“He wasn’t hesitant about talking to me if that’s what you mean. Whether it’s true or not…” She glanced back at Tanner, who was still talking to Mallory. “He brought you to me, that was the truth. That’s all that’s important now. We’ll decide the rest later.”

Chapter
4

I’m very impressed by Mama Bear,” Mallory murmured to Tanner. “She’s not what I expected. Lara was so protective of her that I thought she’d be more…helpless. And that photo Kaskov gave you didn’t do her justice. She’s very attractive, almost as stunning as her daughter.” He looked critically at Maria’s dark hair swept back in a plain chignon and her features that were almost classic though without even a hint of makeup. “When Kaskov visited Lara and had her play for him, maybe he was really after the mother. What do you think?”

“I think you’re way off base about Kaskov. But I agree that Maria is unexpected. She’s very strong. So it’s a puzzle why she could let her daughter take the punishment she has.” He was watching as the two women disappeared into the airport office. “Exceptional affection and protectiveness on both sides. Understandable. Very natural that the closeness would be that extreme considering what they’ve shared through the years.”

“You’re taking her apart, piece by piece.” Mallory smiled. “I assume you have a reason other than my idle query?”

“Your queries are seldom idle,” Tanner said. “They almost always have an objective. And I’m taking her apart because I just realized that I have to understand her as well as I do Lara. As you say, she’s strong. She’ll fight me if she believes I’m doing something that isn’t in the best interest of the team.”

“Team?”

“That’s how I’ll have to think of them until I get Maria on my side.” He grimaced. “I’m going to have to call Kaskov and ask him a few questions.”

“About Maria?”

“And several other subjects.”

“Sandrino?”

“Definitely Sandrino.” He turned away. “Why don’t you see about setting up a decent dinner. A mellow atmosphere will ease my way this evening. I don’t know how long this call will take.”

To his surprise he was able to get past a secretary to Nikolai in under thirty minutes and then was instantly put through to Kaskov. “All is going well, I assume?” Kaskov asked. “Lara Balkon is out of Russia and not injured?”

“We’re outside Stockholm and I’ve brought Lara together with her mother. They’re both safe, and I’m getting ready to make final transfer plans. What about Sandrino?”

“I’m making progress,” Kaskov said. “I’m sure I won’t disappoint you.”

“Progress isn’t good enough. I want facts. How far have you gotten?”

“I know Sandrino was in Moscow about the time you told me you’d tracked him down to Kazan.”

“That’s all?”

“That’s more than you’ve found out from anyone else. Patience, Tanner.”

“Are you playing me, Kaskov?” Tanner asked softly.

“A good question. But you’re much better at that than I am. And you’re too valuable for me to break faith with you when I might need your services in the future. I should be able to give you what you need by the time you finish my job.” He paused. “But I understand Volkov and Balkon are already in a fury trying to find her. Balkon is asking a lot of questions, and he’ll eventually get answers if he pays enough. That final transfer had better be made quickly, and be far away from Stockholm. It’s definitely too close for me. Where are you taking her?”