Chasing Ivan by Tim Tigner Read Free Book Online Page A

figures blending into corners, with thick necks, watchful eyes, and ear mikes. Emily supposed that made sense. There was probably as much jewelry on the Anzhelika as in the Tower of London.  
    They crossed onto the aft deck and into the open air, where she found more of the same. Emily’s eyes darted between the male guests, attempting to locate Andreas. She found it an odd experience, looking for someone whose soul she knew but whose face she had yet to experience. When her first pass failed to produce a fitting candidate, she turned to Michael. He too looked perplexed. “He’s not here. Let’s try the next level up. Technically speaking, there are five aft decks.”
    “How many decks does the Anzhelika have?”
    “Six. The two below us are service levels, containing engineering, the galley, the tender boats, and the crew quarters. He wouldn’t be on either of those. The three above are all candidates.”
    They took an external staircase to the fourth level. Michael paused at the top, hesitant to intrude. They surveyed the scene from the shadows. It was reminiscent of the one below, but smaller and less populated. “This is the owner’s deck,” Michael said. “I see the owner, but not Andreas.”
    “Is he the tan gentleman in blue slacks and a white jacket?”
    “You’d think, wouldn’t you? But no, that’s the Chairman of DeBeers.”
    “The diamond company.”
    “Yep. Mister Voskerchyan is the man he’s speaking with.”  
    Emily studied her host from behind. He was small but stocky, like a wrestler. Well into his fifties by her estimation, his hair was still thick and naturally black. He wore black slacks and loafers. A fitted black sweater with the sleeves pushed up onto forearms broader than her calves completed the look. She couldn’t see his face, but from behind, the adjective Voskerchyan’s appearance brought to mind was tough .  
    “Let’s try the next,” Michael said.
    The aft deck on five had but one couple — a younger man and woman busy getting to know each other’s dental work. Michael didn’t even pause. He kept right on climbing.  
    The aft portion of the top deck was circular rather than oblong like the rest, and for good reason. It was a helipad, complete with a big silver bird. Unable to help herself, Emily blurted out, “Wow!”  
    Michael said, “It’s nice, but it’s not Mister Voskerchyan’s toy of choice this year.”  
    Emily looked around, wondering what could be more fantastic.
    “It’s not up here,” Michael said. “It’s down on deck one. Care to guess?”
    She pictured the speedboats she’d seen earlier, and let her imagination run with it. “A jet boat? A hovercraft?”
    A third voice answered correctly. “A new submarine.”
    They turned toward it and Emily saw a man in black slacks and a black shirt walking in their direction. He was above average in height and athletic in build, and had a spring in his step that spoke of pent-up energy. His smile showed teeth, and his eyes showed fire. And his hair showed that he worked hard to look like his appearance didn’t matter. The resemblance to his picture was only slight. Live, he looked much better.
    Michael said, “Emily, allow me to introduce Andreas.”

Chapter 12

    ANZHELIKA WAS ENORMOUS. One hundred and ten meters was the length of a football field, including both end zones. It would be easy to find, even in this superyacht crowd. Searching it, on the other hand, was going to be a challenge. And before we could search it, we had to get aboard.
    “It’s in the berth closest to open water at the far end of the Rainier III dock, which is at the southern end of Port Hercules,” Oscar said.
    “Makes sense. Probably the only place a monster like that would fit. Send me the deck plan.”
    “How are you going to get aboard?”
    “I don’t know yet.”
    “Well you need to figure it out fast. I don’t want to have to swoop back in and save your ass again. The Director just reminded me that this