“Then, we’ll talk about this later.” I licked my lips. “Face-to-face.”
She hung up.
I grinned at the phone. “My wild Rose.”
Viktor slid his finger along the screen. Another harp melody came on. “She’s definitely proving to be more of a challenge than other women.”
“I like the little challenge.” I put my phone away. “However, I hope she doesn’t make me kill her.”
He shut off his game. “But, you don’t like to kill women.”
“Because, it’s a waste of pussy.” I shoveled some waffles into my mouth and ate them, hating every damn bite. “I do have someone you can kill.”
“Who?”
“My mother’s new health guru. These waffles could be better.”
Viktor grinned. “Did you get the text message from Chanel this morning?”
“About Romeo’s memorial schedule? Yes. It looks like several events will be happening this week. Romeo always loved celebrations. I’m not surprised.”
“I’m excited about his memorial at Lucky’s strip club.” Viktor’s phone rang. He put down the newspaper, picked it up, and answered. “Yes. Sure. Go ahead. Send him up.”
I continued to eat the bland waffles.
Viktor put his phone away. “Detective Treadway is riding the elevator up.”
“He better have a lead on Romeo’s killer. The clock is ticking. Without a suspect, Chanel will wage war on Paradise and Lei will help. They’ll be no talking to either of them.” I picked up another piece of waffle and scowled at it. “Revenge is an animal. And when it overtakes you, it will rip out the eyes and make you blind.”
“Speaking of revenge,” Viktor grinned. “Are you serious about my killing your mother’s health guru?”
“Find out the man’s name, but don’t act yet.”
“And when I do?”
I set the forked waffle back on the plate and gave up on eating. “When you do act, I want you to cut off his fingers and feed them to him.”
“Should we cook the fingers?”
“Lightly roast them.” I picked up my orange juice. “But don’t act yet. Just get his information for now. This could be a passing phase for my mother.”
Viktor nodded. “And what do you want me to do in regard to Romeo’s death?”
“Let’s see what the Detective says first.” I took my new mini book out along with my pen and made a quick note.
I’m definitely going to fuck Rose Walsh.
4
The Virgin Queen
Dimitri
E
dwin returned to grab my plate.
I scowled at him. “Edwin.”
He placed his hands behind him. “Yes, sir.”
“I am a person of rituals that must be respected. When they are not followed, a hurricane of agitation engulfs me.”
“Yes, sir.”
“For breakfast, it is two eggs, half a bagel with jelly. Not butter. Strawberries and bananas cut an inch thick. And no food touches. None of it.”
“Yes, sir. Your mother just thought—”
I slammed my fist on the table.
“Your ritual will be remembered tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you, Edwin.”
He took the plate and left.
Viktor turned to me. “Next time, I would rather kill the chef, then you yell at Edwin.”
“I agree. Edwin is growing on me.”
Viktor returned to his stupid game.
Detective Treadway stepped onto the balcony. He didn’t wear a police uniform. He had on tan slacks and gray jacket.
I liked him the most because he seemed to be easier for me to assess. A tiny coffee stain decorated the front of his white shirt, pointing to him possibly being nervous about this meeting.
A gold band wrapped around his ring finger, symbolizing that he was married.
I spotted a pack of Winston cigarettes in his front pocket. He was a smoker. Perhaps, he had an addictive personality, but it definitely pointed to lots of daily stress. There was a bulge under his jacket on the left, indicating a small firearm.
He’s nervous about talking to me.
“Good morning, Mr. Ivanov.” Detective Treadway held a thick folder in his hand. “I’ve made copies of everything the department has so far.”
“Any fingerprints come up for Romeo’s murder?”
“Just the whores and madam that work in the brothel.”
“Were the man and woman found?” I thought of their names. “Candy and Simon.”
“We caught them trying to board a bus out of town.”
“Excellent.” I leaned back in my chair. “What did they say about Romeo?”
“Candy explained that she went to the suite and knocked. Romeo opened the door, but wouldn’t let her in. He appeared calm and simply told her that he was canceling their session due to an important meeting. He wanted Candy to tell Simon it was canceled too.”
“Hmmm.” I looked at the chess piece. “Then, someone was in the room with Romeo.”
The detective nodded. “I believe so.”
Romeo knew the killer and didn’t think his presence in the suite was important.
The detective continued, “We’re holding Candy and Simon at the station as suspects, but I don’t have them as the killers.”
“Me either. Let them go, but keep a car on them for a few days.”
“My thoughts exactly. My chief also thinks Romeo’s murder was gang-related.” Detective Treadway placed the folder in front of me. “But, I have another theory.”