# The Andropov File 3

Лев Переводчик Шкловский

****** Result for Image/Page 1 ****** 12499

47

(61 of 212)

110%

THE ANDROPOV FILE

47

guessed they were phony. These, too, he placed in his

own pocket. When he could find no other papers or

identification on the body, he checked the corridor.

Empty.

He took a flask of vodka from his bag and held it, un-

tapped, in his left hand and hoisted the man with his

right arm.

He was almost to the end of the corridor when the

well-dressed businessman emerged from a compart-

ment.

Kadinskov drank lustily from the flask and greeted

the man in a slurred voice. At the same time, he shielded

the front of the body from view.

The cigar smoker made a wry face and squeezed by

them.

Kadinskov carried his burden to the platform between

cars. He propped the body up in a corner and lit two

cigarettes. One he smoked himself, the other he stuck

between the dead man's lips.

Then he opened the top half of the door and waited,

every few minutes leaning out to look down the tracks.

Two passengers walked through, neither of them pay-

ing any attention to the two lolling drunks.

Kadinskov looked out again. Five hundred yards

ahead was a tunnel.

He readied the body, and the moment they were

engulfed in darkness, he heaved it through the opening.

He closed the upper half of the door, and by the time

the train emerged from the tunnel, he was back in his

compartment.

A half hour later the train stopped in the tiny village

of Isvit. Kadinskov got off and went directly to the

men's room. He changed into heavy outdoor clothes

and snow boots. The bag he shoved to the bottom of a

large waste can.

For the next half hour he wandered the streets of the

48

NICK CARTER


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

48

(62 of 212)

48

110%

NICK CARTER

small village until he found a small garage that rented

snowmobiles.

The young man was most obliging, even telling Kad-

inskov the best places within a five-mile radius for ice

fishing.

It was ironic.

He rented the snowmobile with the dead man's

credentials, and paid for it with the Finnish markkas he

had taken from the body.

Carter paid the cabdriver at the road and walked up

the long, snow-covered lane to the cabin. He could see

by the fresh tracks that Nina had already arrived.

In his mind he could still see the stark look of fear on

her face when the last of the train's passengers had

passed through the exit turnstiles and her brother had

not been among them.

It was all on her face—another eighteen hours of

agony until the alternate meet. And perhaps there would

be no second meeting. Joseph might not have gotten out

at all.

She was sitting, still in her huge coat, her head in her

hands, when Carter came in. Beside her, the fire they

had banked before leaving still smoldered. She didn't

look up.

Carter set the bag of groceries he had purchased

before leaving Helsinki on a table, and silently stoked

the fire. When it was blazing and its heat had permeated

the small room, he took a bottle of Finnish vodka from

the bag, found two glasses, and joined her.

"Here—there's nothing we can do now until tomor-

row."

Nina took it and drank. Her eyes were red-rimmed.

Carter couldn't help wondering what she would do if

her brother didn't make it. She had walked out on the

ballet world, literally disappeared, so that avenue was


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

49

(63 of 212)

110%

THE ANDROPOV FILE

49

no longer open to her. That would also, more than

likely, kill the Cavetti alias she had been using.

Suddenly Carter didn't want to think about it.

"Hungry?"

She shrugged.

"We're both hungry," he said, and unpacked the

food he had bought.

He managed a poor imitation of a smörgasbård, and

laid out slices Of thick-crusted Finnish bread heavy with

sweet butter.

They ate silently, both of them doing it more out of

necessity than real hunger. When they finished, they

quickly did the dishes and then, over more vodka, Nina

traced the route her brother would be taking on a map.

"If he did have to leave the train, he told me he would

go far north, here, to Kouvola. If anyone chased him,

he was sure he could get rid of them in the heavy forests

and over the lakes."

Carter nodded. ' 'Makes sense. This time of year the

lakes will be frozen. He could make good time, even

overland. "

"From Kouvola he would take a bus to Lahti, after

having bought a full-fare ticket to Helsinki. There he

would leave the bus and head south, overland again,

here, to Borga

She kept talking, getting more animated by the sec-

ond. It was as if, by tracing the route on the map, Nina

could actually see her brother doing it, heading for

safety.

By the time she finished, she was actually excited.

"And where do we make contact? "

"There is a funeral home just outside Borga. across

the lake. Joseph knows the owner well. The man has

agreed to hide him until we arrive."

"Okay," Carter said, stretching, "let's get some

sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. You can


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

50

(64 of 212)

+ 110%

sleep. Tomorrow IS gorng to a ong

NICK CARTER

have the bed. I'll take the sofa."

'41 feel awful," she sighed. ' 'If you don't mind, I'm

going to take a bath."

She heated water while Carter made up the sofa. He

heard her pour the water as he slipped out of his clothes

and beneath the heavy down quilt. To his surprise, when

he rolled over, Nina was removing her clothes without

dimming the lantern or setting up the screen in front of

the old-fashioned tub.

There was no shyness; neither was there any overt

boldness.

Carter started to roll away as the sweater and jeans

came off, and he felt a rising knot of expectation in his

throat.

Suddenly she flashed him one quick look and a brief

smile.

The hell with it, he thought, and gave himself up to

the deliberate enjoyment of her body.

His impression of her had always been that of a child-

woman. Nearly nude, that impression went out the win-

dow. She was small, but all woman.

Unselfconsciously and with no waste of time, Nina

bent forward slightly to unhook her bra and free her

breasts. Then she hooked her thumbs in her panties to

shed them.

She braced a graceful hand and arm against the edge

and put one foot into the tub. testing the water. From

across the room, Carter could smell the woman-fra-

grance that comes from health and heat and activity.

The soap became perfume fading into the natural

fragrance of a woman's skin.

When she stood and reached for a towel, Carter could

take no more. He rolled over into the sofa and clamped

his eyes shut.

A few moments later, the light was extinguished and

he heard her crawl into bed.

Then, ' 'Nick?"


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

51

(65 of 212)

+ 110%

he heard her craw Into bed.

Then, ' 'Nick?"

THE ANDROPOV FILE

51

"Yeah?" His voice sounded as though it had come

from the bottom of a barrel.

"Do you mean to tell me that you're really going to

sleep on that lumpy sofa?"

"Why you ..

He was off the sofa and into the bed in two leaps, the

last of his own words cut off by her laugh.

They came into each other's arms, and their naked

flesh trembled from the contact. Nina was warm and

sofa and her hard nipples were like tiny buttons against

his chest. They kissed passionately, their tongues dart-

ing against one another's.

Carter broke the kiss and looked down at her. "Are

you drunk or do you really know what you're doing?"

"Both," she moaned. '41 wanted to do this two years

ago."

He felt her body lift to his. He caressed her naked,

trembling thighs as his hot mouth came down once more

in search of hers. As his hand roamed, she struggled

harder and harder toward his insistent caresses.

He felt her go limp. The warmth of her lips seemed

to sear his as excitement lurched through his body.

Trapped between his hands and his kissing mouth, she

moaned with real desire.

She lay, quivering, on her back as his lips and tongue

teased her tingling flesh. Her head began to roll from

side to side as his kisses found her distended nipples. He

bent over the soft mounds, gently loving them with his

mouth. He kissed and licked them, moving from tip to

tip. Her lips were half parted. The look in her eyes

clearly registered her low boiling point.

He stroked and cupped the pale globes, and she felt

his warm hardness pressing against her thigh as he

kissed her.

His hands slid down her belly. The weight of his

strong body kept her thighs apart as he probed with gen-

tle fingers. Nina rotated her hips rhythmically in re-


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

52

(66 of 212)

+ 110%

e wergh o IS

His han s s '

own er e y.

strong body kept her thighs apart as he probed with gen-

tle fingers. Nina rotated her hips rhythmically in re-

52

NICK CARTER

sponse to his expert touch.

"Enough, enough!" she cried at last.

"What?"

g 'I said, enough."

"Enough?" he chuckled. C 'After you did that number

on me by the tub?"

Her eyes opened and she smiled up at him. "It

worked, didn't it?"

He moved upward between her parted thighs and

entered her easily.

She cried out, but it soon faded into a faint, mewling

sound. Her face contorted in passion, and a light film of

perspiration coated her forehead as her hair swung back

and forth across her face.

Theie was a momentary pause, and then violence.

A howl erupted from her throat. But it was not a

sound of anger or pain, more like one of victory . a

pleasant victory over whatever devils had beleaguered

her these past few hours.

As Carter made his own way toward fulfillment, Nina

twitched and lurched. drawing from their union every

ounce of pleasure that was in it. and at the same time in-

flaming his body almost beyond endurance.

Then he was at the crest, the moment all the nerves in

his body concentrated their forces and brought them

together between his legs.

With a throaty growl, he exploded.

And then he exploded again.

' 'My God," he breathed heavily, releasing her and

falling breathless beside her.

They lay silent for several moments, and then his

hand sneaked out to caress her. She lifted it and placed

it back on his own chest.

"What's the matter?"

"Tomorrow's a rough day, remember?" she said

lightly, and curled into his arm.


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

53

(67 of 212)

+ 110%

"Tomorrow's a rough day, remember?"

lightly, and curled into his arm.

