‘And you never asked what was happening? Who was pulling the strings?’
‘No. I know I should have, but I didn’t. Kozlov told me the people behind Empire were dangerous. That we had to keep going and we’d make money as long as we kept quiet.’
‘Empire was buying the land cheap,’ Ryker said, thinking out loud, ‘so the developments could start making profits again. Probably extorting land owners and local government officials to make it work.’
‘I can only assume.’
‘And no doubt giving kickbacks to whoever they needed to.’
‘Their hands reach everywhere.’
‘The police too,’ Ryker said, thinking back to recent events.
The conclusion he’d rightly come to after the fight on the construction site was that the arresting officer, possibly others, were bent. How far did the corruption spread, though? Ryker wondered again about Cardo. The Red Cobra had killed him. Now the reason was becoming more clear. She wanted Walker, but he wasn’t the only target. Maybe Walker wasn't even the big target, just a pawn. It was the Georgians, the mafia, that the Red Cobra was after. And anyone who’d become mixed up with them, bent policemen included.
What about Green? Ryker suddenly thought. His standoffish manner with Ryker when he’d first arrived. Not just his caginess about Ryker digging, but the fear that Ryker had sensed. Had the mafia already silenced him too? ‘Does Green know?’
‘About what we just talked about?’
‘Yes.’
Walker shook his head, confused. ‘Certainly not from me. And if so, he’s never let on.’
‘Munroe?’
‘Not everything. But he’s my lawyer. Of course he knows about Empire, and what was happening with the developments.’
Ryker believed Walker, which only made him dislike Munroe all the more. Ryker was sure Munroe was only looking to save his client’s backside but the delaying tactics he’d been playing had only served to put Walker in a perilous position.
As for Green, Ryker would have to keep his eye on the detective. But then, if Green had fallen foul of the Georgians, perhaps even received a note from the Red Cobra like Cardo and Walker had, wouldn't he have said something? ‘You said you owed them ten million. Why didn’t you pay them?’
‘I couldn’t!’ Walker protested. ‘I don’t have that kind of cash. I mean, I would’ve had to sell everything to get it.’
‘Did you offer to do that? Seems a better course than what’s happened.’
‘You’re saying it’s my fault they killed Kim?’
Ryker didn’t answer, but what did Walker expect him to say? Of course it was his fault.
‘I didn’t know they were capable of... that,’ Walker said.
‘Capable of killing your wife, you mean?’
‘Yes.’
‘But you knew they were dangerous.’
‘Knew they were dangerous? I’ve seen movies, I watch TV. My knowledge of the mafia comes from fantasy, not real life. Kozlov told me they were dangerous. But...’
‘But they never threatened you. You never saw what they were capable of.’
‘No.’ Walker looked down at his feet.
‘But you do think that’s why she was killed? There’s no other reason?’
‘Are you saying there’s another reason?’
Ryker didn’t answer. If Walker was telling the truth – that he owed money but the Georgians had never threatened such violence – then Kim’s sudden and horrific murder did seem extreme and unusual, particularly when the mafia had such a hold over Walker. If they wanted money they could have carried on milking him for years; he would never have let on to anyone. So why kill his wife like that? Ryker was certain it was Walker’s connection to Kozlov and the people behind Empire that had led to Kim’s murder, but Ryker didn’t believe she was killed over ten million euros.
The only conclusion Ryker could come to was that Kim Walker was murdered because of who she really was. At least, who the Georgians thought she was.
The Red Cobra.
‘I think we’re done,’ Ryker said.
‘But... what happens now?
‘It’s getting late. Now we eat. Then we sleep. Life goes on, Patrick. I suggest you enjoy it while you still can.’
CHAPTER 43
Ryker spent the next half hour getting Munroe to climb down off the wall. With the help of Green, the lawyer eventually calmed as the reality of the situation sank in. Ryker sensed Munroe’s heated response to the exposure of the truth about his client’s business partners was partly fuelled by embarrassment. Still, despite the deadly situation they found themselves in, Munroe was threatening to end Ryker’s career. Ryker didn't fight that. It wasn’t as though he had a career, and nor did he want one. But Munroe liked to think he held the power and that was fine with Ryker.
Eventually good sense won out, and the three men debated their next steps. Walker’s maid cooked up a pasta meal for the many houseguests, giving the men further time to ponder.
Once they were finished and the policemen had been despatched to their watch posts, Ryker, Munroe, and Green started up their conversation once more.
The lawyer’s instinct was that they should go to the Spanish authorities with the information they had. Ryker quickly played down the suggestion. For starters they didn’t know how far the corruption spread. If Munroe wanted to protect his client – physically rather than legally – then did he really want to run the risk of tipping off a corrupt officer? And secondly, doing so wouldn’t take away the immediate threats: the Red Cobra and Georgians. The Red Cobra was out there somewhere and, for whatever reason, she wanted Walker’s blood. And the Georgians? They’d had Kim Walker killed. Since then, Ryker’s snooping had twice put him in danger of the mob’s enforcers. If Ryker didn’t hold off, then the Georgians wouldn’t stand for him much longer.
With the night ticking by, the men ultimately decided they would batten down the hatches until morning. There were six armed policemen on site at Casa de las Rosas. None of them were told the truth about Walker, the Georgians, and the Red Cobra. They didn’t need to be. The policemen were there for protection duty, and that was all Ryker needed them to be.
Taking charge of the situation, Ryker outlined a plan for the ten men that would allow each of them time to rest that night and made sure all the house and grounds were covered by surveillance. To help them, they locked down half of Walker’s mansion. They didn’t need to try to cover the whole expansive interior.