A Blind Eye: Book 1 in the Adam Kaminski Mystery Series (10 page)

Adam thought with guilt of his phone call before he came out to meet Łukasz, then put it out of his mind. He was here to help, that’s what family did.

“I may be able to offer you some help, too. If you’re interested.” Łukasz raised an interrogative eyebrow as he added the last few words.

“About what?”

Łukasz frowned and looked down. “You mentioned seeking records about your family. Where you come from. How your family ended up in America. Would you really like to know more about that?”

Adam shrugged. “I figured my grandfather left the country looking for his fortune. Didn’t exactly find it.” He laughed to himself. “But no harm in trying, right?”

“Hmm, yes. I suppose you could say that.” He took a sip of his beer. “But he was only ten years old when he left. You haven’t wondered how his father — your great-grandfather — managed to leave in the middle of a war, when Poland was occupied by the Germans and the Soviets?”

Adam’s surprise showed on his face. “I’ve only heard that it was a difficult time. A difficult journey. Why, what do you know?”

Łukasz pushed himself off the bar and stood behind his stool. “Not many facts, just rumors. But I can see what I can find out for you. Now it is time, I think, to head home. Can you find your way back to your hotel on your own?”

“No problem. I’ll just finish this, I’ll be fine.”

Łukasz nodded and made his way out the door. Adam turned his beer glass in his hand, watching the shafts of amber light reflected onto the bar. He had heard so many stories about his grandfather. When Adam had asked about him, he’d always been told about his bravery. His willingness to take risks. He’d died when Adam was still young, so perhaps he’d only gotten the version of the stories fit for young ears.

He shook his head. For now, he had to focus on the problem at hand. There had to be a way to use his connections here in Poland and in Philly to gain access to those records without alerting Łukasz’s editor they were revisiting them. He didn’t know how things worked over here, but he knew exactly how to get the information he needed when he was back in Philly. How much different could Warsaw be?

With a determined nod to himself, Adam replaced his still half-full glass on the bar and headed for the door. A trio of men at the bar stood just as Adam was walking in their direction, blocking the narrow path to the exit.

Adam waited patiently while they buttoned their coats and donned hats, talking slowly to each other all the while. One older gentleman struggled with the buttons on his coat, his arthritic fingers unable to gain traction on the tiny plastic objects. His younger friend finally leaned over to help, fitting one button after another. Adam waited, smiling politely as the group acknowledged him and apologized for the delay.

Finally able to pass by, Adam pushed through the door into the dark alley. He turned to his left, intending to head out to the main street to make his way back to the hotel. It was a little longer than cutting down through the alley, but Adam didn’t want to risk getting lost.

The sounds of the scuffle were unmistakable to Adam’s ears and he turned to face it. In the darkness that engulfed the narrow space, Adam could just make out Łukasz’s long gray coat, bent double like a folded sack. He heard the groan, and saw the large man in front of Łukasz raise his arm again.

“Hey!” he called out even as he ran headlong toward the larger of the two.

The guy took Adam’s full weight in the gut. They went down together with a thud, but Adam was back up on his feet first, ready to confront the second thug.

Pausing with his hands at the ready, Adam assessed his situation. The guy he now faced was smaller than him and Adam was sure he could take him. But the guy’s colleague was slowly lifting himself off the ground, and once he was up, Adam didn’t like his chances against both of them. One glance at Łukasz made it clear the older man was in no condition to join the fight.

Thinking fast, Adam swept his right leg out and the big guy fell heavily one more time. Keeping an eye on the little guy, Adam put his knee into the back of the big guy, expertly twisting his arms painfully behind his back. He wasn’t going anywhere.

“Łukasz,” he said, still keeping his eyes on the little guy, who had let go of Łukasz, “I saw some cops up on the street just ahead, go and call out to them.”

The little guy glanced up the alley toward the street, then took off into the darkness the other way. That just left the one.

“Sorry, buddy,” Adam grabbed the back of his hair and slammed his face hard into the cobblestones. It was this or keep fighting, and Adam figured this was better for both of them. The guy would have a headache when he woke up, but at least he’d wake up.

“Come on.” He grabbed Łukasz’s arm and turned toward the main street and the lights that were still lit there.

The two men stumbled out onto the street, startling a group of students passing by. Realizing how strange they must look, Adam dropped Łukasz’s arm and straightened himself out. “Where to, Łukasz? Where’s home and where’s safe?”

