Chapter 13 - AwakeningThe intensive care unit at Denver General Hospital smelled of antiseptic and ozone. Two armed police officers stood guard outside Room 412. They stepped aside as Liam and I approached, recognizing my clearance.
I pushed the door open.
Julian Vance looked like a broken doll. He was encased in a neck brace, his left leg elevated in a halo cast, and his face was a mosaic of purple and yellow bruises. The arrogant, polished regional manager who had stood in the Aspen lobby and allowed his fiancé to throw wine on me was entirely gone.
When he saw me, his heart monitor spiked.
"Elena," Julian rasped, his voice shredded from the breathing tube they had recently removed. He looked past me to Liam, and his eyes widened in sheer panic. "Don't... don't let him near me."
"Relax, Julian," Liam said coldly, staying near the door. "If I wanted you dead, you'd be in the morgue, not the ICU."
I pulled a chair to the side of his bed and sat down. "You asked for me, Julian. You have five minutes before I let the detectives in here to charge you with corporate espionage and accessory to attempted murder."
"I didn't know," Julian sobbed, tears leaking from his bruised eyes. "Elena, I swear to God. I didn't know about the poison. I didn't know Thomas was drugging Arthur. I just thought we were cooking the books. White-collar stuff."
"You handed a bribe to a nurse to frame me for elder abuse," I reminded him, my voice devoid of pity. "Do not ask for my sympathy."
"I'm not," Julian choked out. "I'm asking for protection."
I frowned. "Thomas is in jail. He can't hurt you anymore."
"I'm not afraid of Thomas!" Julian cried, trying to move his head and wincing in agony. "I'm afraid of the people Thomas owed. The Russians. Volkov's men."
Liam stepped forward, his demeanor instantly sharpening. "What do you know about Volkov?"
"Thomas was terrified of him," Julian panted, his chest heaving. "Volkov gave him a deadline. New Year's Eve. If the Aspen property wasn't transferred by then, Volkov threatened to have Thomas killed. And anyone who helped him."
"Where is Volkov?" Liam demanded.
"I don't know," Julian said desperately. "But Thomas had an insurance policy against him. Something he said would destroy Volkov if the Russian ever tried to kill him."
"Where is it?" I asked, leaning closer.
"Zurich," Julian whispered. "A private vault at the Helvetia Trust. Thomas gave me the key to hold, just in case... in case they got to him first."
"Where is the key, Julian?" Liam pressed.
May you like
Julian swallowed hard. "In my apartment in Aspen. Hidden in the lining of my leather golf bag. Elena... promise me. Promise me you'll get me federal protection. If Volkov finds out I told you, I'm dead."
I stood up, looking down at the man who had betrayed my family. "I'll make the call to the DA. But Julian? If I find out you're lying, I’ll personally give Volkov your room number."
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