Deep Six (Dirk Pitt 7)

"we'd have a disaster in the making if he went over to the Americans.

"I personally vouch for Paul Suvorov," said Polevoi firmly. "I'd stake my reputation on his loyalty."

"The name is familiar."

"He is the son of Viktor Suvorov, the agriculture specialist."

Antonov seemed appeased. "Viktor is a dedicated party member."

"So is his son," said Polevoi. "If anything, he's overzealous."

"What do you think happened to him?"

"I suspect he somehow passed himself off as one of Lugovoy's staff of psychologists and was taken along with them by Madame Bougainville's men."

"Then we have a security man on the inside."

"An assumption. We have no proof."

"did he know anything?"

"He was aware of nothing," Polevoi said unequivocally. "His involvement is purely coincinental."

"A mistake to have Dr. Lugovoy watched."

Polevoi took a deep breath. "The FBI keeps a tight collar on our United Nations delegates. If we had allowed Dr. Lugovoy and his team of psychologists to roam freely about New York without our security agents observing their actions, the Americans would have become suspicious.

"So they watch us while we watch ours."

"In the last seven months, three of our people have asked for political asylum. We can't be too careful."

Antonov threw up his hands in a vague gesture. "I accept your argument."

"If Suvorov is indeed with Lugovoy, he will no doubt attempt to make contact and disclose the location of the laboratory facility."

"Yes, but if Suvorov, in his ignorance, makes a stupid move, there is nothing to indicate how that old bitch Bougainville will react."

"She might raise the ante."

"Or worse, sell the President and the others to the highest bidder."

"I can't see that," said Polevoi thoughtfully. "Without Dr. Lugovoy, the project isn't possible."

Antonov made a thin smile. "Excuse my cautious nature, Comrade Polevoi, but I tend to look on the dark side. That

way I'm seldom taken by surprise."

"The completion of Lugovoy's experiment is only three days away.

We should be thinking of how to handle the payment."

"What are your proposals?"

"Not to pay her, of course."

"How?'@ "There are any number of ways. Switching the gold bars after her representative has examined them. Substituting lead that is painted gold or bars of lesser purity."

"And the old bitch would smell out every one of them."