“I’m not an expert, but I’d say they’re fifty-fifty.”

Navot looked at Shamron. Shamron looked stoically back, as if to say that these are the moments careers are made.

“I want better odds than fifty-fifty,” Navot said.

“So we wait?”

Navot nodded. “We wait.”

MIKHAIL MOVED quietly to the window, parted the curtain a fraction of an inch, and peered into Martin’s garden. It was twenty feet down with a guard patrolling the perimeter. But that didn’t matter. The office windows were bulletproof and didn’t open. Mikhail returned to the desk and checked the status box on Martin’s computer screen: 18:26…18:25…18:24…

Sitting tight, he thought. But what about Zoe?

JONAS BRUNNER and his security staff worked from an office on the ground floor of the mansion not far from the service kitchen. He led Martin Landesmann inside and dialed Ulrich Müller’s number in Zurich.

“Why did you tell me to turn off my phone?”

“Because it’s compromised.”

“Compromised?”

“Your mobile is broadcasting your life to the world, Martin. So is your computer.”

Landesmann’s already pale face drained of color. “Who did this?”

“I’m not sure yet. But I think they may have come to your party tonight for a second helping.”

“What are you talking about?”

Müller relayed his suspicions. Landesmann listened in silence, then slammed down the phone.

“What do you want me to do, Mr. Landesmann?”

“Find that Russian.”

“And Zoe?”

“Give me a few of your men. I’ll take care of Zoe.”

IT DID NOT take Brunner more than a few minutes to confirm that Mikhail Danilov, companion of Zoe Reed, was not present in the ballroom for the screening of One World’s newest production. The length of Mr. Danilov’s absence was unclear, as was his present location, though it didn’t take long for Brunner to decide where to begin his search.

Wisely, he chose not to go alone, bringing with him four of his most impressively built men. They climbed the back staircase as nonchalantly as possible; once out of sight, each man drew a SIG Sauer P226. At the top of the stairs, they proceeded wordlessly down the hallway, footfalls muted by lush carpeting. Thirty-two feet later, they stopped and turned to the left. The doors leading to the alcove were closed. They yielded without a sound. Brunner slipped inside and paused before the keyless lock, his right hand hovering over the pad. This was the point where the silent approach ended. But there was no choice. Brunner punched in the eight digits and pressed ENTER. Then he placed his hand on the latch and waited for the dead bolts to snap open.

MARTIN RETURNED to the ballroom as the film was nearing its conclusion and sat next to Monique.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” he said softly, his gaze focused on the screen.

“Perhaps this might not be the best time or place, Martin.”