Night and Day

by Iris Johansen

  “Nasim Feroz,” Joe said as soon as the door of the room shut behind them. “You know the address, Jock? You said you’d have it for me.”

  “I have it.” Jock took a small notebook from his jacket pocket. “And I had Palik scout the area. It’s a brick house with a wrought-iron fence in the Arbat section of the city. Feroz has a fellow countryman Hassan Mehnar acting as his bodyguard. We’re not sure if he’s protecting Feroz from us or from Natalie and Kaskov. Palik said that there are two of Kaskov’s men on guard there, too.”

  “So Kaskov is fully involved in this?” Eve asked.

  “At least to the extent of providing Natalie with the Iranian doctor who could give her that damn capsule. And I’d bet that those two guards are insurance that Feroz gave Natalie the right poison and antidote for Kaskov’s money.” His lips twisted. “But you told me yourself that Natalie is trying to keep him in the dark about Cira’s gold. She still thinks she can have it all her own way.”

  “MI-6 told Joe that those Iranian agents often had more than one antidote in their possession,” Eve said. “At times, they sold the extra ones to the highest bidder.”

  Jock nodded. “It’s possible.” He turned to Joe. “But it’s not a sure thing. That’s why we have to explore the other two options. Kaskov or Natalie. We try to convince Kaskov that we can offer him whatever he wants for the antidote. If that doesn’t work, we follow through with getting Natalie to give it to us. Though God knows I hope we don’t get down to having to trust Natalie to do anything but betray us.”

  “That won’t matter,” Joe said coldly. “She’ll give it to us, or she won’t live through the night. She may not anyway.” He bent down and was scrawling Feroz’s address down. “But first things first. If we get the antidote from Feroz, we can forget about Natalie and Kaskov and get the hell out of Moscow and rush Eve back into that Glasgow hospital.” His lips tightened. “We don’t have much time.”

  Jock nodded. “I know. It’s going to be close even if—”

  “Forget about Natalie.” Caleb suddenly straightened from where he’d been leaning against the wall. “You just said she was the last resort. But you’ll have to hit Kaskov and Feroz at approximately the same time if you don’t want either faction to be on the phone yelling for help from the other.”

  “No,” Joe said instantly. “I need to be with Eve when she goes to Kaskov.”

  “No, you don’t,” Eve said. She had known how difficult this was going to be for Joe and had hoped to avoid it. “You have to do what you were planning and let us do what we have to do.”

  “I won’t let you go alone.”

  “Jock isn’t exactly a nonentity.” She met his eyes. “And we’ve got to cover all the bases if we’re going to protect Michael. Cara’s managed to talk me into risking her neck, and I’ll be damned if I’ll hesitate about risking my own. You don’t think about me right now, Joe. You think about Michael.”

  “I can’t let—” He drew a deep breath and whirled on Jock. “Where are you taking her to meet with Kaskov? His estate? That’s too far away from town. It will take me too long to get there after I finish with Feroz.”

  “No. Not his estate,” Jock said. “Kaskov’s going to go to a violin concert at the Novako Opera House this evening. That’s probably why Natalie set up your meeting for tonight. She wanted to pick a night when she knew he’d be busy and not get in her way.” He smiled. “I have a few more details to arrange, but Kaskov may get more than his price of admission tonight at the opera house.”

  “He’ll have bodyguards.”

  “Yes, but not as many as he’d have at the estate. Leave it to me. I’ll take care of them, Quinn.” He glanced at Caleb. “But Caleb’s right, we should coordinate our efforts. I’ll call you when we reach the opera house. You’ll be glad to know that it’s no more than thirty minutes from Feroz’s house. Do you need Palik to arrange for extra firepower for you, Quinn?”

  “I don’t believe that will be necessary,” Caleb answered for Joe. “Strangers so often get in the way of the fun. I think I’ll tag along and lend a hand. Between the two of us, I think we can handle it.”

  “Why are you being so accommodating?” Joe asked dryly.

  “It’s just a balancing act. I gave you Cara, whom you didn’t want. Now I’m giving you my inimitable services, which will make up for anything I’ve done to put me in your bad books.” He smiled at Eve. “And Eve will like the idea of your not being alone to face those guards surrounding Feroz. Isn’t that right?”

