Angel and the Assassin 3: Sins of the Father

Romodanovsky.”
    “Isn’t he that new bloke who claims he’s going to wipe out organized crime in
    Russia?” Kael asked.
    Conran looked at Kael. “Yes. He’s actually been in public life for years but only
    recently in politics. He comes from one of those old aristocratic families who ran for
    their lives during the revolution yet somehow managed to hang on to a good deal of
    their wealth. Most of them moved west. Arkadiy Romodanovsky was born in
    Switzerland in 1948 and raised there. He now lives full-time in Russia. He’s been an
    ambassador, a diplomat, and in all kinds of powerful positions over the years,
    especially since perestroika. Now he’s in politics.”
    If Conran wanted the man dead, Mattie would not have been invited to sit in on
    the discussion. “What do you want me for?”
    “Romodanovsky has a meeting at Downing Street on the fifth. You’re going to
    keep him from getting killed while he’s there, because the Russian mob would love to
    put a bullet in him.”
    “What about me, sir?” Thornton asked, her eyes shining with excitement.
    “You’ll do whatever Saunders tells you.”
    “Yes, sir.” Her enthusiasm was touching. Kael was fonder of her than he had
    realized.
    “He’ll be here only twenty-four hours, and then he moves on to France and
    becomes their problem,” Conran continued. “His own security will be stationed around
    Number 10. Your detail is inside the house only.”
    “Isn’t that MI5’s job? Or Special Branch?” Kael asked. “I’m not a babysitter. And
    why isn’t he using his own security inside Number 10?”
    Fyn Alexander | Sins of the Father
    25

    Steepling his fingers, a gesture Kael always found affected, Conran said, “The
    prime minister doesn’t trust them. He doesn’t want any mistakes while Romodanovsky
    is here, and he’s not keen on armed Russians inside his domicile. Outside,
    Romodanovsky can use his own men, but inside Number 10, he will be watched like a
    hawk by you. We aren’t anticipating any problems. The mob is far more likely to go
    after him on their own turf, but men like him will always be in danger.”
    “So why do I have to be annoyed with the fucker?” He paused and looked at
    Mattie. “Oops, sorry.”
    “For what?” Mattie asked.
    “Bad language,” Kael said.
    Confusion creasing her brow, Mattie said, “You always use bad language, sir. The
    air was blue when we were at Herstmonceux Castle, not to mention Paris.”
    “But that was work, and you weren’t wearing a dress. You were just one of the
    boys then.”
    Mattie burst out laughing. Conran smiled too, despite their encounter a few
    moments ago. “The PM asked for you in particular, Saunders. That’s why MI5 is not
    involved.”
    Surprised, Kael looked at Conran. “Really? How does he even know who I am?”
    “It’s his job to know everything or at least to be informed of everything,” Conran
    said. “You’ll get further instructions the day before. I’ve chosen the team. Thornton,
    you’re part of it.”
    “Thanks, sir.” She was as enthusiastic as a child on an outing.
    Conran looked at Kael. “They know you’re in charge and you’ve worked with
    them all before, or you’ve taught them.”
    “Were they happy?” He didn’t give a shit if they were happy as long as they
    recognized his leadership.
    Fyn Alexander | Sins of the Father
    26

    “Nobody is ever happy when they have you to deal with—except Thornton, it
    seems. She must be mad,” Conran said.
    The door opened quietly, and Angel walked in, smiling at once when he saw
    Mattie. “Hey, Mattie!”
    “Hello, mate!”
    “It’s nearly midnight. Are you all coming into the other room to do the Happy
    New Year thing?”
    “We were about to come,” Kael said, rising.
    “You look great,” Mattie told Angel. She stood and took his wing tips between her
    fingers and thumbs. “Very stylish. Your hair’s much longer.”
    “Thanks!” Angel gave her a kiss.
    The house fell into silence. Even the string quartet ceased playing when the
    grandfather clock in the hall began to chime the hour. Instead of joining the party, the
    four remained still, listening. For the last three chimes, Angel and Mattie looked at each
    other and screamed out the numbers in unison. “Three, two, one! Happy New Year.”
    Laughing, they hugged each other, and then Angel turned to Kael.
    “Happy New Year, Daddy. I love you. You’re the best thing that ever happened to
    me,” he said, so naturally and