"Captain, don't ever hide a smile, guilty one or not," said Paige acknowledging the Captain's enjoyment of seeing someone put Bransford in his place. "Inspector James, is there anything you need before you and Agent Summers leave for Hollywood?"
"Yes director, I'd like full federal clearance."
Paige looked at James with an emotionless expression.
"Done. Anything else?"
"I do have one special request, Director Collins."
Paige gave James a slight smile, "I thought I just gave you one."
"It's important," said James.
"Okay I'm listening."
"I'd like CSI Jessalee Rivera on board with me as a consultant."
"You realize she is related to one of the victims," stated Paige.
"I do, however I feel that is to our advantage. The fact is the fire in the hotel destroyed our crime scene, leaving us virtually no evidence."
"And you feel her relationship to the victim may give us a deeper insight," stated Paige.
"Yes, she is also a witness to the what happened to Agent Summers and I at the hospital."
"I'll grant the request with the understanding that you assume full responsibility for her involvement with the case."
"I accept those terms director, thank you."
"Inspector James, you also understand, because she is family to Valerie Rivera, we can never present her as a witness in a court of law."
"Yes, but you're still willing to let her consult in the investigation?"
"It's a means to an end," said Paige flatly.
"Thank you. Now may I ask you is there anything in particular you want from me?" asked James.
"Yes there is. Captain Shelton, I want you to take Summers and James to the federal detention center and give them this note, it gives you the authority to supervise," said Paige as she handed Shelton the piece of paper.
"Supervise what?" inquired Shelton.
"Inspector James's private interrogation of the Baranova Sisters."
Chapter Twenty-Five
The Baranova Sisters
Stasya Gusarov announced her name to the heavily armed guard standing behind the bulletproof glass entrance of the federal detention center. The emotionless guard looked her over. Her long raven black hair was wound tightly into a bun. She kept her hands placed in full view of the guard as she tightly gripped her attaché case. She could feel his gaze waiting for her to look at him. She raised her sky blue eyes to his. Even though the security glass separated them her body still shook with an involuntary chill. The guard consulted his approved list of names until he came to hers. Number 6. Stasya B. Gusarov. He motioned to her to step into inside the cylindrical room to his right, known as "The Capsule."
"Remove your overcoat before you step inside. Do you have a weapon in your possession?" he asked.
Stasya quickly followed the guard's order and removed her long gray cashmere overcoat. She placed it on the hook provided by the sliding door that would give her admittance to the capsule.
"I am not in possession of a weapon," she said waiting for the door to slide open. Stasya hated being screened in the capsule. The room was always extremely cold and the result was always the same. She knew the guard would be staring at her overly erect nipples.
"Place your briefcase on the conveyor table to your left please," commanded the guard calmly.
Stasya put her case down and waited. Seconds later a loud electrical buzz sounded. The door slid back allowing her to step inside while at the same time sending her case through a separate scanner. By the time her security scan was over, the conveyor belt would have delivered her case to the other side of the room.
"Please step to the center of the capsule and wait for the door to close behind you, then raise your arms to your sides in the form of the letter 'T' and close your eyes."
Stasya did as ordered. The moment her eyes closed another electrical sound came and she could hear the door slide closed behind her and feel the scanner pass in front of her as another scanner passed behind her. The guard watched the monitor from his side of the room and was satisfied with the result.
"You may lower your arms now and open your eyes," said the guard, pressing a button that activated the door on the opposite side of the capsule.
"Please step all the way through, your case is waiting for you to your left. Your coat may be collected upon your exit scan of the capsule when you are finished. You may now proceed to interview station seven, follow the red line on the floor to your destination," said the guard as he watched her step into the hallway. Stasya quickly gathered her case and put her back to the guard, she knew all too well the scanners gave the guards a perfect view of her anatomy and she wasn't giving him any more time than necessary to imagine her undressed. As much as she despised it, Stasya Gusarov realized this was the price one paid to be a translator for the federal government.
Stasya walked quickly down the long, windowless hallway. The glare of the overhead lights made the white walls and floor blur into one another. The red line below at her feet kept her focused on her destination. As she turned the corner she was met by another armed guard who stood in front of the door marked "Station 7." He wore a black beret and gray colored fatigues.
"Commander Gusarov?" inquired the guard. Stasya nodded and watched the guard come to attention and give her a proper salute. She nodded once again accepting his professional courtesy.
"You identification please, Commander."
Stasya placed her case on the floor and reached inside to retrieve her official federal ID. She handed it to the guard, who slid the card through a portable scanner.
"Thank you. Please place your right eye against the retinal scanner at the door," the guard instructed.
Stasya stepped up and placed her eye against the device and waited for the beep. A loud click sounded inside the door announcing the bolt had unlocked.
"Thank you, Commander," said the guard as he handed her back her ID and held the door open for her.
Once inside, Stasya made her way to an office that was marked, "Ready Room." She found it was unlocked. She stepped inside, closed the door and locked it. Behind her was a large oak desk with a single file lying dead center on top of it. She sat her attaché case down on the desk and reached inside to remove a large file which looked nearly identical to the one already there. The only difference was her file had a white label surrounding it with bold black print that read, "Cmdr. S.B. Gusarov-Eyes-Only." Stasya took her seat, broke the seal and began to read.
Inspector James and Captain Shelton stood in front of the interrogation rooms at station seven. From their position, they could see into both rooms through the two-way glass. Separated by soundproof walls, sat the Baranova Sisters—Devonia was on the left, Tarista on the right.
"Well if this ain't a shit load of deja vu," said Shelton. "Last time we did this the whole damn place went up in flames."
"And our witness with it," added James as he watched them intently.
Looking left he recognized Devonia as the driver of Hummer. She sat silently with her chin on her chest and her hands folded together on top of the table. Obviously she was handcuffed to a solid steel ring just under the table. She was still covered in blood and wearing the black tank top.
James walked a few steps to the right and peered into the room on the right. There sat Tarista Baranova, also still covered in blood. She too had her head bent to her chest. Both sisters had been tranquilized in order to place them safely inside the interview rooms. As James moved a step closer he wondered how long it would take for the drug to wear off. At the moment they both seemed innocent and looked more like victims than sadistic killers. As James touched the glass Tarista suddenly looked up directly at him. She slowly and deliberately licked her lips and smiled.