Assassin Read Online Free PDF Page B

Especially after tomorrow,” Chernov replied. “And believe me they will try. Someone will almost certainly try.”
    â€œYou will see that they fail.”
    â€œThat, Comrade Tarankov, is my job.” Chernov pointed to the cigarette in Tarankov’s meaty paw. “But they won’t have to send an assassin if you keep that up.”
    Tarankov grunted. “You sound like Liesel.” He smiled. “One nag is enough.”
    â€œShe’s right.”
    â€œGood of you to say so,” Tarankov said. “We’ll wait for you at Kostroma. But if you get into trouble you will have to rely on the usual contacts in Moscow, we won’t be able to come for you. Not until after Nizhny Novgorod.”
    â€œI’ll be there,” Chernov said. “Now, if you will excuse me, I need to get a few things before I leave. I want to be in Moscow before midnight.” He abruptly went back to the train and boarded the second car from the rear, not seeing the intense look of anger and hatred that flashed across Tarankov’s heavy features.
    Chernov’s car contained the officers’ wardroom and kitchen, as well as quarters for him, Colonel Drankov and the four unit commanders. The colonel and two of his officers were smoking and drinking tea in the wardroom when Chernov passed. They did not look up, nor did he acknowledge them. Their relationship was exactly as he wished it to be: one of business, not friendship.
    In his compartment, which consisted of a wide bunk, a built-in desk and two chairs, a closet and a well-equipped bathroom, Chernov laid out the uniform of a lieutenant colonel in the Kremlin Presidential Security Service, then pulled off his boots and combat fatigues.
    Someone knocked at his door. He quickly looked around to make sure nothing of importance was lying in plain view, then flipped a blanket over the uniform. “Come,” he said.
    Liesel Tarankov, wearing a UCLA Sailing Squadron warmup suit, came in. She looked Chernov up and down, then glanced at the turned down blanket. “I thought you were getting ready to leave us, not go to bed.”
    â€œI was changing clothes. Is there something I can do for you, Madam?”
    â€œI want to discuss your assignment.”
    â€œVery well. If you’ll allow me to finish dressing, I’ll join you and your husband in the Operations Center and we can go over the detail.”
    â€œNo. I want to talk about it here and now.” A little color had come to Liesel’s cheeks, and a strand of blonde hair was loose over her left temple. She was fifteen years younger than Tarankov and not unattractive.
    â€œThen I’ll call him, he can join us here.” Chernov stepped over to the desk and reached for the telephone, but Liesel intercepted him, pushing him away.

    â€œJust you and me.”
    Chernov smiled. “Did you come here expecting me to make love to you, madam?” he asked in a reasonable tone. “Is that how you meant to control me?”
    â€œI’m not ugly. I have a nice body, and I know things.”
    â€œWhat if I told you that I’m a homosexual.”
    She laughed. “I wouldn’t believe it.”
    â€œI think you’d rather believe that than the truth,” he said.
    It took a moment for the meaning of what she’d just heard to penetrate, and when it did a flush came to her face. “ Schweinhund! ” She lunged at him, her long fingernails up like claws.
    Chernov easily sidestepped her. He grabbed her arms, pinned them behind her back, and shoved her up against the bulkhead, his body against hers.
    She struggled for a moment, but then looked up into his eyes and parted her lips.
    He stepped back, opened the door, and spun her out into the passageway. “Go away before I tell your husband that you tried to seduce me.”
    â€œHe wouldn’t believe you,” she shot back, a catch in her voice.
    â€œI think he would,” Chernov said