  She couldn’t deny it. Caleb was a force to be reckoned with, and she wanted Joe to have every advantage. “I’m still angry with you, Caleb.”

  “But you’ll get over it.” He turned back to Joe. “And you know how persuasive I can be when I want something. It may save us a good deal of time.” He added softly, “And the more time we save, the sooner you can get to that opera house.”

  “You don’t have to push it. I’d take the help of Satan himself if it got me to Eve sooner tonight.” He turned to Jock. “What time?”

  “The concert starts at eight. Nine should give me enough time to set up Kaskov. If you can get rid of Feroz’s guards, so that I have time to work and not have anyone calling Kaskov to set off an alarm.”

  “Nine it is. Come on, Caleb. Let’s go and see about reconnoitering that area around Feroz’s house.” Joe turned back to Eve. He kissed her long and hard. “I hate this,” he said hoarsely. “And if Jock doesn’t take care of you, I’ll—”

  “Hush.” Her fingers covered his lips. “We’ll take care of each other. And we’ll all take care of Michael.” She kissed him again. “Stay safe, Joe.”

  He nodded jerkily and turned away. “I’ll see you later. I’ll be there as quick as I can.”

  The door closed behind him and Caleb.

  Eve drew a shaky breath and, with an effort, tore her gaze away from that door. Don’t think of what Joe and Caleb might be facing. Just think about what she and Cara had to face in just a few hours.

  “Cara.” She turned back to Jock. “I’m so scared for her. Isn’t there any way we can keep her out of it?”

  “You think I’m not scared?” he said roughly. “If it makes you feel any better, I’ll kill anyone in that opera house who even hints at being a threat to her.”

  “It doesn’t make me feel any better.” She closed her eyes for an instant. Keep Cara safe. Keep my Michael safe. Maybe the rest of us can take care of ourselves.

  Her eyes opened, and she straightened. “We’d better go and get Cara. I hated leaving her alone, but it didn’t seem right to have her in the room while we were talking about disposing of Natalie and Kaskov and the others.”

  “I was just glad that you didn’t leave it to me to be the bad guy again. There may be a lot of that tonight.” He took her elbow and pushed her gently toward the door. “But now we have to move quickly. I want to have you at the opera house and settled by eight when Kaskov arrives.”

  “We have over two hours.”

  He smiled. “But you and Cara have to dress for the occasion in order not to look out of place. These concerts are very formal. Palik sent gowns up for you and Cara. But I’m not sure his taste will be appropriate for a kid of Cara’s age.”

  “Formal?” She made a face. “Oh, for goodness sake.”

  “A slight disadvantage but better than facing him at his estate that would be bristling with automatic rifles.”

  She nodded as she opened the door. “Whatever you say. Let’s just get out of here.”

  * * *

  “Very nice.” Jock’s gaze ran over Eve in the elegant bronze-silk gown with the square neckline that displayed a simple gold necklace. “Attractive but not too showy. What about Cara?”

  “I only caught a glimpse of her before she disappeared into the bathroom, but I think it’s not as inappropriate as you thought it might be.” She tucked a small computer and the disc into her brocade evening bag. Then she was quickly running a comb through her hair. “It’s sort
of ivory, and the neckline isn’t low like mine. Maybe Palik has a young girl in his family.”

  “I never inquired.” Jock was checking his watch. “But we’ll have to get her out of there. It’s time we—” He stopped as Cara came out of the bathroom.

  “Am I okay?” she asked breathlessly. “I’m sorry I’m late. I’m not used to dresses, and I couldn’t get the zipper in the back to fasten.”

  Jock didn’t speak for a moment, but his expression said it all. “What do you say, Eve? Is she okay?”

  Cara looked like a young Juliet, Eve thought. The bateau neckline and empire waist of the ivory-velvet gown that fell to her feet was wonderful on her. Her shiny dark hair was held back by a black, sequined ribbon that matched the sequins on her ballet flats.

  “Beautiful,” Eve said. “You look lovely, Cara. It’s perfect. It reminds me of—” She inhaled sharply as that memory came flooding back to her.

