“Without doubt,” Yuri said. He took another bite of his hamburger while Curt and Steve got their beers. Yuri paused until the waiter left. “Today Dr. Jack Stapleton showed up at my house.”

“Why?” Curt demanded. His anger and arrogance had disappeared. Now he was concerned.

“He wanted to warn me that I was at risk for what Connie died of,” Yuri said. “Apparently he’s made the diagnosis she died of botulinum toxin.”

“Oh, Christ!” Curt growled.

“How the hell did he do that?” Steve demanded. “You told us it wouldn’t happen.”

“I don’t know what made him test for it,” Yuri said. “But I do know he took samples from Connie’s body.”

“What did you say to him?” Curt asked.

“First of all, he didn’t know he was talking to me,” Yuri said. “When we ran into each other in the alley, I had the beard. I don’t know if Stapleton would have recognized me without it, since I’d only spoken to him for a few minutes on Monday. But it was good I had it on just the same. Anyway, I told him my name was Yegor, and he believed it. I offered to convey a message to Yuri Davydov, but Stapleton wouldn’t tell me what the message was, other than mentioning that Yuri Davydov might be in danger.”

“But you believe he suspects botulism?” Curt asked.

“I do,” Yuri replied.

“Do you think he’ll be back?” Curt asked.

“Maybe not until tonight. I told him that Yuri Davydov was out driving his cab and wouldn’t be home until sometime after nine or ten.”

Curt looked at Steve. “I don’t like this.”

“Me neither,” Steve said.

“I don’t like it either,” Yuri said. “He walked around my house. He undoubtedly saw the vent to the lab and heard the circulating fan. He might have even seen the pest control truck.”

“Good God!” Curt mumbled.

“I think he’s got to go, just like Connie,” Yuri said. “The People’s Aryan Army has to get rid of him fast, like this afternoon.”

Curt nodded, then turned to Steve. “What do you think?”

“I think Yuri’s right,” Steve said. “If we don’t act, this guy’s going to single-handedly screw up Operation Wolverine.”

“The trouble is, how do we get rid of him?” Curt said.

“The card has his work address,” Yuri said. “He told Yegor that he’d be there until six. On the back of the card is his home telephone number. And I think he rode all the way out to Brighton Beach on a bike. Seems to me that should be enough information for the PAA.”

“You’re suggesting he rides his bike around the city?” Curt asked.

“That would be my guess,” Yuri said.

“We could follow him when he comes out of work,” Steve said. “Then hit him when he’s vulnerable.”