Push the button, hon, Lori said.
Right. Beau? she repeated. This is Nadia. Can you see whos in the car with him? Um, over.
There was a pause before he answered. Theres no one else in the car, just Peter. I got a good look when he almost bashed into me. Weve hit some traffic now. Hes about five car lengths ahead of me.
The mike dropped out of Nadias hand. There was no one in the car. Lily wasnt with Peter at all. Hed lied. The implications made her sick to her stomach. Peter had had something else in mind when hed lured Nadia out here, something other than allowing her to see her daughter. If Lori hadnt intervened, she would be in Peters car right now, under his complete control.
I think Im going to throw up, Nadia said.
Roll down the window, then, cause Im not stopping. To prove her point, Lori ran the next light, which was Augustine Road. Look, I think thats Beaus Mustang up ahead. But this damn traffic! Maybe I can turn left under the freeway and find an alternate route. She veered to the left lane, but it was no use. The traffic had come to a standstill.
Beau cursed over the radio. Hes going over the median and into the U-turn lane. Im boxed in, I cant follow.
Neither can I, Lori moaned. Rex, are you there? Gavin?
There was a loud burst of static. Then, Where the hell are you? What happened? Wheres Nadia? The angry voice was undeniably Rexs, and Nadia wanted to dissolve into the vans tattered upholstery.
Ive got Nadia, Lori said. Shes safe. Beau has the suspects car in his sight. Over.
Correction, Beau interjected. I had the car in my sight. Its gone now.
Rex let loose with a string of curses over the radio. Nadia was sure the FCC would yank his license if they caught him. Well debrief back at the office, he concluded. Now.
Nadias whole body burned with shame a few minutes later as she pulled her Volvo into a parking spot next to Loris in front of the First Strike offices. When she entered, she saw that Beau, Gavin and Rex were already there, along with a man she didnt recognize. He was a robust-looking guy in his fifties with a tan and very short, silver hair. All the men were discussing something in hushed voices. They went silent when Nadia joined them, and she imagined they all stared at her with accusing eyes.
Rex opened his mouth, but Nadia beat him to it. I know, I screwed up.
Monumentally. His face was hard as quartz crystal, his jaw working. She could tell he was forcing himself not to explode. When I give an order, I expect it to be followed.
Lori put her hand on Nadias arm. Oh, Rex, shut up. This isnt the Marines. Peter said he was going to let her see her baby out in the parking lot.
I th-thought you would see what was happening, Nadia added, feeling her excuse was a poor one. He was right to be angry with hershe shouldnt have gone against the plan theyd laid out.
The older man pulled out a chair for her. Im Ace McCullough. You want some coffee? You look a little shaken up.
Some water. I can get it. She started to rise, but Lori pushed her back down in the chair.
Just sit for a few minutes. Ill get your water. She shot an accusing look at her brother as she passed where he sat, perched on the edge of a desk.
Rex took a deep breath, his muscular chest expanding beneath his black T-shirt. Nadia slid out of her windbreaker in deference to the offices overactive heater.
Okay, Rex said in a calmer voice. Does Peter know Nadia went to someone for help?
I doubt he knew I was following, Beau said. I never got close enough.
For the first time, Nadia noticed a huge black dog lying near Beaus feet. A Rottweiler, she thought, remembering a story her grandmother had once told her about being chased by a Rottweiler when she was part of the Russian occupation force in Germany. Nadia kept one eye on the enormous dog, and it seemed to be studying her with equal parts curiosity and suspicion.
I doubt Peter was worried about me, Lori said as she returned with a glass of water and handed it to Nadia, who murmured her thanks. I was playing the ditzy college friend. I think I just spooked him because I didnt cower and whimper when he tried to hit me.
He hit you? Rex sounded alarmed.
Lori shrugged it off. I said he tried. He may be strong, but hes a totally unskilled fighter.
Hes a bully and a coward, Nadia interjected. He wouldnt have stood up to you if hed realized you could beat him up. The thought of a slender, pretty blonde beating the crud out of Peter pleased Nadia. I wasnt able to fight back like you can, and thats what hes used to.
