Dragunov’s face was aflame with rage. “You bastard.”
“Flattery will get you nowhere, Konnie.”
“What did I ever do to you?”
“You told the Tsar that Khalid asked me to find his daughter, and the Tsar used the opportunity to try to kill me. If I hadn’t spotted the bomb beneath Reema’s coat that night, I’d be dead.”
“Perhaps you should have tried to save her. Your conscience might be clearer.”
Gabriel rose slowly, walked to the opposite end of the table, and with every ounce of strength he could summon drove his fist into Konstantin Dragunov’s face. The Russian toppled sideways and came to rest on the floor of the lounge. Gabriel was surprised to see his head still attached to his shoulders.
“Who planned it, Konstantin?”
For a moment, Dragunov was incapable of speech. Finally, he groaned, “Planned what?”
“Abdullah’s murder.”
The Russian gave no answer.
“Do I need to remind you of your current situation, Konstantin? You’re going to spend the rest of your life in a British prison. I think you’ll find it much less luxurious than Eaton Square.”
“The president will never allow it.”
“He won’t be in any position to help you. In fact, if I had to guess, the British government is going to issue a warrant for his arrest.”
“And if I give you the name of the SVR officer who ran the operation? How will that change anything?”
“Your cooperation will not be forgotten.”
“Since when do you speak for the British government?”
“I speak for Reema. And if you don’t tell me what I want to know, I’m going to hit you again.”
Gabriel gave his watch another check.9:26...According to the Essex Police, Sarah and the Russian assassin had set sail from the marina north of Frinton at 7:49. By now, they were several miles out to sea. Her Majesty’s Coastguard was searching for the vessel, as yet without success.
“You were saying, Konnie?”
Dragunov was still lying on the floor. “It was the Englishwoman.”
“Rebecca Manning?”
“She uses her father’s name now.”
“You saw her?”
“I had a couple of meetings with her.”
“Where?”
“A little dacha in Yasenevo. It had a sign outside. I can’t recall what it said.”
“The Inner-Baltic Research Committee?”
“Yes, that was it. How did you know?”
Gabriel didn’t answer. “Under normal circumstances, I’d help you to your feet. But you’ll understand if I don’t.”
The Russian hauled himself onto the chair. The left side of his face was already badly swollen, and his eye was beginning to close. All in all, thought Gabriel, it was a slight improvement.