FIVE

she said

The morning sun of Paris was warm, but a brisk

breeze stirred the papers in the gutter. Less than ten

short blocks away, the bells of Notre Dame called the

faithful to early mass.

In front of the small Left Bank pension stood a black,

late-model Ford Cortina sedan. It had been rented the

previous evening by Gregor Leventov. Because of the

necessity of time, he had rented the car with cover

papers that had been issued him years before, to be used

when operating abroad.

That had been his mistake, using a cover that they

knew about.

That was how they had located him.

Major Anya Chevola had smelled out the plot by put-

ting hundreds Of small pieces together: a random report

by a waiter at the Georgian restaurant where Shalin and

53


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

54

(68 of 212)

+ 110%

ting hundreds Of small pieces together: a random report

by a waiter at the Georgian restaurant where Shalin and

54

53

NICK CARTER

Leventov had lunched together that day; the travel

reports of both of their chauffeurs; the interrogation of

everyone connected with them for the last two years.

That interrogation had uncovered the third plotter:

Nikolai Gusenko, head of the KGB station in Madrid.

Major Chevola had acted fast when she learned from

a routine GRU report from Khodinsk that Leventov had

taken a transport plane from Moscow to Paris.

She had sent a crack, four-man team to Madrid and

had come to Paris herself.

Her orders before leaving Moscow were clear: "It is

fairly certain now that only the three of them know

about the microfilm. We must try and take them alive,

if possible. If that does not prove feasible, make sure

that what they know goes no further."

Now Major Anya Chevola stood in an alley between

two stores, watching the pension and the car. She had

been there nearly two hours and her legs were getting

numb. But she had chosen the duty because she drew

less attention than her male aide would have in the same

spot. The sun climbed and she could feel the heat of its

welcome rays on the back Of her neck.

A fat woman went by wheeling a baby carriage, her

body soft and shapeless, her stockings wrinkled and sag-

ging. She saw the attractive blond woman dressed in

chic black leather.

"Poule, "she sniffed. "Was it such a slow night that

you must foul the neighborhood at this hour of the

morning?"

"Move along, you cow," Anya Chevola hissed in

perfect French, and turned away.

She waited.

A delivery truck went by, milk cases rattling, leaving

a trail of melted ice water in its wake.

A Paris police car came slowly by, the two patrolmen

lolling in the front seat, coats unbuttoned, faces listless;

they gave Anya scarcely a glance. A young housewife


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

55

(69 of 212)

+ 100%

y vases ractnng,uea

a trail of melted ice water in its wake.

A Paris police car came slowly by, the two patrolmen

lolling in the front seat, coats unbuttoned, faces listless;

they gave Anya scarcely a glance. A young housewife

THE ANDROPOV FILE

55

walked by the alley, her heels clicking on the pavement.

She, too, glanced at the attractive blonde. But instead of

a haughty comment, she merely smiled and shrugged.

Then the front door of the pension opened.

Anya Chevola stood rigid as Gregor Leventov shuf-

fled down the stairs. In baggy trousers, a windbreaker,

and a cloth cap, with a cigarette hanging from the side

Of his mouth, he looked like a Parisian workingman on

his day off. He could even be departing for mass. As he

stood on the curb looking up and down the street, Anya

squeezed further back into the shadows.

Leventov got into his car and roared off. A black

Citroen with two men in the front seat immediately

pulled out from a side street. The Citroen stopped just

long enough for Major Chevola to dive into the back

seat.

"Keep him in sight but be careful," she said.

"When do we take him?" oneof the men asked.

I' When we are sure he can lead us to nothing."

They crossed the Seine and drove in what seemed like

circles for a half hour.

"He's stopping."

i 'Drive past, slowly."

"lt's the offices of Iberia."

They stopped a block away and parked.

"Yevgeny, does he know you?" Anya asked the dark-

haired giant in the front passenger seat.

"No, we have never met."

"Then go into the office and try to find out what he is

doing. But be careful. Don't spook him into running.

An incident on the open street we can do without.

The man hopped out and sprinted toward the airline

offices. Anya walked down the block and crossed the

street. There was a small café right across from the

Iberia offices, and it was just opening. She went inside,

sat down at a table near the window, and ordered cof-

fee.

56

NICK CARTER


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

56

(70 of 212)

fee.

56

100%

NICK CARTER

Ten minutes later, Yevgeny came out and headed

toward the Citroen. Leventov was practically right

behind him, heading toward his own car. They did the

same routine, and two blocks later fell in behind him.

"Why did he go to Iberia?" Anya asked.

"He verified an air delivery in Madrid this morning.

Some kind of commercial cargo."

'SDamn," Anya hissed from the back seat. "Let's

hope they have located Gusenko."

"He's heading back to the pension. "

"Take the antidote pills now," the woman said. "If it

is necessary, we will use only the gas pistols."

Ali three popped pills into their mouths.

Leventov pulled up in front of the pension and went

inside. Anya Chevola was out of the car in a flash,

already running.

"One of you come behind me—the other find the rear

entrance!"

A teen-age girl was behind the desk reading a maga-

zine. Otherwise the small lobby was empty. When the

girl's eyes stayed on the magazine, Anya walked right

past her to the stairs.

She paused just long enough on the first landing to

hear footsteps climbing above her. Once past the first

floor, she sprinted. She caught up with Leventov on the

fourth floor just as he was opening his door.

He turned, fast. His short, awkward appearance was

deceiving. He was lithe and quick.

But before he had swung halfway around, Anya was

on him. She grabbed him by the back of his collar and

yanked the windbreaker down hard. At the same time,

she pushed the muzzle of the gas pistol in his face.

"You know what this is, Comrade Gregor Leventov.

Inside, quietly!"

She could hear Yevgeny's tread behind her. Leventov

seemed to go limp. He moved into the room. The sec-

ond agent arrived at the door.

THE ANDROPOV FILE

57

"Stay outside and watch," Anya hissed, then closed

the door, whirling on Leventov. "What did you send to

Madrid?"


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

57

(71 of 212)

+ 100%

she pushed the muzzle of the gas pistol in his face.

"You know what this is, Comrade Gregor Leventov.

Inside, quietly!"

She could hear Yevgeny's tread behind her. Leventov

seemed to go limp. He moved into the room. The sec-

ond agent arrived at the door.

THE ANDROPOV FILE

57

"Stay outside and watch," Anya hissed, then closed

the door, whirling on Leventov. "What did you send to

Madrid?"

"l don't know what you're talking about."

Yevgeny hit him, open-handed, along the side of the

head, his palm directly over the ear.

Leventov growled in pain and staggered across the

room. Near the bed he tripped.

Too late they saw what he was doing. From beneath

the pillow he pulled a silenced Stechkin, and fired as he

rolled to his back.

Anya Chevola had no choice. She stepped forward

and fired the gas pistol directly into Leventov's face.

The gas was instantly effective, but, just in case, she

kicked the Stechkin from his grasp.

Behind her, Yevgeny groaned.

"Were you hit?" she asked over her shoulder, stoop-

ing to strip all identification from Leventov's body and

slipping the Stechkin into her coat pocket.

'*Yes, my arm, but it's not bleeding badly. What is

that?" he asked, moving to her side and staring down at

the piece of paper in her hand.

"His receipt from Iberia Airlines. He shipped a cas-

ket. Damn! They must get Gusenko before he disposes

of it!"

Nikolai Gusenko entered the small café and took a

table far enough from the window so he couldn't be

seen from the outside. But he could see all of the street,

as well as the entrance to the hotel across the street.

The café reeked of frying food. Two tables away a

peasant woman sat munching bread and eating hard

fried eggs so tiny each was a single mouthful.

Watching her, it occurred to Gusenko that he hadn't

eaten in over twenty hours.

First there had been the flight from Paris. Then the

transfer of the casket to the old truck. He himself had


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

58

(72 of 212)

+ 100%

ea en in over

First there had been the flight from Paris. Then the

transfer of the casket to the old truck. He himself had

58

NICK CARTER

driven the truck out of Madrid into the Guadarrama

Mountains to Avila. There, in a tiny village, he had

passed the body over to a grieving trio: the mother and

father, and a heartbroken fiancé, the local school-

teacher, a young man Angelina Galadin had known

since childhood. The fiancé had taken the news of

Angelina's death very badly, and was shocked that

suicide had been listed by the Soviet authorities as the

cause of death. The Russians must be crazy, he thought:

why couldn't they have said it was just a terrible acci-

dent with a speeding automobile?

For the first fifteen minutes of their meeting Gusenko

thought that he might have to fight off the young man.

who was so distraught as to be almost violent when he

saw the casket. He couldn't believe that he'd lost

Angelina forever. He thought back to that wonderful,

passion-filled long weekend they had spent in Paris only

a few months before. She would have been home soon

for good ... they were to be married ... and now ...

On and on he went, his anguish heart-rending, the old

couple standing numb behind him.

At last Gusenko took the weeping young man aside,

had him sign a receipt, and offered his condolences.

The casket was transferred to, of all things, a horse-

drawn cart, and Gusenko watched them wind their way

into the rocky hills. They would return to their tiny

village and bury her and mourn together.

Gusenko had then driven to the train station in the

walled city of Avila, where he abandoned the truck. It

had been purchased weeks before in Madrid, using a fic-

titious name so it could never be traced.

