take a longer look at him and his involvement in this."
Samantha frowned. "That seems like something we — or another intelligence agency — should have known."
"Someone may have. Taburova was one of the founding members of the Islamic International Peacekeeping Brigade."
"You say peacekeepers. I say terrorists."
Kate nodded. "Some of the intel I have states that Taburova was with one of the leaders when he was ambushed and killed."
"I suppose he carries a grudge," Samantha said.
"Since the ambush, Taburova has stayed out of sight, but sources believe Taburova has moved higher in the hierarchy of separatists," Kate said. "We've tied Taburova to Mustafa and the weapons. I know that Mustafa got the payment from straw banks in Russia." Kate tapped the keyboard, flashing image after image to Samantha.
Several images passed by. They were taken by Russian agents and military sources, and all of them showed Taburova in action. The man obviously had a charmed life. A number of times he'd been in the thick of battle with men lying dead all around him. Those images, Kate knew, were the kind that created legends and heroes.
"What was Taburova going to do with the weapons?" Samantha asked. "Why not give information anonymously to the Russians and let them handle it?"
"Taburova managed to move millions of dollars through Russian banks without their security service knowing about it. I'd like to know what else they're unaware of," Kate said.
Samantha remained quiet for a moment. "It goes against agency protocol to discuss information with anyone not directly involved in mission parameters."
"Yes," Kate said.
"I think we can both agree that I'm not qualified to send in-field into Moscow," Samantha said.
"This would be into the Caucasus Mountains ultimately."
"Even more reason not to go. So, you have me curious. What do you have in that devious mind?"
"I want a better look at Taburova, and I want to take a better look at Ajza Manaev."
"Manaev? Why?"
"For possible recruitment," Kate said.
Samantha arched an eyebrow. "I can see the attraction. She thinks quickly on her feet, doesn't get easily put offher game, and she keeps her eyes on the mission."
"That bit of work sabotaging the weapons without backup impressed me," Kate admitted.
"It impressed me, too. I've already had her files pulled."
"Great minds think alike."
Samantha smiled a little. "I also happen to think that her reaction was risky and far too violent. She was like a bull in a china shop."
"She got the job done."
"And wreaked havoc with the civilians."
"Have you had time to review her file?" Kate asked.
"Not thoroughly. Too many other things have interfered, I'm afraid."
"Manaev had a brother who was also an intelligence agent." Kate brought up the young man's picture.
Ilyas Manaev had dirty-blond hair and blue eyes. Dark stubble on his lower jaw. His mouth looked too wide for his face, and his features were too regular to make him stand out in a crowd. He was almost instantly forgettable. It was a good trait for a field operative.
"Had? "
Samantha repeated.
"Ilyas is dead. He died in Moscow while on a mission."
"Who did he belong to?" Samantha asked.
"MI-6. The same as his sister."
"Family business?"
"No. From what I gather, their parents have no idea about the careers their children chose."
"You don't exactly come home from college and tell your parents you've become a spy. At least, I didn't," Samantha said.
"No." Kate returned Samantha's smile. "There's something in the rules about that." She paused. "The interesting thing is that Ilyas was killed in Moscow a couple of years ago."
"What was he doing there?"
"Spying on the Chechen rebels for MI-6."
Samantha took a measured breath and let it out. "Does Ajza Manaev know this?"
"I find it hard to believe that she wouldn't know," Kate said.
"Who killed her brother?"
Kate shook her head. "I don't have an answer for that one."
"It was either the Russians or the rebels."
"Or someone who was
Samantha frowned. "That seems like something we — or another intelligence agency — should have known."
"Someone may have. Taburova was one of the founding members of the Islamic International Peacekeeping Brigade."
"You say peacekeepers. I say terrorists."
Kate nodded. "Some of the intel I have states that Taburova was with one of the leaders when he was ambushed and killed."
"I suppose he carries a grudge," Samantha said.
"Since the ambush, Taburova has stayed out of sight, but sources believe Taburova has moved higher in the hierarchy of separatists," Kate said. "We've tied Taburova to Mustafa and the weapons. I know that Mustafa got the payment from straw banks in Russia." Kate tapped the keyboard, flashing image after image to Samantha.
Several images passed by. They were taken by Russian agents and military sources, and all of them showed Taburova in action. The man obviously had a charmed life. A number of times he'd been in the thick of battle with men lying dead all around him. Those images, Kate knew, were the kind that created legends and heroes.
"What was Taburova going to do with the weapons?" Samantha asked. "Why not give information anonymously to the Russians and let them handle it?"
"Taburova managed to move millions of dollars through Russian banks without their security service knowing about it. I'd like to know what else they're unaware of," Kate said.
Samantha remained quiet for a moment. "It goes against agency protocol to discuss information with anyone not directly involved in mission parameters."
"Yes," Kate said.
"I think we can both agree that I'm not qualified to send in-field into Moscow," Samantha said.
"This would be into the Caucasus Mountains ultimately."
"Even more reason not to go. So, you have me curious. What do you have in that devious mind?"
"I want a better look at Taburova, and I want to take a better look at Ajza Manaev."
"Manaev? Why?"
"For possible recruitment," Kate said.
Samantha arched an eyebrow. "I can see the attraction. She thinks quickly on her feet, doesn't get easily put offher game, and she keeps her eyes on the mission."
"That bit of work sabotaging the weapons without backup impressed me," Kate admitted.
"It impressed me, too. I've already had her files pulled."
"Great minds think alike."
Samantha smiled a little. "I also happen to think that her reaction was risky and far too violent. She was like a bull in a china shop."
"She got the job done."
"And wreaked havoc with the civilians."
"Have you had time to review her file?" Kate asked.
"Not thoroughly. Too many other things have interfered, I'm afraid."
"Manaev had a brother who was also an intelligence agent." Kate brought up the young man's picture.
Ilyas Manaev had dirty-blond hair and blue eyes. Dark stubble on his lower jaw. His mouth looked too wide for his face, and his features were too regular to make him stand out in a crowd. He was almost instantly forgettable. It was a good trait for a field operative.
"Had? "
Samantha repeated.
"Ilyas is dead. He died in Moscow while on a mission."
"Who did he belong to?" Samantha asked.
"MI-6. The same as his sister."
"Family business?"
"No. From what I gather, their parents have no idea about the careers their children chose."
"You don't exactly come home from college and tell your parents you've become a spy. At least, I didn't," Samantha said.
"No." Kate returned Samantha's smile. "There's something in the rules about that." She paused. "The interesting thing is that Ilyas was killed in Moscow a couple of years ago."
"What was he doing there?"
"Spying on the Chechen rebels for MI-6."
Samantha took a measured breath and let it out. "Does Ajza Manaev know this?"
"I find it hard to believe that she wouldn't know," Kate said.
"Who killed her brother?"
Kate shook her head. "I don't have an answer for that one."
"It was either the Russians or the rebels."
"Or someone who was
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