Silent Thunder

"Actually, we're more acquaintances than friends."

"Oh, then I take back the hug. But I like your honesty. Come along."

Kirov and Ha

"You like my office?" Eugenia said.

"It's beautiful," Ha

"I hate it," Eugenia said. "It's not me at all. Too showy. But, if the head of a multibillion-dollar corporation is going to trust me to expand his company into Russia, he needs to see this to feel comfortable. I do most of my real work upstairs." Eugenia motioned for them to follow her. "We can talk up there."

They climbed another flight until they found themselves in a room about half the size of Eugenia's office. Ha

Eugenia smiled proudly. "Much more personality, yes?"

Ha

Eugenia turned to Kirov. "I was most surprised to hear that the Silent Thunder lives. I thought it was sold for scrap and now part of thousands of poorly made Russian automobiles."

"No one was more surprised than I. Ha

"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 Ha

"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 Ha

"I need to know who killed my brother," Ha

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

"Ha

"When you're such a straightforward, uncomplicated bastard?" She smiled at Ha

"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 Ha

"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 spi

"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 Ha

"I'm sure I will," Ha

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."

TEN

"Interesting woman," Ha

"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."

Ha

"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."