“I live in Mokotów,” Łukasz replied, wincing as he brushed down his coat and wiped his face. “It is a few tram rides from here. I can catch a bus at this corner, then change at the train station.”

“No way.” Adam shook his head. “I can’t let you make that trip on your own. You’re a hunted man, cousin. I don’t know who is after you, but he clearly hasn’t given up yet.”

He looked up and down the street. Even though it was late, students still roamed in small groups, some drunk and singing, others moving quickly from one bar to the next.

“You’ll stay at my hotel. I don’t think they know who I am yet, you’ll be safe there. Here —” Adam reached into his pocket and pulled out a key. “The key to my room.”

“What about you, cousin? Won’t you come with me?”

Adam pictured the tiny room with its twin bed. His choice was to sleep sitting in the armchair in the corner or lying in the half-tub. There wasn’t even enough space to sleep on the floor at the foot of the bed. He had a better idea in mind.

He shook his head at Łukasz. “No. You’ll be okay on your own.”

“Where will you go?” Łukasz asked as he took the key from Adam.

“I have an idea, somewhere I can stay where I should be safe.” Adam gave Łukasz a confident pat on the shoulder. But his expression dropped to a frown as he turned away, wondering if he was right about that.

Ulica Miodowa
was a short walk from the bar along well-lit streets. Adam walked quickly, keeping a sharp eye on everyone around him, including the people behind him. The cold weather kept everyone tucked into their high collars and scarves, and everywhere Adam looked he could see only suspicious eyes peering out at him, the steam of breath on the air.

Adam found Sylvia’s building without a problem. The church next to it stood out against the dark sky, its spires rising toward the heavens. The smaller building next to the church had a carved sign over the arched doorway, proclaiming its name. A plaque to the right of the doorway listed the names of the tenants, and Stanko was written clearly next to the third bell from the bottom.

Adam pushed the bell and waited for Sylvia to come out.

W
eak morning
light
struggled to make its way through the white lace curtains, and a few brave birds called from the courtyard below. Adam sat up with a start before he remembered where he was and lay back onto the sheets.

It was Friday morning and he lay on a narrow sofa in Sylvia’s apartment. He could hear her steady breathing through the frosted-glass French doors that led into the connecting bedroom.

Rolling himself off the sofa, Adam stretched the kinks out of his neck and back as he made his way to the kitchen at the back of the apartment. An oven, sink and half-size refrigerator filled the space, with just enough room left for a table for two.

The night before, Sylvia had welcomed him as warmly as anyone could expect, showing up unannounced at someone’s door after midnight. He hadn’t provided her with too much detail about the events that had brought him to her apartment. He had simply explained his cousin had an emergency and needed to stay in his hotel room. Since it was too late to get a second room, he was hoping she would allow him to crash on her sofa.

In hindsight, he was a little surprised by how readily she had agreed. She had invited him in, offered him a warm drink. They sat comfortably on the small sofa, holding the steaming cups and taking small sips until the cinnamon-laced tea cooled off enough to drink properly.

“So, are you enjoying your time here in Poland? Are you glad you got this assignment?” Sylvia asked with pursed lips as she blew on her tea, her eyes looking at him over the mug.

“I am. It’s a beautiful country, plus I got to meet my cousin, which is good.” He nodded. “I think I’m going to learn a lot on this trip.”

“Learning about your family, your history… that’s nice.” Sylvia paused, considering her tea. “I have a large family, you know.”

“Are you close?”

“No.”

Taken aback by Sylvia’s abrupt response, Adam sat silent for a minute. “I’m sorry.”

“No, it is fine. My parents are very good people. I have cousins who were my friends when I was small.”

“Where does your family live?”

“In the north. A small village. A very small village.” One side of Sylvia’s mouth raised in a quasi-smile.

“Do you not stay in touch?”

Sylvia shrugged. “We talk, we do. I see them sometimes on holidays. But they have no interest in coming here, visiting Warsaw. It is the big city, you see, and they are happier where they are.”

“There’s nothing wrong with liking a simple life.”

“No?” Sylvia looked up at him. “No, I suppose not. Or perhaps they simply don’t know any better.”

“You don’t mean that.” Adam smiled. “I’m sure they love hearing about your life when you do talk to them.”

