Page 141 of Dark Duet: Platinum Edition

“So, check the date,” she added grimly.

“He didn’t finish. He was there ’80 to ’82.” Realization was slowly dawning on Matthew, and he felt bile crawling up into the back of his throat. “James Cole was born in 1983. In Oregon.”

“You don’t think?”

“Olivia Ruiz mentioned Rafiq wanted revenge against Vladek, something to do with his mother and sister. Apparently, Vladek killed them, or so Rafiq says. I’m starting to think everything out of the guy’s mouth is bullshit.”

“Do you want me to pull James’ birth certificate?”

“Yeah, do that. Did you already call the Deputy Director to let him know we think the auction is taking place at the military cantonment in Karachi?”

“I told him an hour ago – figured he could get started on organizing the op. That SSgt Patel doesn’t seem like the cooperative type. Holy fuck, Reed…do you honestly think Vladek would sell his own fucking son?!”

Matthew wanted to start punching things. “No. I think he was collateral damage.” It was all starting to come together. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly forming in Matthew’s mind. There were still huge pieces missing, but Matthew thought he could make out the picture just the same.

“Well, we already know where the auction is. Everything else is just gravy at this point. Let me finish pulling these records, and then I say we pack it in for the night. If we get the green light, we could have Rafiq in custody in the next seventy-two hours. We can get our answers straight from the source,” Williams said.

Matthew could hear the anger and determination in Williams’ voice. He admired her fire, but he’d been around long enough to know fire could get you burned. “I doubt we’ll even get a crack at him, Williams. Be prepared.”

“What do you mean? We have a mountain of fucking evidence and a witness,” Williams spouted.

“What wehaveis a high ranking military official from a foreign government accused of crimes in a completely different country. I want this guy. I want him bad, but I’ve been here before, Williams. Sometimes…they get away.”

“Then why are you here, Reed? Why have you been working this case so damn hard?”

“Olivia Ruiz was the original perpetrator. She caused an international incident when she decided to cross the U.S.-Mexico border waving a gun. She didn’t become the victim until later. I had no idea this case was going to become the juggernaut it is. I’ve worked the case, Williams. It’s all any one of us can do,” Reed said.

“Yeah, well…it’s not over yet, Reed.”

“Never said it was, Williams.”

“Ugh!” Williams sighed.

“What is it?”

“I have James Cole’s birth certificate. His father is listed as ‘Vlad,’ with no known last name. There’s a death certificate here too, seven years after James disappeared. That’s pretty standard, I guess. Let me see what I can find on the mother, Elizabeth Cole.” Williams shook her head. “She died in 1997. Coroner’s report reads self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.”

Matthew’s heart felt like it was sinking. James Cole had been kidnapped when he was five and sold into slavery. It had most likely been an act of revenge against his father, Vladek Rostrovich. He’d been beaten and abused most of his life, and according to Olivia Ruiz, the only person he had ever trusted had been the one to ruin his life in the first place.

“This is depressing the hell out of me, Reed,” Williams whispered.

“Yeah.” Matthew cleared his throat. “Me too. I just thought I could give the poor woman some peace, but it looks like she found it on her own.”

“We should get some sleep. Chances are we’re going to have a full day tomorrow. If everything goes well, you’ll be on a plane to Pakistan to lead the raid.Dotry to remember the little people when you’re promoted.” She smiled impishly and fluttered her lashes for effect.

Matthew managed a short laugh. “I’ll try, Agent…?”

“Williams.”

“Right. Williams.” Matthew continued to go over the stack of files on his desk as Williams got ready to leave. He knew he should be doing the same, but he couldn’t let it go quite yet.

“Why do I get the feeling I’m going to see you sitting there when I come back in the morning?” Williams said as she slung her laptop bag over her shoulder.

“I’ll be out of here soon. I just want to poke around a little more. I couldn’t sleep right now anyway – been drinking coffee all night, remember?”

“Yeah, yeah, likely story. I’ll be in around seven if we’re not called up sooner. I’ll bring you something to eat and maybe some coffee that won’t eat through your stomach,” she said.

“I like the coffee.”