Iris Johansen - Silent Thunder

"No."

"I'll hit the computer and see if I can bring up anything. I'll be in touch." She hung up. She could either tag along with Danzyl or spend the time researching. She would bet Danzyl was going back to the GRU office and doing the same thing. She'd rather rely on herself than bugging antiquated GRU computer files and Internet connections. She sat down on a bench and reached for her computer. "Okay," she murmured. "What do we know? That symbol-a cross within a circle. Heiser tells his father he wants to go back to the Rioni River, where he visited as a child. A statue set down in the middle of a garden at a university in Moscow. Old. Greek mythology. Let's see what we can do with it…"

BOSTON

COPLEY PLACE MALL

What the devil is happening, Cathy?" Hannah asked as she sat down beside her on the bench outside the Gap. "That telephone call scared the life out of me."

"I couldn't talk long. I tried to be careful, but I don't know how many bugs they have on me." Cathy grimaced. "Isn't it crazy? I sound completely paranoid, don't I?" She added soberly, "I wish I was paranoid. The alternative sucks."

"Why are we meeting in a mall? Why couldn't I come to your house?"

"Because that's what they want. Where's Kirov?"

"You told me not to bring him. I took a cab to the airport the minute I hung up."

"Good." She stood up. "Come on, let's walk. I don't have much time."

"Why not?" She fell into step with her. "For God's sake, what's happening?"

"That slimeball, Pavski, wants you very badly. He wants Kirov's head, and he thinks he can manipulate you to get it for him. He planted a bug in my living room to see if he could trace you. It's a good thing you haven't been in touch lately." She shot her a glance. "Though I was ready to murder you myself when I thought you were leaving me out of the loop."

"Things were… difficult."

"Tell me about it. They haven't been too good here either."

"How do you know he planted a bug?"

"George Preston told me he did it." Her lips twisted. "It was George who did the dirty work."

Hannah stared at her in shock. "What? Why?"

"Pavski had a hold over George. The NSA created a go-to list several years ago, and George's name was on it."

"Go-to list?"

"A blackmail list. When a prominent figure got into trouble that might mean damage to his image, the NSA stepped in and did a cover-up. But that also meant they could go to that person when they needed help in any area. When he first came to Washington, George was drinking and in a car accident that seriously injured a bystander. It could have ruined his career. The NSA stepped in and took care of everything and sent George on his way."

"And the NSA gave this info to Pavski?"

"No, four years ago the computer go-to list was stolen from the NSA data banks by a geek named Thomas Carwell. He now lives in a palace in Iran and sells information to the highest bidder. Anyone with the money can get whatever information they need."

"And Pavski wanted to get a hold over us and found George Preston on the list."

"That's what George told me."

"Christ."

"But Pavski read George wrong. George went along with him until he could figure out what to do, but when the chips were down, he told me what was happening." Her voice was uneven. "Pavski was talking about taking my kids. George couldn't stand the thought of anything happening to them."

"The kids?" she whispered.

"Pavski told George that he'd be doing me a favor by persuading me to get you to come out of hiding. He said that he wouldn't have to move on the kids if he got his hands on you."

Hannah felt sick. "Ronnie and Donna? Jesus, no wonder you're scared."

"And mad as hell." Cathy's lips set. "How dare that mad dog threaten my kids?"

"You were right to call me back. I'll deal with it."

"I've already dealt with it. Did you think I'd draw you back here to offer him a trade? I may be as ferocious as a mother bear with her cubs, but I wouldn't do that to you." Her lips tightened. "He killed my Conner. He wants to hurt my kids. We have to take him down."

"The kids come first. How have you dealt with it?"

"I packed them up and sent them to stay with a good friend of mine, Miriam Frey. I told her what was happening, and she agreed to help. God, do I owe her." She added bitterly, "Sweet Jesus, if you could have seen me smuggling the kids out of the house the night George told me about this mess. I was jumping at every shadow. He was sure the house was watched, and he didn't know how long I had before Pavski would act. I had to get them away from me somewhere they'd be safe. But I don't think anyone saw me take the kids out of the house to Miriam's place."

"Pavski will find them, Cathy."

"Do you think I'm stupid? I know that. George has hired bodyguards to set up security around the house. But we have to stop Pavski before it gets that far."

Hannah was silent a moment. "You're trusting George Preston a good deal."

"And you're afraid he's still playing ball with Pavski?" She shook her head. "He's not trying to trick me. I believe him, Hannah. He didn't have to tell me anything. He could have just stepped back and let it happen."

Hannah nodded. "My suspicious nature. Nothing seems to be what it seems now."

"That's why I called you on Conner's cell phone. The authorities gave it to me with his personal effects. I wasn't sure I wasn't being monitored by Pavski or Bradworth or whoever. No one would monitor a dead man's phone."

"Very smart. But you almost gave me a heart attack."

"I had to let you know what was happening. We don't have much time to get Pavski. I want my kids home and safe."

"They will be." She reached out and squeezed her shoulder. "Nothing will happen to them."

"You're damn right it won't." Her hands clenched into fists. "I hate not being able to be with them. It's driving me crazy." She drew a deep breath. "I have to get going. I made sure I wasn't being followed, but I'm not taking any chances. If you want to get in touch, call me on Conner's phone." She turned away. "And you'd better get in touch with me. We have to do something to put an end to this." She glanced back over her shoulder. "Be careful, Hannah. Keep safe."

"I will. Take care of yourself." She watched Cathy move swiftly toward the escalator. Cathy's shoulders were square but rigid with tension, and she was clearly having to use all her strength to hold herself together. And why not? she thought in frustration. A man who would threaten children was outside both Cathy's and her experience.

But not out of Kirov's. Kirov knew the nature of the beast.

He would come if she called him.

And if she called him, she would be doing exactly what Pavski wanted her to do. He wanted Kirov dead, and she would be bringing him out into the open and setting him up. She couldn't do it.

The children. Innocent. Helpless. Prey.

Jesus.

She reached for her telephone.

Kirov picked up on the second ring.

"Goddamn you."

"Hello to you, too."

"Where are you?"

"I'm in Boston." She steadied her voice. "Pavski is setting up a trap for you. Well, you and me. But I seem to be of minor importance at the moment."

"Not to me. Why the hell didn't you wait and talk to me instead of bolting?"

"Cathy asked me not to-I'll tell you later." She paused. "If you choose to come."

"I'm on my way. When I tracked your cab to the airport, I figured you'd be on your way to your sister-in-law. She was the only one who could make you jump and run. And you wouldn't answer your cell phone, dammit. Where can I reach you once I land in Boston? You're staying away from your condo, right?"

"Right. I'm at Copley Place Mall. I'll meet you at the Chili's Restaurant. Call me when you get in."