“About ten minutes after I left the hotel. They were very casual and blended in with the crowds. I might not have noticed them if I hadn’t been on the lookout for someone following me.”

“Like Volkov?”

“It was my first thought. But they wouldn’t have just followed me. They would have been on the attack. So I figured you’d told them to follow me.” She glanced at him. “You didn’t have to do that. I wasn’t going to cause any trouble. I told you I’d cooperate.”

“You did cause trouble. Besides, I can never tell what you’re going to do next. You might have decided to steal one of the boats and taken it for a joyride.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I came here to see Kaskov. What about Rennell? Is he going to join us for dinner?”

He shook his head. “Not his style. He said he intended to run his own show while he was here. He’ll probably join us later.”

She was frowning as she remembered something he’d said. “Dress for dinner? Why would I have to do that? I thought we’d just talk in your apartment.”

“And we might. But when I told Kaskov I’d brought you along, he insisted on dining in the hotel’s formal dining room. Didn’t you notice? He likes to live the good life when he’s not attending to company business.”

“How could I notice?” She shrugged. “The only time I saw him was when he dropped by to hear me play. And then he spoke mainly to Maria, barely to me.”

“Then perhaps he wants to get to know you. He was most insistent. I thought it wouldn’t hurt. The discussion might get a little tense later.”

“Then he’ll have to get to know me in my usual slacks and shirt,” she said bluntly. “That’s all I brought with me. Hell, that’s all I have. I’m not like him. I don’t know anything about the good life.”

“The good life is generally what you make it. But it wouldn’t hurt to expose you to what Kaskov considers to be his version. I dropped by one of the hotel shops before I went after you and told them to send up an outfit for you.” He punched the elevator button. “I have a few things to attend to. I’ll see you later. Dinner is in an hour.”

“Wait. How would they know my sizes?”

“I did okay before. I’ve got a good eye.” He smiled as he turned away. “And I’m very good with numbers.”

*  *  *