“I could see the progression as you moved from Trial to Trial, and what you brought to them from what you’d learned in the past. I have a talent for that kind of thing.”
She frowned. “I don’t know if I like that.”
He smiled wryly. “Practically no one in my circle does. But I promise I won’t use it against you.” He added deliberately, “And you can bet on it.”
“No bets for me,” she said curtly. “Not ever.”
“Your choice. Perfectly understandable. But there are bets, and then there are bets. It’s all how you play the game.”
“I don’t play it at all.”
“Pity. You might be very good at it.” He smiled. “But we’ll discuss that some other time. Right now, I want to convince you that no matter what Kaskov might have in mind as a long-range goal, he would never have involved me if it had anything to do with your archnemesis, Volkov. Kaskov researched me very thoroughly, and he’d know that I wouldn’t go along with it. He wouldn’t waste his time.”
She frowned doubtfully. “Maybe.” She bit her lower lip. “But Volkov might know about Gregor and Razov by now. And the first thing he’ll do is to check whether Maria is still at home. He’d know I wouldn’t do anything without her. When he finds out she’s not there, he’ll start hunting. I have to get to her before he does.”
“A few hours…”
“If you’re telling the truth. If she’s really going to meet us in Stockholm. Perhaps you’re just telling me that to keep me from causing you trouble.”
“A few hours,” he repeated. “They don’t know yet. I have someone watching and reporting from the forest. I’ll let you know when I hear that they do know.” He bent down and took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and looked into her eyes. “I promise. It would be very stupid of me to lie to you at this early point in our relationship because it would cause me boundless problems later when I’ll have to count on you trusting me. I want this job to go smoothly.”
She gazed at him searchingly. “Then you’ll probably be disappointed. Maybe you should have asked for more money from Kaskov. Volkov isn’t going to give me up easily. At first, the Trials were a way of getting revenge and punishing me, but lately they’ve become more intricate and I can feel him building toward something. He’s not going to be satisfied until he finishes whatever his master plan is for me.”
“Revenge?” His eyes were narrowed. “I thought it was just a case of two sadistic lowlifes using a kid in their games. You couldn’t have been more than twelve when this started.”
“Oh, that was my father. It was more than that to Volkov.” She smiled sardonically. “Evidently Kaskov either didn’t know it all or didn’t want to share it with you. Well, neither do I.” She leaned back in her seat. “You said that you had someone watching the forest. Will you let me know what’s happening?”
He nodded. “As soon as I get a report.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he said mockingly. “Always glad to oblige.”
“You’re making fun of me.” She gazed at him soberly. “But I realize you could be making this more difficult for me if you chose. I’m grateful that you aren’t doing that.”
His smile faded as he looked at her. “I figure you’ve had enough problems to contend with since I met you.” Then he added dryly as he turned away, “Besides, I’ve noticed you’re very good at karate. I wouldn’t want to get on your bad side.”
* * *
Avgar Forest
“What do you mean, she’s gone?” Volkov asked harshly. “Didn’t you tell her she was to stay here until we picked her up and could verify the kills?”
“Of course I did,” Balkon said. “She couldn’t have misunderstood.” He looked down at Razov. “And she wouldn’t have been afraid since she’d managed to get rid of both of them. You saw how she took care of Gregor. There wouldn’t have been any reason for her to run away.” He frowned. “But she wouldn’t have run anyway. She’s very careful about what effect her actions have on Maria.”
Volkov was on his knees examining Razov. “If she did manage to kill them both…” He began to swear. “But she didn’t kill Razov. Whoever killed him took him from behind and broke his neck. Lara would have been too small and wouldn’t have had the strength for a move like that.”
“She might have been able to do it.” Balkon added suspiciously, “Are you sure you’re not trying to get out of paying me?”
“Call Maria,” Volkov ordered. “Stop arguing. Someone else did that kill. You fool, something’s wrong. Who would have tried to help Lara? Was she sleeping with one of your men?”
Balkon quickly shook his head. “They know she’s off limits. She doesn’t see anyone.” He reached for his phone. “All she does is practice for the next Trial and play that damn piano.” He was punching in the number. He listened and then looked up. “It’s out of service.”
“Of course it is.” Volkov got to his feet. “Lara’s managed to get her away. She’s probably been planning this move ever since she tried to run the last time.” He was motioning to two of his men on the path ahead. “I told you to make certain that she wouldn’t try that again. You weren’t hard enough on her. You should have left it to me.”
“I handled it right. I had to go through Maria. It’s the only thing that works with Lara.”
“And look what’s happened. She had to have found a way to get someone to help her. She wouldn’t have been able to do it on her own.”
“No one in Avgar would dare to get in the way of the Trials.” Balkon moistened his lips. “They’re too afraid of you.” He smiled weakly. “And me. We make a wonderful team.”
“You’re nothing to me or to anyone else in either of our families,” Volkov snarled. “I would have gotten rid of you years ago if I hadn’t needed you. I can’t believe that now when I’ve almost finished with the bitch’s final lessons, you screw it up. I won’t stand for it. You’re going to find Lara and whoever took her. We’re both going to send our men all over Russia and you’re going to deliver her to me. Do you understand?”
“I understand,” Balkon said eagerly. “You know I have contacts everywhere. Trust me. I’ll do it even if I have to go to Moscow to find her.”
“You’ll find her if you have to go to the ends of the earth,” Volkov said coldly. “Use Maria, use anyone else you have to, but bring her to me. Now get moving!”
* * *
“We’re landing.” Lara was looking out the window as Tanner came down the aisle. “Is that the airport? The scenery looked beautiful as we flew in, but the airport is out in the middle of nowhere.”
“Which is the best place for us to be since we have no documents, and my friend who owns this facility doesn’t appreciate attention from the authorities.” He leaned over and fastened her seat belt. “It’s a small world and there are always people who want to make it even smaller by selling information.” He sat down beside her and fastened his seat belt. “We won’t be here long. I just wanted to rendezvous with your Maria and pick up some equipment before we took off again for somewhere safer.”