Once Upon A Lie 2

Thirty-one:

Kaz stood out on the balcony of The Crow Club, overlooking Ketterdam. His cell phone rang, and Aleksander Morozova's name flashed across it. He answered it, "Hello?"

"Brekker," said Aleksander, "happy to hear from me?"

Kaz snorted. "I don't know if 'happy' is the right word. Usually when you darken my doorstep, there's going to be something bad happening. What's happened, Aleksander?"

"I remembered something about Nikolai."

"About him being a bastard?" Kaz asked.

"I wouldn't choose to phrase it that way, but yes," said Aleksander, "and I've got reason to believe that his father was the one responsible for his death. Magnus. Not Petyr. If I'm right, I think he'll be going after Zoya next. She'll be easier to get because she's alone. I've already talked with my parents, and we're going to be putting up a reward in her honor for her safe return."

Kaz snorted. "Is that really what you want?"

Aleksander paused. "What I want is to lure Magnus Opjer out into the wild, and get him to confess about what he did to me and Zoya and Nikolai. I think if Zoya comes home, maybe we can get him out into the open."

"What do you need me to do?"

"Find Magnus Opjer. Apparently, he hasn't been around since Zoya and me disappeared. No one knows where he is."

"Alright, I've got people I can have look into that. Morozova----"

"What, Brekker?"

"Congratulations, on the baby. Inej told me when she spoke with Genya last. Think you've gone soft?"

He laughed. "No. I'm still a fucking stubborn son of a bitch. Why do you think I'm making Alina marry me even though we're already married? I want the world to know that she's mine."

"I can understand that."

"Oh and Brekker?"

"Yeah?"

"Make sure everyone knows that if they try anything against my wife and child, I'll kill the bastards. Even if it's Zoya."

"Duly noted, Morozova. Enjoy wedded bliss."

"Who knows? Maybe one of these days Inej will drag you down the aisle."

"Ah, you don't marry demons, Aleksander. Everyone knows that."

"I don't know. My wife married me. Until then, old friend."

"Until then."