Chapter 12
"H, we've checked every source for a house, apartment or condo registered to either Viktor Abramov or Vadim Zalesky, and we were just beginning to think we were going to be unlucky when Ryan spotted a condo in the name of Vladimir Viktor Abram Zalesky on a list of one of the smaller realtors on the outskirts of Coconut Grove, but one who nevertheless deals with expensive properties, and we are surmising this is Abramov."
Horatio smiled and responded, "Clever, he uses a mixture of his names, but for purchasing a property here in Miami his full name would have been required for registration and tax purposes, and the realtors office would have checked that out, so he had to be honest."
"Good work Ryan," said Horatio as Ryan joined them. "So where is this condo?"
"You won't believe this Horatio; if it is him for certain, he has the top storey condo in that unique spiral block where Gerald Sinclair had a condo prior to his murder last year."
Horatio grinned. "I believe almost anything these days Ryan. So our wanted person is truly a wealthy man as witnesses have been suggesting. I'm wondering if Suzie knew this man well at all. I get the feeling she only knew what he wanted her to know."
"Is he showing up on the data base Ryan?"
"I couldn't find anything Horatio."
"Has anyone spoken to the realtor's office yet?"
"No," Eric replied, "We thought we would go there now taking a picture of Abramov, just to make certain it is him, and then go to the property. He won't be there, unless he has returned under the radar, but someone may just be able to tell us something."
Horatio looked at his watch, and noting it was just on 3:30 pm said," Okay, I'll come with you. We'll go in my hummer."
Fifteen minutes later they arrived at the Realtors office, Eric having given Horatio the address on the way. Entering the office, Horatio let Eric do the talking as he glanced around the office taking in the obvious fact that this realtor's office may be smaller than some but dealt with very expensive properties. As the others were talking his eye caught a picture of a property he really liked the look of; way beyond his means, but it was a lovely villa and just one of seven luxurious residences in 3558 West Glencoe Street, Vizcaya. It had three storeys, wide living spaces, 4 bedrooms and bathrooms, state of arc appliances, lush landscaping, a private pool, and ocean access. He liked the privacy of the location, and the closeness to the ocean, but liking and wanting were two different things. He didn't want, but couldn't help thinking that it was quite some property. He was perfectly happy where he lived; he loved his apartment and knew he was happy to live there forever. He had suggested to Aileen once that perhaps they should move now they had Hannah, but she loved the place as much as he did and didn't want to move. They were thinking of extending though, they could do with another bedroom with adjoining shower room. He had plenty of ground to do this, and it would be easier when friends came to stay.
Then shrugging his shoulders as he came out of his thoughts, he moved across the office to the others and asked Eric, "Have we learned anything?"
"Yes Horatio, Mr Grayson, here," said Eric looking at the manager, "Confirms the current owner of the condo is as listed, Vladimir Viktor Abram Zalesky, and has identified him as the person in our picture. He sold the property to him personally and says he paid for it outright two years ago. It was a quick sale as no other properties involved. They sold the condo on behalf of the Complex owners, and he believes, from memory, that Zalesky was not going to be a permanent resident, his intention was to use it as a holiday condo which he might rent out occasionally. He suggested we speak to the reception manager there as he handles everything to do with the complex."
Horatio talking directly now to Grayson asked,"What about his address and telephone number in New York? Do your records show he lived in New York at the time of the sale Mr Grayson?"
Ryan butted in. "Horatio, Mr Grayson has provided that information, seems like he was supposedly a guest temporarily residing in the Hotel Bellevue, in lower Manhattan at the time, and gave them his cell phone number for contact, which I just tried and it is another one of his that is dead."
"Well he will not be at the hotel any longer that is a certainty. This guy never stops guarding his own back." Horatio muttered, and then added, "He must spend a fortune in purchasing new phones."
"Sorry I can't be any more help Lieutenant."
"No worries Mr Grayson, you have actually been a big help."
Taking one of his cards from his inside jacket pocket Horatio handed it over to Mr Grayson saying, "Here is my card, please call me if Mr Zalesky gets in touch with you at any time to sell his condo. We are anxious to catch up with him - He is wanted for a serious crime."
Twenty minutes later they were in the reception area of the condo complex in Bayshore Drive, the opposite end to the Marina, talking to the day manager, Michael Slater, who confirmed that Zalesky still owned the top condo, and that he was not in residence right now. He had been due a few days ago and had not arrived, but he had phoned to inform reception that a friend of his would occupy the condo for the next month and had arrived two days ago.
When Eric asked the name of the friend the manager hesitated for a minute, he did not want to communicate this information, he was very careful about condo residents privacy, but he knew well that lawfully if the police asked for the name of a resident he was legally obliged to provide it and would get a lot of aggravation if he failed to do so, and catching Lieutenant Caine's irritated look he replied, "Roman Stanislav, but he isn't here at the moment, I saw him leave about two hours ago and haven't seen him return, and he left the condo card key here anyway. Some do, some don't, but he does, so far anyway."
"What do know you about him?"
"Nothing much Lieutenant Caine, he is apparently here on holiday and has registered as such."
"Can you provide us with Zaleskys phone number?"
Slater keying into the reception computer replied, "New York 1-212-509-6995."
