Keystone (Crossbreed #1)(26)
He took a sip from his water glass.
“Do you get assigned cases? Does everyone work on the same thing?”
Viktor set down his glass and waved his finger. “We never have just one open case, and I decide what jobs we take. Sometimes we open our own cases, and other times our services are requested. I’ve created a unique system that allows us to work independently and not answer to anyone. Since you are new, I’ll fill you in on a case we’re working on. Darius Bane has been high on the hit list for some time, and it doesn’t look like anyone is close to arresting him due to lack of evidence. However, we have several tips from reliable sources. The most recent crime dates back two weeks.”
“What’s he done?”
“He’s a human killer. Do you know why that is a deplorable crime? Because humans are the weaker species, and therefore deserve our mercy. Since his victims are human and not part of our world, we cannot call them to witness. But repeat offenders leave… how you say… fingerprints?” He looked to Shepherd for help.
Shepherd drew in a deep puff of the cigarette. “I think what you mean is that they follow a pattern.”
Viktor nodded. “Thank you. Pattern is correct. You cannot allow immortals to kill humans. Empowerment is a dangerous thing and can lead to even greater crimes against humanity. It is true that humans would wage war against us if they knew we existed, but that is out of fear. Men like this bring more into their circle and plan murders in greater numbers. Soon they will want to rise up against humans in a rebellion. We will never be able to live peacefully and openly with humans, and that’s why, centuries ago, Breed went underground and made ourselves into nothing but bedtime stories. It is far easier to live in peace, even if it means keeping ourselves secret. And we must always remember that they are the weaker species, even if they dominate us in numbers.”
“I understand.” And I did. After being around some of the older immortals, they had this sense of entitlement about them, as if they belonged in this world and humans didn’t. Maybe that was why I tried a little harder to protect humans.
“This man, he is no good.” Viktor began to spout off in Russian until Gem patted his hand.
“English,” she said.
He sat back in his chair. “Forgive me. I think in Russian, I speak in English… It’s too confusing.”
Gem smiled and winked at me, as if implying this happened a lot when Viktor became emotional.
Then his gaze swung in my direction. “Our paths crossed a few months ago when you took out one of Mr. Bane’s men. That’s how we came to eventually track you down.”
“Did you say his name was Darius?”
“Da.”
“The other night, I overheard some big shot talking to his lackey about killing a human club owner and making it look like a local gang. He wanted to torch the place, but I really didn’t get what his motive was. The other man called him Darius. Do you think it could be the same guy?”
Viktor launched to his feet and kicked his chair over. “Son of bitch,” he growled in broken English.
“I don’t think he went through with it,” I quickly added. “His partner got a good look at me and knows that I overheard their conversation.”
“You didn’t kill him? I was not aware you let anyone go.”
I scraped my teeth against my bottom lip and folded my arms. “Believe me, it wasn’t out of mercy. He got away, but maybe it’s for the better. If he thinks someone knows what he’s doing, maybe he’ll stop. Why don’t you just find out where he lives and burn the place to the ground?”
“He is well protected, and we must do this as discreetly as possible.”
“There’s nothing discreet about murder.”
Viktor shook his finger at me, still pacing. “We cannot make ourselves out to be terrorists. If you want fireworks and a parade, you are in the wrong place. We have been unable to track him since he has many homes, and if we break into the wrong one, it could set us back years. It is impossible to know where he sleeps, and he does not make many public appearances.”
Shepherd dropped his cigarette butt into a glass of water. “So what’s the plan? We’ve been gathering evidence against this piece of shit for months, but it’s not enough to turn him over to the authorities. We either need to catch him in the act or—”
“Cut his throat,” Christian murmured from his booth. “I vote for plan B.”
Viktor turned around, gazing up at the window when the room grew deceptively bright from thinning clouds. “I agree. He has too many friends in power, and without sufficient evidence, they would try to crush us.”
“What else did you hear them say?” Niko asked, his pale eyes centered on the table.
I turned my small plate in slow circles. “It sounded like extortion, targeting new business owners in the neighborhood and making them think they needed his protection. But he said something weird before he left.”
“Oh?” Viktor asked, turning around. He righted his chair and sat back down. “What did he say?”
I touched my lip, trying to recall the exact words. “He said that they have no right to be here. What did he mean by that?”
Gem waved her hand. “He was probably just making a general statement about humans.”
“Those were his exact words?” Viktor asked, his stormy eyes lowering in thought. “Shepherd, do me a favor. After this meeting, I want you to have Wyatt pull up the list of victims and pinpoint the location of their businesses, even if their death was elsewhere.”