Dima nodded.
“I saw Killer Crows wearing red at the Romeo’s memorial, but what color does the North wear?”
“Whatever color we want. We own them all.”
I frowned and turned to Viktor.
He smiled. “We wear yellow.”
I checked Dima’s clothes. Of course he didn’t have one spot of yellow on him.
We approached the men in blue. One of them had been writing names onto a clipboard. The other two were motioning for more men in the line to come into the church.
The storm picked up.
The man spotted us. “Good afternoon, Dimitri. We didn’t know you would be in the area today.”
“It’s going to be that sort of day, Cha-chi.”
His face didn’t show a warm welcome. “Why are you here?”
“I want to talk to the man of the house.”
Cha-chi leaned his head to the side. “Which one?”
“Leo and Lei are both here?”
Cha-chi nodded.
“Good. I’ll talk to both.”
Cha-chi gestured for the men to open the door. Dima headed forward. His men and I followed. My mood picked up. It appeared Leo and Lei were alive.
Maybe, we can beat this killer before he strikes again.
I thought about the notes I made in my bag.
037. 037.
I said the number confirmation over and over in my head, trying to figure out what Chanel Jones was trying to say before she died. I couldn’t get the image of those bloody numbers out of my head.
I don’t know her, but I know that she didn’t deserve that.
Gloom mingled with my newly rising doubts on who the Diamond Syndicate was and what they truly represented. Their deaths were humanizing them to me.
Next time, I’ll be careful with what I wish for.
I wanted to go after the Diamond Syndicate. I wanted to bring them down to save Paradise.
Johnathan used his mayor connections to put me right next to them. And I wasn’t stupid enough to think he did it just because we were friends, or because he wanted to have sex with me. He did it because he wanted to get the Syndicate out of the city and be re-elected. And I hoped that the reason he wanted to get them out was based in good intentions, and not just for votes.
Sometimes politicians were worse than criminals.
I just want to be on the right side.
Currently, the right side was finding out whoever this serial killer was. Whether I agreed with what the Syndicate did or not, it wasn’t fair that they were being murdered.
Dimitri disturbed my thoughts. “I’m bringing you deeper into my world. With that comes a clear understanding of what you will and will not do.”
“I won’t be printing an article about anything I learn today.”
“I like how you worded that, but we’ll go deeper. Keep your mouth closed to not only the public, but the mayor.” He stopped and targeted me with a serious gaze. “Don’t make me kill you, Rose.”
I blinked. “I would prefer you not to continue to threaten me.”
“As long as we have that understanding.” Nodding, he walked off. “I’m actually beginning to appreciate your help.”
“Good.”
“Your new eyes and smart brain is getting us further.”
“You would have figured out some of the stuff. I think your connection to those that have died, have clouded your mind.”
He paused, but didn’t turn to me.
I remained quiet.
“Hmmm.” He walked off again. “I hadn’t realized that Romeo and Chanel’s deaths would affect me, but they did.”
“Of course they would affect you.”
We continue down the hall.
Dimitri glanced my way. “You have a look of unease.”
“You so easily said you would kill me.”
“I won’t kill you, if you’re smart.”
“But still, you have to know that it’s going to freak me out.”
Still walking, he looked up at the ceiling, considered it, and then turned his gaze back to me. “I apologize.”
I blinked. “You really apologize?”
“I do. If you let information out, I will kill you. However, I apologize for telling you that.”
“What? I’m not sure if I accept that apology.”
“You do.” He stopped at a door. “Leo should be in here.”
He knocked.
No answer came.
Dimitri knocked again.
Nothing.
His men hurried forward and took their guns out.
I stepped out of their way.
Viktor went to Dimitri’s side. “What do want us to do?”
Silent, Dimitri closed his eyes. That reaction shocked me. It must not have been typical behavior. Some of his men checked Viktor’s reaction as if wondering what to do. Letting out a long breath, Dimitri opened his eyes. “Stay behind us, Ms. Walsh.”
Viktor pointed at the guy in the front.
The man slowly opened the door.
Four guys went in with their guys pointing guns in front of them. They stopped a few feet ahead, looking ready to shoot at any danger. The men spotted something in front of them. I couldn’t see it. Next, they quietly put away their guns. One of them turned to Viktor and shrugged.
With an odd expression, Viktor headed in, saw what they did, and gestured for us to come in.