I don’t like yelling at Edwin.
I’m definitely going to fuck Rose Walsh.
I quickly shut the book and placed it back in the pocket along with the pen.
You will not be sleeping with me, Dimitri!
My phone rang.
I would have liked some more silence to understand what had just happened.
The phone rang again.
I took my phone out of my purse and put it on speaker. “Hello?”
Jonathan’s voice filled the car. “Rose, I’m so sorry. I was so worked up with everything and didn't realize that you were cold.”
I closed Dimitri’s big coat around me. “No problem.”
“Did you make it to your car? Ivanov’s men were blocking my view.”
“Yes. I’m fine. I’ll be driving off soon.”
“I’ll send a guard with you.”
“No. That won’t be necessary. Ivanov has two of his men with me.”
“I don’t like the sound of that. You must be careful with these people. They give you a little something here and there, and then they think they own you.”
I found that interesting. “Have you ever taken anything from the Diamond Syndicate?”
“N-never.” He coughed. “Why? Did Ivanov say that?”
“I was just wondering.”
“Did you give him back that jacket?”
I glanced down at the large fabric covering me. “That’s not important. The real discussion is that someone should be reporting on these murders.”
“I would love it. This would surely help my numbers. But every station is too scared to try.”
“I could do it.”
“Rose, why would you put yourself in that dangerous position?”
“Because there are people who are unable to do so. But I can. I believe Dimitri won’t hurt me if I report on this fairly.”
“I don’t know if the Walsh name can protect you from Ivanov.”
“It’ll protect me more than any other journalist.”
Johnathan was quiet for a while. A minute later, he spoke, “No. I won’t let you get close to Ivanov.”
“I’ve already been. . .close enough.” I glanced in the rear view mirror looking at my traitorous mouth. “In fact, if anyone should be more cautious, it’s you.”
“Me?”
“You shouldn’t speak to Dimitri that way.”
“Dimitri. You are now both on a first-name basis?”
“Everybody calls him Dimitri.”
“They don’t. How many times have you two been talking?”
I ignored that question. “Earlier, you said you could pull some strings to get me on the case. Are you still willing to do that?”
“I’m not. I’ve never seen Ivanov give a woman his jacket.”
“You’re not always around him. Dimitri may give a woman a jacket every night.”
“And his statement on not sharing. I thought he was talking about the city until he walked over to you.”
I didn’t even want to unravel any of Dimitri’s words, especially with Jonathan. “I doubt that was about me. More important, can you pull the strings or not?”
“I can, but understand that Dimitri has a reputation.”
“That he kills people?”
“That he sleeps with a lot of women. They say he’s one of those steal-your-wife type of guys, seeing women as sport.”
“Well, I’m nobody’s wife or girlfriend. I’m a single woman. And part of the reason why I’m single is because I’m an obsessive workaholic. Speaking of my work, I want dibs on reporting this murder.”
“Dibs?”
“The station won’t allow me to get anywhere near this due to Dimitri.”
“Well, the governor isn’t in the Syndicate’s pocket. If I do this, you won’t be officially reporting for the station. It will be under the governor’s and my interests.”
“As long as I can get some sort of press identification that will allow me to step through doors and ask questions. I’m fine. Also, I get to sell the article to anyone I choose.”
“I would want to see the article before press.”
“No. That suggests you’re going to try and guide my hand while I’m writing it. I get full freedom to report what I want.”
“Then, what do the governor and I get out of it?”
“All details days before press.”
“I like that.”
“Good.”
“I think we should discuss this with your father too.”
I quirked my brows. “Why?”
“I. . .think it’s important for him to be well-informed of this.”
“I don’t see how this would have to do with him.”
“I will talk to him.”
“I would rather you not.”
“Rose, this will be dangerous on many levels. I was already scared about you moving down here to investigate the Diamond Syndicate. Now, we have a serial killer.”
“I always stay safe. Trust me.”
“You’re not the person that I don’t trust.”
Dimitri’s guards signaled that their car was in front of mine. I looked and then nodded. They headed off to it and climbed inside.
“Jonathan, I have to go.” I started my car. “But if you can get the Governor to do something, this would be awesome.”
“I can, but I’ll talk to your father first.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“If he says yes, then I’ll pull the strings. Please, be careful, Rose.”
“This isn't my first rodeo with powerful men. When I was investigating the Senators up in New York, all types of people were breaking into my house, trying to scare and threaten me. Some were even linked to the CIA. I stood strong in my faith in God. I do my best to not fear human beings.”