Chapter 38

  A hundred yards from the front entrance of Peter’s apartment building, Ivan and his partner were sitting in the back cargo area of a Mercedes Benz Sprinter, watching the live feed from Peter’s apartment. At first, Ivan was elated when he watched Peter log on to his laptop. They now had his password and could return later, access his files, and remove the camera. They suspected that Peter wouldn’t have any of his research on his personal computer, but they hoped to find his access code to his research facility. But when Peter opened the video of the intruder searching through his apartment, Ivan just sat with his mouth open and his eyes wide in disbelief. They watched as Peter involuntarily jerked back at the sight of Ivan’s face on his computer screen and the shock and horror on his face when he looked up at the ceiling where Ivan had placed the camera.

  “Fuck, Fuck, Fuck, that fucking bastard had his place loaded with cameras, and I didn’t even see them,” Ivan screamed as he slammed his fist into the side of the van.

  Dmitri said sheepishly, “The police are going to know that you killed that old woman.”

  Ivan turned, and his anger rose at his companion’s remark.

  “Don’t you think I know that you fucking moron?”

  Ivan knew that virtually no one used the back staircase, and the chances that someone had already found Martha’s body were remote. They had been monitoring the police scanners, and there had been no reports of her death. But now Ivan had a much bigger problem. He needed to get Peter’s laptop, or there would soon be a manhunt out for him. If that happened, his employer would not be happy.

  Ivan looked at the idiot next to him and said, “I want you to keep this little problem to yourself.”

  “You’re the boss, but I was just thinking maybe we should call and let them tell us what to do,” Dimitri said sheepishly.

  “Who the fuck told you to think?” Ivan snapped. “Just keep your mouth shut and do what I tell you. You got that?”

  “No problem. Just tell me what I should do.” He replied, bowing to Ivan’s demands.

  But he was trying to figure out how to inform their employer about this little problem without Ivan’s knowledge. He wasn’t going down with old Ivan. No way in hell.

  Ivan lowered his head, put his elbows on his thighs, and ran his fingers through his long black hair, thinking of his next move.

  “I’m going to pay Dr. Chakinski a little visit.” After another long sigh, Ivan said, “Now I wish I hadn’t killed the old bitch.”

  “That makes two of us,” Dmitri said nervously.

  Ivan opened the side door of the Mercedes and said, “Drive the van around to the end of the alley and wait there. If you see the police or hear any sirens, return to this spot and wait for me. You got that?”

  “Yeah, I got it.”

  “And stay off your fuckin phone, I want your cell open if I have to call you.”

  He nodded and slipped the van into gear after Ivan closed the side door. Dmitri hated the condescending prick, but he had no choice but to obey his orders.

  *****

  Ivan stepped out of the van and into the cool night air and fought the urge to run. He was furious that the little bastard had outfoxed him and angry with himself for not seeing the cameras. If the police got a hold of the video, he would be screwed. He passed two lovers on the opposite side of the street that paid little attention to him, nor did the few cars that passed him on the street. He moved down the rain-soaked sidewalk until he came to the front entrance of Peter’s apartment. Time was of the essence. He had to get the laptop and take care of Dr. Chakinski before the old woman’s body was discovered. He pulled out his lock-pick gun and had the door open in seconds. He quickly moved down the first-floor hall to the back stairs, then stopped and listened intently before starting up. When he hit the second-floor landing, he thought he heard voices and someone moving up on the next floor.

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  No matter how quietly Ivan tried to move up the back staircase, the old, creaky stair treads gave him away.

  *****

  “Someone’s coming up the staircase. Did you tell anyone you were looking for Martha?” Peter whispered to Petrov.

  Petrov just shook his head from side to side with a puzzled look. Petrov’s wife had died several years ago, and he lived alone with only his tabby cat to keep him company. Immediately, Peter knew that this was not good. No one used the back staircase at this hour of the day. Whoever was watching the camera that was placed in his apartment had probably seen him looking at the video clip and wasn’t happy with what he had just witnessed. Peter put his finger across his lips, grabbed Petrov by the shirt, and pulled the elderly man up the staircase.

