Full Black - Brad Thor [72]
“Why haven’t you called the police?” she asked once he had finished. “No district attorney, no matter how publicity hungry, would bring charges in this case. You need to turn yourselves in.”
“We can’t. Not yet at least. And that’s why I need your help,” said Ralston.
Alisa looked at him. “I don’t understand why you can’t turn yourselves in.”
“Because the men who came to kill Larry were professionals. Whoever hired them not only can afford to send more, he probably will.”
“You know who sent them?”
“We have an idea,” said Ralston.
“Then tell the police. Tell the district attorney. They can help protect you.”
As another wave rolled up onto the sand, Ralston stopped and turned to look at her. “The men who came to kill Larry were Russian Special Forces—Spetsnaz. I don’t need to tell you how influential the Russians are in Los Angeles.”
No, he didn’t need to tell her. There was a large Russian community in L.A., and a part of it was composed of Russian Armenians. Because of her father’s heritage, he’d attracted a lot of their business. His reputation as the toughest criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles attracted the rest of the Russians, especially many of the most colorful and less than virtuous.
“You don’t think the police can protect you, do you?” she said.
“I know they can’t. There are just too many foxes in the henhouse.”
“So what are you going to do?”
Ralston didn’t need to think about his answer. “For starters, I’m going to find out who sent that team to kill Larry.”
“And let me guess,” she said. “That’s where I come in.”
Ralston nodded. “Those three hitters inside Larry’s house were fresh off the boat. Somebody local had to set it all up. They needed to be met at the airport, given their weapons, driven to Salomon’s. That’s the way these things normally work.”
“What do you want me to do?” she asked. “Take out an ad in the Russian Kurier newspaper?”
“I’d like you to talk to your father. I’m guessing that there’s only a handful of people in L.A. who could have put this together. Most likely, it’s someone who worked for the Russian FSB or its predecessor, the KGB.”
“Hold it,” said Alisa. “That my dad has represented some unsavory people from that community doesn’t mean he knows who to go to for contract killings.”
“I’m not saying he does,” replied Ralston. “What I need is for you to ask him. He knows enough people. One of them is going to know who could have put something like this together.”
“And what happens when word gets back to this person that my father is asking questions? What’s to say they’re not going to come after him? Or my mother?”
Ralston tried to set her mind at ease. “Your father’s well-respected in that community. Nothing is going to happen to him and nothing is going to happen to your mom.”
“I’m glad you’re so confident.”
“Ali, your dad’s a smart guy. We both know that. He knows how to ask questions without getting himself in trouble. There are probably a hundred people who can tell him what I need to know, and very likely, they all owe your dad a favor. I’m just asking for him to cash one in for me.”
“And why would he want to do that?” she asked.
Ralston looked at her. The attraction he’d never acted upon, but had always felt slightly guilty about while dating Ava, was still there. He tried to put it out of his mind. He knew she had felt it, and fought it, as well. That was the reason she hadn’t hung up on him when he called. It was why she was standing here on the beach with him now. It was why she wanted to help him. She just needed a reason to, something other than the feelings she’d always harbored for her sister’s boyfriend.
“Your father won’t need a reason,” said Ralston. “And he won’t ask you for one. I was good to Ava. He knows that. I tried to help her. That’s all that should matter.”
“And if he says no?”
“He won’t,” replied Ralston.
“You’re pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?” said Alisa.
“No. What I’m sure of, is you. You won’t let him say no.”
Before she could respond, he removed a small piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her. “Memorize this and