“Yes, I did.” He was silent. His expression still enigmatic. Then he shrugged and turned away. “I have a few hours to spare, and there might be a few things I can learn about you and your daughter that would be valuable. Come out back to the range with me, and I’ll show you that this gun is definitely not a toy.”

“I’m going with you,” Mallory quietly told Maria. “And don’t push it. You got what you wanted.”

“Not yet. But I’m getting there.” She was following Rennell. “It’s fine if you come, but stay out of my way.” She added tensely, “I was telling him the truth. I need to know him. He could be dangerous to us.”

“Really?” Mallory asked dryly. “Tell me about it…”

*  *  *

2 St. Marks Place, Moscow
6:45 P.M.

“I’ve heard from Rogoff, sir,” Nikolai said quietly as he came into Kaskov’s study with the antique samovar. “Las Vegas was confirmed as a positive.”

Kaskov leaned back in his leather chair. “Excellent. And the name checked out?”

Nikolai nodded. “Just as you thought. And Rogoff said everything is moving precisely on the schedule you thought it would. Mr. Tanner will be very pleased, won’t he? Shall I get him on the phone for you?”

“I don’t believe so.” Kaskov lifted his coffee to his lips. “There are times when a more personal touch is required. This might be one of them. I think that you should tell Egor to get my plane ready.”

Nikolai frowned. “And you’ll take assistance? You shouldn’t leave Moscow without an escort. I’ve told you that things are not good right now.”

“Yes, you have, old friend.” Kaskov smiled faintly. “And I’ll arrange help if I need it once I arrive in the United States. I prefer not to cause too much of a ripple among our associates here in Moscow regarding this trip.” He tilted his head. “And I have you, don’t I?”

“Always,” Nikolai said gruffly. “But I will make sure I have everything in place to move quickly in case I’m not quite enough for this situation.”

“You’re always enough. You’re a tiger.” He chuckled. “And perhaps we can recruit Tanner if I feel overwhelmed. I understand he’s also a tiger.”

Nikolai shook his head. “I could not control him. I might have to kill him, and you would not like that after all your trouble. Leave the recruitment to me.”

“As you like. I couldn’t be happier about the way you’ve handled this problem so far.” He got to his feet and moved across the library toward the foyer. “Let’s get on the move.”

Nikolai gazed at him curiously. “You don’t care if there might be trouble. You’re…pleased.”