Trigger warning: This chapter contains violence, some of it in a sexual context. I don't think it's over the top, but if that's an issue for you, move forward cautiously.

 

INTERVIEW WITH CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANT REDACTED REDACTED ("REDACTED") REGARDING MURDER OF ANTON ZYDANIA - PART 1

 

Q: So, REDACTED, tell us how this started.

 

A: Well, Pedro brought a new girl in from out of town, and she had a bodyguard with her.

 

 

Q: This was strange?

 

A: Yeah, Pedro's girls were always safe, because no one crossed Pedro. It didn't make sense for him to bring in extra help he didn't need. So everyone in town was keeping an eye on him. His name was Joao. Not sure where he was from. Pedro did his usual thing, and introduced them to the town, and how things worked, then took the girl into Joao's room to fuck her.

 

 

Q: I'm sorry, he did what?

 

A: Oh, yeah, Pedro never puts a girl into business without testing her out, first.

 

 

Q: But why Joao's room?

 

A: Oh, Pedro marks territory with his dick. Fucking her in Joao's room was Pedro's way of making sure it was crystal clear who the boss was.

 

Q: Classy. Alright, let's move on. You said you thought it was strange for one girl to get her own bodyguard.

 

A: Right, so we figured Joao was here for something else. See, as Pedro's business had expanded into multiple cities, he'd made connections with various other dealers. They even had a little club in Willow Creek where they could get together and do business. Hang out. Do drugs. Girls were often there, too.

 

 

Q: So what's this have to do with the murder?

 

A: Give me a minute. I'm getting there. Pedro's oldest business relationship was with the Russians. Guy named Dimitry or something like-

 

Q: Ivanov, right?

 

A: -that runs it from Windenburg. Yeah, that's him. Anyway, he had moved some girls into Newcrest back before Pedro was strong enough to lock it down, and they formed a partnership. Put up a brothel, and had a deal that Pedro would let them operate, but they had to get their drugs from him. Also, a couple of his girls who are old enough work at Pedro's strip club. I think that was part of the deal. Anton was the Russian contact in Newcrest. The other guys in the organization didn't trust him.

 

 

Q: Why not?

 

A: Well, rumors were he was undisciplined. He was supposed to be looking after the girls and the coke deals, but spent most of his time doing drugs and banging the girls himself.

 

 

Q: And that's frowned upon?

 

A: I mean, as long as you kick fair market value up to the boss, it's fine. Everyone expects the bodyguards to taste the wares. But never for free, and you never let it distract you from your work, and you certainly don't get them pregnant or get them dirty.

 

Q: Dirty?

 

A: You know, disease.

 

Q: Got it. Okay, so Anton had a reputation for doing these things? Not taking his job seriously?

 

A: Well last year, they had to shut down for a while so all the girls could get treatment for the clap at the same time, and he definitely knocked up Stef, and she was only weeks away from turning 19, which is how old you have to be to dance in a strip club.

 

Q: I'm aware of the rules. So Anton was causing problems.

 

A: Yes, and Pedro eventually had a heart-to-heart with Dimitry they would need to do something about it.

 

 

Q: So what did they do?

 

A: Pedro sent Joao to beat up a girl.

 

 

Q: He did what?

 

A: Yeah, Vic. It was a message. Joao beat her up pretty bad, then fucked her. Right there on brothel property.

 

 

Q: That's some sick shit.

 

A: Like I said. A message.

 

Q: What did the message say?

 

A: That Anton couldn't do his job and protect his girls. When Dimitry heard about it, he was livid, and accepted Pedro's advice to replace Anton with someone more trustworthy.

 

Q: And how did that work?

 

A: Joao showed up at a small party at the brothel.

 

 

Then he came up to Anton with a gun and told him to turn around.

 

 

Some of the girls got scared, but most of us recognized it was just posturing. A threat. A lesson.

 

Q: Except it wasn't. Just a lesson, I mean.

 

 

A: Nope, it was the real deal. And while you were all surveying the crime scene, Joao was in another part of the motel, laying pipe to another one of the girls, telling her all the awful things that would happen if anyone said anything about him.

 

 

Q: That is some really fucked up shit.

 

A: Why do you think I'm here?

 

Q: So now Anton is under the dirt in Newcrest Cemetery. And you can identify Joao as the killer?

 

A: I don't want to testify. I'm telling you this because we're all getting scared. But I can't go on the stand.

 

Q: Okay, okay, we'll worry about that later, REDACTED. What did Pedro and Dimitry do with Anton gone?

 

A: Business as usual. Joao took all of Anton's drug business. Dimitry sent a new bodyguard, someone more trustworthy. They forced the girl Anton knocked up to get an abortion, and they didn't need to worry about that with Anton's replacement.

 

 

And everyone kept making money.

 

Q: So does Dimitry know Pedro had Anton killed or not?

 

A: Definitely. I don't think he knows the whole thing was a setup. I don't think he knows Joao was the one who beat Vic. But even if he found out, he'd do nothing about it.

 

Q: Why not?

 

A: Because after it all settled down, Dimitry flew in to check on his business and pick up his money, and let's just say he was extremely satisfied.

 

 

Even if he suspected Pedro, he'd do nothing. They are making way too much money, now, and the girls are safer with Anton gone. Even they'll tell you that.

 

Q: Okay, we're done for now. We'll be in touch for more soon. Don't tell anyone about this, and stay in contact.