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  “That is a very expensive way to get prostitutes.”

  “That’s what I thought. It reminds me of the Hashishim. Maybe he’s modelling himself on Hassan-I Sabbah, only he’s using women instead of male assassins. First he gets their loyalty and obedience, then he uses them.”

  He made a soft grunt. “A bit farfetched. We’ll have to see. Anything else?”

  “Yeah, along the same theme, Lopez said Yushbaev went a couple of times to his office accompanied by an attractive American blonde in her thirties who didn’t talk much. They also had dinner together and the blonde came along. Her name was Jane.”

  “That is very worrying. Have they got something over her, or was she, as you suggest, planted in the US Air Force long ago by Yushbaev?”

  “It seems unlikely, because we have never been compromised with the Russians or Yushbaev himself…”

  “But then we haven’t trodden on Russian toes until now. But note how the moment we went after Cavendish, Yushbaev took the Colonel back.”

  “Did he? Cavendish told me they had been watching her because of her association with me. It looks to me like the Cavendish consortium took her because they wanted to know who I was and who I worked for, and Yushbaev snatched her from the consortium when he realized I was going after her. She was the bait to catch me.”

  He sighed. “Perhaps. There is no way of knowing for the moment.” He paused. “Are you ready?”

  “Yeah.”

  He nodded. “What happened with Lopez? Araminta says you hesitated.”

  “I didn’t hesitate. I was debating whether he would be more useful alive. I thought his files on Gabriel Yushbaev could be useful. I also wanted to screw some money out of him.”

  “Good.” He said it absently, like he was thinking about something else. “Good thinking. Well, it seems the CIA will take the files and hand them over to the Ministry of Justice here in Spain, and perhaps you can screw some booty out of Yushbaev before you eliminate him. Will you deal with him in Greece or follow him through to Russia?”

  “As we planned, on the yacht.”

  “Araminta is worried that you are still convalescing. She’s not convinced you’re ready.”

  “That’s why there are no women in the Regiment, sir. They worry too much.”

  He smiled. “Perhaps you’re right.” He stood. “I’ll give you your stuff and last-minute briefing in the car.”

  “Good.” I grabbed my cases. “Let’s go.”

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  Also by Blake Banner

  Up to date books can be found on my website: www.blakebanner.com

  COBRA THRILLER SERIES

  Dead of Night (Book 1)

  Dying Breath (Book 2)

  The Einstaat Brief (Book 3)

  Quantum Kill (Book 4)

  Immortal Hate (Book 5)

  The Silent Blade (Book 6)

  LA: Wild Justice (Book 7)

  Breath of Hell (Book 8)

  DEAD COLD MYSTERY SERIES

  An Ace and a Pair (Book 1)

  Two Bare Arms (Book 2)

  Garden of the Damned (Book 3)

  Let Us Prey (Book 4)

  The Sins of the Father (Book 5)

  Strange and Sinister Path (Book 6)

  The Heart to Kill (Book 7)

  Unnatural Murder (Book 8)

  Fire from Heaven (Book 9)

  To Kill Upon A Kiss (Book 10)

  Murder Most Scottish (Book 11)

  The Butcher of Whitechapel (Book 12)

  Little Dead Riding Hood (Book 13)

  Trick or Treat (Book 14)

  Blood Into Win (Book 15)

  Jack In The Box (Book 16)

  The Fall Moon (Book 17)

  Blood In Babylon (Book 18)

  Death In Dexter (Book 19)

  Mustang Sally (Book 20)

  A Christmas Killing (Book 21)

  Mommy's Little Killer (Book 22)

  Bleed Out (Book 23)

  Dead and Buried (Book 24)

  In Hot Blood (Book 25)

  Fallen Angels (Book 26)

  Knife Edge (Book 27)

  Dead Cold Box Set #1: Books 1-4 (SAVE 33%)

  Dead Cold Box Set #2: Books 5-8 (SAVE 25%)

  Dead Cold Box Set #3: Books 9-12 (SAVE 25%)

  Dead Cold Box Set #4: Books 13-16 (SAVE 25%)

  Dead Cold Box Set #5: Books 17-20 (SAVE 25%)

  Dead Cold Box Set #6: Books 21-24 (SAVE 25%)

  THE OMEGA SERIES

  Dawn of the Hunter (Book 1)

  Double Edged Blade (Book 2)

  The Storm (Book 3)

  The Hand of War (Book 4)

  A Harvest of Blood (Book 5)

  To Rule in Hell (Book 6)

  Kill: One (Book 7)

  Powder Burn (Book 8)

  Kill: Two (Book 9)

  Unleashed (Book 10)

  The Omicron Kill (Book 11)

  9mm Justice (Book 12)

  Kill: Four (Book 13)

  Death In Freedom (Book 14)

  Endgame (Book 15)

  Omega Box Set #1: Books 1-4 (SAVE 33%)

  Omega Box Set #2: Books 5-8 (SAVE 25%)

  Omega Box Set #3: Books 9-12 (SAVE 25%)

  Omega Box Set #4: Books 13-15 (SAVE 33%)

  * * *

  [1]

  See The Dead of Night

  [2] See The Dead of Night

  [3] See The Silent Blade

  [4] See The Dead of Night

  [5] See The Silent Blade

  [6]

  See The Dead of Night

  [7] See The Silent Blade

  [8] See LA: Wild Justice

  [9] See LA: Wild Justice