“Olivia Ruiz was the original perpetrator. She caused an international incident when she decided to cross the US-MEXICO border waving a gun. She didn’t become the victim until later. I had no idea this case was going to become the juggernaut it is. I’ve worked the case, Williams. It’s all any one of us can do,” Reed said.
“Yeah, well…it’s not over yet, Reed.”
“Never said it was, Williams.”
“Ugh!” Williams sighed.
“What is it?”
“I have James Cole’s, birth certificate. His father is listed as ‘Vlad’, with no known last name. There’s a death certificate here too, seven years after James disappeared. That’s pretty standard, I guess. Let me see what I can find on the mother, Elizabeth Cole,” Williams shook her head, “She died in 1997. Coroner’s report reads self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.”
Matthew’s heart felt like it was sinking. James Cole had been kidnapped when he was five and sold into slavery. It had most likely been an act of revenge against his father, Vladek Rostrovich. He’d been beaten and abused most of his life and according to Olivia Ruiz, the only person he had ever trusted, had been the one to ruin his life in the first place.
“This is depressing the hell out of me, Reed,” Williams whispered.
“Yeah,” Matthew cleared his throat, “Me too. I just thought I could give the poor woman some peace, but it looks like she found it on her own.”
“We should get some sleep. Chances are, we’re going to have a full day tomorrow. If everything goes well, you’ll be on a plane to Pakistan to lead the raid. Do try, to remember the little people when you’re promoted,” she smiled impishly and fluttered her lashes for effect.
Matthew managed a short laugh, “I’ll try, Agent…?”
“Williams.”
“Right. Williams.” Matthew continued to go over the stack of files on his desk as Williams, got ready to leave. He knew he should be doing the same, but he couldn’t let it go quite yet.
“Why do I get the feeling I’m going to see you sitting there when I come back in the morning?” Williams said, as she slung her laptop bag over her shoulder.
“I’ll be out of here soon. I just want to poke around a little more. I couldn’t sleep right now anyway – been drinking coffee all night, remember?”
“Yeah, yeah, likely story. I’ll be in around seven if we’re not called up sooner. I’ll bring you something to eat and maybe some coffee that won’t eat through your stomach,” she said.
“I like the coffee.”
“Suit yourself,” Williams said, as she stepped into the elevator.
Matthew stood up and grabbed the files on Williams’ desk. He’d done his job. The rest would fall to the bureau and the justice department. Regardless, the puzzle wasn’t solved, and he couldn’t stop putting it together. Olivia deserved to know the truth.
Three hours later, Matthew had a list of events and possibilities. He’d learned a lot of things about the major players in the case, but had just as many new questions as he did answers:
1960 AKRAAN Arms Co. Est. in Russia - Vladek's Father?
1961 Vladek Rostrovich, born - youngest child of 3
1963 Muhammad Rafiq, born - eldest son (younger sister?)
1980-1982 Vladek, UofOregon (no major)
· Meets Elizabeth Cole (could have been student? Next of Kin?)
Father and siblings die in car accident (Dec of '82 - Vladek heir)
Aug 3, 1983: James Cole, born. Why not list Vladek on birth certificate?
1983-1988: Vladek and Rafiq - arms dealing, trafficking
· Diamonds? 1987 (something happens between here and 1989)
Mar 14, 1989: James Cole, kidnapped from home. (No suspects)
· Kidnapped by Rafiq? Why?
· Look into Rafiq mother/sister death (revenge motive)
1992-1994: Rafiq, Desert Storm
· Stash kid instead of kill? Ransom? Collateral? What the f**k am I missing?
· James Cole kept in brothel (Narweh - deceased) Check years 1989-?
· Narweh (no known last), death cert? Pakistan? Review Olivia statement for other possible countries.
1997 James Cole (Caleb) 'rescued' by Rafiq
“It’s not about the money, Caleb! It never has been. I want it because it’s the only thing he loves as far as I can tell. If you knew of the things he’s sacrificed for his precious billions, it would be all you could do not to find him now. Tonight! He has no wife, no children. He trusts no one! And he has taken everything from me. Death is not enough. Torture is not enough. I thought you of all people would understand!”
Hadn’t Caleb said something similar to Livvie? It seemed like ages ago, the night he’d rescued her from the bikers and informed her of her fate. She’d asked him why?
“I have obligations, Kitten.” He swallowed deeply. “There’s a man who needs to die. I needed you…need—” He paused. “If I don’t do this now then I’ll never be free. I can’t walk away until it’s done. Until he pays for what he did to Rafiq’s mother, to his sister, until he pays for what he did to me.” Caleb stood abruptly, his chest heaving. He ran angry fingers through his hair and fisted his hands at his nape. “Until everything he loves is gone, until he – feels it. Then I can let it go. I’ll have repaid my debt. Then, perhaps…maybe.”
“I do, Rafiq. I do understand. For twelve years, my life has been nothing but our quest for revenge. I’m just tired, Rafiq. I’m tired and I want it to be done. I want him dead and I can’t wait for him to die slowly, but I’m ready to move on,” Caleb said. It was the truth. He was ready to move on with his life and he wanted it to be with Livvie. He wanted what could never be.
Caleb stared at Rafiq, the man wasn’t well. His hair seemed grayer, his face harder, and his eyes lacked the slightest glimmer of compassion. In the entire time Caleb had known him, he had never taken a slave for his own, trained them, yes – kept them, no. The fact he’d kept Nancy alive this long and broken her down so thoroughly spoke volumes about his mental state.