From Avila he had trained north to Segovia. In

Segovia he had called the hotel, and got his first shock.

She had not checked in.

She had not wanted to go to France on holiday in the

first place. Had she just not come? Surely not. Surely

she would have left him a message.

THE ANDROPOV FILE

59

Carmela Savona had been Gusenko's mistress for two


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

59

(73 of 212)

+ 100%

THE ANDROPOV FILE

59

Carmela Savona had been Gusenko's mistress for two

years, nearly all the time he had been posted in Spain. It

was she who carried the false passports and other papers

that would allow them to disappear for days, even

weeks, if necessary, until the turbulence in Moscow set-

tied down and Gusenko could come out of hiding.

And she had the car. He had no means of getting a car

here in Segovia.

Where was the bitch?

A waiter set a stained menu in front of Gusenko and

rubbed his greasy hands on an already filthy apron. The

Russian was again reminded that for many hours he had

taken no food.

But food was not what he needed.

"You have vodka?"

"Si, senor. "

"Bring me vodka."

The drink bucked him up a little. But not much.

Again he phoned the hotel. "No, sehor, I am sorry.

But we have no Senorita Savona registered."

He ordered another drink, and another. He sat over

the table, a huge man, hunched and morose, liquor and

lack of sleep giving an added fierceness to his deep-set

eyes, making him look older than his thirty-odd years.

He sat drinking for two more hours, until he finally

admitted to himself that Carmela Savona was not com-

ing.

He would have to run by himself. He had his own

passport and papers, but he dared not use them to leave

the country. He would have to hide in Spain.

Where? he asked his vodka-fogged mind.

Bilbao. He had spent a week there last year by the

seashore. He had money, enough to buy himself

anonymity for a few days. He hoped that would be long

enough.

He threw bills on the table to pay for the vodka, and

NICK CARTER

walked into the sunlight. Buses, carts, and small trucks

buzzed around him like angry hornets, their motors

roaring, the constant blare of their horns adding to the

noisy bustle.

It was market day, and chaos.


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

60

(74 of 212)

+ 100%

seashore. He had money, enough to buy himself

anonymity for a few days. He hoped that would be long

enough.

He threw bills on the table to pay for the vodka, and

NICK CARTER

walked into the sunlight. Buses, carts, and small trucks

buzzed around him like angry hornets, their motors

roaring, the constant blare of their horns adding to the

noisy bustle.

It was market day, and chaos.

Gusenko remembered seeing the sign for the central

bus terminus, and headed that way.

He was just turning off the Calle Vallejo into the

Plaza San Esteban, when he saw the car rock to a halt a

block in front of him. It was long and sleek. with its

black paint shining in the sunlight.

There were tinted side and rear windows; one could

see out but not in. In the front seat, two men sat watch-

ing him.

They were in the mountains. It was winter, with a

chilling wind rushing through the plaza. But beneath his

heavy coat, his sweater, and the rest of his winter wear,

Gusenko could feel sweat ooze from every pore of his

big body.

He dropped to one knee and retied a shoelace. From

that position he sneaked a look behind him.

A second car, the same style and make, blocked the

entrance to the plaza.

It was then that Gusenko knew that Carmela Savona

was never coming. He had been so careful, so sure that

his KGB comrades didn't have a hint of his Spanish

liaison.

He had been wrong.

And chances were good that Carmela Savona had

paid for her lover's mistake with her life.

Gusenko stood, forcing his feet to take him past the

car. As he drew abreast, the door opened. Two men

swung directly in front of him.

"Get in the car, comrade." The man who spoke of-

fered his hand as if in greeting. It held a small pistol.

Gusenko stood, rooted, his drink-fogged mind trying

THE ANDROPOV FILE


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

61

(75 of 212)

100%

THE ANDROPOV FILE

61

to reason an escape. From his left some women, all

wearing dark head scarves and black, worn clothing,

stepped from the sidewalk. All of them carried large

shopping baskets. They had already seen the confronta-

tion and their eyes were bright with anticipation.

Gusenko had been in Spain long enough to know the

reason for their anticipation. He was dressed as their

men would be dressed, in the heavy woolens and worn,

manure-stained boots of a Spanish workingman.

He moved toward them, shouting over his shoulder at

the two by the car, ' 'Why can't the Guardia leave me

alone? What do you want with me? I am a simple man. I

have done nothing. Why do the police hound me?"

The two bulky KGB agents moved toward him.

Behind them, across the street, Gusenko saw a bus

preparing to leave, maneuvering out into traffic.

Thirty yards and he would be safe. A hundred street

peddlers lined the plaza with their stands, reducing traf-

fic to a crawl except for the monstrous buses. By the

time the cars could turn around and escape the plaza, he

would be dropping off the bus a mile away.

He was close enough to the women to smell their

sweat and cheap scent.

"Go on, senor, run!" one of the women suddenly

shrilled.

The larger of the KGB men dived for Gusenko. The

woman, shrieking, threw her basket between his legs, ef-

fectively tripping him.

Gusenko ran, butting his shoulder into the second

man, knocking him out Of the way.

The bus was roaring away now, kicking up a dust

cloud from its heavy tires. It was one of those Old-

fashioned buses still used in Spain, with an open rear

door so that it barely had to stop to pick up passengers

on the narrow mountain roads. It just slowed and the

people swung aboard.

62

NICK CARTER

But the door was on the other side.

Gusenko slowed. The rear of the bus passed him and

he sped up.


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

62

(76 of 212)

+ 100%

O KlcnngNp•u-u

cloud from its heavy tires. It was one of those Old-

fashioned buses still used in Spain, with an open rear

door so that it barely had to stop to pick up passengers

on the narrow mountain roads. It just slowed and the

people swung aboard.

62

NICK CARTER

But the door was on the other side.

Gusenko slowed. The rear of the bus passed him and

he sped up.

He was going to make it.

He came around the bus, sweat pouring into his eyes.

There was a woman's scream.

Another bus was barreling into the square on the

other side.

Gusenko himself screamed. He was inches in front of

the huge front bumper and the driver couldn't even see

him.

The world burst into flaming pain. He felt himself

being carried around and around as the big tires

mangled his body.

The sun was spinning. He no longer had size or shape.

He was nothing, with the sound of screaming brakes

and roaring engines in his ears. _

But through it all, one last thought rose in his mind:

This was it, the sick thing that all men dread.

And, after all, it became such a small thing to die.


SIX

Light streamed into the room through the cracks

around the thin, cheap curtains. Yawning, Carter sat up

and checked his watch on the night table.

Nine o'clock. More than enough time to get to Borga

and rent the car.

He lit a cigarette and studied the body sprawled

beside him. The quilt had slipped down, exposing one

pert breast. The rest of her body was twisted in such a

grotesque position that, had it been any body but a

dancer's, Carter would have thought her in pain.

He leaned over, tugged the quilt a little lower, and

tickled her flat belly. Nina moaned and pushed his hand

away. In so doing, the quilt slipped even further.

It was a nice body, all warmly pink, gently curved,

with hips strong and fatless, and lovely breasts that

didn't tilt up or down.

64

63

NICK CARTER

She sighed, still in sleep, and turned on her side, fac-

ing him. Again, Carter reached forward and tickled the


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

64

(78 of 212)

64

+ 100%

NICK CARTER

She sighed, still in sleep, and turned on her side, fac-

ing him. Again, Carter reached forward and tickled the

breast closest to him.

She squinted one eye and said, very clearly. "I may

just punch you in the nose."

"That's not a very romantic way to start the day."

She opened both eyes and scowled at the sunlight in-

vading the room. Then her eyes grew wide, and Carter

smiled. He had the idea that she was just remembering

what had happened the night before.

He said so.

she purred, and stretched, kicking the

"Maybe,"

quilt the rest of the way off. "What time is it?"

' 'Early. "

"Then where are you going?"

' 'Borga, to rent the car."

Nina grabbed his shoulders and tugged him back to

the bed. "You said it was early."

With those words, she set about reigniting the previ-

ous night's fire.

It didn't take long.

"Car, got to get the car," Carter sighed, but his

words lacked conviction.

Their bodies met with an even greater intensity tha

the night before. Their breathing came in short gasp

until, at the climax, there was no one else in the whole

world but the two of them. with the northern sunlight

streaming through the window.

When it was over, reality set back in all too soon.

They dressed quietly and Carter headed for the door.

"I'll be back in a couple of hours. Be ready."

She nodded, and he set off around the lake.

Borga was a good-sized town, large enough that n

eyebrows were raised when an American wished to ren

a car for a two-week period. There was no problem wit

his desire to return the car in Helsinki, only a drop-of

charge.

THE ANDROPOV FILE

65

The car would actually be dropped off much farther

north, at Kauliranta, on the Swedish frontier.

He spotted them about the same time they spotted

him, just as he was coming out of the car rental office.

They were walking along the sidewalk directly opposite


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

65

(79 of 212)

+ 100%

e rowsAver a se when an Americanwish o ren

a car for a two-week period. There was no problem wit

his desire to return the car in Helsinki, only a drop-of

charge.

THE ANDROPOV FILE

65

The car would actually be dropped off much farther

north, at Kauliranta, on the Swedish frontier.

