, even if it was just a nibble.
She searched for Sergei. He would likely be the only one to notice her peculiar behavior. He was nowhere in sight. Niki reached for her spoon and helped herself. After the custard met her taste buds, she licked her lips in delight, instantly falling in love with the sweet dish. When her eyes rolled back into her head as she fell back into her seat with ecstasy, a new man took a seat directly across from her. When she opened her eyes, she realized it was the very same man who’d eyed her in the entryway.
Once they caught eyes, she held her breath. Who are you? she thought. She wished to ask him, but she knew it would give her away. She lowered her gaze to the table but saw him reach across the table and slide her a folded piece of paper.
She reached for it. “What’s this?” she slurred, faking an altered state of mind.
“Open it,” the man said.
She opened and read it. “Five million.”
She looked up confused.
The
man made his meaning clear. “My bid.”
Stunned, Niki didn’t know what to say, how to react. Before she had a chance to say anything, though, Sergei returned to the dining area and said, “Now that dinner is finished, let’s proceed, shall we?”
In unison, everyone stood. Everyone except for the eight. Niki was about to stand, then realized she was the only one, so she immediately fell back into her seat.
“Leave the women. They will be well taken care of. Let’s proceed into the viewing area.”
Viewing area? Niki realized she’d only seen one place that it could mean: behind the glass in her room.
When all the guests had gone, Niki searched the dining room. Dazed and confused, the other seven sat slumped in their chairs. She didn’t dare move them. If she did, her chance at taking Sergei and his associates down would be usurped. Her chest rose and fell as she breathed heavily, listening as a stampede of men trampled above her on the second floor.
They are going to the rooms, she thought. But why? Niki did her best to figure out Sergei’s next step, but before she got very far, Mr. Ritter showed his face.
“Hello, ladies.”
You. I thought you’d gone. Disappeared in the gutter like the rat you are. Why are you still here? But Niki didn’t need to ask him the question; instead, he filled her and the rest in. However, it’s not like the rest were coherent enough to understand.
“I’ll be accepting my payment after the lot of you are bid on.”
It was funny, Mr. Ritter only eyed the four from Walter’s house as he spoke.
They’re not all yours, are they? Niki eyed him as he walked away. She wondered about the other four women at the far table.
“Look pretty for me and fetch me my due.” He stood over Niki, looking down at her with the devil’s eyes.
This time Niki kept her eyes straight ahead, avoiding eye contact. Just a little closer and I can jab this knife into your throat. Then the unmistakable sound of a crackling radio echoed. “We’re ready,” Sergei called through the speaker.
Mr. Ritter lifted the radio and spoke clearly. “Copy that.” Then he bent down to Niki’s side and whispered in her ear, “You’re my crown jewel.” He rubbed the back side of his hand down her face.
It took everything within Niki to restrain her anger. She was stoic at the touch of his cold, rough hand.
“Go get me paid.”
Then a gaggle of men joined Mr. Ritter. Eight men. Large men, one for each of the women. The men helped the ladies to their feet before tossing them over their shoulders like rag dolls and walked out of the dining room.
From over the man’s shoulder, Niki watched the ground. She couldn’t believe how strong the man was who held her. And there were eight of them. How could she take out the guards, Mr. Ritter, and Sergei?
When they made it to the staircase, Niki raised her head slightly and saw Mr. Ritter waiting below. He was smiling, knowing that the lambs were being led to slaughter. And he had the audacity to leave them with a hanging thought. “Don’t forget to make them happy. Be their fantasy. Who knows, some of you may like it.”
He laughed a sardonic laugh before disappearing.
32
South of Rochester, New York
FROM INSIDE THE WARM confines of the SUV, Collar looked out the windshield. She watched Risen who waited outside as Kramer approached. She and Risen had had a brief conversation on the way back from the entrance of the grandma’s farm. The conversation was mainly one-sided; she let Risen have it over the wild goose chase they’d been on. This misadventure took time, time they did not have, not if they wanted to reach Niki and Ashley before it was too late.
Risen puffed out his chest and waited for Kramer. Kramer stood facing the front of the SUV and spoke his first words. “Sorry.”
Collar read his lips, a tactic they taught and employed during her training with ZULU.
Risen’s back was turned to her, but she was more interested in hearing what kind of yarn Kramer could spin.
“We had a tip,” Kramer said. Again, Collar could read his lips. “Came from inside the bureau.”
Inside the bureau? From who? Collar thought.
“I realize that now.”
Realize what?
