Deadly Crossing (Tom Dugan 2) by R.E. McDermott Page A

Tanya. Understood?”
    “ Da ,” Nazarov said. “I will call the boys at once. Where do—”
    “Hold a moment.” Arsov looked up as Victor returned.
    Victor nodded. “ Da . There is this van as you said. It is far down the street out of the view of the security cameras, but I could see it. From the position of the van, I think they can see both the front entrance and the opening to the alley leading to the back door.”
    Arsov nodded, motioned Victor back to the bar, and spoke into the phone.
    “The van is here, and since it stopped both places, we know both the Spetsnaz and their pet American are probably inside. Take the girl to the holding warehouse. I will join you shortly, and we can figure out what to do about our troublesome new friends.” Arsov paused. “And Nazarov, listen carefully. We prosper here because we provide a needed service and we keep a low profile, so do not do anything stupid. Don’t harm the cook or the Kairouz woman, but leave them tied up. The last thing we need is this escalating because of dead or injured British citizens, especially rich ones.”
    “ Da ,” Nazarov replied, doubt in this voice, “but, Boss, surely when we take Tanya they will know it was us and report that to the police.”
    “Maybe not. We will have Tanya back under our control and will be able to remind her what will happen to her family. If they call the authorities at that point, the girl will say anything we want. They will know that, and they must also know, or at least suspect, that we have video from the club showing them kidnapping her. They will be the kidnappers, not us.”
    “But suppose a neighbor sees us or finds the women tied up before they free themselves?”
    “Have the men wear ski masks, and no one is to speak Russian. In fact, have no one speak but yourself and then only two or three words at a time so your accent is not so obvious. And after you grab Tanya and tie up the women, ransack the house a bit and steal any valuables. That way, if it does get reported, it will look like a simple home invasion. The Kairouz woman and the others cannot say anything different without implicating themselves in Tanya’s kidnapping.”
    “ Da . But what about the American and the Spetsnaz ?”
    “One thing at a time, Nazarov. One thing at a time.” Arsov disconnected.
    He sat for a moment and considered his next move. It was very obliging of these fools to collect themselves in one spot where he could watch them, but what exactly did they expect to gain from watching the club? Surely they understood he knew they were after Karina and that he would never bring her near the club. Then it hit him — if little Tanya was now friendly with her kidnappers, she undoubtedly told them about him, and they probably expected him to lead them to Karina. His face clouded — he’d take care of Tanya later, but for the moment perhaps he should give his new fan club something to see. After all, he didn’t want them to get too discouraged. If they kept watching him, he’d know exactly where to find them when the time came to deal with them.
    Arsov sat for a moment and considered the possibilities. Tanya didn’t know the location of his apartment, so these amateurs could only really know about the club. And since they had only just arrived, they couldn’t know for sure he was inside. If he wanted to keep their interest focused on the club, he’d have to show himself. Should he take a stroll outside? Too obvious, especially after he’d just sent Victor out. Even amateurs wouldn’t be that gullible. He dialed the number of a cab company and requested a pickup in ten minutes.
    ***
    Arsov cracked the back door of the club and peered down the narrow alley through the slit. He couldn’t see the surveillance van from the door, which meant that while the observers in the van could see the entrance to the alley, they couldn’t see the club door itself. He smiled and opened the door wide to stroll across the alley to