He spotted them about the same time they spotted

him, just as he was coming out of the car rental office.

They were walking along the sidewalk directly opposite

him, two of them, wearing jeans the same as everybody

else.

But their shirts were different. Nearly every man

Carter had met that day wore checked, heavy hunting

shirts. It was that kind of an area. Under their coats,

these two wore white dress shirts.

For the next half hour, Carter edged in and out of

stores. They followed his direction for only a short time

and then disappeared.

Perhaps it was just his imagination, he thought, and

retraced his steps back to the car.

He took a different road around the lake, and back-

tracked several times.

No sign of them.

The Killmaster put it down to his usual paranoia

about detection on a delicate mission, and drove to the

cabin. By the time he had arrived, it was midafternoon

and the long winter night had already descended.

Nina was drinking coffee and pacing the tiny cabin

like a caged lioness.

"Anything outside while I was gone?"

"What do you mean?"

"Anybody been around?"

"NO. At least I didn't see anyone. Why?"

"Nothing." Carter said, bending to extinguish the

fire.

The funeral home was on the lake about four miles

from the center of Borga. There was a high ledge sur-

rounding a good part of the grounds. The main building

was set well back. It was sprawling and large. Other

smaller buildings squatted in deeper shadow.

NICK CARTER


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

66

(80 of 212)

sma

er

ur

mgs squ

100%

NICK CARTER

Carter parked in the wide turnaround in front of the

building and killed the engine. "If he isn't here ?"

'S We come back tomorrow. And if not then, the day

after," Nina replied, a solid set to her chin.

"Okay," Carter said with a shrug. "Let's go."

They approached the wide doorway. There was an

aura of stillness about the place, only the low hum of

some kind of machine from one of the outbuildings and

the chirping of a bird in the vacuumlike silence.

There was a woman at the desk just inside the door,

fortyish, stern, with lips turned downward in practiced

mourning. She said nothing, merely nodded as they ap-

proached the desk.

Nina did the talking. ' 'We are the Swensons, here for

the viewing of my uncle. "

A little fire came into the woman's eyes. Wordlessly,

she directed them down a long hall and punched the but-

ton of an intercom on her desk.

Nina's grip on Carter's arm was like a vise. "He's

here, Nick! He's here!"

"Just how sure is Joseph of these people?"

"Very sure. Two of their relatives died in the

Caucasus some time ago. Joseph was instrumental in

cutting a lot of red tape so the bodies could be returned.

They were very grateful. "

They entered a large sitting room. Another woman

sat at the far end. She was dressed in a simple but ele-

gant black dress and was an amazingly beautiful

woman, with dark red lips and warm brown eyes. As

they approached, she uncrossed her legs and stood.

"I am Helga Nordstrom. This way, please."

They went down another long hall, past viewing

rooms to a pair of stout, wooden doors.

' 'The room is completely private. You have fifteen

minutes, twenty at the most."

They entered and the door closed behind them. A

flower-bedecked casket was on a raised dais in the

center of the room. One half of the lid was open and the

THE ANDROPOV FILE

corpse of an old man was visible to the waist.

67

Carter felt a tremor go through Nina as she looked at

the body. and then another as a pair of drapes parted


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

67

(81 of 212)

+ 100%

uncr•ong— nau;•-

rooms to a pair of stout, wooden doors.

' 'The room is completely private. You have fifteen

minutes, twenty at the most."

They entered and the door closed behind them. A

flower-bedecked casket was on a raised dais in the

center of the room. One half of the lid was open and the

THE ANDROPOV FILE

corpse of an old man was visible to the waist.

67

Carter felt a tremor go through Nina as she looked at

the body. and then another as a pair of drapes parted

and a man stepped into the room.

"Joseph .. ."

She was across the room and into her brother's arms

like a shot. After lots of hugs and kisses and tears, she

broke free and introduced Carter.

"Thank you so very much for helping me," Kadin.

Skov said, pressing Carter's outstretched hand between

his own.

The Kilimaster shrugged it off. He wanted very much

to question Nina's brother about the details of his

escape, as well as the KGB connection that led up to it,

but it didn't look like there would be time.

' 'The woman said twenty minutes. What happens

then?"

Kadinskov drew a crudely drawn map from his

pocket. "He' '—he nodded toward the casket—"is

being taken to the church of Hattula . . . here. About

halfway, we will enter these woods. There is a logging

camp, here, about a mile off the main road. Nord-

strom's driver will drop me there. "

' 'And that's where we pick you up?" Carter asked.

$ 'Yes. There is a sign on the main road for the logging

camp. You can't miss it."

Carter thought for a moment. "Why can't you just

leave with us from here?"

"I don't want to involve the Nordstroms any further.

Just in case you have been followed, or they somehow

may have spotted me, I want to keep these people in the

clear. What they have already done is very dangerous

for them."

Carter nodded. "One more thing. Why did you take

the alternate plan, leave the train?"

' 'Jt was just as I feared. The KGB never lives up to

their promises."

Tersely, he reiterated what he had done in Moscow


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

68

(82 of 212)

+ 100%

' 'Jt was just as I feared. The KGB never lives up to

their promises."

Tersely, he reiterated what he had done in Moscow

68

NICK CARTER

for Leventov, and the subsequent try for him on the

"What did you sew into the woman's belly?"

a 'A small package. I donst know what •as in it."

' 'The woman's name?"

don't know that. either. I do know that the woman

was Spanish. and the body was being transported to

Madrid. back to her family for burial."

Not much to go on, the Killmaster thought. but he

stored the details in his memory bank anyway. in case

Kadinskov's information might one day prove useful.

The door opened and Helga Nordstrom's beautiful

head popped through. • 'It is time. you must go."

It was pitch-black. not a light for miles around. and

the moon was long gone under heavy. flying clouds.

Beside him, Nina held the crude map in the light of the

dash.

"Fork ahead. " Carter said.

"Yes," she replied. "Take the center one. That's the

road that Will take us all the way through the forest."

The road turned to gravel just after they entered the

woods. Here and there were smaller private roads.

Through the blackness Carter could make out names

painted on rustic signs. and a summer eot-

tage tucked away in the trees beside a dark lake.

"It should be five miles exactly from here," Nina

said. "on the right. Check the odometer."

"Got it,' • Carter said. nodding.

The words were scarcely out of his mouth when a pair

Of headlights appeared behind them. coming fast. Until

now they had only seen a few cars on the lonely stretch

of highway. and all of them had been going the other

way, toward Helsinki.

Carter was about to slow and let the car pass. when

one of the headlights veered to his left and came on like

a shot.

Motorcycle. he thought. and then it flew by them and

THE ANDROPOV HLE

disappeared around the next curve.

69


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

69

(83 of 212)

+ 100%

THE ANDROPOV HLE

disappeared around the next curve.

69

Carter sped up and the second motorcycle dropped

back. He slowed, but still the light behind him faded.

"What's wrong?" Nina asked, noting the frown on

his forehead.

"Motorcycles."

' 'What about them?"

"Why did a pair of them come up on us and then split

Her eyes grew wide in the dashboard lights. "Us?"

Carter shrugged. ' 'We'll see."

The road climbed steadily and wound like a moving

snake. About two miles farther on, he looked down and

to his left. Again there were two lights.

No way, he thought, for the first one to get back by

him. There were now three of them.

Then he saw the bobbing glow of a taillight in the

distance ahead.

They were pacing him and Nina.

the Sign!

"There it is .

Carter had already seen it. When they drew abreast of

it. he killed his lights and gunned the engine. The car

flew ahead and Nina started shouting.

"You passed it! Back there. the sign for the logging

"I know. Trust me."

Jt didn't take a genius to figure it out. He had been

tagged right from the beginning—tagged and then

trailed all the way across Europe. They had probably

used teams, making them almost impossible for Carter

to spot.

It had already gotten through to Nina. "The motor-

cycles?"

Carter nodded. "Yeah. most likely a crack assassina-

tion team. They've probably already guessed that we're

down to the wire ... somewhere tomght we're meeting

your brother."

Since the sign, they had already

70

NICK CARTER

passed another road. and Carter could see a break in the

trees ahead indicating a third. They were all on the

right, and the entrances were laid over with undisturbed

snow.


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

70

(84 of 212)

+ 100%

Carter nodded. "Yeah. most likely a crack assassina-

tion team. They've probably already guessed that we're

down to the wire ... somewhere tomght we're meeting

your brother."

Since the sign, they had already

70

NICK CARTER

passed another road. and Carter could see a break in the

trees ahead indicating a third. They were all on the

right, and the entrances were laid over with undisturbed

snow.

It wouldn't be difficult for the bad guys to figure out

which one they took.

Carter reached the road, braked. and spun the car

off. He went about twenty yards, stopped, and shifted

into reverse to wait.

It didn't take long. He could hear the roar of their

engines and then. when they spotted the tracks. he could

hear them throttling down.

"What are you going to do?" Nina whispered.

"Make 'em guess .

. at first," Carter said. "And

then make 'em play on my turf. "

The engines died. Carter did a one-thousand count to

ten, and dropped the clutch.

The little car took off like a jackrabbit backward. The

instant the rear wheels hit the road, he spun the wheel

and hit the lights.

