His smile faded as he looked at her. “I figure you’ve had enough problems to contend with since I met you.” Then he added dryly as he turned away, “Besides, I’ve noticed you’re very good at karate. I wouldn’t want to get on your bad side.”

* * *

Avgar Forest

“What do you mean, she’s gone?” Volkov asked harshly. “Didn’t you tell her she was to stay here until we picked her up and could verify the kills?”

“Of course I did,” Balkon said. “She couldn’t have misunderstood.” He looked down at Razov. “And she wouldn’t have been afraid since she’d managed to get rid of both of them. You saw how she took care of Gregor. There wouldn’t have been any reason for her to run away.” He frowned. “But she wouldn’t have run anyway. She’s very careful about what effect her actions have on Maria.”

Volkov was on his knees examining Razov. “If she did manage to kill them both…” He began to swear. “But she didn’t kill Razov. Whoever killed him took him from behind and broke his neck. Lara would have been too small and wouldn’t have had the strength for a move like that.”

“She might have been able to do it.” Balkon added suspiciously, “Are you sure you’re not trying to get out of paying me?”

“Call Maria,” Volkov ordered. “Stop arguing. Someone else did that kill. You fool, something’s wrong. Who would have tried to help Lara? Was she sleeping with one of your men?”

Balkon quickly shook his head. “They know she’s off limits. She doesn’t see anyone.” He reached for his phone. “All she does is practice for the next Trial and play that damn piano.” He was punching in the number. He listened and then looked up. “It’s out of service.”

“Of course it is.” Volkov got to his feet. “Lara’s managed to get her away. She’s probably been planning this move ever since she tried to run the last time.” He was motioning to two of his men on the path ahead. “I told you to make certain that she wouldn’t try that again. You weren’t hard enough on her. You should have left it to me.”

“I handled it right. I had to go through Maria. It’s the only thing that works with Lara.”

“And look what’s happened. She had to have found a way to get someone to help her. She wouldn’t have been able to do it on her own.”

“No one in Avgar would dare to get in the way of the Trials.” Balkon moistened his lips. “They’re too afraid of you.” He smiled weakly. “And me. We make a wonderful team.”

“You’re nothing to me or to anyone else in either of our families,” Volkov snarled. “I would have gotten rid of you years ago if I hadn’t needed you. I can’t believe that now when I’ve almost finished with the bitch’s final lessons, you screw it up. I won’t stand for it. You’re going to find Lara and whoever took her. We’re both going to send our men all over Russia and you’re going to deliver her to me. Do you understand?”