Sasha stiffened in shock. She opened her lips to speak, but Masenak was glaring at her. This wasn’t the time to aggravate him even more toward Alisa. Give him the victory.

“You’re not saying anything, Alisa,” Masenak said mockingly. “Did you think I wouldn’t punish you? That I’d let anyone make a fool of me as you have?”

“No, I believe you want to punish me,” Alisa whispered. Sasha could hear the agony in her voice. “And I believe you’re capable of anything. How—did you kill her?”

“Are you asking if I was merciful? No, I wasn’t about to use anything as quick as a bullet. We were going upriver at the time and I drowned the bitch. Slowly. Very slowly. Drowning is a very painful death if done correctly. I was thinking about you when I did it.”

“You bastard.” Her words were vibrating with agony.

“Ah, that hurt, didn’t it? I thought it would. I’ve enjoyed talking to you, Alisa. I don’t believe I can resist calling you again whenever I feel the need to reminisce about our mutual friend. Perhaps I’ll give you more details next time.” He cut the connection. Then he looked at Sasha. “And perhaps if you’re a good, obedient girl I won’t make that call. You could hear how she was suffering. She must love you very much. I almost felt sorry for her.”

“Liar. You were incredibly cruel to her.”

“Yes, but I did find that conversation almost addictive. That is the truth. And you’ll have to do exactly as I tell you so I won’t indulge that addiction.” He turned toward the door. “I’ll see you at six A.M., Sasha.”

Chapter 10

Chapter
10

Alisa’s Room
University Hospital, Geneva

Are you sure you couldn’t trace that call?” Alisa asked. “All that technology you have. There should be some way, Korgan.”

“Yes, there should,” Korgan said. “Wherever he is, Masenak is in an area where he can’t be hacked. Which probably means he’s reached Jubaldar.” He added quietly, “But he had to be lying to you, Alisa, Sasha’s not dead. He was just saying that to hurt you.”

“Or to hurt her.” Alisa was struggling to keep her voice steady. She was still shivering, as she’d been doing since she’d taken Masenak’s call thirty minutes ago. “Or to force her to do something she didn’t want to do. Anything is possible.” She drew a deep, shaky breath. “The only thing that I won’t accept is that he’s killed her. That would hurt too much. I couldn’t take it.”

“Because it’s not true,” Korgan said. “I was afraid you’d believe him.”