Horatio immediately keyed it into his cell phone; he had recognised the number as being the one Suzie had given him as her apartment land line number. He tried phoning this immediately making sure he coded 61 first, to block his identity in the event someone checked his number. At this stage he just wanted to check the number was still in existence, and whilst it was not a dead line no one answered.
Then showing Slater the updated picture of Madison he had on his phone he asked, "Have you ever seen this young lady around here?"
"Sorry no... a police officer asked me that recently. In fact if you look on the wall over there we pinned a picture of her up on the notice board, we do try to be helpful when we can Lieutenant."
Horatio frowned, he had not given instructions to have Madison's picture posted up anywhere, but it was probably not a bad idea now...Suzie was safe, and with Viktor in New York, he wouldn't see the picture anyway. So he made no comment.
"Okay...thanks for your help Mr Slater."
"Let's go," we have all we need for now, said Horatio turning to Eric and Ryan.
As they wandered down the steps outside the reception area, they passed a man with a woman hanging all over him and laughing."
Eric smiled as he remarked, "Body language tells me what they will be up to shortly."
Ryan chuckled, but Horatio happened to turn and look back at the Reception area, and noted the man was talking to Slater and both were looking in his direction. Catching up with Eric and Ryan, who had moved on a few steps, he said, "I suspect that guy who passed us just now was Roman Stanislav."
Both Eric and Ryan looked at him in surprise.
Horatio grinned, "While you too were mirthful, I noticed he didn't give us a single glance and with our badges and weapons clearly on show most people automatically give us at least a glance of curiosity. He didn't, and when I turned to look back both he and the manager were clearly looking at us. He now knows we were here looking for his friend."
""Do you want to pull him in Horatio?" Eric asked.
Horatio pursed his lips as he thought for a minute, then coming to a decision he said, "No Eric, it is my opinion that within a few minutes, Viktor Abramov will know we were asking after him. It is time Abramov started to worry as to what is going on here. Hopefully it will cause him to make a few mistakes. He will wonder if Suzie is alive, and if he keeps his eyes open he will know something is wrong here for sure next week when the Russians come before the Court to plead guilty, unless they have since lawyered up and plead not guilty. The Miami Herald sells in New York, and they always cover open court days. I want him drawn into the open. This will hopefully help Colin and John."
"Even if we took Stanislav in, we couldn't hold him on a single thing, and as soon as we let him go he would phone Abramov anyway. It would all be a waste of precious time." Looking up towards the top storey of the tower, he added, "My guess is he is already on the phone."
"What about the possible danger for Madison?"
Sighing Horatio said, "Well if there is impending danger for her, the minute that phone call goes through, it may be too late Eric. We are still making assumptions she is alive and that Abramov knows something. It may all be pure assumption on my part, we know nothing for sure. I'm just going to have to trust the guys in New York."
"I'll call John now and give him an update on what we have learned today." Horatio clambered into the Hummer; made the call, while Eric and Ryan jumped in the back, and then he drove them back to the MDPD.
Meanwhile, Roman Stanislav on reaching the condo told his woman friend to make her self scarce for a few minutes. As soon as she went out on to the balcony, he made a call to New York.
After a few buzzes, the call was picked up.
"Vadim - it's Roman. I thought you should know that the Miami Dade Police have been here a few minutes ago asking about you."
"How do you know? Did you have to speak to them yourself?"
"No ...When I returned to the complex, having been out for a walk, I noticed a Crime Scene Investigation hummer outside the reception area, and three guys, clearly police, were just leaving. I asked Slater on reception if there had been any trouble and he said, none at the complex. Lieutenant Caine was asking to see you. He told them you weren't here, and he didn't know when you would be."
"Do I need to have your back down here Vadim?"
Vadim now in one of his rages snarled, "For now, if they happen to talk to you, just make sure you say you don't know anything about my activities. I'll get back to you later if I need your help?"
Calming down for a moment he added, "Thank you for letting me know Roman."
Then closing his phone Vadim hurled it across the room in temper; the phone missing everything until it hit and smashed one of his favorite crystal tumblers, sitting on the glass top coffee table. "That serves you right," he muttered as his anger abated. He retrieved the phone, sat down on the sofa, and phoned Aaron Belinsky in Miami, but was not amused when he realised Belinsky's phone was dead. He would try again later, maybe his phone just needed recharging. Then as he sat there thinking his mind went back to Roman mentioning a Lieutenant Caine, then the penny dropped...he must be Madison's uncle, Suzie had mentioned that the uncle Horatio that Madison had mentioned in the note she left, when she attempted to leave, was Horatio Caine a Lieutenant in the Miami Dade Police Dept, which is why he had chased after her that morning. If the bodies had been found he would have no doubt identified Suzie's body in his line of work, or maybe not...surely the FBI would be involved rather than police. But how could they have wanted to speak to him...everyone connected with the business in Miami knew him as Viktor Abramov. What the hell. There was no doubt in his mind now that the bodies must have been found and that Belinsky and the other two had been arrested.
He phoned Roman back. "There is something you can do. Keep your eyes and ears open for any news of the discovery of two dead bodies, one of them being Suzie...And find out all you can about this Lieutenant Caine you saw today."
"Jesus Vadim what have you been involved in?"
"Just do it Roman."
TBC