I could teach you
Focus, people, Rex said. Lori, were you able to find anything useful on the computer?
Absolutely nothing. Thats why I came out to the mallI thought I could be more use to you there. Peter is hiding behind a pretty thick curtain. Ive seldom seen anyone disappear as thoroughly as he has, unless theyre dead. He must have support.
Russian Mafia, Nadia murmured.
A collective groan rose up among the bounty hunters. You didnt think it was important to mention this before? Rex asked.
I dont know for sure hes involved, but he must be working for someone, Nadia said. Given his political leanings, it would make sense hes getting funds and support from someone or some group connected to Russia.
This is a littlebig, Ace said, even for you, Rex.
Nadia could see Rex didnt like having his manly prowess questioned. But she also sensed he wouldnt let his ego get in the way of common sense.
Maybe its time to go to the authorities, Rex said grudgingly.
Not the local cops, Gavin said, sounding alarmed. Can you imagine the muddle Lyle Palmer could make of this case?
Whos Lyle Palmer? Nadia asked.
Lori answered. Only the most incompetent detective in the state. He hates us because weve shown him up a few times, and his sole goal in life is to find reasons to arrest us.
I was thinking we should take it higher, Rex said. Given the security level of Nadias work and Peters history, and the fact hes obviously not working alone, the FBI or even Homeland Security might be interested.
Nadia felt panic rising in her throat at the thought of bringing anyone else into the loop. Peter will go ballistic if he finds out, she said. You saw how he reacted today. When he thinks anything is going out of control, he reacts impulsively, and nothing would make him freak out faster than federal authorities. Im afraid of what he might do to Lily if he gets frightened.
I agree, Gavin said. He sounds like a complete loose cannon. If we go through proper channels, God knows what kind of federal yahoo might get assigned to Nadias case, blundering in like a trumpeting elephant.
Rex pursed his lips. The others looked thoughtful.
I could call a couple of friends, Rex said. Keep it unofficial. They could make quiet inquiries, see where theres been any mention in Russian communiqués of the possible acquisition of top-secret technology.
He looked at Nadia. Ill let you make the decision.
Whats the alternative? Nadia asked.
Whats the alternative? Nadia asked.
We keep hammering away on our own, he said. We have lots of areas we havent explored, lots of ways to track Peter down. He must have friends, relatives, hobbies. He can be traced, and if were smart about it and a little bit lucky, well find him and Lily.
Nadia felt the first stirrings of renewed hope. He does have interests. I was married to him for three years. I know more about him than almost anyone.
Rex arched one eyebrow. Then youre saying you dont want to bring in the authorities?
She took a deep breath. Not yet. I made a demandasking to see Lily. I want to give him a chance to comply with that demand. By changing the rules, weve got him off balance. If he doesnt produce proof that Lily is alive, we can assume she swallowed, her throat suddenly dry as she was reminded of just what was at stake we can assume he isnt able to. Then it wont matter who we call. CIA, FBI, National Guard. Anybody we can think of. Anyone wholl shoot to kill.
Chapter Three
While Rex and Ace went through their lists of U.S. intelligence contacts, and with Nadias approval made some very cautious and diplomatic inquiries, Nadia sat down with pen and paper. Rex had given her instructions to make a list of everyone Peter knew. Then another list of his hobbies and interests. And a third of any place he frequentedchurches, stores, bars. Rex had told her to write down everything that came to mind, no matter how trivial.
Twenty minutes later, Rex was off the phone and Nadia had three formidable lists. She was surprised at how many potential leads she had come up with. Rex gathered the bounty hunters together again and they went over Nadias lists.
Peter thinks very highly of himself, Nadia said when she was given the floor. Rex had asked her to describe his personality and habits to the rest of the team. He is very superior. He has good taste, or thinks he does, and he considers most Americans to be pigs. He likes fine French wine. And vodka, of course. He only smokes Cuban cigars, which he gets from Russian friends.
So, are most of his friends Russian? Beau asked.
Yes. He belongs to a society, sort of like a secret club or lodge, that admits only those born in Russia. I dont even know what its called, but you could probably find it through the Russian Orthodox church on Jersey Street.
