Chapter 4

Michael seeing Ivan's look of interest continued. "First, when I came down to Miami to see you back in July last year, I told you that Jordan King, the New York District Attorney was going to continue an investigation this end to find out how the search for Viktor Abramov as you knew him to be back then was halted, and I'm pleased to say there have been some developments. Jordan King has kept me in the loop."

Ivan, responded, "I wasn't sure whether he would stick to that Michael."

"Well he kept his promise, which I knew he would, but with Vadim Zalesky already behind bars and ongoing crimes never ceasing it took a while to pick up with the intensity the case deserved. But eventually one of his team Adam Williams was allocated to give it full attention. And because Vadim Zalesky aka Viktor Abramov's father was alive at the time and was filthy rich he started to look at him as being someone who could have offered a bribe to shut the case down. This was also my original thought when this matter arose in the first place. Anyway, with all the appropriate warrants Adam got access to his bank account records and discovered that a large sum of money, $200,000 was deposited into an account in Canada in the name of one Phillip Jamieson who turned out to be a high ranking officer, and non other than the Police Commander in charge of the original investigation, who had an impeccable record prior to this and since as it happens."

"Needless to say this sent shock waves around the place, corrupt officers whatever their rank is bad news and he has been dishonourably fired, and lost all his pension entitlement. He could have faced a corruption charge and a possible term in prison, but Jordan made the decision that as the man has lost everything now, and would probably get away with not going to prison, by virtue of his previous untarnished record, it wouldn't really serve much purpose now, and hopes you understand? Also, he will never ever get another job in law enforcement or security."

"Would you have made the same decision Michael?"

"Yes I would Ivan."

"I detest corruption cases. I fought so many of them during my career, but in this instance and at this late stage with Zalesky also dead, he would probably have got probation and nothing more. So I think in this case Jordan made the right decision. The man is fished Ivan"

"I'm okay with this then Michael, but I am glad he has lost his career. I went through hell trying to get them to believe me. You see to me it was never enough to know that Anton Kovaleski was arrested for the murder of my brother and his family, he was guilty of course, but not the instigator. Abramov was, and my brother had the strength to just live long enough to tell me that. He knew I would follow through on that, but I failed him in not convincing the police it was true, and that is what has always hurt so much."

While Ivan paused for a moment, Maeve looked at him compassionately and had to fight back the tears that were threatening to well up in her eyes, and deep down she was feeling pleased that Michael had pulled all the stops out for him last year.

Then Ivan asked, "What an earth makes a law enforcement officer succumb to a bribe Michael? They are sworn to uphold the law for Fucks sake."

Then glancing at Maeve Ivan said, "I'm so sorry, please forgive my foul language."

Maeve gave him a gentle smile as she answered, "Nothing to forgive Ivan. I've heard worse, and you have every right to still feel some anger."

Michael then continued, "In this instance Ivan, Jamieson had a financial problem at the time and got tempted thinking it was safe, as in his eyes they already had the guilty man in prison. However, when he was interrogated he admitted that because he was offered a bribe there had to have been credence to your story in that Abramov at least existed. Then after he learned about Zalesky aka Viktor Abramov being arrested last July he had half expected the case to be reopened and was not totally surprised when he was found out."

"But you know Ivan and you will not want to hear this, there was no proof to have put him away four years ago even if he had been traced back then as the only person who knew for sure he was involved was Anton Kovaleski, and he wasn't talking at the time, he was too scared, and only atoned for that by confessing it was Abramov who paid him to kill your brother last year in prison when he knew he was dying."

"I know Michael, deep down I suppose I always knew."

"With the new investigation did they ever find out what my brother was doing getting involved with that sick bastard, he was a car mechanic all his life, and I just can't see what he could have got involved in for him to tell me earlier in the day he died that he had got into something he should not have, and to look out for his family if anything happened to him." Pausing for a moment as he sighed and shrugged his shoulders, Ivan continued, "Maybe I didn't know my brother so well after all, but we had always been close, so if he was hiding something I just don't understand it...it damned well got his family killed, and I couldn't prevent it."

"I'm sorry Ivan nothing came to light about what your brother may have become involved in. There was some thinking that he was possibly undercover for one of Zaleskys rivals and that sort of makes sense, but they couldn't unearth anything positive. Whatever, it seems he was walking on dangerous ground and asked one too many questions which ultimately riled Zalesky."

"Okay Michael, please thank Jordan King for allowing the continued investigation...I can't thank you and everyone else enough; time for me to let go after saying goodbye to my brother tomorrow."

