She shook her head. “I couldn’t let that Trial end like the others. I was afraid the racehorse would be hurt, and I’d be responsible. So I did everything exactly as Anton told me to do. It all went well, and they managed to steal the racehorse. But a few weeks later the police received a tip and raided the stable where he was being kept by two of Volkov’s hired henchmen while they waited for the ransom to be paid.”

“No one realized it was you?”

“Why should they? When I’d been so meek during the other Trials? They knew how terrified I always am about Maria. Besides, I was very careful.” She suddenly chuckled as she looked down at the smoking pan. “More careful than you. You’ve burned my omelet!”

He swore beneath his breath and jerked the pan off the flames. “I’ll make you another one.” She couldn’t stop laughing as he reached for another pan. He grinned back at her. “And it was worth it to hear about how you got the better of those bastards. Just the look on your face was enough. I like that story much better than the ones I read about in your file.” He cracked another egg into the saucer. “Like you, I appreciate a happy ending. I don’t imagine that there are many more like that tucked away in your memory.”

Her smile faded. “No, but sometimes I learned things even from the bad ones.” She turned and opened the cabinet to get down cups. “And I had the music. Maria is smart and kind and she went through so much, and she had nothing.” She looked at him over her shoulder. “But she loves the computer you gave her. She mentioned it again this morning.”

“Then we’ll have to see what else we can come up with to keep her entertained.” He added quietly, “But she had you, Lara. She might have thought that was enough.”

She shook her head. “You don’t understand. I know she loves me. But I’ve always been trouble for her, and a chain that kept her bound to a place she hated. Even the love she felt for me was another shackle.”

“Bullshit. I’ve never seen two people as close as you. And you’re both free now, and you’ll find a way to give her whatever she needs.”

“If she doesn’t decide she still has to take care of me.” She added soberly, “We’re not free of them yet.”

“The hell you’re not.” He frowned. “It’s just a question of time. You’re not going to go through all this for nothing.” He slid the fresh omelet onto a plate. “Now sit down and let me tell you how eager Kaskov was to take me out when I hinted I might want to interfere with his plans for you.”

*  *  *