Chapter 8 - The Trap
The evidence was powerful, but investigators needed Victor to confirm his involvement.
They designed a trap.
Mikhail would pretend the most important documents were still missing. Elena’s diner would appear unprotected during another severe storm forecast for Friday night.
Victor knew the building’s basement had once stored Rosa’s private papers. If he believed Irina’s final file remained there, he would come for it.
Elena insisted on keeping the diner open.
“No,” Mikhail said. “You and your staff will leave before he arrives.”
“If we close suddenly, he’ll know something is wrong.”
“This is not a debate.”
“It became a debate when you decided what I would do without asking me.”
Mikhail stared at her.
Elena crossed her arms.
“I have survived debt, grief, broken pipes, and customers who think snapping their fingers makes coffee appear faster. I can handle Victor.”
“He is dangerous.”
“So is losing everything because powerful people believe ordinary people will always step aside.”
Mikhail wanted to argue.
Instead, he changed the plan.
Undercover officers would sit among the customers. The diner’s cameras would record continuously. Misha would stay at Mikhail’s home with guards.
But on Friday evening, Misha overheard Natalia speaking to one of Victor’s men outside his school.
She told him the evidence was hidden beneath the diner counter.
Misha escaped his distracted driver and took a taxi to warn Elena.
By the time he reached the diner, the storm had begun.
Elena immediately called Mikhail.
Then the power failed.
Victor entered through the kitchen with two men.
The undercover officers revealed themselves, but Victor had already discovered their identities. His men locked the officers in the storage room without injuring them.
Customers huddled together as Victor searched the diner.
Then he saw Misha.
His surprise turned into satisfaction.
“The same little messenger,” he said.
Elena stepped between them.
Victor placed a folder on the table.
He claimed it contained copies of Irina’s records. He threatened to burn them and blame Mikhail for everything unless Elena revealed where the originals were hidden.
Elena looked toward the dark security camera.
May you like
The small red backup light was still glowing.
So she kept Victor talking.
