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She spotted a water fountain, walked over, and savored a few long gulps
She wiped her mouth and steadied herself
Tiet this over with
MALONE STEPPED OFF THE NATO CHOPPER AT A SMALL AIRFIELD north of Antwerp Ivan followed Stephanie onto the taren When they were clear of the blades, the helicopter departed back into the night sky
Two cars awaited with drivers
“Secret Service,” she told them “Out of Brussels”
Ivan had said little on the trip, just small talk about television and movies The Russian seemed obsessed with American entertainment
“All right,” Malone said “We’re here Where’s Cassiopeia?”
A third car approached fro rows of expensive private planes
“My people,” Ivan said “I must talk to them”
The pudgy Russian waddled toward the car, which stopped Two ed
He stepped close to Stephanie and asked, “He has people here?”
“Apparently so”
“Do we have any independent intelligence on this?” he quietly asked
She shook her head “Not enough ti”
“So we’re bare-ass-to-the-wind, flying blind”
“We’ve been there before”
Yes, they had
Ivan stepped back toward the as he walked, “We have problem”
“Why does that not surprise me?” Malone muttered
“Vitt is on the move”
“How’s that a problem?” Stephanie asked
“She escapes her captors”
Malone was suspicious “How do you know that?”
Ivan pointed at the two standing beside the car “They watch and see”
“Why didn’t they help her?” But he knew the answer “You want her to lead you to the lamp”
“This is intelligence operation,” Ivan said “I have job to do”
“Where is she?”
“Nearby Headed for a mond”
His anger grew “How the hell do you know that?”
“We go”
“No, we don’t,” Malone said
Ivan’s face stiffened
“I’,” Malone made clear “Alone”
Ivan’s haggard face cracked a ser”
“Then you know to stay out of my way I’ll find Cassiopeia”
Ivan faced Stephanie “You take over now? You think I allow that”
“Look,” Malone said, answering for her “If I go alone, I have a better chance of finding out what you want You shoith the goon squad and you’re going to get zero Cassiopeia is a pro She’ll go to ground”
At least he hoped so
Ivan jabbed a forefinger at Malone’s chest “Why do I trust you?”
“I’ve been askingabout you”
The Russian rearettes from his pocket and clamped one between his lips He found matches and lit the smoke “I not like this”