One of them was off his bike. slinging a machine

pistol over his shoulder. The econd was still sitting on

his machine, his helmet off. a walkie-talkie up to his

mouth.

In the glare of the car's lights, Carter and Nina could

both recognize the face.

"Henri Duval!" Nina gasped. "From Milan .

the

ballet!"

"Duval my ass." Carter growled. shifting into first.

"I'll bet he speaks perfect Russian."

The car lurched ahead. Both men dived for the trees.

Carter meant to cream both machines. At the last sec-

ond he lost traction in the snow and only managed to get

one.

"That should hold them for a little bit, until their

buddy catches up." he hissed.

They must have broken Nina's cover some time ago.

THE ANDROPOV FILE

71


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

71

(85 of 212)

+ 100%

ey must ave broken Nina's cover some time ago.

THE ANDROPOV FILE

71

en, when they decided to use Joseph for one of their

games, they sent Duval/Whoever in to spot Nina and

make sure they got Joseph if he managed to slip them.

Carter told Nina as much and, white-faced, she

nodded in agreement.

Around the curve, he kept his lights on, searching for

the next road. When they hit it, he turned in and very

carefully reversed back out in the same tracks.

It was nearly a mile further to the logging camp road.

Carter hit it full tilt, and charged up it under an um-

brella of tall, leafless trees. One hundred, two hundred,

three hundred yards of narrow, winding road . and

nothing.

"Come on, come on!" he hissed. "Where the

hell ..

And then they burst into a huge clearing and Carter

began snapping the lights off and on.

Except for a couple of big logging trucks and a

bulldozer, the place looked abandoned and ghostly.

There were several buildings leaning as if they would

wobble and fall over in the next big storm.

In less than two minutes Carter had crisscrossed and

spun the car around the clearing several times, making a

mess of his own tracks.

Then he spun the car around and backed it under a

wooden overhead. He killed the lights and engine, and

jumped out. Nina was right behind him, calling to her

brother.

"Up here!"

They looked. He was half in, half out of a second-

story window, a handgun glinting at the end of both

arms.

"We're blown!" Carter shouted. ' 'Get down here!"

Lithely, Kadinskov dropped to the ground and ran to

•oin them. "What is it?"

"They had Nina fingered, probably trailed us all the

way from Milan. Chances are their job was to take you

72

NICK CARTER

out if their agent on the train missed. ' '

"How many?"

"Three, on motorcycles. Nina. you drive. Joseph, in


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

72

(86 of 212)

+ 100%

arms.

"We're blown!" Carter shouted. ' 'Get down here!"

Lithely, Kadinskov dropped to the ground and ran to

•oin them. "What is it?"

"They had Nina fingered, probably trailed us all the

way from Milan. Chances are their job was to take you

72

NICK CARTER

out if their agent on the train missed. ' '

"How many?"

"Three, on motorcycles. Nina. you drive. Joseph, in

the passenger seat."

' 'What are you going to do?" Nina asked, her

brother already climbing into the car.

"Lead them away from the road."

"No, Nick, you've got to come with us!" she cried.

He ignored her. "You've got papers to get you to

Italy. You know where to pick up new papers there. I'll

buy you time here."

Suddenly she was against him, her lips pressed to his.

"Thank you, Nick."

He practically shoved her into the driver's seat.

"Don't start the engine until you hear the first shot.

When you do, go like hell, hit the road, and don't look

back. Joseph, take good care of her."

"I will. And ... thank you."

Carter turned and ran down the lane as fast as his legs

would carry him, unholstering Wilhelmina.

A hundred yards short of the road he heard the

engines. At fifty he heard them cut off, and hit the trees.

Ten yards in, he stopped and dropped into a crouch.

It could have been an hour. Actually, it was about

two minutes.

The snow was about a foot deep with a hard crust on

top. Jt was impossible for them to be quiet. They were

easy to spot by sound. One man was leading point, near

the lane, on Carter's side. The other two were about

twenty yards behind him, one on each side of the road.

Carter narrowed his eyes, straining them in the dark-

ness.

And then he saw him, his helmet discarded, coming

upright, the muzzle of his machine pistol moving from

side to side.

Carter was on one knee, motionless, the Luger

straight out from his shoulder in both hands.


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

73

(87 of 212)

+ 100%

Carter was on one knee, motionless, the Luger

straight out from his shoulder in both hands.

THE ANDROPOV FILE

73

He waited until the man was less than ten yards from

him, and fired twice.

All three machine pistols barked at the same time, one

in the air as the dying man fell, and the other two in

Carter's direction.

But he was already flat on the ground, his eyes dart-

ing around a rotten log.

They were moving as they fired, trying to outflank

him.

Then the firing stopped and all of them, hunter and

hunted alike, heard the car roaring down the lane.

The two men reacted fast. One of them fired short

bursts in Carter's direction to hold him down while the

other sprinted back toward the road to head off the car.

Carter could not see either of them, nor could he hear

them now over the chaos. He did hear the car hit high

gear and then hurtle around the last bend and straighten

out for its run to the road.

Both men forgot about Carter now and tried to find

the range on the car.

Then Nina showed her guts. She turned on the head-

lights. They illuminated one of the men dead center in

the road. He was just bringing up his machine pistol

when Carter emptied the rest of Wilhelmina's clip into

him.

Five seconds later Nina hit him, sending his lifeless

body into the trees. The car went on, veered into the

road, rocked dangerously, and was gone.

Across the lane, Carter could hear the last man run-

ning for the road himself. The Killmaster guessed he

was heading for the place where they had hidden the

motorcycles.

Jamming a fresh clip into the butt of the Luger,

Carter darted through the trees, pretty sure that the

third man had figured out the whole scam.

When he heard the man kick the machine to life, he

broke from the trees and ran full out. He was certain his

74

NICK CARTER

prey would be intent on the car now, and could care less


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

74

(88 of 212)

74

+ 100%

NICK CARTER

prey would be intent on the car now, and could care less

about who the shooter in the trees had been or where he

was.

The Killmaster hit the end of the lane just as the bike

roared out of the trees to his left. He got off two shots,

both wild, and dived out of the way.

A stump just below the surface of the snow hit the

barrel of the Luger, knocking it from his grasp. He

rolled to the side just as the bike swung around and

came for him.

It was Duval, and the machine pistol was slung over

his shoulder. At that point, Duval wasn't interested in

Carter. He wanted the occupants of the car that was

long gone down the road.

Carter got to his feet just as the machine got to him.

He treated the handlebars as if they were the horns of a

charging bull and went right over the top of them,

managing to get his arms around Duval's head and his

shoulder in the man's face.

And that's the way they sailed. crazily, down the

road, before the front wheel hit a slick spot and the bike

went over.

Carter went to the side, sliding into the snow on his

chest. Duval managed to get his leg from beneath the

skidding machine and roll free. He was just unslinging

the machine pistol when Carter hit him at the knees in a

flying block. With a howl of pain, Duval went down

and the gun went sliding across the road to disappear in

a snowbank.

They were both up and at each other at once. Carter

sidestepped, but Duval countered, getting his arms

around the Killmaster's middle.

The intent was obvious. If he could get his hands high

enough and keep his body low, he could snap Carter's

spine like a twig.

Around and around they danced, suddenly tripping

over the still-running motorcycle lying in the middle of

the road on its side. Carter managed to keep his balance

THE ANDROPOV FILE

75

as the other man rolled free. On the way down, Carter

brought his knee up into Duval's face.

It didn't put him out, but it made him good and

fuzzy.

Thev were on 0DDosite sides of the purring motor-


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

75

(89 of 212)

+ 100%

enough and keep his body low, he could snap Carter's

spine like a twig.

Around and around they danced, suddenly tripping

over the still-running motorcycle lying in the middle of

the road on its side. Carter managed to keep his balance

THE ANDROPOV FILE

75

as the other man rolled free. On the way down, Carter

brought his knee up into Duval's face.

It didn't put him out, but it made him good and

fuzzy.

They were on opposite sides of the purring motor-

cycle. Carter was on his knees, waiting. When Duval

started coming for him again, Carter reached out and

locked his fingers behind the other man's neck. Then he

pulled down, jamming Duval's face into the red-hot

muffler.

His sudden screams of pain filled the night. Carter

held him against the muffler with the weight of his body

until he was sure the man was mad with pain.

Then he released him and waited.

When Duval struggled to his feet, still screaming,

Carter brought his right hand up to the man's mangled

throat. He found the Adam's apple with his fingers, and

applied all his strength.

Carter felt the throat give inward, and when the

screams of pain ebbed to a hoarse death rattle, he

dropped him.

He took a full five minutes to get his breath and check

his own injuries. Then he dragged the body into the

trees.

The motorcycle, on its wheels again, was drivable. He

put it on the kickstand and used the headlight to find his

Luger.

One last check for debris and he was riding south

toward Helsinki.

An hour later, at the main highway, he paused before

turning south. His eyes flickered to the north.

They would be in Kauliranta dumping the car at

about the same time he got to Helsinki. And about the

time he got back to Washington, they would be disap-

pearing somewhere into the Italian countryside.

He hoped they would find a little peace in the rest Of

their lives.


