Page 77 of Lethal Game

"Who was the friend?"

"Lauren Silenski. She's the reason I went there. Dominic got me an appointment months ahead of when I was unable to get in on my own. He said he'd worked with Lauren's brother at some point."

"Where is Dominic now?"

She hesitated.

He leaned forward, holding her gaze. "You need to tell us, Tatiana. That's the deal. You know that if Dominic and Alexei are working for Novikov, something terrible is going to happen."

She gave him a long look, then said, "Dominic is staying at a condo in a high-rise that's under construction. He knows the contractor, and they gave him access to the model unit that was already completed. It's called the Elliott Tower. It's in Century City. I don't know the address."

"Is Arseni staying with Dominic?"

"I didn't ask, and he didn't say. But if either of them learns I betrayed them, they'll kill me. And it won't be fast, it will be slow and painful because I pledged them my silence years ago. I don't want to die. I want that clinical trial. I want to survive this. I am not part of their lives. I don't want to hurt people."

She might not want to hurt people now that her life was also on the line, but she'd been happy to look the other way for a very long time. "What's Dominic's number? How do you communicate with him?"

"He calls or texts from different numbers. We don't communicate that often. I hadn't heard from him in a long time until a few months ago. He reached out to me, and I had a weak moment when I told him I was sick. I thought back to a time when we were kids, when we were friends. He wanted to help me, and I wanted him to help me." She shrugged. "I didn't know Dominic was coming to LA until he showed up a few weeks ago. He doesn't tell me about his plans, and I don't ask. If I knew what was going on, I would tell you." She paused. "Now, I want that deal in writing."

He got to his feet. "We'll check out the Elliott Tower, and then we'll get you the paperwork."

After leaving the interrogation room, he stepped into the room next door where Flynn and Savannah had been watching his interview.

"Hell of a job," Flynn said, with approval in his eyes. "I didn't think she'd crack."

"You pushed the right buttons," Savannah said.

"We'll see. We need to check out the Elliott Tower."

"Already assembling a team," Flynn said. "We'll leave in ten minutes."

He hoped that wasn't ten minutes too long.

CHAPTER TWENTY

As the team prepared to move, Jason made a quick call to Alisa, who had turned on her phone after settling in her mother’s hospital room.

"I only have a minute," he said. "We’re chasing a solid lead."

"That’s great," she replied. "Anything you can share?"

"I can't share details yet, but I’ll update you soon. The info came from Tatiana, and it looks solid."

"Is it about my dad?"

"No, another of Novikov’s associates. I’ll let you know when I have more."

"Be careful, Jason."

Her concern reassured him, but it also unsettled him. He wasn’t used to having someone who worried about him—but it felt surprisingly good.

Clearing his throat, he asked, "Everything okay with you?"

"Yes, my mom and I had a long talk. She’s napping now, and I’m going to listen to something light and funny on my phone."

"Good. I’ll talk to you later."

He stared at the phone, unsettled by the nagging feeling that he should have said more. But it was too late. Hopefully, the next time they spoke, he’d have good news.