  But Cara had seen the hesitation, and she nodded slowly. “Jenny,” she said softly. “I saw it, too. Jenny wore a long white dress like this the night she died in the forest, the night she saved me.”

  “Not quite like that, but similar. She was beautiful, too. But I didn’t mean to make you sad by reminding you.”

  “You didn’t make me sad. When I saw it, I thought it was like a sign that I was doing what I should be doing. It was as if Jenny were standing there behind me and telling me that.” She suddenly giggled. “But I wish she could have helped me with the zipper.”

  “You did fine on your own,” Jock said gruffly as he grabbed their black-velvet theater cloaks. “Now let’s get you to that opera house and see if all this finery helps to scoot us under the wire and into Kaskov’s august presence.”

  NASIM FEROZ RESIDENCE

  ARBAT, MOSCOW

  8:10 P.M.

  “Two guards on the perimeter,” Caleb said. “Do you take them out or do I?”

  “You’re giving me a choice?”

  “I thought it would be polite. After all, you have a greater commitment, and there’s a certain satisfaction to—”

  “I’ll take them out.”

  “Then I’ll go in and get rid of Hassan Mehnar, Feroz’s personal bodyguard. If that’s all right with you? I’d hate to step on your toes.”

  “Fine.” He turned and moved toward the wrought-iron back-garden gate. He was on edge. Sometimes Caleb’s mockery grated on him but there was no one that he’d rather have in his corner in a situation like this.

  Forget about Caleb.

  Concentrate on the man at the gate.

  NOVAKO OPERA HOUSE

  Crowds of elegantly dressed people milled around the huge lobby of the nineteenth-century opera house.

  An enormous crystal chandelier cast a mellow amber glow over the crimson-carpeted grand staircase that dominated the lobby.

  The strains of the Mendelssohn violin concerto poured out of speakers on either side of the arched, twenty-foot entrances.

  “That’s Hans Finster playing tonight.” Cara’s eyes were suddenly shining with excitement. “I heard him play on PBS last year. He’s only twenty-two, but everyone thinks he’s wonderful. You didn’t tell me he was the one who—”

  “I don’t think Jock regarded it as a detail on which he had to focus,” Eve said. “Though, of course, you would, Cara.”

  “Straight up the stairs,” Jock murmured. “Kaskov has a huge box with velvet-cushioned seats and privacy curtains. It even has an adjoining lounge, where he’s served drinks during intermission. Nothing but the best for him…”

  “He probably doesn’t even notice all that stuff once the music starts,” Cara said. “It means too much to him.”

  “Let’s hope he doesn’t notice anything but the music tonight,” Jock said grimly. “Because I’m going to furnish a few distractions.” They had reached the top of the staircase, and he nodded toward two gold-leafed doors a few feet away. “That’s Kaskov’s box.” Then he nudged them toward a huge, jade-colored malachite column several yards from the entrance of the box. “Stay here behind the column. There are enough people around so that Kaskov shouldn’t notice you.”

  Eve could see that was true. This level was also filled with elegantly dressed patrons, and there were waiters moving among them, serving wine from ornate silver trays. “Very posh.”

  “Kaskov could care less. He always goes straight to his box and ignores all of this. I’ll come for you as soon as the performance begins, and Kaskov is settled.”

  “Where are you going?” Eve asked as she pulled Cara behind the column. “You told me that this place is safer than Kaskov’s estate, but a man like him will have bodyguards surrounding him. Some of those guards must have seen Cara while she was staying at the estate. All it would take is one of his men to recognize Cara and drop a word to Kaskov.”

  “That’s why you’re staying away from the box until I’m ready. I guarantee that none of Kaskov’s guards will be strolling around the theater once he’s ensconced in that box. He’ll be their first priority.”

  “Where will they be?” Eve asked.

  “You want their usual locations?” He shrugged and rattled them off. “According to Palik, one man stands outside the door to prevent attacks from the rear. One is inside in the lounge, waiting for Kaskov to come out during intermission in case he needs something. Kaskov never goes to the downstairs public bar. It’s too dangerous for him to be in a crowd. There’s a guard who waits by his car in front of the theater and another who acts as his chauffeur.”

