Bücher online kostenlos Kostenlos Online Lesen
The Defector

The Defector

Titel: The Defector Kostenlos Bücher Online Lesen
Autoren: Daniel Silva
Vom Netzwerk:
Gabriel and Mikhail at the other. Mikhail was calmly humming to himself. Gabriel didn’t hear it. He was focused only on the voice in his ear, the voice of Sarah Bancroft, bidding a pleasant evening to one of the world’s most dangerous men. “Why don’t you have a seat, Herr Wolfe,” she said in perfect German. “Herr Becker will be with you in just a moment.”

    HE PLACEDthe attaché cases on the floor next to the chair, unbuttoned his coat, and removed his leather gloves. The fingers of the left hand were absent any rings. On the third finger of the right hand, the one where an ordinary Russian would have worn a wedding band, was a heavy ring with a dark stone. In America, it would have been mistaken for a class ring or the ring of a military unit. Sarah, seated at her desk, forced herself not to look at it.
    “May I take your coat?”
    “No.”
    “Something to drink? Coffee or tea?”
    He shook his head, and sat without removing his overcoat or hat. “You’re not Herr Becker’s usual secretary.”
    “She’s sick.”
    “Nothing serious, I hope.”
    “Just a virus.”
    “There’s a lot going around. I’ve never seen you here before.”
    “I’m a temp.”
    “You’re not Swiss.”
    “American, actually.”
    “Your German is very good. It even has a bit of a Swiss accent.”
    “I went to school here for a few years when I was young.”
    “Which one?”
    Sarah’s answer was interrupted by the appearance of Becker in the door of his office. Petrov stood.
    “Your secretary was just telling me the name of the school she attended in Switzerland.”
    “It was the International School of Geneva.”
    “It has an excellent reputation.” He extended his right hand. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss . . .” His voice trailed off.
    “Moore.” Sarah grasped the hand firmly. “Irene Moore.”
    Petrov released Sarah’s hand and entered Becker’s office. Thirty seconds later, the formalities complete, the two men emerged and set off together toward the vault room. Sarah passed that information to Gabriel over the microphone concealed on her desk, then reached beneath the desk and unzipped her handbag. The gun was there, barrel pointed downward, grip exposed. She glanced at the clock and waited for the sound of the front buzzer. Her hand was beginning to itch on the spot where Petrov’s ring had touched her. It was nothing, she told herself. Just her mind playing tricks.

    UZI NAVOT was waiting outside the entrance to the vault room when Becker appeared, followed by Anton Petrov. The Heathrow surveillance photos had not done justice to the Russian’s size. He was well over six feet, broad shouldered, and well built. He was also clearly uneasy. Staring directly at Navot, he asked of Becker, “Where’s the usual security guard?”
    The banker answered without hesitation. “We had to fire him. I’m afraid I can’t go into the details. You may rest assured that no client assets were involved, including yours.”
    “I’m relieved.” His eyes were still on Navot. “Quite a coincidence, though. A new secretary and a new guard.”
    Again, Becker managed a swift response. “I’m afraid the only constant is change, even in Switzerland.”
    Navot opened the secondary door to the vault room and stepped aside. The Russian remained frozen in place, his gaze flickering back and forth between the banker and the security guard. Petrov was obviously suspicious and reluctant to enter. Navot wondered whether five million euros in cash might be enough to tempt him. He didn’t have to wait long for the answer.
    “I’m sorry to trouble you, Herr Becker, but I’ve changed my mind. I’ll see to my business another time.”
    Becker seemed taken aback. For an instant, Navot feared he might improvise and ask the Russian to reconsider his decision. Instead, he stepped aside with the curtness of a headwaiter and gestured toward the exit.
    “As you wish.”
    Petrov fixed Navot with a cautionary stare, then turned and started down the corridor. Navot quickly considered his options. If the Russian managed to make it out of the bank, the team would be left with two choices: snatch him off a busy Zurich street—hardly optimal—or follow him to his next destination. Better to take him here, inside the premises of Becker & Puhl, even if it meant doing it alone.
    Navot had one brief advantage—the fact Petrov’s back was turned—and he took it. Moving Becker aside with one sweep of his left hand, he

Weitere Kostenlose Bücher