And the real Scavetti returns, Raj thought. It was almost reassuring.
"William Cowens called the Commissioner and requested our cooperation,” Scavetti added. “Requested, my f**king ass. Captain came down on us hard. So you got your f**king interviews. That good enough?"
"It is, and thank you."
"Yeah, whatever. Hey, Gregor, since we're being all buddies and everything, why are you here?"
"Excuse me?"
"I mean your usual territory's Manhattan, right?"
Raj hadn't told him that, and it shouldn't have been easy for anyone to dig out information about him and his businesses. Maybe the cops had someone inside Krystof's circle.
"There must be more than a few local guys who could handle something like this,” Scavetti was saying. “So why bring a ringer like you all the way from the big city? What're you guys trying to hide?"
Raj wished he had the answer to that question, but all he said was, “You'd have to ask Lord Krystof that question. Like you, I only do what I'm told."
"Right,” Scavetti said, clearly not believing a word. “Just like I'm sure you'll let me know if you find out anything about those missing girls."
"You and I have the same goal, Detective. I'm sorry you don't believe that."
"Yeah. Whatever."
The phone went dead against Raj's ear. He disconnected and punched Sarah's number by heart.
"Hello?"
He didn't announce himself. “We've got an appointment with Dr. Edwards at nine tonight. Can you make it?"
"Well, good evening to you too, Raj."
He was silent for a moment, and then he said, “Sarah."
"Yes."
"Can you make it or not?"
"Yes, my lord."
He frowned. Damn Emelie. “Don't call me that."
"But Emelie—"
"Emelie likes to play games."
He could hear the slight tap of computer keys and realized she was continuing to work on something else while talking to him. “Am I interrupting something?” he growled.
"Well, someone certainly got up on the wrong side of the coffin tonight. So are you picking me up, or what?"
Raj had a fleeting thought about the “or what” portion of that sentence, but he said, “I'll be there before nine."
"See you then."
"Yes, you will,” he said and hung up, determined to get the last word.
His phone rang almost immediately. It was Sarah. He mashed the button with his thumb, and before he could say anything, she said, “Good-bye, Raj,” and hung up.
Chapter Twenty-five