The Russian's Greed, Cap Daniels [free children's online books txt] 📗

fuel truck arrived,and the driver approached the uniformed pilot, who slid a few billsof Canadian cash into his palm. In return, the driver pulled the hosefrom the jet fuel reel and handed it to the pilot. The oddity of theexchange struck Anya, so she slowed her pace to continue watching thescene unfold. By the time she reached the bottom of the stairs intothe Hawker, the pilot was beneath the tail of the aircraft. He knelt,pulled the metal change purse from his pocket, and carefully laid itinside the fuel nozzle. He reached above his head, opened the accesspanel, and removed the fuel cap.

Making the connectionof the nozzle to the filler valve, he tapped on the side of the planeand yelled, “Open up!”

Anya shot a glance upthe stairs to see the second pilot pressing a series of switches onthe fueling panel. He looked down the stairs and noticed her. “Tellhim the valves are open.”

Anya leaned down andmade eye contact with the muscular pilot. “Valves are open.”

He gave a nod andopened the valve on the hose, sending jet fuel—and the coinpurse—rushing into the ventral tank of the Hawker.

She climbed the stairsand noticed Gwynn sitting beside Sascha instead of saving the seatfor her. Anya chose an empty seat that looked like it would make aperfectly comfortable sleeping nest.

When Volkov boarded theplane, he, once again, leaned into the cockpit for a thirty-secondconversation. This time, though, he pocketed a pair of Americanpassports before making his way to his preferred seat.

Before they’d leveledin cruise flight, Anya was sleeping like a kitten, and Gwynn wasinterrogating the scientist under the guise of getting to know him.

Almost an hour into theflight, the plane bucked as if it were being tossed around inside awashing machine. Anya opened her eyes to see the thick-chested pilotemerge from the cockpit. Gwynn turned in her seat to make eye contactwith her, and Anya gave her a little wink.

The pilot held up bothhands. “There’s no need to worry. We’re experiencing a littleturbulence, but air traffic control has just cleared us to descend alittle early. We should be back in smooth air in no time, but if youwouldn’t mind, we’d like you to put on your seatbelts nice andsnug for the duration of the flight.

Less dramatic thanloss of cabin pressure, but equally effective to explain an earlydescent and seatbelts, Anya thought as she poised to defend herfriend and partner, should it become necessary. Her hand slidinstinctually to the four-inch fighting knife concealed in her belt.It was still there and ready for use if muscle-boy fly-guy opened thedoor again.

Gwynn dug herfingernails into the arms of the luxurious seat as the turbulenceworsened in their descent.

Sascha pulled her handfrom the armrest and wrapped it in his own. “It’s okay. It’sjust a little rough air. We’ll be fine in a few minutes. Thesepilots are excellent.”

Gwynn squeezed hishand. “I’m just a nervous flyer, that’s all.”

Anya made a show oftightening her belt, but when she was certain no one was watching,she freed the buckle, leaving it to look as if it were secure. ShouldCaptain America come back out of the cockpit with the intention oftossing her partner into the ocean, every advantage would be crucial.

As the descentcontinued, the bumps lessened until the air was smooth, and Gwynnreleased her crushing grasp of Sascha’s hand. Anya pressed theblade back into its sheath beneath her belt until she felt the click.

The wheels kissed therunway back at Teterboro, and the pilots taxied the Hawker toVolkov’s hangar, where a customs officer waited to board the plane.The inspection that followed was a bit more thorough than the cursoryglance at Yarmouth, but the officer dug no deeper than unzipping apair of overnight bags and asking, “Does anyone have anything todeclare?”

Volkov’s private fueltruck pulled to the rear of the plane, and the driver connected anozzle to the fill valve on the ventral tank. Seconds later, heclosed the valve, stood, and returned to his truck, where the waitingpilot collected the metallic change purse in a plastic bag.

31

SOSTOYANIYESERDTSA

(HEART CONDITION)

The debriefingconducted by Special Agent White was unlike anything Anya hadexperienced. “We’re on the verge of making the biggestnon-drug-related bust of my career. We’ve got one more crucial stepto make, and as long as Anya doesn’t blow it, we’ve got theseguys nailed to the wall.”

Anya said, “I promiseI will not steal anymore shotguns or break anyone’s nose thistime.”

“Break all the nosesyou want, Treasury Agent Fulton. Just make sure you put the realdiamonds in Volkov’s hand before the sun goes down tomorrow.”

“Is this the plan?You will make arrest when Volkov has diamonds?”

“You bet it is, RedSonja. The second you deliver the real diamonds, we’re crashing thegate, and everybody’s going to jail, including you. I want you toput up a fight, too. Don’t go quietly. The SWAT team may rough youup a little, but Volkov needs to believe you’re on his team thewhole time.”

“In this case, am Iallowed to hurt people?”

“You can get a littlerough with them. They like a challenge, but don’t pull a knife onthem. They’ll drill you full of holes if you draw a weapon.”

* * *

Anya’s attire wasn’tblue jeans and a sweatshirt when she arrived at the office the nextmorning.

“You lookspectacular, like the gorgeous Russian princess you are.”

Volkov couldn’t tearhis eyes away from the skirt and sweater combination Gwynn hadinsisted Anya wear to make the diamond swaps.

“Spasibo, Viktor. Ilike when you are pleased.”

“I can’t imagineany man being displeased with you. Are you certain you understand thetask today?”

She nodded withconfidence. “Yes, I will exchange each of your stones for the sixdiamonds in the shops if they have not sold since I saw them two daysago.”

“Not exactly.”

Anya raised an eyebrow.“There is change of plan?”

“Yes. Wait here.”He turned for the vault and returned a moment later with a stack ofcash and the metal change purse. “Here are the diamonds. You’llwant to sort them so you don’t make a mistake during the exchange.”

“I understand, butwhy do I need all this money?”

Viktor tapped hisfingers on the banded bills. “This is contingency money in casesomeone gets suspicious. If you believe you have been caught,immediately purchase the diamond