Iris Johansen - Silent Thunder

"No one was more surprised than I. Hannah is overseeing its modifications for the museum exhibit." He turned to Hannah. "I called Eugenia last night and brought her up to speed about the situation."

"It was very sad about your brother," Eugenia said. "I'm sorry for your sorrow. And I met Anton Leonovsky a few times, and I'm extremely happy to hear the bastard met such a horrible end."

"Then translate that happiness into action," Kirov said.

Eugenia smile faded. "Are you pushing, my friend? I don't like to be pushed."

For the first time Hannah saw the steel beneath that effervescent exterior. Tough. Very tough.

"Do you take me for a fool?" Kirov asked. "I'm not about to ruffle your feathers by taking you for granted."

Eugenia was silent for a moment, and then smiled. "I look gorgeous with ruffled feathers, and no one has a better right to take me for granted than you. What do you need from me?"

Kirov looked at Hannah. "Hit her now before she changes her mind."

"I need to know who killed my brother," Hannah said. "And I need to know where to find him."

"I have no crystal ball." Eugenia turned to Kirov. "I thought you said it was Pavski?"

"Hannah doesn't entirely trust my word on that."

"When you're such a straightforward, uncomplicated bastard?" She smiled at Hannah. "You're wise to doubt him if you have no proof. I certainly did at one time. But the chances are it's Pavski, or Kirov wouldn't be interested."

"Thanks for the unstinting recommendation," Kirov said dryly.

"I'd give you an unqualified recommendation in many circumstances, but not where Pavski is concerned." Her tone became businesslike. "If you want help, give me specifics."

"My source in Moscow told me that Pavski has sent out word that he's revving up for a big operation and needs extra manpower." He nodded at Hannah. "And her contribution to the drain on his manpower may make the recruiting even more urgent. He lost two more at that gas station." He paused. "And Pavski wanted something else that he didn't broadcast far and wide. He contacted a few old GRU contacts and asked to be sent certain records."

"What records?"

Kirov shrugged. "I don't know. I was lucky to get that much."

"And who is your Moscow source?" Eugenia asked.

"Blenoff."

"He's usually at least eighty percent accurate. It's probably worth acting on."

"I'm glad you don't think I'm spinning my wheels," he said dryly. "Since Pavski doesn't trust Americans, he's probably recruiting all his help from Russia."

"And?"

"You know the players, in Moscow and here, like no one else. If a Russian acquired a doctored passport to slip into the country, you'd be our best hope of finding out about it. I need to know who they are, how many, and who sent them."

"I'm surprised you don't want me to try to grab those GRU records," she said sarcastically.

"Considering you have such great contacts, I was considering it."

"I can try to find out what files they were, but that's the limit. The KGB and GRU were never good friends. Is that all?"

"A current street address would be nice."

"Of course." Eugenia shook her head. "Russia is a big country, and so is America. There's no way I can track the comings and goings of each and every-"

"Not each and every," Kirov said. "Probably ex-government men. Men who might want to slip into the country undetected. Maybe some with a naval background. You know the people who can facilitate that kind of thing, don't you? There can't be that many."

"You'd be surprised." She thought for a moment. "But there aren't many who can do it well enough to suit the likes of Pavski. I can look into it, but it's still no guarantee that I'll be able-"

"We don't expect guarantees. Just your best effort. I'll pay well, Eugenia. Do we have a deal?"

She wrinkled her nose at him. "A deal? No."

"But you said-"

"A deal, my dear Kirov, implies a mutually beneficial transaction. This is a favor. I want you to owe me for a change." She glanced at Hannah. "Don't worry, I'm very good. You will see."

"I'm sure I will," Hannah said. "Thank you."

A radiant smile lit Eugenia's face. "I think I like you. You're sincere. That's rare in this counterfeit world." She went to the carved table in the foyer and opened a black enamel box. "You may need a place to stay. Hotels are never safe. I own the brownstone at the end of the block and keep it available for clients. I don't want them invading my space." She tossed Kirov a set of keys. "If I have time after I've contacted my sources, I'll come over tonight and have a drink with you." She grabbed a yellow legal pad and cranked up the music. "Now out of here, both of you. Dow-Corning wants to build a sixty-five-floor office building in the heart of Moscow, and I have to think of a way to make the Russian government pay for it."

"Interesting woman," Hannah said, as they walked down Eugenia's front stairs. "She's much younger than I imagined."

"She's older than she looks, but of course, she was only seventeen or eighteen when she started with the KGB. They were training her to be a swallow."

"Swallow?"

"An agent who specializes in obtaining information by sexual seduction. She decided that patriotism could only carry you so far and opted out."

"I'm glad she didn't let them use her like that. She seems very nice."

"She is. And she's a great person to have on your side. She truly has a good heart, but don't let that charming personality fool you. There are dozens of souls in the world who probably consider her the most intimidating person they've ever met."

Hannah nodded slowly. "I can believe that."

"That's good. I wouldn't want you to underestimate her. If there's a threat to her or someone she cares about, she won't hesitate to eliminate that threat. I've seen her in action, and she's very proficient."

"She said she owed you? Why?"

"Oh, I was able to get her out of a sticky situation once." He changed the subject. "Bradworth will know we're in New York, you know."

"How?"

"Shortly after we crossed the Triborough Bridge, your license plate was photographed and probably matched with an alert that he logged."

"Homeland Security at work."

"Another camera may have already caught us in the city. In any case, when we pass close to the U.N. or another landmark, they'll get another shot."

"Should we just leave my car in the lot?"

"No, I believe it's time to bring him into the picture again. I just didn't want him to zero in on Eugenia." Kirov pulled out his cell phone and punched a number. "Hello, Bradworth," he said into the phone. "You're not on your way to New York yet, are you?"

"New York? Why would I be there?"

"Come now," Kirov said. "Ms. Bryson and I are contemplating an early dinner in TriBeCa, and we would be delighted to have you join us. How are you doing on pinpointing our location?"

Bradworth cursed softly. "We got her car crossing Eighth Avenue, near Times Square, about half an hour ago. What are you doing in New York? And why the hell did you sneak away from here?"

"We needed a change of scene. We thought it would help Hannah clear her mind."

"You son of a bitch."

"You had your chance with her, now it's my turn."

"What are you doing? You have an obligation to keep us in the loop."

"That was never a condition of our agreement. I promised you results, not cooperation."

"Kirov-!"

"Good-bye, Bradworth. I'll be in touch soon." He hung up and turned to Hannah. "Now let's look over the guest quarters Eugenia offered us. I could use a shower and a meal without Bradworth or his men looking over our shoulders."

"No TriBeCa?"

"Definitely no TriBeCa."

Nice." Hannah gazed around the parlor of the brownstone. High ceilings, wonderful moldings, and the muted paisley cushions on the oversized couch and chairs looked very inviting. "How long do you think we'll be here before Eugenia comes up with the information?"