Nadya’s nostrils flared. If she knew anything about Lily, she’d know her father was a captain, that he had connections. Was it a risk she’d take?

All Lily knew was the woman didn’t pull the trigger then and there, snatch the photo, and run. Which meant there was hope. She just had to stall until Barclay returned with help.

Swallowing, she turned back to Evgeni and patted his hand. “Put the gun away, Nadya. We’re going to do this the easy way. The photo for the album. But we’ll make that trade in a bit. First, let’s take care of Evgeni. You’ll need him stronger than this if you mean to leave soon. Open the window to get some fresh air in here. We need to make him some broth. It will fortify him—and you too. You look pale.”

“I told you that you looked pale,” Evgeni croaked.

Nadya scowled. “And I told you I’m fine.” But she glanced at the tiny kitchen area, then at Evgeni’s prone form. She sighed. “You make the broth. And make it fast. I mean to be out of this wretched place by nightfall.”

Lily smiled. Formidable a soldier as Nadya may be, she was still a woman.

A woman clearly concerned about the man she loved.

That would grant Lily all the time she needed.

Zivon checked his pocket watch and grimaced. “I have only thirty minutes to get back to my flat, gentlemen.”

“We’ll have you on your way in just a moment.” Hall scratched one more note onto the paper they’d all been poring over, then handed it to Blackwell. “How about this?”

“I think it will work.” Lily’s father reviewed the plan with a nod. “As long as there are no unforeseen—”

“There you are!” The office door flew open, Barclay Pearce leaping through, chest heaving. Followed by—Father Smirnov? “Whatever you’re planning, shelve it. Lily and I found their flat. She’s there now, with Nadya. We haven’t any time to lose.”

“What?” Blackwell’s roar could have shaken the whole building, had it been made of flimsier material.

The roar in Zivon’s ears was nearly as loud. He pushed to his feet. “You left her there?”

“She’s not exactly alone. I have people keeping an ear out. But . . .” Pearce’s gaze flicked to the priest. “There was a bit of information I wasn’t privy to at the time I agreed to Lily’s plan.”