“I knew that in Avgar Forest. But he’s not Volkov, and he’s not my father. He swore that he doesn’t play the game the same way.” She smiled crookedly. “And as he told me, he’s the devil we know. That may have to be enough. We’ll have to watch and see if he’s telling the truth. Between us, we can find a way to handle him if he isn’t.”

“Besides, he gave you that keyboard that’s made you so happy,” Maria said dryly. “You seem to be the one being handled. Just because it’s not the same game doesn’t mean that he doesn’t intend to win. He as much as warned me that he does.”

“And he gave me the same warning, but isn’t that more honest than threatening? It depends on how you look at it.”

Maria shook her head. “It’s that damn keyboard. Everything’s rose-colored because you’ve been playing all day.” She reached over and took her hand. “It’s okay,” she said gently. “I love to see you this mellow and full of hope. Relax. Lord knows you deserve not to worry every minute. Enjoy it. Just don’t enjoy Tanner too much.” She squeezed her hand. “Let me do the worrying for a change. It will be good not to feel as helpless about you as I usually do.”

“You’re never helpless.” Lara’s hand tightened on hers. “And you always help me. Every day. Every way.”

“Not every way. We’ve been limited. But that may be still ahead for us.” She looked out the window. “We’re landing. Lots of trees…This Connecticut looks very…green. Green for hope? Green for opportunity? We’ll have to see, won’t we?”

*  *  *

“Welcome to the U.S.,” Tanner said as he came out of the cockpit after the plane had taxied to a stop. “Land of the free…sometimes. At least, most of the time you have a chance if you work hard or have a gift.” He grinned down at them. “And it can be a great place to lose yourself. Let’s go and I’ll show you.” He headed for the door where Mallory was giving orders to a group of men as he orchestrated the removal of the keyboard. “It’s a private airport, and I use it more than any other when I come back to the U.S. I have contacts here that are very susceptible to bribery, which is necessary…particularly since you have no passport or other papers. You’ll have no problem here. It accommodates the Gulfstream and several helicopters, and I like the people in the neighboring town.” He was running down the steps. “They’re typical New Englanders: They don’t talk much, and they mind their own business.”