Did he go to that church? Gavin asked.
No, he wasnt remotely religious. But the church has close ties to the lodge.
She went on to name the two friends Peter hung out with at workyoung intellectuals with a radical bent. They talked about Russian literature and politics. Theyre young men, early twenties, I think, and they idolized Peter. He liked to hang out with people he could control.
Is that why he married you? Rex asked.
It was an honest question, but it made Nadia uncomfortable to admit that, yes, for a while he was able to control her. He dazzled me, especially at first. I admired his intelligence and his fierce ideals, even though they were different from mine. But he chose me because I had access to technology he wanted. It was that simple. Once I realized that, he had no power over me. But by then it was too late. I had told him more than I should have about my work, and that made me vulnerable.
She hesitated, then added, This isnt the first time hes tried to get secrets out of me. I should have turned him in when I found out what he wanted. But then there were the threats and the violencehe promised to stay out of my life if I kept my mouth shut.
Nadia had just revealed far more than shed meant to. She was supposed to be relating Peters friends and interests, not justifying her stupidity.
But she saw no condemnation in the bounty hunters faces as they listened to her story with rapt attention. She thought she even saw understanding in Rexs eyes.
She felt lighter, having admitted her past mistakes. She hadnt realized how deep-seated her guilt was until now.
If I had turned Peter in, she finished, I would not be here now.
You couldnt have known that, Lori said. You made the best decision you could at the time. We just have to move forward now, not look back.
Lets focus, people, Rex said again. This isnt Oprah. Nadia, what else is on your list?
He loves guns, Nadia continued, moving quickly past Rexs rebuke. He was right, of course. They did need to stay focused on the here and now. He is a very good marksman, and he even took some trophies at a few tournaments.
Did he belong to the Payton Gun Club? Ace asked.
Yes. Its on my list. I even went there a few times myself, for target practice.
So you can handle a gun, Lori said with renewed respect.
Yes, I know firearms, Nadia said modestly. My grandmother was aa collector. She taught me to shoot. I got rid of all my guns when Lily was born, though. I couldnt stand the thought that someday she mightwell, Im sure youve heard the statistics.
We know, Gavin said. Beau and I both have young children.
That surprised her. The idea that these tough guys had wives, families, seemed incongruous. Her gaze flickered toward Rex, trying to picture him as a dad, playing softball with his kids, enjoying a backyard barbecue. The picture wouldnt come.
Peter had friends at this club?
Yes. Another Russian, Vlad. I dont remember his last name. After I lost interest in shooting, Peter hung out at the club even more. He started participating in the hunts, where they would release an animal onto the grounds and the hunters would compete to see who could track it and kill it first.
Lori made a face. Thats really sick.
I thought so, too, Nadia agreed. But they were very popular events. Peter said there was no greater high than the thrill of the chase. Though these details about Peter seemed off the subject to Nadia, the bounty hunters were all taking notes or at least listening carefully.
Do you have any other names from the club? Rex pressed.
There was a woman. She paused. Could that be it? Could that be where shed seen the rat-faced woman? Shed gone to a wine-and-cheese function shortly before shed dropped out.
Nadia, what is it? Rex asked.
That might be where I saw the rat-faced woman. I vaguely remember a woman, a Russian accent. She was flirting with Peter, but I was so used to that happening that I just tuned it out. But she had dark hair, not blond.
People can change their hair color, Rex pointed out. At any rate, this Payton Gun Club sounds like its worth checking out.
I have a membership, Ace said, which didnt surprise anyone. I know the owner. Rex, Ill get you a guest pass.
REX DIDNT WASTE ANY TIME. He culled the most promising leads from Nadias list, and parceled out the assignments. He sent Lori to check out the former co-workers, since they were young and male and kind of nerdy, in Nadias opinion. They would respond to a pretty blonde.
Ace volunteered to go to the Orthodox church and see what he could find out about the Russian lodge. I speak a little Russian, he said, though he was vague about how he had acquired the skill.
Beau was assigned the fancy smoke shop where Peter got his illegal Cuban cigars. The guy who ran the store was one of Peters friends. Gavin offered to check out Peters last known address and canvass the neighbors.