Iris Johansen - Silent Thunder

Shit.

"What do we do?" Koppel asked.

"Well, we don't sit around looking helpless and asking stupid questions." Pavski thought about it. "Did you do as I asked you and accessed Kirov's phone?"

"Yes, we went through Bradworth's phone as you told me. But we can't trace Kirov. He must be using relays."

"I didn't expect to trace it. I want to talk to him."

"Why?"

Because it was time. Because he was tired of playing cat and mouse. Because he couldn't bear for Kirov to think he'd made a fool of him. "Just get him on the phone for me."

No identifier on the ID box.

Kirov hesitated, and then picked up the call on the fourth ring.

"You missed me again, Captain. I'd think you'd grow discouraged. Or should I call you Kirov? Yes, I think I will. The proud captain of Silent Thunder has faded into ineffectual nothingness."

He went still. "Pavski?" Of course, it was Pavski. "And you missed me. You're gradually losing all your support. Pretty soon you'll have to stiffen your backbone and face me."

"I don't have to confront a man who will be dead in days. It's very fitting you took the name of a dead man. It's only a matter of time until you join Ivanov."

"Were you the one who tipped Bradworth?"

"Of course. I've suspected you were still alive for the last year. The descriptions I received of the 'ghost' fit you far better than Ivanov. The FSB started investigating after hearing rumors three years ago from people in the village who claimed they had seen a wounded man who had died and was buried there. The description bore a resemblance to Ivanov but it wasn't worthwhile for the FSB to pursue it on their limited budget. I thought I'd let Bradworth confirm it."

"I hate to disappoint you, but you didn't cause much trouble for me. I was already distancing myself from Bradworth."

"It will keep you from going to him for help when I have time to go after you."

"Oh, and what was Niler's attempt? Admit it. You screwed up, Pavski."

Silence. "Enjoy your gloating. I'm the one who will end up on top. No one can keep me from-"

"You're a criminal and a mass murderer. You have no destiny but the same one as Stalin and Attila the Hun. You're going down, Pavski. And I'm going to be the one to do it."

"Such passion. I remember that about you. My officers said that you nearly went berserk when you heard about the deaths of your crew." He added softly, "I did that to you. I killed them. I killed your wife. I hurt you. I destroyed your life. I enjoy thinking about it. I wanted you to know that."

"Is that why you phoned me?"

"Perhaps. And to tell you that sending Eugenia Voltar to Moscow was an exercise in futility. She's going to find nothing. No one is going to talk to her. If they do, it will be too late. I'll already have all I need."

"We'll see. Eugenia is a remarkable woman. She can be very persuasive." He paused. "And I wouldn't think about taking her out if I were you. She's very competent, and you might lose another man."

"She's going to die. I'd already decided that she could become an obstacle. I will find the cradle."

"Only in your dreams."

"You'll see. Or maybe you won't. Unless you're looking up from hell. You still have Hannah Bryson with you. Don't you find her in the way?"

"No."

"I do." He hung up.

Kirov slowly hung up the phone. The rage was still searing through him. Christ, he was actually shaking with anger. Control. He and Pavski hadn't spoken since that last day on the Silent Thunder . Pavski had meant to remind him of that day of horror and failure, when he had been taken prisoner and Pavski reigned supreme.

Block it out. Go over the conversation. Could he pull anything of value out of it?

Yes, there was the information that he knew Eugenia was in Moscow and pursuing the goal Pavski had set for Danzyl. Other than that, boasting, threats, and malice.

And that last threat was to Hannah.

Okay, his cell phone couldn't be traced. He was sure they hadn't been followed. No need to be worried.

Screw it. He was worried. He had to see her, touch her.

He headed for the door.

She was gone.

Fear iced through him as Kirov looked around the empty suite.

Keep calm. It could still be okay, he told himself as he checked out the room. Hannah had been upset when he'd left her a few hours ago. She could have gone for a walk or downstairs for a drink.

Yeah, sure. And taken her suitcase with her.

No note. No phone call.

Pavski?

Dammit, he'd been sure they hadn't been followed.

He moved toward the door. Go downstairs, check with the desk, and ask questions.

Christ, he was scared.

Keep calm. He'd find her.

He dialed Eugenia as he was striding down the hall toward the elevator. He had to warn her that any cover she might have thought she had was blown. He had enough to worry about here without having to fly to Moscow to try to keep Eugenia alive.

Eugenia's cell phone vibrated in her pocket. She stepped deeper into the vestibule of the bakery, pulled out her phone, and flipped it open. "It's a bad time, Kirov."

"Pavski knows you're in Moscow to try to get information."

"Of course, he does. It was bound to be noised about when I started approaching people."

"He knows, and you're a target. I don't want you taking chances."

"That's the name of the game. You don't get anywhere if you-" She suddenly realized that Kirov's tone was oddly tense. "What's wrong? Problems?"

"I don't know. Maybe. But I'll take care of it."

And he wasn't going to confide in her, she realized. "I'm sure you will." She went back to the business at hand. "I decided right away it was going to take too long to get the same information as Danzyl. I'm taking a shortcut."

"What kind of shortcut?"

"I tapped both Danzyl's cell phone and his computer. That way anything he finds out and tells Pavski, I'll find out. So hang up. I may be missing something. I think he's on a trail."

"Where are you?"

"Outside the university where Heiser taught. He took a path around the Lit building toward the rear campus. I'm going to follow him." She hung up.

Move carefully, casually, and hope that Danzyl was so involved that he wouldn't spot her on his heels.

She shouldn't have worried. Danzyl was standing before a statue of an old bearded man draped in a toga that dominated the garden. He was squatting and taking a picture of the inscription on the base.

She faded behind a tree and waited.

Danzyl was pulling out his phone and dialing. "I have it. I'm sending you the picture. Yes, it has the symbol but I can't-Judge for yourself. I think there may be another one." He flinched as he listened to the reply. "Of course, I'll check it out." He muttered a curse as he hung up. He took one more picture and turned away from the statue. A moment later he was striding away.

She waited until he was around the side of the building before she moved toward the statue.

The statue was old, mortar crumbling, and the execution of the old man was only mediocre. The figure had his arm raised and he seemed to be fighting off two small, female, birdlike-creatures.

She looked at the inscription.

Look not for riches on the surface of life .

Below it was the numeral letter one.

And below that was the symbol Kirov had faxed her.

Yes .

She took a photo on her phone and sent it to Kirov. A minute later, when she was hurrying after Danzyl, she phoned Kirov back. "Who's the old man in the statue?"

"Probably someone in Greek mythology. I'll look it up."

"I'll do that myself. I thought you might know. That numeral one might mean this statue is one of two or three or whatever." She frowned. "Danzyl thought so too. I might have to move very fast from now on. Does the inscription mean anything to you?"