Read Online Kill Switch (9780062135285) by Grant James; Blackwood Rollins - Free Book Online Page A

Sigma command. So who in Russia had my itinerary? Who knew I’d be aboard this train.”
    â€œThe only person with that information was the contact you’re supposed to meet in Perm.”
    â€œWho’s that?”
    She didn’t answer immediately, and Tucker knew why. If Felice Nilsson got her hands on Tucker, the less he knew, the less he could divulge.
    â€œForget I asked,” he said. “So the leak is either my contact or someone he told.”
    â€œMost likely,” she agreed. “Either way, it has to be Abram Bukolov they’re after. But the fact that Ms. Nilsson is on that train rather than out in Perm, pursuing our contact, that tells us something.”
    â€œIt tells us whoever is paying her wants this to play out for some reason. This isn’t all about Bukolov himself. Maybe it’s something he has . . . something he knows.”
    â€œAgain, I agree. And trust me when I tell you this: I don’t know what that could be. When he contacted us, he was tight-­lipped. He told us only enough to make sure we’d get him out.” A moment of contemplative silence stretched, then she asked, “What’s your plan? How do you want to play this?”
    â€œDon’t know yet. Assuming those leather jackets I saw at Khabarovsk were hers, they were in a hurry, and I think I know why. The next stop on this route is at the city of Chita, a major hub, where trains spread out in every direction. They had to tag me in Khabarovsk or risk losing me.”
    â€œDo you think her men got aboard?”
    â€œI don’t think so, but I’ll have a look around. I wonder if part of their job was a distraction—­a spectacle to let Felice slip aboard without fuss.”
    â€œEither way, you can bet she’s in contact with them. You said there were no other stops before Chita?”
    â€œAfraid not.” Tucker checked his watch. “We’ll arrive in two and a half days. I’m going to check the route map. If the train slows below thirty miles per hour, and the terrain is accommodating, we can roll off. It’s the surest way to shake Felice off my trail.”
    â€œYou’re getting into the mountains out there, Tucker. Take care you don’t tumble off a cliff.”
    â€œGlad to know you care, Harper.”
    â€œJust worried about the dog.”
    He smiled, warming up to this woman. His image of the battle-­weary librarian was developing some softer edges, including a glint of dark amusement in her eyes.
    â€œAs to Felice Nilsson,” she continued, “don’t kill her unless you have to.”
    â€œNo promises, Harper, but I’ll keep you posted.”
    He disconnected and looked down at Kane, who was upright in his seat by the window. “How does a little backcountry romp sound to you, my friend?”
    Kane tilted his head and wagged his tail.
    So it’s unanimous.
    As the train continued chugging west toward Chita, Tucker spent the remainder of the day strolling the train, twice bumping into Felice. They chatted briefly. Both times she deftly probed him about his plans.
    Would he be heading directly on to Perm?
    What would he do when he got there?
    Which hotel had he booked?
    He deflected his way through her questioning with lies and vague responses. Then he spent the rest of the afternoon seeking an easy place to jump from the train.
    Unlike Hollywood portrayals, one could not simply open a window or slip out between cars. While in motion, all the train’s exits were locked, either directly or behind secure doors. Such security left Tucker with two choices. Either he remained aboard and attempted to shake loose of Felice at the Chita station, where she likely already had accomplices lying in wait—­or he discovered a way to get through those locked exits and leap blindly from the train in the dead of night.
    Not great choices.
    Still, in the end, he had little trouble making the decision,