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

leaning upon his military training and mind-­set. It came down to a simple adage drilled into him as an army ranger.
    Act, don’t react.

7
    March 8, 11:03 P.M.
    Trans-­Siberian Railway
    With the night darkening the berth’s windows, Tucker made his final preparations. He had spent the last few hours of daylight walking through his plan, both mentally and physically, rehearsing his movements, along with timing and tracing the routines of the staff.
    After one final task—­a bit of breaking and entering—­he called Ruth Harper.
    â€œDid you get the photos I took of Felice’s papers?”
    Earlier in the day, he had snuck into her berth while she was out. He rifled carefully through her bags and compartments, discovering four passports, her credit cards, and a Swedish driver’s license. He took photos of them all with his cell phone, left the room as tidy as he had entered it, and sent them to Sigma command. He wanted to know all he could about his opponent.
    â€œYes, we got the pictures and are running them through our databases.”
    â€œHopefully, by the time you finish that, whatever you find will be irrelevant.” Because he didn’t plan to still be on the train by then. “In forty minutes, the train will have to slow down for a hairpin turn along the river outside Byankino.”
    â€œWhich is where exactly in the vast expanse that is Siberia?”
    â€œAbout three hundred miles east of Chita. A lot of small villages lie nearby and even more forest. That means lots of territory to lose ourselves in.”
    â€œI assume you don’t mean that literally. The downside of such isolation is that you’re going to have trouble finding transportation to Perm—­at least low-­visibility transport.”
    â€œI think I’ve got an idea about that.”
    â€œYou know the saying: No plan survives first contact with the enemy .”
    Tucker pictured Felice’s face. “We’ve already made contact with the enemy. So it’s time to get proactive.”
    â€œYour call. You’re on the scene. Good luck with—­”
    From the door to his berth came a light knocking.
    â€œI’ve got company,” he said. “I’ll call when I can. In the meantime, nothing to our friend in Perm, agreed?”
    He didn’t want his new itinerary—­improvised as it was—­leaked out to the wrong ears.
    â€œUnderstood,” Harper acknowledged.
    He disconnected, walked to the door, and slid it open.
    Felice leaned against the frame. “I trust it’s not past your bedtime?”
    The expression on her face was one of coy invitation. Not too much, but just enough.
    Well practiced, he guessed.
    â€œI was just reading Kane a bedtime story.”
    â€œI had hoped you’d join me for a late-­night snack.”
    Tucker checked his watch. “The dining car is closed.”
    Felice smiled. “I have a secret cache in my berth. We could debate the literary merits of Anna Karenina .”
    When Tucker didn’t immediately reply, Felice let a little sparkle into her eye and turned up the corners of her mouth ever so slightly.
    She was very good, doing her best to keep her quarry close.
    â€œOkay,” he said. “Give me ten minutes. Your berth is . . . ?”
    â€œNext car up, second on the left.”
    He closed the door, then turned to Kane. “Plans have changed, pal. We’re going now .”
    Kane jumped off his seat. From beneath it, Tucker pulled free the shepherd’s tactical vest and secured it in place. Next he opened his wardrobe, hauled out his already-­prepped rucksack, and shoved his cold-­weather gear—­jacket, gloves, cap—­into the top compartment.
    Once ready, Tucker slowly slid open his berth door and peeked out. To the right, the direction of Felice’s berth, the corridor was clear. To the left, an elderly ­couple stood at the window,