Silent Thunder

to say that I was very lacking in that department.'

'That's the first time you mentioned your husband.' He opened the glass door for her. 'I gather he's totally out of the picture?'

'Totally.' She slid into a red leather booth, picked up a menu, and handed him one. 'But my relationship isn't one that I'd discuss with you, Kirov. It's personal.'

'There's personal and there's personal.' He looked down at the menu. 'I'd never ask you to talk about the child you lost. But ex-husbands are fair game.'

'Why would you want me to talk about either one?'

He grimaced. 'You're right. I've changed my mind. I don't want to hear anything about such a stupid bastard.' He smiled. 'It would tell me nothing about who you are now. We all change according to our experiences, and you've gone through a lot since you were with him.'

The death of her child, the murder of Conner. 'Yes, I have.' She looked him in the eye. 'And did the death of your wife change who you are?'

'Turnabout?' He shrugged. 'Yes, I changed.'

'How did she die?'

'Pavski.'

She went still. 'What?'

'She was sucked down in the morass after Silent Thunder was taken over. Pavski had staked out my home and was trying to use her to capture me after I escaped. For years we had a special code word. Whenever one of us used it in a telephone call, telegraph message, or e-mail, we knew to pack up and immediately proceed to a prearranged rendezvous spot. Those were uncertain times, and many officers had such arrangements with their loved ones.' Kirov stared out the window for a long moment. 'I called Mira with the code, but she never showed. I heard later that she was murdered by Pavski's men when she tried to escape from him and get to me.'

'Jesus, I'm sorry.'

'So was I.'

'Does Bradworth know about your wife?'

'No; I needed him and his resources. If Bradworth knew that Pavski killed Mira, he'd know the chances were zilch I'd leave him alive long enough to turn him over to them. He's doubtful with what he knows about me now. He would have frozen me out.'

'Like he tried to do to me.'

'To his credit he was probably concerned for your well-being. On one hand you have Pavski, whose only concern is extracting information you have about the sub and those plates. On the other hand there's me, who obviously has no problem using you as bait in order to trap Pavski. I think Bradworth was trying to protect you as long as it didn't get in his way.'

'You didn't mention your wife's death when you told me about the death of all those seamen on the sub.'

His lips twisted. 'And Mira would have said that it was characteristic that I told you about them and not her.'

'Because she always thought you put the sub before her?'

'It was a joke, but maybe she really felt like that.' He wearily shook his head. 'I don't know. But that wasn't the reason I didn't tell you Pavski killed her. You'd suffered the loss of your brother. I didn't want you to think I was trying to identify with that loss.'

'And you don't think the death of a hundred and three seamen wouldn't cause me to identify? You said they were a personal loss to you. Were you telling the truth?'

'God, yes. Every one of those men were like family.' He met her eyes. 'But they weren't my family. There's a fine difference.'

'I still don't see why you-' She stopped, studying him. 'Were you, by any chance, being honorable?'

'Perish the thought.'

She smiled. 'I think you were. How funny.'

'It's not funny.' He scowled. 'Okay, perhaps I had a soft moment and wanted not to influence you unduly, but honor isn't the word. Honor doesn't fit me anymore. It would be like wearing squeaky shoes.'

'Squeak. Squeak.'

'I believe I need a diversion.' He waved to the waitress across the room. 'I think I'll feed you. And after your meal I have a favor to ask.'

She stiffened. 'Ask it now.'

He shook his head. 'When we get back to the hotel. After I've plied you with greasy hamburgers and strong coffee.'

Congressman George Preston sat in his Prius, staring at the disposable mobile phone that thug had given him on the street the other night. How in the hell had he gotten to this point?

One mistake twenty years ago. One bad night, and now it had come back to bite him in the ass. He couldn't believe he was still paying for it. It wasn't fair. He had spent all those years serving his country. Now he was sitting here, in terror of his whole life going down the tube.

It mustn't happen. He couldn't let it happen.

He pressed the speed dial button on the phone.

'Your damn bug's in place,' he said curtly when Pavski answered. 'Now back off. Leave Cathy alone and leave me alone.'

'I'll leave Cathy Bryson alone if I don't have to use her or the children. It's a matter of need. But you're on the hook until I get what I want, Congressman. There's always a price to pay, Preston.'

'And I'm willing to pay it. Hell, I'm evidently willing for every-one else to pay it too. But no violence, Pavski.'

'What will be, will be. I have to have Hannah Bryson.'

'There's no reason. I told you that she doesn't know anything. Bradworth assured me that she didn't know anything more, and she told him she wouldn't be able to remember the carvings on the plate. She was too traumatized by her brother's death.'

'I believe you. I'm working on another angle now, and I may not need her input about the plates. But I do still have another agenda. Kirov. He's been a thorn pricking me, and he's getting nearer all the time. I can't have him getting in my way right now. There's no way I can get close to him. He's too experienced at playing hide-and-seek after all these years. But he's been working hand in glove with Hannah Bryson. I may be able to use her to trap him.'

'Bait?'

'No, Kirov would just let me kill her.' He paused, and when he spoke again his tone was malicious. 'But you've just demonstrated how easy it is to persuade someone to betray a compatriot if the price is right. If I give Hannah Bryson a choice, I think I'll have no trouble getting what I want.'

'No violence. I won't permit it.'

'Stop bluffing, Preston. You'll weigh your career against an anonymous favor, and you'll close your eyes and bite the bullet.' He hung up on him.

What a son of a bitch.

Preston pressed the disconnect. Pavski had treated him with an ugly arrogance that had made him feel pitifully ineffectual. Was he right? Would he look away and bite the bullet?

Christ, and was the fact that he was considering it already sending him halfway down that path?

Preston had been ridiculously easy to manipulate, Pavski thought. He'd been surprised how quickly he had caved. But then he was a politician, and politicians were always afraid of damage to their image. So much for the Frank Capra mystique.

His phone rang, and he glanced at the ID.

Danzyl. Excitement surged through him.

'Do you have it?' he demanded as he answered the phone.

'No.' Danzyl hesitated. 'It's extremely difficult. I believe we should renegotiate.'

He stiffened. 'Are you holding me up for more money?'

'I'm a poor man, Pavski.'