"Ivan would you like something stronger than a coffee to drink right now - say a whiskey?"

Smiling Ivan replied, "Thank you Michael I would love one."

Then while Ivan and Michael sat there quietly sipping their whiskies Maeve left them to it. She went to her workroom to review something connected to her publishing job, which she handled from home.

Soon after, Michael asked, "Apart from going to the cemetery tomorrow Ivan is there anything you want to do the day after while you are here that I can help with?"

"Well I would like to meet Olivia Patterson while here as I want to ask her if she could come to our wedding as a surprise for Suzie and Madison, and asking Horatio if this was feasible as he has met her, he suggested paying her a visit. But I don't want to bother you Michael, I can get a cab."

"No problem to me at all Ivan, use me while you're here. I don't know her personally, however, never had the pleasure, but from what I hear she is quite a character. But, why don't I make contact with John Kelly to see if he can fit in taking you as they get on well together. John and Sharon actually visit her now and again since John got to know her during the Madison being missing episode."

"But I haven't met John, though I have heard a lot about him and his wife from Madison."

"No worries Ivan, John is an easy going guy...I'll phone him in the morning."

"Is there anything else Ivan?" Michael questioned.

"Er...yes, but it is a bit of a cheek to ask. I had meant to ask Horatio when I was with him on Saturday if he could contact Bernard Markham to see if there was a remote chance I could meet Roman Stanislav while here. But I forgot until I was driving away, and decided not to bother him anymore as he had already been helpful to me as it was in phoning you."

Surprised Michael ran his right hand over his chin in deep thought then asked, "Why would you want to meet him Ivan? Do you think that would be a wise move? I understand from what Horatio has told me he has his own demons and he had nothing to do with any of the tragic events here or in Miami."

"I appreciate he was not involved in what happened in my brothers case but he did ultimately know something was wrong in Miami and never grassed on his cousin out of sheer loyalty to him, which I can understand to a point as his cousin had apparently been good to him over the years, but I also know he was horrified when the truth was known. So I have nothing sinister in mind Michael, I merely want to meet him face to face to thank him for his generosity. He was remorseful on behalf of his cousin at the end of the day and after he came to his senses after trying to kill Horatio, he made very generous payments to Suzie and me and whilst the tragedies that happened were not his fault it was nice of him to try and atone for his cousins evil deeds. Neither of us expected it, but in Suzie's case, I convinced her it was only right she had been recompensed as she had lost everything, her home and all her personal possessions which Zalesky removed and god only knows where they were discarded."

"In my case I haven't banked the cheque yet. Money won't bring my family back and I would like to give it away to someone who needs it far more than I do. However, I would really like Stanislav's approval first. He gave me that money in good faith and in atonement for his cousin's crime on my family and he should really have a say in what I propose to do with his money. I want to give it to Mrs Belinsky; she has three kids to raise on her own now."

Watching Michael raise his eyebrows at this news Ivan continued. "Aaron Belinsky was not a bad man at heart, never had a criminal record prior to that fateful evening, and as you know he is serving 18 years in prison for his actions that night. He was scared thinking Zalesky would turn on him as well and he was worried about his wife and three children in that moment, so he did the stupid thing. This was another one of those instances in my life where I should have been around and wasn't."

Michael responded, "You simply cannot blame yourself for that Ivan, you can care about people, but they make their own choices...he definitely chose the wrong option that night."

"I know Michael, I know."

"So what about the other one involved; Pascal Veselov?"

"He has no family to worry about, and you have a good memory Michael."

"Okay, after listening to your reasons I will make contact with Bernard Markham some time tomorrow, but be prepared Ivan, he may advise Stanislav not to see you even if he is here in New York at the moment. He could be out of the State for all we know right now."

"If, however, he is not here would you like me to try to get to speak to him and act on your behalf, when he is around?"

"You would do that?"

"Yes Ivan, I would because I think this is also something you need for complete closure on the whole sorry business."

"I don't know what to say Michael...I will of course pay your fee if the need arises."

"No need Ivan, just consider it as a friend helping a friend. But you may get to see him yourself yet, I was just looking ahead at a possible outcome as your time is limited here."

Two hours later they retired for the night, Maeve nestled in Michael arms said, "Ivan is struggling more than he pretends isn't he Michael?"

"Yes, I think so Maeve. But he seems to be very positive in what he wants to achieve up here so I will do my best to help him reach his goals. He is a good man Maeve, and has a kind heart, and Horatio knew this from the moment he met him."

TBC