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“Exactly”

39

THE storht the torrential rains to Macau had turned into spring snow by the tiht, Cabrillo would have seen that Moscoas covered in a wet blanket of white that rounded the edges of buildings and quieted the sounds Peering from the s of the Gulfstreaines, he could see a trio of black Zil li a fax that had arrived from Overholt only minutes before, he slid the document into the file and then unbuckled his seat belt and rose The copilot was unlatching the door as he walked forward

“Do you ?” Cabrillo asked

“I think we’re okay, boss,” the copilot said “We’ll just refuel and await your return”

Cabrillo nodded and waited as the step was lowered “Wish me luck,” he said as he stepped down onto the snow-covered tarmac

A talla few feet from the Gulfstream His head was covered by a fur Cossack cap and his breath made puffs of love and offered his hand Cabrillo shook it, then the man motioned to the middle limousine

“I’ei Makelikov,” the man said as the driver opened the door, “special assistant to President Putin”

Cabrillo followed the man into the rear of the limousine “Juan Cabrillo, chairman of the Corporation”

The door was closed, and a few seconds later the police cars started away from the Gulfstream followed by the trio of li what you have to say,” Makelikov noted “May I offer you a drink, perhaps vodka, or some coffee?”

“Coffee, please,” Cabrillo said

Makelikov reached for a silver-plated ther with the crest of the Russian republic on the side He handed it to Cabrillo

“Hoas your flight?”

The streets were deserted at this late hour The procession roared down the road toward central Moscow, followed by a cloud of snowflakes Cabrillo sipped the coffee

“No proble