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

through the kitchen window,” the man said.
    “You’re sure?”
    “Absolutely. I had the binoculars on the window, watching the fat woman. Another woman came into the kitchen, Kairouz’s wife I think from the way she was dressed. They were talking, but when they moved, I could see across the room, and I saw Tanya. I am sure.”
    “Did she look like she was a prisoner?”
    “Not unless prisoners laugh and smile a lot.”
    “Okay, keep a close watch. I’ll get back to you.” Nazarov disconnected and dialed Arsov.

Chapter Six
    Berwick Street, Soho
Near Club Pyatnitsa
London, UK
    Anna watched from the back of the vehicle as Harry Albright, uniformed as a repairman, drove the British Telecom van slowly down Berwick Street and pulled to the curb near a utility manhole. He got out and quickly arranged a bright yellow plastic barricade in front of the manhole, stabbed a curved metal hook into a small opening in the heavy steel cover to drag it to one side, and placed a large ‘Men at Work’ sign in front of the barricade. He surveyed his work briefly and climbed into the back of the van.
    “All set,” he said to Anna Walsh.
    “Thanks, Harry,” Anna said. “And thanks again for doing this. I’d stand out as a repair person, and that lot in the club have all seen Tom and the others. We really appreciate the help.” Beside her, Dugan and the Russians nodded in agreement.
    “Glad to do it, Anna. But my chum in transport can only juggle things so long. The van is supposed to be in the shop for servicing.”
    Anna shrugged. “We can only use it for a while anyway. A BT van is a bit conspicuous for long-term surveillance. Hopefully we’ll spot Arsov quickly and put a tail on him. Is Lou ready?”
    “Parked around the corner in the chase car,” Harry said, “ready to pick up the trail if Arsov starts moving.”
    “Brilliant.” Anna’s smile faded as she studied Harry’s face.
    “What is it, Harry? You look troubled.”
    “Nothing really, but are you sure you aren’t attracting some attention of your own?”
    “Why?”
    “It’s probably not related,” Harry said, “but I did see a couple of blokes sitting in a parked car before I turned into the parking garage for your apartment.”
    “Did they seem overly interested in the building, or you?”
    Harry shook his head. “Neither that I could tell, which is why I didn’t mention it earlier. Nor did they look particularly observant, but I only got a quick look at them as I passed. It’s more of a feeling, really. Quite frankly, I feel a bit foolish mentioning it now.”
    Anna was silent. Harry Albright was an experienced agent, and his ‘feelings’ were ignored at one’s peril.
    “What are you thinking, Anna?” Dugan asked from the seat beside her.
    “I’m thinking if the bastards have identified us, we might have unknowingly led them to Alex’s house, and Gillian is alone there with Tanya and Cassie.”
    “You think they’ve found us?” Dugan asked.
    “No, I’m probably being paranoid. I guess I’m just overprotective of Tanya after all we know she went through. And I promised her we would keep her safe.”
    “Ilya or I will go there,” Borgdanov said. “We do not need everyone to watch for this Arsov.”
    Anna shook her head. “You’re both too conspicuous. If either of you leave the van here, someone from the club might spot you. Harry would be the logical choice, but we need him here to stay outside and fend off any police or anyone else that might show up. Tom’s also a risk, because he’s been seen, but at least he’s a bit smaller and thus less conspicuous than you two, presuming we can disguise him somehow.”
    “I’ve got some spare BT repairman uniforms,” Harry said. “They’re part of the standard kit for the surveillance rig. One of them should fit our Yank friend here, and if he pulls the cap low on his face and walks directly away from the van and the club, he can be around the corner and out of sight in less