SEVEN

Washington, D. C. , The present

When the head of AXE, David Hawk, said jump,

everyone in the agency moved, fast. Nick Carter was no

different.

The big man got right to it the moment Carter settled

into a chair.

"This tape came over from the CIA early this morn-

ing. It was taken over the phone in Mexico City last

night. Give a listen."

Hawk punched a button on a console behind his desk,

and two large speakers came to life.

"I will answer no questions. I am assuming all calls to

your office are taped. Please listen only. My name is

Sergei Anatolyevich Tilkoffi For five years, until his un-

77


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

78

(92 of 212)

+ 100%

Sergei Anatolyevich Tilkoff. For tve years, unti hlS un-

78

77

NICK CARTER

timely death, I was personal aide to General Ivor Yur-

yevich Shalin. During that time I was privy to much of

the general's work. For the past two and one half years r

have been assistant rezident, KGB, Soviet embassy.

Mexico City. Two months ago I ned the embassy and

went into hiding. I am sure that you can check all of the

above

Hawk hit another button and the tape stopped. "We

checked with our people in Moscow. He is what he

says."

Carter nodded and the tape continued.

am now in the United States. wish to defect. For

your cooperation in resettling me with funds and a new

identity, I have information very valuable to the West.

This information concerns the so-called Andropov file.

If you are interested, please give me a number in

Washington I can call in one hour. "

Hawk killed the tape. "You know the rumors?"

Carter nodded. ' 'Like our own Mr. Hoover, An-

dropov had the sword of personal information to hang

over his comrades' heads. A lot of people speculated

that the information was stolen just before or just after

he died. We've dug, they've dug, but nothing has ever

turned up."

Hawk ground his teeth over a smelly cigar and

thought out loud. "According to this Tilkoff, the files

were very real and they are still missing. He was passed

on to Washington. This is the second tape."

' 'This is Sergei Tilkoff. Are you recording?"

Another voice, faint: "Yes "

"The Andropov file was stolen by a cabal of three

men: General Shalin, Gregor Leventov, and Nikolai

Gusenko. The file is still intact. Information concerning

this file is what I intend trading for a new life. If you are

interested, I will meet with one agent and only one

agent, alone, the day after tomorrow, at a place called

THE ANDROPOV FILE

79

Bayou Center. It is forty miles north of New Iberia,


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

79

(93 of 212)

+ 100%

"The Andropov file was stolen by a cabal of three

men: General Shalin, Gregor Leventov, and Nikolai

Gusenko. The file is still intact. Information concerning

this file is what I intend trading for a new life. If you are

interested, I will meet with one agent and only one

agent, alone, the day after tomorrow, at a place called

THE ANDROPOV FILE

79

Bayou Center. It is forty miles north of New Iberia,

Louisiana. on the Bayou Teche. Should you agree, there

is one other stipulation. I insist that the agent I meet

with be Nicholas Carter. If there is any objection to this,

I think Mr. Carter will agree if I mention the name Nina

Kovich. and the fact that Kovich was changed to Ca-

vetti.

J 'I will expect your answer in the personals column Of

The Times-Picayune the day after tomorrow. It should

read, 'Sam, all is forgiven. Come home. Lily.' "

The line was disconnected and Hawk killed the tape.

"This Nina Cavetti mean anything to you?"

' 'Yeah." Carter replied, "lots." He explained.

"You have interesting vacations," Hawk said dryly

when Carter had finished.

"l filed a report, but I doubt if it was red-nagged."

"Do you have any idea where this Nina Cavetti and

her brother are now?"

' 'Somewhere in Italy, I suppose. When we split in

Finland that night, I figured they rated some peace and

quiet. "

"Why do you suppose this guy mentioned her

name?"

Carter lit a cigarette and concentrated. "Probably to

prove to me he was on the inside. Cavetti was the name

she had with the ballet. It was her cover when she had

the plastic surgery and dropped Kovich."

Hawk leaned back in his chair and lit a fresh cigar.

"Any idea why this guy wants the meet with you as the

go-between?"

Carter shrugged. "None, unless my name was fa-

miliar to him on their computers."

Hawk mulled this over before he spoke. "Could be, I

suppose. In any event, the thinkers have decided that if

this guy is for real, it might be valuable stuff."

"l thought we decided a long time ago that the An-


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

80

(94 of 212)

+ 100%

suppose. In any event, the thinkers have decided that if

this guy is for real, it might be valuable stuff."

"l thought we decided a long time ago that the An-

80

NICK CARTER

dropov file was only rumor, disinformation."

"We did, but as somebody once said, leave no

damned stone unturned. Take a shot at him, Nick.

We'll handle the newspaper thing. "

"Okay." Carter stood.

"Get an open line, twenty-four-hour number from

Bateman on your way out. If this Tilkoff has good

stuff, I'll have someone on that line for evaluation who

can tell you how much we'll pay for it. "

"Will do. " Carter headed for the door.

"And, Nick .. e"

"Yeah?"

"Check the files and familiarize yourself with those

three VIPs he mentioned on the tape."

Carter took the elevator down to Records, entered the

computer section, and found Howard Schmidt's assis-

tant. A1 Garrett.

"To what do I owe this esteemed honor?" Garrett

growled.

"Your sweet disposition. A1," Carter said, pulling a

legal pad across the desk and applying a pen to it. "Get

me everything you can on these jokers. And do me a

favor—dig deep. "

' 'Don't I always?"

Carter left Garrett's cubicle and made a beeline to the

coffee machine. Then, cup in hand, he collared one of

the pool operators.

"Julie, isn't it?"

"Yes, I'm flattered you remember."

He smiled. "Names, faces, and figures; I don't

forget. Do me a favor?"

S' Name it."

"Bring up my file. I'm looking for a specific report 1

filed in the first two weeks of February 1984."

Her fingers flew like magic over the keyboard, and

the screen in front of them came to life. Dates flew by

THE ANDROPOV FILE

81


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

81

(95 of 212)

100%

THE ANDROPOV FILE

faster than Carter could catch them.

"Wait too far. Back up."

81

She retreated, day by day, until Carter calied a halt.

"Hold it. That's the one. Can I have a printout?"

"You know you can't take it out of here."

know, darlin'. I'll shred it before I leave."

She printed out the report, had Carter sign for it, and

he found a vacant desk.

As he read, it all washed back over him. He'd never

tried a trace; there had been no need. And since no word

of bodies matching Joseph's and Nina's descriptions

had ever turned up in the international grapevine,

Carter had always assumed they had made it and were

living happily ever after.

He reached for the phone and dialed the in-house

operator who handled agency-to-agency high-priority

calls on a scrambler line.

Carter gave her his security clearance number and

asked for Italian CID personnel division in Rome.

It didn't take long.

"Salvatore Mandetti. What can I do for you?"

' 'I'd like current status and whereabouts on one of

your agents. Luigi Corelli."

"Can you hold?"

"Of course."

He was back the length of a cigarette later. "Corelli,

Luigi Anto-—"

"That's my man."

"Disability retirement six months ago."

"Any idea where he is now?"

"Not really. We don't keep track of personnel once

his checks are

they leave the service. Wait a minute . • •

sent to a local post office box in Livorno. Does that

help?"

"Maybe. You have a resident there?"

"No, too small, actually. can put a request through

82

NICK CARTER

to the local post office there for an address and num-

"Do that, will you? And pipe it back here when you

have it."


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

82

(96 of 212)

+ 100%

IS check

ta rmnute .

they leave the service.

sent to a local post office box in Livorno. Does that

help?"

"Maybe. You have a resident there?"

"No, too small, actually. can put a request through

82

NICK CARTER

to the local post office there for an address and num-

"Do that, will you? And pipe it back here when you

have it."

"Certainly.

Carter disconnected, shredded his file, and headed

back to A1 Garrett.

"Got anything? "

Garrett handed him three printouts, and Carter

returned to the vacant desk. He read through all three of

the files quickly, then did a reread, making notes. He

was correlating the notes when the loudspeaker boomed

his name.

' 'Nick Carter, line seven .

Carter, pick up line

seven, please. "

"Yeah, Carter here."

"Hawk, Nick. The Tilkoff carts came through from

Baton Rouge. both of them."

"It figures that he'd be within driving distance of the

meeting place. "

• 'And we got a rundown on this place, Bayou

Center."

' 'It's a combination café and bait shop with cabins

and boats to rent to fishermen. A widow runs it, Loretta

Ducaine. It's bayou country, Nick, lonesome and

tricky. Watch yourself."

'61 always do," Carter chuckled. ' 'A1 got me a run-

down on Tiikoff's three names."

€ 'A lot of similarities. Shalin was about as close to

Andropov as anyone could get on the way up. At one

time or another, both Gusenko and Leventov worked

directly with or for Shalin before they climbed on up the

ladder. "

"Fits so far," Hawk said.


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

83

(97 of 212)

ts so

Haw

100%

said.

THE ANDROPOV FILE

83

I 'And all three of them died within twenty-four hours

. and within a day of Andropov's

f each other .

eath.'i

Hawk emitted a low whistle. "Now it sounds very

romising. Could this Tilkoff have gotten his hands on

he Andropov files and hidden them all this time?"

"Anything is possible. We'll know soon enough. I'll

ontact you from Louisiana."

