She rolled her eyes, and turned to the elevator doors just as they opened. It wasn’t Sonya Borashev, as she expected, but instead a tall man, with a face that looked carved from stone, and a jaw she could have cracked walnuts on.

“Jesus,” Jack breathed as the hulking man came towards them.

He stopped and nodded to each of them. “Good morning, Ms Granger and Mr Monroe. I’m Drago Andovich, Head of Security for Mironov Enterprises. Please follow me.”

Jack went to hold out his hand, but the man had already turned away. Cate nudged him in the ribs.

Once again she found herself in the small wood-paneled elevator speeding to the 110th floor. Cate inhaled the scent of lavender, and this time, an aftershave that was strong enough to repel insects.

They both stood behind the huge shoulders of Drago, and Cate turned to Jack, and held her nose, sticking out her tongue in case he didn’t get it. Jack grinned, raised his eyebrows and motioned with his eyes to above the elevator doors. She followed his gaze to a small slide of silver metal, and she could just make out Drago’s eyes, watching them in the reflection. She lowered her head, groaning softly.

Jack leaned in close to her ear. “Do you need a sip of my moonshine?”

In another few seconds the elevator slowed, stopped and the doors slid soundlessly open. Drago led them to the familiar set of double doors, with ‘AKM’ in calligraphic style crest on a band of gold across the panels.

He knocked and stood aside. If he had seen Cate making fun of him, he gave no sign.

Jack pushed the door and held it open for Cate to go through. Once again she was knocked out by the size of the room. It was still as dimly lit as she remembered – it seemed Sonya had changed nothing. There were the sparse decorations, huge antique desk, and dark burgundy leather couch, now hidden in shadows.

“Wow.” Jack held up his arms toward the wall of glass holding a shimmering blue Olympic pool size fish tank. He rushed to it and crouched; Cate could tell he was trying to take it all in at once – the swaying sea grass, weed-covered boulders, and the two ancient fish that sinuously approached him.

He grinned, pointing at the strange fish. “What the hell are they?”

“Some of Valery’s pets – Polypterus Senegalus, dinosaur eels – very rare, very ancient transitional species.” The last time she had seen the prehistoric-looking creatures she had been mesmerized. This time, she was strangely revolted.

The click of heels drew their heads around, and Sonya powered towards them smiling broadly. “Cate, Jack, welcome.” She stuck out a hand.

The first thing that struck Cate as odd was the way Sonya beamed. No more the sullen woman who had rescued them. Could she have gotten over her grief so quickly?