“Okay, you’re right,” Steve said. “I just want to be sure. The more I’ve thought about it, the more I don’t want him spraying anthrax around Central Park.”

“I feel the same,” Curt said. “Clearly it’s not a military objective like the Jacob Javits Federal Building.”

“And it bugged me when he was carrying on about how many more casualties his plan would cause than ours. I don’t buy it. Hell, the federal building’s HVAC vents outside. Not only are we going to knock out the entire building, the anthrax will spread around that whole section of the city.”

“Damn straight,” Curt said. “It’ll vector east toward the courthouses. I mean, is that not perfect or what?”

“It couldn’t be any better,” Steve agreed.

“Once we give the word to the troops, Yuri’s a dead man,” Curt said. “You know that. End of story.”

Steve nodded. They recommenced walking.

“I don’t see any lights on inside,” Curt said as they reached the door. He had to squint in the glare of an exterior carriage lamp mounted to the left of the jamb. “He better the hell be here!”

Curt pulled open the torn screen door and rapped loudly against the inner door. It opened almost immediately. Yuri peered out from the inner gloom.

“Thank goodness,” Yuri said with relief. “Come in!”

Curt and Steve filed past the Russian but found themselves in darkness, still momentarily blinded by the bright outdoor light.

“What the hell have you been doing in here?” Curt questioned. “I can’t see my hand in front of my face.”

“Sorry,” Yuri said as he scurried to turn on a lamp next to the couch. “I was afraid Connie’s brother might show up before you got here, and I wanted it to look like no one was home.”

“That’s better,” Curt said when he could see.

“Can I get you men some iced vodka?” Yuri asked.

“I think I’ll pass,” Curt said.

“Same with me,” Steve said.

“Did you bring the gun?” Yuri questioned.

“Sure, I got it,” Curt said. He held up the bag. “But let’s talk first.”

“Okay,” Yuri said. “Do you mind if I get some vodka for myself?”

“Not at all,” Curt said.

While Yuri went to the kitchen, Curt and Steve sat down. Curt took the couch while Steve sat in one of two straight-back chairs. They left the other for Yuri so that he would be more or less between them.

“It’s amazing to think of what’s going to come out of this trashy hellhole’s basement,” Curt whispered. “Just the thought of it gives me a rush.”

“I know what you mean,” Steve whispered back. “Like Christ being born in a stable, extraordinary things can come from lowly surroundings. This bioweapon is probably going to change the world.”

“Let’s content ourselves with saving the country,” Curt responded.