The line went dead and Carter headed for the eleva-

ors.


EIGHT

It was Delta out of Washington into Baton Rouge,

ith a change of planes in Atlanta. The drive through

the bayou country to New Iberia was supposed to be

fifty-five minutes, but it took nearly two hours. From

here it was another hour over roads that were little

more than country lanes to Bayou Center.

It looked shabby, crushed by age and the damp of the

surrounding area, There were two old-style, tank-top

pumps in front of a gray shack that served as the sta-

tion. café, and bait shop.

A faded Coca-Cola sign over the door gave him the

name B YOU CE TER. Behind the shack were some

eatherbeaten frame cabins and a boathouse with a

float pier extending out into the river. A thermometer

y the door read 102.

86

85

NICK CARTER


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

86

(1 OO of 212)

86

100%

NICK CARTER

Nobody was in sight. Carter hit the battered screen

door and walked in. It was cooler inside, away from the

direct impact of the late-afternoon sun. There was a

Coke machine, a cigarette machine, a battered cash

register, and a glass-topped counter, thick with dust,

containing cans of oil, sunglasses, candy bars, and

spark plugs.

Along the back wall was a greasy grill fronted by a

six-stool counter. A scrawled sign yellow with grease

and grime declared ham hocks and beans as the special

of the day. Carter guessed the day was somewhere dur-

ing World War n.

" Anybody here? 'Y

An old man shambled from the rear through a pair of

curtains that served as a doorway. He was munching on

the remnants of a sandwich, and looked as if he'd

passed through an autopsy room and survived.

"Yeah?" He barely glanced at Carter.

"Can I get a cabin for the night?"

"Loretta, fella wants a cabin."

He passed by Carter and the screen door slammed

behind him. The curtains parted again, and an Amazon

with jet-black hair going in every direction stepped

through. She wore a second skin of jeans and a peasant-

type blouse with no bra. The blouse's scoop neckline

was cut low, and Carter could see the deep, smooth cleft

between her breasts, tanned all the way down. There

was some excitement in the way she breathed, but not

much.

"How many nights?" Her voice was low, cigarette

husky, and the twang was pure Cajun.

"What?"

"The cabin .

how many nights?

Carter shrugged. "One, maybe two. If you're not

full."

This was greeted with a healthy laugh. "Shit. Sign the

THE ANDROPOV FILE

87

"The book" was a dog-eared ledger with names and

dates scrawled indiscriminately across the pages.

Carter signed his name carefully, and the date.


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

87

(101 of 212)

+ 100%

"The cabin .

how many nights?

Carter shrugged. "One, maybe two. If you're not

full."

This was greeted with a healthy laugh. "Shit. Sign the

THE ANDROPOV FILE

87

"The book" was a dog-eared ledger with names and

dates scrawled indiscriminately across the pages.

Carter signed his name carefully, and the date.

"First night in advance. Twenty bucks."

"Add a beer to that."

"Another buck, cooler's right there."

Carter dropped a dollar on top of the twenty and got

the beer. The bills went into a cigar box behind the café

counter.

He sat on a stool. "I'm supposed to meet a couple of

maybe do some fishing. Name's

other guys here . . .

Carter—anybody leave a message for me?"

"Nah, no message." Her black eyes looked him up

and down. "You don't look the fisherman type."

"I'm just learning."

Up close she looked better, with the wild darkness of

the bayous in her eyes. When she spoke she leaned fore

ward over the counter. Her mouth was wide. her lower

lip full and sensuous, and her unsupported breasts filled

the open gap in the blouse.

Carter finished the beer, keeping his eyes above her

neck. "Well, I think I'll get out of these city clothes.

Which cabin? "

She dropped a key on the counter. "Number four.

It's the one with a view, right on the river."

"Thanks," Carter said, picking up the key and head-

ing for the door.

"Yeah?"

8' You a cop?"

Carter chuckled. "Hardly." He slammed the door

behind him and headed for the cabin.

He didn't need the key: the lock didn't work.

The cabin wasn't much to look at. Sunlight sifted

through cracks in the walls and dotted a frayed hooked

rug spread over a warped pine floor. The walls were half

logs chinked with plaster, and the ceiling was bare


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

88

(102 of 212)

+ 100%

rug spread over a warped pine floor. The walls were

logs chinked with plaster, and the ceiling was bare

88

NICK CARTER

rafters with last year's wasp nests in the corners.

There was no television and no air conditioner. The

bed was old, with brass pipe framing. A battered arm-

chair, a dresser with the veneer curling at the edges, and

a wooden chair were the furnishings.

Mildew touched all of it with damp fingers.

Carter checked the shower. It worked.

He stripped and took a long one using only the cold

tap. He didn't bother to towel down. It wouldn't do any

good. In the heat he would be soaking wet again in ten

minutes.

He unpacked, leaving the Luger and the stiletto in the

false bottom of the suitcase, and stretched naked on the

He dozed fitfully, and came awake at the sound of

knocking on the door. The beams of sunlight had disap-

peared from the cracks in the walls and the break in the

curtains.

He had slept longer than he intended.

Just as he rolled out of the bed, the door opened and

she stepped into the room. It took all of four seconds

for her to take in every pore and hair of his body, then

she spoke. "Telephone call for ya, long distance."

"Thanks."

He was sure she was smiling when she turned and left.

He pulled on a shirt and a pair of khakis, and walked

up to the main building. She was drinking a beer at the

counter.

"Phone's there on the wall."

"Yeah, Carter here."

"How's the bayou?" The voice was low, sultry, with

a slight southern twang. It belonged to David Hawk's

chief assistant, Ginger Bateman.

"Hot," Carter replied. "What have you got?"

"He called again."

"And?"

THE ANDROPOV FILE

89

"Evidently he's got someone spotting you. He knew


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

89

(103 of 212)

+ 100%

"How's the bayou? i' The voice was low, sultry, with

a slight southern twang. It belonged to David Hawk's

chief assistant, Ginger Bateman.

"Hot," Carter replied. "What have you got?"

"He called again."

"And?"

THE ANDROPOV FILE

89

"Evidently he's got someone spotting you. He knew

what time you got in and he knows your cabin num-

ber. "

"Figures," Carter said, eyeing the raven-haired

woman at the counter who was in turn eyeing him.

"About four miles above you, on Bayou Teche Road,

there's a dive called Grady's. You're supposed to be

there around ten o'clock. Park, go in, and have a few

drinks. Stay exactly an hour and then leave."

"Is that it?"

"That's it. "

"Jesus," Carter growled. "Anything else?"

"You got a request reply from Italian CID, a guy

named Mandetti."

"Yeah. on Luigi Corelli." he replied, almost dismiss-

ing it as irrelevent now.

"No forward from P.O. Box Livorno re Corelli. His

mail is picked up."

"Okay. it's really not important anyway. I'll check in

tomorrow. t'

"Right."

Carter hung up and ambled to the counter. "Thanks

for taking the call. How about a couple of burgers and

some fries?"

"Burgers, yeah. Fries, no. Fryer's broke. "

"Oh. Just the burgers then."

Carter got a beer while she cooked. When she slid the

plate toward him, she moved up onto the stool beside

him.

"You don't look like the fisherman type."

"You already told me that," Carter growled, washing

the greasy burger down with beer.

"But you do look like a cop."

"Look, lady, you also mentioned that before. And

I'll tell you again, I'm not a cop."

She shrugged and lit a cigarette. "1 hope not. It's very


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

90

(104 of 212)

+ 100%

00 , a y, you a so mentiönedfthatbefor .

I'll tell you again, I'm not a cop."

She shrugged and lit a cigarette. "l hope not. It's very

NICK CARTER

unhealthy in this part Of the bayou for cops."

She slid off the stool and disappeared behind the cur-

tained doorway.

Carter finished the food, cursing Tilkoff for choosing

such a place for a meet.

Car'ter took his bag from the lockless cabin and put it

in the trunk of the car when he left.

Other than a single light in one of the other cabins

and the neon in front of the place. there was no sign of

anything living. Bayou Center was closed up for the

night.

He drove north, four miles by the odometer.

Grady's wasn't hard to find. He could see the lights

and hear the thumping beat Of a country-and-western

band from a hundred yards away.

He parked the rented Pontiac in the middle of a few

dozen pickup trucks and walked through a long, blue-lit

tunnel. Through a door at the end of it he entered a

sewer, upholstered in red with a number of tables in the

rear around a small bandstand and a bar in front.

A few bearded faces turned his way as he moved to

the bar and found a stool.

While he waited, he took in the room. Standard dress

was T-shirt or checkered shirt and jeans for both men

and women. That was why his eye found Loretta Du-

caine so easily. She was at a table near the bandstand

with two of the biggest and meanest dudes Carter had

ever seen, and she had shed the jeans and

blouse. She was now wearing a red dress that looked as

if it were painted on with nothing but skin underneath.

It covered everything but hid nothing.

She returned his look with one of her own that could

kill. Carter turned back as the bartender returned.

i 'Five bucks.

Carter didn't question it. He dropped a twenty on the

THE ANDROPOV

91


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

91

(105 of 212)

100%

THE ANDROPOV FILE

bar and sipped the beer. It was warm.

