Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 108342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
A tear fell from Nikola’s eye, and he offered her a tight smile. “Yes… that’s… that’s all correct.”
“Nikolai.” Captain White leaned forward. “I know you don’t care for me, and I know you wish I weren’t here at all, but may I ask you a question?”
He scratched his head, drummed his fingers against the table, and rolled his tongue along the roof of his mouth. He imagined he was taking far too long to answer such a simple inquiry. He preferred to let the man stew, even this seemed petty under the circumstances.
“What is it?” He grabbed his water and took a hearty gulp.
“With all due respect, how do Porsche or I know that this story of yours is true? After all, you were the one with your brother in your basement, with a box full of evidence. Not the other way around.”
Nikolai leaned forward, meeting the bastard’s gaze.
“Many of my personal items were confiscated when I was arrested, my phone bein’ one of them. I backed my phone up before that could happen though. I back my phone up every day. Habit.” He took another sip of water. “I don’t trust many people. I definitely don’t trust the police. So, if you want proof that what I’m saying to ya is the truth, you’ll find that proof on my phone. If my phone suddenly disappears from your evidence files, like evidence in your department seems to do from time to time,” he winked at him, “then I’ve got backup. And more backup, too.”
“What’s on the phone, Nikolai?” Porsche’s lips drew tight.
“The stuff of confessional dreams. Me asking my brother about the box of knickknacks in his car… his little beach souvenirs, if you will. Most importantly though, it’s the details. See, I talked to my brother from time to time when going down in that basement and feeding him… washing him… beating tha shit outta him for being so gotdamn evil and driving our mother into a depression that she hid with quilt and sweater weaving, non-stop church visits, and prayers to a God that felt more pity for her, than mercy. Dmitriy made it quite clear what he’d done… how he felt about me, Mark… our father, too.
“He shared what he planned to do should he ever get the chance to get away from that basement. I had to save Portland from my brother. I had to do what the therapists and police couldn’t and wouldn’t do. Family is very important to me, but so is honor. He is still alive because of promises to my family, or trust and believe me, I would have taken my gun and killed him a long time ago. I am here, in this jail, because of my integrity, and it’s just the principle of it all. After you hear his revolting admissions, maybe, just maybe, you’ll apologize to me, get out of my way while ya still can, and leave me the hell alone.”
“We would like nothing more than to be done with you, your brother, and this case, Mr. Raven.”
“Oh, but I’m not done with you… I’m just gettin’ started. I’m going to expose your corrupt department and turn it inside fuckin’ out. My attorney is going to fuck you, Captain. He’s going to fuck you legally, but he’s going to fuck you hard. With no lube.”
“Nikolai… please.”
“I’m sorry, Porsche, but I’m all outta “pleases,” baby. I’m glad you finally did the right thing, Captain. You’re still a worm in my book. All I have left to offer you, Captain Fright, since you’re so damn afraid to do your job, is a pair of iron balls. When I get outta here, I promise to make you some. Looks like it’ll be the first pair you ever had.”
He shook his head. “Interview over. Porsche, everything you need is in this book and on my phone. I will have my attorney supply you with the password to access it.” He pointed to the red book on the table. “I’ll be seein’ both of you again real soon. One, for pleasure. The other, for pain. That’s a promise. And a whisper…”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Nikolai’s attorney was a motherfucking brilliant mastermind and high-powered attorney. Joshua Horwich was typically dressed in an expensive navy-blue suit, white tie, and a nasty smirk that he could back up with the right words and questions to send people on the stand whirling. Just as Porsche suspected, Nikolai looked like a gold star on paper. He was a hard-working American with European immigrant grandparents who pulled themselves up by the bootstraps. Trying to destroy his character and drag him down some convoluted rabbit hole of misshapen theories proved to backfire horribly. He was the star people wished to be like. The quiet underdog, biding his time to finally grasp at the golden rings of victory. Horwich made Nikolai shine. He was also a victim in this mess… and he tried to literally save not only Portland, but the entire country from a man that couldn’t seem to be stopped.