Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 148949 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148949 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
Or was I destined to remain entrenched in the darkness of my past, forever bound by the cold and unforgiving code of the Brotherhood?
Fear sliced through me.
I fisted my hands in my lap.
We will see.
Chapter 42
The Coroner
Kazimir
My driver pulled Mufasa up to Dolgov Vechnost Funeral Home.
As soon as we stopped, David left the car and held the door open for me. “I received a text that the gardener’s family is definitely inside with our men. All are waiting for you.”
“Are you sure my blow torch is in there?”
David nodded. “One must never forget the blow torch.”
Grinning, I stepped out of the car.
Snow crackled under my feet.
Cool air nipped at my skin.
“And what do you think is on Boris’s mind while he looks at the gardener’s family?”
“He is probably wondering what is going on and is terrified.”
“I bet he is.” I gazed at the funeral home.
Set against the backdrop of a crisp, clear day, the grand marble building stood as an imposing yet elegant monument to Moscow’s elite.
I couldn’t help but marvel at its opulence. “Did you ever hear stories in the Brotherhood about a man named the Coroner?”
“I did not.”
“My mother loved to tell me stories about him. His name was Bogdan Sidorov.” I headed forward. My footsteps echoed softly on the snow-covered cobblestone pathway. “He grew up on the outskirts of Saint Petersburg. His mother was a nurse. Meanwhile, his father was a skilled mortician. Perhaps this explained why death fascinated Bogdan so much.”
“Due to his fascination, I am sure Bogdan did well in the Brotherhood.”
“Oh yes. He quickly gained a reputation for his ability to make bodies disappear. In fact, it was my father who named him the Coroner.”
David kept my pace. “Did you ever meet him?”
“I did. He was cold man, and I am not just talking about his attitude. His hands were freezing cold when they shook my little fingers. And even the room seemed to. . .freeze any time he entered. As a kid, I would always button up my coat and stand closer to my mother, terrified of him.”
We approached the entrance.
David grabbed the brass door handle and pulled it open. “Whatever happened to the Coroner?”
I stepped inside and was immediately overcome with a sense of awe. Classical music hummed in the background of the space. Gleaming marble floors sparkled beneath my feet. Heavy brocade curtains framed the windows. The perfume of freshly cut flowers and polished wood filled my nostrils.
The high ceiling held a large chandelier that dripped with crystals.
“Bogdan navigated our dark world for a long time, earning a reputation for ruthlessness and cunning violence that few dared to challenge.” I continued forward. “And then one day, he met a woman named Alina. She was a talented artist that lived in Samara.”
“Baba always told me that some of Russia’s most famous artists and writers lived in Samara.”
“It must be true.” I shrugged. “However, my mother claimed that Alina had eyes that held the promise of a thousand sunsets.”
“She sounds breathtaking.”
“She must have been, because soon Bogdan put his guns down and dedicated his life to only loving her.”
“No more Brotherhood?”
“No more violence either.” I smiled. “However, Bogdan did not let go of death.”
“How did he hold onto it?”
I gestured to the funeral home. “This is his place.”
“Oh.”
A tall man approached, wearing a dark black suit and black shirt.
I leaned my head toward David. “And this is Bogdan and Alina’s son, Maksim. He handles the darker aspects of our operations. For example, the disposal of bodies.”
Maksim approached us and extended his head. “Welcome, Kazimir.”
“I hope all is well.” I shook his hand. Unlike his father, Bogdan who had passed away years ago, his fingers were warm to the touch.
Maksim’s gaze went to David. “Is this your new number one?”
“Aww.” I widened my eyes. “Has it been that long since I have visited you?”
“It has. Actually, the last time you came here. Sasha was by your side.”
“Then, it has been a very long time because Sasha is gone.”
“I did hear of Sasha’s demise.” Terror covered Maksim’s face. “I also saw it too on the television.”
Moscow News channels had made sure to show many blurred images of Sasha’s hanging dead body for several days, no doubt enjoying the higher viewer ratings.
Maksim gave David a sad smile. “I hope that you are enjoying your job and do better.”
“I plan to.”
“All blessings to you then. Let us return to business.” Maksim guided us through the lobby and past the viewing rooms.
As we walked further into the huge funeral home, we passed through a serene courtyard on our right filled with carefully a manicured garden. Already, spring was showing its face out there. There was definitely more greenery than snow. The melody of water trickling sounded around us.
Next, he led us out of the courtyard’s garden, back into the funeral home, and down a long hallway.