“I’m getting to that,” Rina said. “The Marylebone Police have been working on a case of missing icons by the famous Russian artist Nikolai Petroshkovich. They were taken from the local church. It would be nice if they could be recovered before the poor detectives passed. They’re elderly and it would be grand to give them some closure.”

Kosovsky was stoic.

“Perhaps you know what I’m talking about?” Rina asked.

“Perhaps.”

“And perhaps you can help?”

“Perhaps . . . with one.”

“Or two.”

Kosovsky’s eyes narrowed. “At the most.”

“That would be lovely.”

Kosovsky looked at his Rolex. “I have a plane—”

“I’m not done.” Rina smiled. “Just another minute, please.”

“What now?”

It came out with anger. Rina spoke quickly. “The Russian Library still holds a vast amount of books and papers from Rav Schneerson’s collection. And while I know that your fearless leader has given the Jewish Museum around five hundred books and articles, there are still many items in dispute. Perhaps you can arrange for another batch of items from the collection to be donated to the Jewish Museum or to the Museum of Tolerance. Think of all the wonderful PR it would generate, Mr. Kosovsky.”

Again, the room went quiet. Rina simply waited him out.

“I can do my best, but that is all I can do,” Kosovsky said. “I am not the fearless leader as you call him.”

“I’m sure your best is better than almost anyone, Mr. Kosovsky.”

“You are a clever woman, Madame Decker. I admire that.”

“Thank you, Mr. Kosovsky.” Rina turned to the CIA agents. “Now you are done.”

The Russian stood up. “I extend the same invitation to you, Madame Decker, and your husband that I do to Detective McAdams. If you ewer find yourself in Moscow, please allow me to host you. I think you would learn a lot about Russia from me.”

“I’m sure that would be true.” A small arch of her eyebrow. “Thank you very much for the invitation.”

The Russian again looked at his gold Rolex. “As I said, I do have a plane to catch. Good day.”

As he headed for the door, Beckwith followed without a word. With Beckwith and Kosovsky on their ways, the lieutenant governor got up. He thanked Rina and then he hurried to catch up. The CIA agents and Mayor Brettly tailed him at a brisk pace.

As soon as they were all gone, Mordechai Gold said, “Check your place for bugs and not of the insect kind.”

“That fast?” Rina said.

“Your house, your cars, your phones, laptops, tablets, ovens, dishwashers, refrigerator . . . and your Jacuzzi.” Gold smiled. “I used to sweep my house and office every few months after I left the CIA. I found bugs all the time. In the last ten years, they’ve given up although I’m sure that will change after this afternoon.”

“How close were we in our theories, Professor?” Decker asked.