Page 165
I look at the pistol beneath Vera’s jaw. “Your men fired on an ambulance they believed carried my son.”
Belov’s eyes return to mine. “A hidden heir is a weapon. You know that better than anyone.”
“He’s a three-year-old boy.”
“He carries your blood.”
Zaitsev stands.
“Did you order them to fire knowing the child might be inside?” he asks.
Belov doesn’t answer.
“Answer him,” Kozlov says, rising beside Zaitsev.
Belov pulls Vera closer. “The future of the organization mattered more than one child.”
Tarasov steps forward. Three pistols clear their holsters. Chernov aims at me, and Rudenko follows. Belov’s guards shift their rifles toward the captains.
Zaitsev raises his weapon first. Kozlov and Tarasov follow.
Zaitsev’s muzzle settles on Belov’s chest.
“Take the gun away from the doctor.”
33
ALEXEI
Zaitsev keeps his pistol aimed at Belov’s chest.
“Take the gun away from the doctor.”
Belov presses the muzzle harder beneath Vera’s jaw. The guard stays close behind them, one hand near his pistol.
Chernov and Rudenko keep their weapons trained on me. Kozlov and Tarasov stand beside Zaitsev, while their guards cover the two riflemen near Belov’s table.
At this distance, one bad shot will hit the wrong person.
Vera remains upright against Belov. She looks at me once, then lowers her eyes toward the guard’s loose holster strap.
Her fingers tighten against the restraint. She’s waiting for movement. I shift my weight onto my uninjured leg and watch Belov’s trigger hand.
Zaitsev takes one step forward. “You’ve lost the captains, Arkady. Put it down.”
Belov looks past him at the three wavering men. “You’re choosing Maksim because he sent you papers?”
“I’m choosing against the man who ordered his soldiers to fire on a child,” Tarasov says.
Rudenko swings his pistol toward him. “Watch your mouth.”
The loading-hall lights go out.
Gunfire breaks through the door behind Vera.
Dmitri’s favorite language.
The first bullet takes the guard beside the loading entrance. A second strikes the rifleman near Belov’s table, and his pistol skids beneath it. Zaitsev’s guard fires at Chernov before Chernov can turn.