Collar wished she could see what Risen was saying. Kramer took a step away from Risen and made for the door, but Risen called out again, this time turning his body. Collar could see his lips moving.
“It’s time to go. We need to find this place and fast.”
Damn right. You tell him, Pete.
She looked at Kramer and waited for his answer. “I’ve got something else at the office I want you to see first.”
“What are we waiting for then? Saddle up.”
Both men walked around their respective sides of the SUV, opened the doors, and got in.
Kramer’s heavy body fell close to Collar. She gritted her teeth and said, “How far is the office?”
Both men turned to her, but it was Kramer who spoke. “You heard us talking?”
“No. But I can read lips.”
“Impressive,” Kramer said.
“I assure you, of all the impressive skills I have, that’s junior varsity.”
“I have no doubt. And the field office is back in Rochester.”
“We’re wasting time. Let’s move!” Collar urged, leaning forward in her seat and looking for the driver.
“I like you, Collar. No nonsense.”
“That’s wonderful, but the feeling is not mutual.” She rolled her eyes.
After a few seconds, the rest of the crew appeared and walked down the county road and back toward the vehicles. Collar watched as they strolled, taking their time, laughing to one another, no doubt making fun of the takedown they just tolerated. A story they’ll relive forever: remember that one time when we tried to take down Grandma Moses. Collar was enraged at their slow pace. She rocked forward in her seat, feeling the claustrophobia of the men on each side of her closing in.
“Let’s go!” she yelled inside the cabin.
“Easy.” Kramer reached down to touch her hand to calm her.
She shook it away. “Don’t touch me.”
“Sheesh. You’ve got some trust issues there.” Kramer turned his head away and looked out the window.
Collar fell back against the middle seat. “Why don’t we step outside for a second?”
Kramer whipped his head back around. “You think you can take me down?”
“I have no doubt.” She eyed him up and down.
“Don’t let the belly fool you. I can go ten rounds with anyone.”
“Well, alright then.” Collar nodded to the handle.
Just as Kramer reached for it, Risen cut in. “That’s enough! You two are acting like children, throwing sand in the sandbox.”
“And why not?” Collar turned to Risen. “He led us here. This was bogus from the start.”
“He got tipped off,” Risen explained.
“I know. I read his lips. From someone inside the bureau. Maybe he’s the someone from inside the bureau.”
“It came from outside my offices.”
“So how do you know it was credible?” Collar turned and asked.
“Because it came from Minneapolis.”
The air was sucked from Collar’s lungs, and Risen sat quiet for a moment taking it in.
“What did you say?” Risen said.
“I said, the call came in from Minneapolis. Someone told us to check on this property to throw us off our game.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that from the beginning?” Risen said.
“I was testing you. To see how you’d react. If you knew that this was a foolish ploy,” Kramer said.
“Knew what?” Collar chimed in.
Neither man spoke, not until Risen said, “You knew this was a bogus op from the outset, didn’t you?”
“I did,” Kramer said.
“Then why go through all of this?” Collar said. “My agent and my niece are involv
ed in this.”
“So that’s why you’re here.” Kramer sighed.
Collar realized it was the first time she’d revealed her interest in this case.
“We needed to know if both of you were on the level. Someone in your department is involved in this, Pete. And I needed to know that it wasn’t you.”
“Me? Are you kidding?” Risen turned defensive. “Tell me you’ve got better intel back at the office.”
“We do.” Kramer smiled. “Much better. In fact, we’re almost certain of the whorehouse’s whereabouts.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” Collar said.
“Nothing now.” Kramer opened his door and whistled into the cold.
At the whistle his men started into a jog, hopped into their respective SUVs, made a U- turn, and sped north, back to Rochester.
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK
From outside the field office, the building looked like any corporate office building. Brick façade, small windows, a double-door entrance—it could’ve been a doctor’s or dentist’s office. Inside, the hallway was cramped, no more than eight feet wide. Collar expected it to be more glamorous, she didn’t know why. She hadn’t set foot in many FBI field offices. She’d been to Quantico occasionally, mainly to accompany the director when the FBI needed help on a mission or two inside the US.
“Down here.” Kramer directed them forward.
At the end of the hall was a doorway. He allowed them entry first, then followed them inside. He flipped the light on, and after the moment it took for their eyes to adjust, a wall of pictures lay ahead of them, much like the one on Collar’s wall in Miami, but on a much grander scale.
“What in God’s name?” Risen moved to have a better look.
Collar searched the images, looking for faces she recognized.
“Wait. Is that . . . ?” Risen turned around for confirmation.
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