She shrugged again. “Perhaps. The parts they understand. My job… no, this they don’t understand. But I will travel farther, I’m sure.”

“Oh, yeah? You got the travel bug?”

Sylvia’s smile widened. “Yes, the travel bug, as you call it. I have only been to Germany and England so far. Thanks to the Young Democrats. But I will travel. I will see more of the world.”

“I have no doubt you will.” Adam put his mug down on the glass-topped table next to the sofa. “Now, me, I’m very close with my family. Still live in the same town, talk to them every week.”

“You are a good son.”

“I don’t mean you’re not a good daughter…”

“No, I know.” Sylvia raised a hand to clear the air. “Of course not. I just mean, they must be happy to have you near them.”

“They are. And I like being able to drop in and see them now and then. I get to hear stories about my grandfather.” Adam’s eyes clouded as he thought of what Łukasz had said about his grandfather, wondering what more there was for him to learn.

Sylvia watched him closely, but said nothing.

Adam shook his head and smiled. “And then there’s my sister. Julia.”

“You are close?”

“You could say that. She certainly relies on me. But, man, she’s crazy sometimes.”

Sylvia smiled, her eyes on his face. “Why do you say that?”

He shrugged. “It’s just her way, I guess. She drives me crazy. But I do love her. Just don’t tell her that.”

Sylvia laughed and Adam’s mind was torn from thoughts of his family to thoughts of the beautiful woman sitting in front of him.

A noise outside broke the moment. Sylvia stood, picking up his mug and carrying them both into the kitchen. When she returned, she pulled sheets and a blanket out of a closet in the hall. “You can sleep on the sofa, if it is comfortable enough for you.”

“It will be perfect, thank you.” Adam stood and took the pile of linens from her, smiling.

“Good night, Adam Kaminski. We will talk again in the morning, I think.”

Adam shook his head now, forcing himself to wake up. To get the evening with Sylvia out of his mind. He stepped around the table to throw open the door that led to the narrow balcony overlooking the courtyard. Here, Sylvia had placed a cooler filled with perishable foods that wouldn’t fit into the small fridge but could stay cool outside throughout the winter. The balcony, just wide enough for a person to stand on, looked out over an enclosed space formed by the backs of neighboring buildings. He didn’t have to step far out onto the balcony to see the courtyard below, the yellow stone of the Polish Army Field Cathedral next door.

A thin layer of snow covered the pavement and patch of grass that grew in the sheltered space at the heart of these old buildings. A few black birds picked at what growth there was, calling to each other. Whether inviting other birds to join them or warning them to stay away, Adam didn’t know.

He left the door open as he turned back to the kitchen to light the fire on the stove and get some water boiling for coffee. It wasn’t until the scent of the coffee filled the room and he had had his first cup from the cafetiere that he felt alert enough to shut the door, blocking out the chill that had been keeping him awake.

He needed to check in with Łukasz first, to make sure he was still okay. Then he planned to launch his own investigation into what really happened to Basia Kaminski. Before that, he needed to finish last night’s conversation with Sylvia.

“
G
ood morning
.
”
Adam handed Sylvia a cup of coffee as she emerged from her bedroom, wrapped in a pink robe. “I hope you managed to sleep.”

“I had no problem, thank you. How about you, could you sleep on that tiny sofa?” she asked as she sniffed at the coffee before taking a sip. “So, now that we are awake, what are we to do? Or perhaps the question is, what are you to do. Today, I mean?”

“It’s a fair question. To tell the truth, I’m not entirely sure. I need to look into a few things. And some of those things I’m hoping you can help me with.”

With that, he shared with Sylvia the story Łukasz had told him the night before. She listened without interrupting, though her eyes occasionally betrayed her skepticism.

Adam wrapped up the story. “We know someone is still after him, because that someone attacked us last night as we left the bar. We managed to get away, but I didn’t think it was safe for him to go back to his place, so I invited him to stay in my hotel. And I came here.”

Sylvia was silent for a few moments longer, and Adam started to wonder what thoughts were hidden behind her pale blue eyes.

“Adam, you shouldn’t be involved in this. You don’t know our country, our way of doing things. This young woman… Basia… you do not know her. Any father would find it difficult to believe his daughter had killed herself. How do you know he is right, that she was murdered?”

“I know it sounds crazy, but I believe him.”