  “Nikolai,” Cara said. “I think he’s been with Kaskov longer than any of his other men. He often uses him as a driver. He sent him to get Natalie and me when she brought me from Gaelkar.”

  “Four men,” Eve whispered. “And you’re supposed to take care of all four of them before I’ll be able to reach Kaskov?”

  “I will take care of them,” Jock said. “You’ll get your chance.” He looked at Cara. “And she’ll get her chance. I just hope Quinn will be able to make my efforts totally unnecessary. If I get a call from him that he—” His phone rang. “Palik.” He picked up. “Has he arrived? Same number of guards?” He hung up. “Kaskov is here. He’ll be coming in the front entrance in a few minutes. Move a little farther behind that column.”

  “Not yet. I want to see him,” Eve said suddenly. “I’ve never even seen the man, and I’m supposed to persuade him to abandon his daughter to save my life? Could I just get a glimpse of him?”

  “A glimpse.” Jock shook his head at Cara. “Not you. Get behind the column. Eve’s right, you could be recognized.”

  Cara opened her lips and turned and walked toward the column.

  “She’s keeping her word to you.” Eve moved close to the elaborate gold barricade at the side of the steps but kept discreetly behind a couple who were laughing and drinking as they looked down into the lobby. “Point him out to me.”

  “You have thirty seconds,” Jock said. “I can’t risk being seen either. Palik said that my photo was being circulated among Kaskov’s men after I snatched Cara the last time. He’s probably put a price on my head.”

  Her gaze flew to his face. “You didn’t tell me that.”

  “It didn’t matter. This had to be done. It just means I have to be careful and move very fast.” His gaze was fastened on the front entrance. “Thirty seconds.”

  “I don’t have to see him if it means—”

  “There he is.”

  Eve’s gaze flew to where he was nodding.

  A tall, powerful man in an elegant black tuxedo moving through the doorway with a man who was also formally dressed on either side of him. They were all heading for the staircase with single-minded purpose.

  “Go!” Jock took Eve’s arm and moved her away from the staircase toward the malachite column. “No one looked up, so I think we’re safe. So what did you think of him?”

  “Powerful. Hard. So hard. But he doesn’t look anything like Natalie. I don’t know what to think of him except that he appea
red as if he were made of stone.”

  “Maybe he is. You’re going to get the opportunity to find out.” He grabbed a wineglass from the tray of a passing waiter and handed it to Eve. “Look like you’re enjoying yourself.” They had reached the column, and he moved behind it and gazed down at Cara. “The action is about to start. Change your mind? Eve and I can do this.”

  She shook her head. “It has to be me, Jock.” She drew a shaky breath. “But it’s kind of scary. This place is so beautiful, and I know the music will be beautiful, too. But it can’t matter, can it? I have to close it all out.”

  He nodded. “You have to do what you have to do. And, since you think you have a handle on this, I’d do it the way you think you should.” He smiled. “It can’t hurt, Cara. I’ll see that nothing hurts you.” He turned to Eve. “I’m going to move you both into Kaskov’s private lounge just before the intermission. Stay here until then.”

  “The guards?”

  “They won’t be there.” He glanced behind him. “Kaskov has gone into his box. His guard’s standing there at the door and looking very grim and efficient. So I’d better leave and mix with the crowd who are starting to head downstairs for their seats.”

  “Downstairs?” Eve asked.

  “Two of Kaskov’s men are down the street by his car.” He reminded her. “They’ll be the easiest. Don’t move. I need to be able to find you when I’m ready for you.”

  The next moment he was gone.

  Don’t move to watch him leave, Eve told herself. She had to stay here with Cara and take care of her. But it was hard not to make sure that guard outside Kaskov’s box hadn’t noticed Jock.

  There’s probably a price on my head.

  “You’re worried.” Cara’s hand slipped into hers. “Me, too. I hate his having to do this. But it’s you, and it’s Michael.”

  Michael.

  Eve felt a rush of warmth that didn’t stop the fear, but it helped.

  We’re doing everything we can, Michael. Jock is having to do some things that are hurting him. Bonnie says you’re extraordinary, and I think you are. So if you have any kind of clout, it would be nice if you could find a way to help him.