  “Be very quiet and follow me.”

  When they reached Peter’s door, Peter said, “I’m going to grab my laptop. I want you to go into Martha’s apartment and wait for me. And keep the door slightly open. I will join you as fast as I can.”

  “What if the person gets to this floor before you come back?” Petrov said with fear in his voice.

  “Then shut the door quietly and hide,” Peter said as he looked into the face of the frightened man, and then slipped into his apartment.

  Peter grabbed his laptop and peered into the hall before stepping out and shutting the door, making as little sound as possible. He hastily reached Martha’s door, where Petrov was waiting. Before Peter entered her apartment, he took a quick peek down the end of the hall. His heart started to race when he saw the top of a man’s head just start to appear. Whoever it was, he made no sound as he passed Martha’s lifeless body, which only confirmed Peter’s fears. Peter pulled the door shut and turned to Petrov, who looked very worried.

  “I think Martha’s killer has returned, and he’s coming this way.”

  *****

  Ivan crept up the stairs until he reached the old woman’s body. It didn’t appear that anyone had discovered her yet. He stepped over her and slowly climbed the remaining stairs to the top floor. The hallway was deserted and only illuminated by three small lights. Ivan had no idea what the scientist had done after discovering the intrusion, although he was sure he would have called the police. He only hoped the police would respond slowly and that Chakinski was still in his apartment.

  Ivan quickly approached Peter's door. He was not surprised to see that it was shut. With his camera now disabled, he had no way of knowing where Chakinski was. He grabbed the doorknob and put just enough force to turn the knob ever so slightly. Surprisingly, it wasn't locked, and he saw no light coming from under the door. He let the doorknob return to its original position and stepped backward. He pulled out his 9mm Beretta 92 from his shoulder holster, reached into his jacket pocket, and pulled out its silencer. He then glanced down the hall in both directions as he screwed the silencer into the threaded barrel. He stepped forward again, turned the doorknob, and pushed the door in very slowly with his foot while keeping the gun in front of him with both hands. The low lights were still on, but there was no sign of Chakinski. Ivan glanced at the desk and was dismayed when he saw that his laptop was gone. He quickly searched the rest of the small apartment and found no sign of the man. He took out his cell phone and called Dmitri, who picked up on the second ring.

  "Where are you now?" Ivan said in a gruff voice.

  “I’m at the end of the alley like you told me.”

  “Have you seen anyone come or go?”

  “Nothing except a stray dog and a drunken old man.”

  “Just stay where you are and keep your eyes open for the police.”

  “Where the hell did you go, Chakinski?” Ivan said in a low whisper. He knew he hadn’t come out the front door because he had come in that way. He might have slipped out the back door before Dmitri got to his position. However, that wasn’t likely. Was it possible that he had discovered Martha’s body after he viewed the video and then heard someone coming up the back steps? Where would he go? Down the front staircase while he was coming up the back or maybe into Martha’s apartment? There was only one way to find out!

  Ivan slowly opened the door and looked into the hallway. No one! He walked quietly to Martha’s door and turned the door knob. It was open as it should have been. Keeping the silenced Beretta in front of him, he again pushed the door open with his foot and entered the room. The room looked just the same. A reading lamp was on over Martha’s comfortable chair. The kitchen light was on, as was a small nightlight in her bathroom. Nothing appeared to be different.

  Ivan worked his way through Martha’s apartment, checking every possible hiding place. He started with the living room and front closet, and then moved to the bathroom and kitchen. He found nothing. The last place to look was Martha’s bedroom. The door was open with no light on inside. He found the light switch and turned it on. The low-wattage overhead light eliminated the small room but with little intensity. He turned on his flashlight and shined it under the twin bed. No one was there; “Only in the fuckin movies,” he whispered to himself. The only place left to search was the closet.