“Why?” Sylvia persisted.

“Well, for one thing, he must be onto something, or why else would someone be trying to kill him?” Adam asked. “He’s been attacked twice now. Once he was left for dead. And when they came back to finish the job he was just lucky I was there to stop them. He must be onto something, getting someone nervous.”

Sylvia shrugged and looked away. “I think not, Adam. I’m sorry, I knew Basia Kaminski. You should not be surprised, she worked for Rafał Novosad. We are a small community, you know.”

“Of course, I should have realized, I’m sorry. What can you tell me about her?”

“It was very sad, Adam, when she died. We all felt the loss. I can understand her father feels it most of all.”

Sylvia looked directly at Adam as she spoke. He could still hear the birds calling faintly from the courtyard outside with plaintive cries.

She continued, “Basia was obviously struggling with her work. She was tense all the time. She was under a lot of pressure, and she finally gave up. I believe that is what happened.”

“Łukasz doesn’t believe that. He thinks she was killed.”

Sylvia shrugged. “That is a hard thing to believe. Who would have killed her? And as I said, she was a troubled young woman. Suicide is horrible, but it is more likely.”

“Think about it,” Adam pressed. “What if her difficulties came from the fact that she knew something she shouldn’t? Isn’t it possible that something was bothering her and she didn’t know who to talk to about it? Scaring her, even?”

She put her coffee down. “You are making up stories, Adam. You are a policeman, you see crimes when there are none. Secrets where there are none. These are all good people who I work with. They are not killers.” She paused, and Adam could tell she was carefully considering her next words. “Is what you suggest possible, that she had a secret she couldn’t share and that was why she was troubled? Yes, I suppose it is possible. But I do not think that is what happened. I think she found the job difficult, I think she struggled with it just as Laurienty does.”

“Who’s Laurienty?”

“You met him yesterday. Well, you saw him. He was very rude, interrupting our meeting with Minister Kapral without an explanation.” Sylvia shook her head in amazement. “He has no skills, no diplomacy. He will not make it far in our government. I do not know why Kapral keeps him on his staff.”

“I thought there was something odd about him. And about his relationship with Kapral.”

“It is just Laurienty, I am sure.” Sylvia smiled. “He puts people off right away. Always nervous, always late, always focusing on the wrong problem.” She stood. “These are the problems we deal with, Adam, not murder.”

“There is something dark here, Sylvia. I am sure of it. Something evil. And I need to root it out. Because if I don’t, someone else will get hurt. I am sure of it,” Adam repeated, almost to himself.

She shook her head. “No, I don’t believe that. Corruption there is, I know, but to kill someone to hide it?” She shook her head again. “No, this is not possible. And how can you investigate this? You don’t know our ways, you don’t understand our culture.”

“You’re right, I don’t understand. That’s why I need your help. You do understand.” Adam leaned forward and looked into her eyes over the metal kitchen table. “You must help me understand. Because one thing I’ve learned through my job over the years is the only way to catch a person is by understanding what he thinks.”

Sylvia shut her eyes and shook her head. “No, I don’t want to understand that. And I don’t understand how you could want to, either.”

Adam shrugged and tasted his coffee again. It was getting cold. “It’s what I do, and I do it well.” He paused, considering making another pot of coffee. He added, “Okay, I understand you don’t want to get into the mindset of a criminal, I can respect that. I may still come to you with questions about your culture and your history, though, if that’s okay?”

Sylvia smiled. “Of course that’s all right, that’s why you are here, no? And that’s why I am here for you, to show you these things.”

“And I have one more favor to ask of you, Sylvia. This might be a big one.”

Sylvia looked at him expectantly.

“I need to get into the national archives.” He pushed forward when he saw the expression on her face. “That’s where the truth is hidden. I must go back through the files Łukasz looked at before, to figure out who he was homing in on, who felt threatened enough by his research.”

Sylvia stood and walked back into the living room. Adam waited where he was, knowing she needed a moment to think.

Eventually, she came back into the room, standing in the doorway with one hand on the wall. “I may not be able to get you that access. You understand those archives hold some records of national importance? It is not simply a library. It includes… well, for example, many of the files on the lustration hearings, the reports filed about people’s past activities and connections with the secret police. These are sensitive materials.”

“But you’ll try?” Adam pressed.

