‘Did anyone survive?’
Dial shook his head. ‘We have no idea what they were working on or who would want them dead. The only thing we have is the identity of the trigger man.’
‘You … you know who set off the explosion?’
‘We do.’
‘A rival scientist?’ Zidane guessed.
‘I’m afraid that is information I can’t disclose,’ Dial stated. ‘But he’s the reason we needed to speak with you as soon as possible.’
‘I don’t follow.’
‘Our suspect links you to the tragedy in Stockholm.’
‘I … I don’t know where you’re going with this.’ Zidane’s face started to flush. ‘How am I involved?’
‘We have a recording of the suspect discussing the Stockholm job. In that recording, he mentions your name.’
‘You’re sure it’s my name?’
‘Clear as day,’ Dial assured him.
Zidane shook his head, not knowing how to respond.
‘Can you think of any reason why the man responsible for the killings in Stockholm would be talking about you in a discussion about the massacre?’
‘There’s … I …’ Zidane took a deep breath. ‘Nick, I know I have enemies, but I truly believed them to be the kind of men who were intent upon seeing me destroyed financially, not literally. As for my association with Berglund, I was his biggest fan. I stand to gain nothing in his absence.’
‘Harrison, I can make arrangements with the authorities in Milan. They can take you into protective custody until we—’
‘That won’t be necessary,’ Zidane insisted. ‘I have my own security here at the estate. Take no offense, but I would prefer to put my life in their hands.’
‘If that’s your decision, I can’t make you go with them. But until we have more control of this situation, I suggest you pass on any public events you might be planning to attend in the near future.’
‘I’ll clear my calendar. Thank you for your concern. I trust you’ll keep me informed as new developments occur?’
‘I will. Can you be reached through the computer again?’
‘I’ll make sure that the authorities here have all the necessary contact information.’
‘I appreciate that. If there’s anything you think of, don’t hesitate to contact the Milan office, Henri, or me personally.’
‘Understood. I hope this tragedy is solved quickly … for everyone’s sake.’
‘Thank you, Harrison. We’ll do our best.’
Harrison nodded, and Celega terminated his end of the connection. Meanwhile, Dial and Toulon remained on the line.
‘Well?’ Dial asked as Toulon looked back at him through the camera.
‘I’m honestly not sure,’ Toulon said. ‘He seemed forthright. He volunteered the information about the labs he supports and the outside-the-box research they conduct. And he’s not lying about the legality of it all. There’s nothing criminal about anything he’s done in the past. What do you think?’
‘I don’t know if he’s lying, but he definitely got flustered when we mentioned that his name had come up. Of course, that could be embarrassment, anger, fear, or a thousand other things.’
Toulon nodded. ‘Should I stay on him?’
‘Definitely,’ Dial said. ‘If he’s guilty, we’ll nail his ass to the wall. And if he’s innocent, I want to be the one who saves his life.’
‘Why’s that?’
Dial laughed. ‘Because the guy’s a billionaire. It always helps to have some of them in your corner.’
45
Though he still preferred an old-fashioned corkboard to a fancy computer display when it came to organizing a case, Dial had quickly warmed to video chats — especially when he was interviewing witnesses or suspects. It wasn’t as good as being in the same room as them, but it was a lot better than a simple phone call.
‘Do we have a way to reach Jonathon Payne on this thing?’ he asked Toulon, who was still lingering on the screen after their call to Zidane. ‘We owe him an update on things.’
‘Is he in your address book? If so, just click on the link.’
Dial scrolled through the names on his contact list and then hit the appropriate button. A moment later, Jones appeared on their screens.
‘Hello?’ Jones asked. ‘Nick, is that you?’
‘Hey, DJ. Yeah, it’s me. I take it you can see me?’
‘I see you, plus one.’
‘DJ, meet Henri Toulon — my assistant director and a giant pain in my ass. Henri, this is David Jones — a good friend of mine and a giant pain in Jon’s ass.’
Jones winced. ‘I have to admit, all this “ass” talk is making me uncomfortable. It’s one thing coming from a stripper. It’s quite another coming from a dirty old man on a party line.’
Toulon laughed. ‘Pleased to finally meet you. Despite that dreadful introduction, I’ve heard many wonderful things about you over the years.’
‘Likewise,’ Jones said. ‘It’s nice to meet the real mastermind of the homicide division. When are you going to start taking the credit that you deserve?’
Dial interrupted. ‘Just because Jon lets you take all the credit for his achievements doesn’t mean everyone operates that way. Sometimes you actually have to earn your place.’
‘Wow, that’s a low blow,’ Jones said, pretending to be insulted. ‘It’s about time you stood up for yourself. I wasn’t sure you had it in you.’
‘Trust me,’ Toulon said, ‘he can be a real prick.’
Jones laughed loudly, but Dial wasn’t amused. He pulled the phone close to his face and spoke directly to Toulon through the camera. ‘Henri, please keep something in mind. I’m your boss and you’re on the clock. Jokes are one thing; insults are quite another.’
Toulon flushed with embarrassment. ‘Oui.’
Jones sensed that Dial was just busting Toulon’s balls, but based on Toulon’s reaction, he wasn’t one hundred percent sure. To be safe, he opted to change the subject. ‘Anyway, I take it you’re looking for Jon, since this is his computer and all.’
‘Both of you, actually. He around?’ Dial asked.
‘I’m here,’ Payne yelled from somewhere off camera. A second later, he was standing over Jones’s shoulder in the image. ‘I heard everything you said, but if it’s alright with you, I’d prefer not to sit on DJ’s lap during this conversation — especially after your comment about him being a pain in my ass. I don’t want Henri to get the wrong idea. We’re close, but we’re not that close.’
Dial smiled. ‘Point taken.’
Payne nodded toward the screen. ‘Hey, Henri, nice to finally put a face to the name. And thanks for keeping Nick in line all these years.’
Toulon nodded but said nothing, still stinging from the last rebuke.
‘So,’ Payne said as he walked out of the frame again, ‘what’s on your mind, Nick?’
Dial knew it wasn’t an act of indifference or disrespect. Payne simply preferred to move around while he talked. ‘You still have eyes on Sahlberg?’
Jones answered. ‘He’s actually at the gym.’
‘Really?’
Jones nodded. ‘Apparently, he likes to walk after his first meal of the day. We can’t let him walk outside, not with someone chasing him, so we had to come up with an alternative.’
‘How about telling him to skip a day?’
‘He’s a creature of habit, Nick. Every day for the past century or so he takes a midday stroll. Who are we to start changing his routine?’
‘What gym is he using?’
‘He’s using an exercise room in the building,’ said Payne, who was underselling the facility. The ‘exercise room’ was actually a world-class fitness center. It filled an entire floor and had everything imaginable, from aquatic therapy pools to hyperbaric chambers. He figured, the healthier his employees were, the more productive they would be in the office.