“No” — Sylvia shook her head and looked down into her coffee mug — “but I can tell you who might be able to help. If you are interested in the national archives, you are best served if you have the support of a member of the national legislature. One of the people you met yesterday, for example. You should ask one of them. Adam” — she looked over his shoulder as she spoke, at the snow now falling softly into the courtyard — “you must be careful. This is not your land, not your people. You don’t know what you might find.”

W
ith Sylvia’s
warning still ringing in his ears
,
Adam walked quickly down
Ulica Miodowa
toward the university and his hotel. He kept his head tucked into his collar against the cold, matching the stance and stride of others around him getting an early start for work or school.

Gray stone buildings lined the sidewalks and Adam knew that each of these opened up to peaceful courtyards inside, just as Sylvia’s building did. Quiet, private spaces hidden behind bland building faces.

There was more hidden in Warsaw than lying in plain sight, Adam was beginning to realize.

He had a half-formed plan in his mind of getting into his hotel room by telling the desk clerk he had lost his key, but fortunately he didn’t need it. As he entered the lobby he saw Łukasz sitting in a comfortable chair, sipping a cup of coffee and reading that day’s newspaper.

“Cousin.” Adam took the seat next to Łukasz. “You look relaxed and well rested.” The sounds of clinking dishes came from the restaurant behind the lobby and Adam thought he could just smell the thick ham, dill and fresh bread that would be laid out in the buffet.

“Only thanks to you, my friend. And how did you sleep? Did you find a comfortable bed?”

“Of sorts, yes.” Adam smiled, and chose not to answer the question evident in Łukasz’s eyes.

Both men turned their attention to the staircase as Angela stepped into the lobby. Clearly planning an early morning swim, she wore only a bathing suit with a towel wrapped around her waist. She tied her dark hair into a knot at the back of her head as she descended the stairs, and both men watched as she moved with the grace and confidence of an athlete.

She paused at the bottom of the stairs before turning the corner for the last flight down to the pool and saw Adam and Łukasz watching her. With a small smile playing on her lips, she made her way over to the two men.

“Good morning, Adam. And this must be the cousin you met up with yesterday. Angela Tarallo,” she added, extending a hand to Łukasz.

Łukasz took her hand and lifted it slightly toward his lips, bowing his head. “Łukasz Kaminski. A pleasure to meet you,
Pani
Tarallo. A great pleasure. My cousin has been very rude and has not introduced me to this wonderful team from America he tells me about.”

“I hope he will rectify that mistake. I also hope he will be spending a little more time with our group today?” She directed this last comment to Adam.

The sound of feet clattering down the stairs preceded Jared, who burst into the lobby. Seeing Angela, he grabbed at the railing, almost tripping over himself as he changed directions, heading toward her instead of continuing down the stairs.

“Angela, there you are.” He panted as he spoke. “I thought I’d join you in that swim you mentioned.”

Angela raised her eyebrows and smiled. “Great. Good. I just stopped to say hello to Adam. And his cousin, Łukasz.”

Łukasz nodded at Jared, who smiled back. “Cousin! How wonderful for you. I’m so glad you’ve had the chance to meet up with your family, Adam. You must be spending a lot of time together. I guess that’s why you’ve been skipping out on some of our meetings?”

“That’s right. Sorry about that.”

“No, that’s cool. That’s great. Hey, I’d love the chance to see Warsaw with a local. Maybe I can join you guys today? You know, just to hang out in a real home, do things real Poles do?”

Angela laughed. “Looks like I’m not the only one missing you, Adam. You’re a wanted man.”

“Ah… well… I actually have some things I’m going to need to do today. I’m sorry, but Łukasz and I do need some time together. Alone.”

“Oh, that’s too bad.” Angela frowned. “I was hoping we would be able to spend some time together today. I didn’t even see you come in last night. I was hoping for a nightcap.”

Łukasz raised an eyebrow toward Adam, but Adam gave no indication of what he was thinking. “Perhaps later today, Angela. I would like that. You, too, Jared, maybe we’ll catch up later.”

With a quick smile, Angela turned and walked slowly back toward the staircase down to the pool below. Jared looked at Łukasz and Adam, then shrugged and trotted after her.

“And I better get myself dressed.” Adam stood.

“How do you propose to start?” Łukasz asked, standing also.

“I’ve been thinking about that. I’m going to start with the people I have the most in common with — Americans and cops.”