91

Twenty minutes passed and the band took a break.

Carter ordered another ber.

"Make it two, Grady."

She slipped onto the stool beside him and her perfume

fanned out to fill his nostrils.

"Hi," Carter said, pushing a ten across to pay for the

two beers.

"My friends would like to meet you."

He swiveled his head around. The two giants were sit-

ting back in their chairs, about six feet of legs stretched

in front of them.

' 'No, thanks. I'm just going to have a couple of beers

and hit the sack."

She sipped the beer and started peeling the label with

a long, red nail.

"Look. sweetie, let's say you're not a cop. I'm start-

ing to believe you. But my friends there, well. they ain't

so sure. They'd like a little chat with you, just to make

sure. "

Carter started to boil. He took one more look at the

two men and then turned back to her.

"Loretta ... it is Loretta, isn't it?"

J' Yeah, it's Loretta."

"Well, look, Loretta, got business around here, yes.

And it has nothing to do with your Mississippi Mafia

over there. I don't want to talk to them and I don't want

to talk to you. I just want to have a couple of beers and

go back to bed."

"My friends won't like that."

"Fuck your friends."

That did it. She slid off the stool and went back to the

table.

Carter nursed the beer until the clock behind the bar

was standing straight up, eleven o'clock.

"Can I buy a bottle?"

92

NICK CARTER

"Sure. Twenty-five bucks."

Carter paid, and grasped the sacked bottle by the

neck as he walked back out of the tunnel.

They were waiting by his car, both bearded giants


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

92

(106 of 212)

+ 100%

table.

Carter nursed the beer until the clock behind the bar

was standing straight up, eleven o'clock.

"Can I buy a bottle?"

92

NICK CARTER

"Sure. Twenty-five bucks."

Carter paid, and grasped the sacked bottle by the

neck as he walked back out of the tunnel.

They were waiting by his car, both bearded giants

leaning against the trunk and a third a few steps to the

right with a sawed-off baseball bat.

"My friends and me, we'd like to see some kind of

identification, friend."

Carter smiled. "Fuck you."

"Now, that's bein' downright unfriendly, mister. Let

me tell ya a little story. A day or so ago, a couple of

hard-lookin' fellas in suits wandered through here. They

take a boat and check out the river and all the channels,

and then they leave. Now you show up. "

As the first one talked, both of them had moved from

the car to flank Carter. The third one, with the baseball

bat, had moved around to his rear.

The second one picked up the narrative. "Now, just

about a half hour ago, one o' them suits shows up

again. He opens up your car here as sweet as you please,

puts an envelope on the front seat, and goes down the

road there like a bat outta hell. Now, my friends an' me,

we'd like to know just what you're up to."

Number One chimed back in. "Yessir, we'd sure like

to see what's in that and we'd like to take a

look at yer wallet."

It was all clear now. Whatever this crowd was doing

was against the law, and they thought Carter was the

law.

In his mind he cursed Tilkoff and his KGB mentality.

He had found an area for the meet that was desolate,

not realizing that it could be ten times more dangerous

than a crowded city where outsiders weren't noticed.

There was no way out of it. Carter didn't dare show

them his identification. It had government all over it.

One look and these boys would pop their corks.


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

93

(107 of 212)

+ 100%

•anuu•cseooys woma pop metr corrs.

THE ANDROPOV FILE

93

"Gentlemen, whatever you're thinking, you're

wrong. I swear, I'm in and out of here and ..

They came for him, all three at once, the one on the

right the closest.

Carter caught him flush in the face with the bottle and

rolled away from a roundhouse right thrown from his

left. Just as Carter hit the ground the baseball bat came

down across his back. He was already rolling. so when it

hit it wasn't a killing blow.

He groaned in pain. but rolled over as he hit and

brought both boots up between the bat wielder's legs.

The connection was solid and brought forth an earsplit-

ting shriek.

Carter made it to his feet with Number One coming

on strong, his big paws opening and closing in anticipa-

tion.

One hand went for Carter's throat. It was a decoy.

When the Killmaster went for the huge first, the other

hand crashed into his ribs.

He knew something was broken or cracked even as he

smashed back into the car with Ugly all over him. Carter

nailed him two good ones in the kneecap with his right

boot and brought both fists into his face.

The man staggered back and Carter pounded his

pockets for his keys.

Too much time.

The one he'd hit with the bottle was back in the game,

coming at him like a bull.

Carter grabbed an arm at the wrist and above the

elbow. At the same time, he pivoted around, slammed

his hip into the other man's gut, and bent.

The giant's momentum plus Carter's strength should

have sent him plowing headfirst into the pickup in front

of them.

It didn't.

The guy went nowhere.

NICK CARTER

94

Carter did. He went straight up, through the air, and

first, on the truck Before he could

landed, back


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

94

(108 of 212)

+ 100%

his hip into the other man's gut, and bent.

The giant's momentum plus Carter's strength should

have sent him plowing headfirst into the pickup in front

of them.

It didn't.

The guy went nowhere.

94

NICK CARTER

Carter did. He went straight up, through the air, and

landed, back first, on the truck Before he could

even get his breath he had almost three hundred pounds

of beef straddling his chest.

He got his hands around Carter's throat and started

squeezing. At the same time, he started banging it up

and down.

Carter used his legs as a fulcrum to try and bounce

him off.

No good.

The second giant just flopped down over them, pin-

ning all of him to the ground. Through the film forming

over his eyes Carter spotted the third one coming up

with the baseball bat.

Swell, he thought. Three rednecks do in fifteen min-

utes what the KGB couldn 't accomplish in years.

There was nothing but red in front of his eyes now,

and his brain felt like the little ball on a roulette wheel

just before it bounces into the hole.

He was going out and he knew it.

"Jesus, Mort, don't kill him." Woman's voice.

"The hell with him." Ugly's voice.

"Dammit, knock it off ..

It was the woman's voice again, but Carter didn't

hear the end of what she said.

He started to come awake slowly, and then more

rapidly when the blur in front of him became a gray-

bearded face with glasses and tobacco-stained teeth.

"He's wakin' up. Welcome back to the living, son."

"Who the hen are you?"

"Local doc. Actually I'm a vet, but bones are bones.

You got a few cracked ones."

Carter ran his hands over his chest. It was swathed in

tape. "What else?"

"A few contusions, possible concussion, couple of


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

95

(109 of 212)

+ 100%

tape. • 'What else?"

"A few contusions, possible concussion, couple of

THE ANDROPOV FILE

95

loose teeth .

you'll be fine. Miss Loretta said you

took a bad fall."

Carter managed a smite that hurt his teeth. "Not half

as bad as she's gonna take."

'*Don't say that, Nick, after I carried you all the way

back here after your accident!"

Her face materialized on his other side. Carter was

about to raise some hell, when the dxtor snapped his

bag shut and spoke. "Just put a little antiseptic on his

face and that shoulder and he'll be fine in a day or so."

"I'll do that. Thanks, Doc."

The old manis face disappeared. Carter heard a door

close, and then the faces of the two bearded gorillas ap-

peared above him.

"Name's Mort."

"Name's Jake."

"No hard feelin's."

"Nah, we was just funnin' with ya a little. Sorry."

"Yeah, sorry."

"Me too," Carter said. "You satisfied now I'm not

here lookin' for you?"

"Y up."

"Get outta here, both Of ya. I'll take care of the rest

of him, like the said."

"Sure, Loretta. Anything we can do for yat Carter,

you just let us know, ya hear?"

"I'll do that."

They left, closing the door softly behind them, and

Loretta went to work with a cotton swab.

"Ow ouch dammit!"

"Relax, ya don't want infection, do ya?"

"l want a drink."

She shrugged, found him a bottle, and poured. She

also helped him scoot up on the bed so he could drink it.

"You're a good man. It ain't everyone would tee off

96

NICK CARTER

on those three like you did. "


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

96

(110 of 212)

+ 100%

NICK CARTER

on those three like you did. "

"Yeah. that's me. all guts and no brains."

The whiskey did wonders by the time the glass was

empty. He held it out for a refill and she joined him with

a second glass.

"What do you do for the State Department?"

"So you did go through my wallet. "

She nodded. "That's all they wanted to do. make sure

you weren't a state cop or FBI."

"And what if were FBI?"

Loretta shrugged. "Swamp. Feelin• better?"

"Lots."

That brought a smile from her that Carter decided

was pure leer.

"Good. Here's yer envelope."

It had been ripped open. Carter took out the single

sheet of paper. It was a detailed map with arrows point-

ing upriver and then off on a small tributary. There

were landmarks detailed all the way so he couldrCt miss

the final X •ed destination.

"That's the old Shackleford places" Loretta eom-

mented. peering over his shoulder. "It's empty now.

The old man died about a year ago. You'll need a boat

to get there."

"And you'll rent me one?"

' 'Sure, least we can do."

' 'Tell you what. Loretta. I won't ask you what you

and your friends do, and you don't ask me what I do.

Deal?"

"l guess that's fair. Friends?" She held out her right

hand.

• 'Friends." Carter said, taking her hand.

The move was smooth, right down on the bed beside

him as if she had oil in all her joints.

"You know what, Nick Carter?" she purred.

"What?"

THE ANDROPOV FILE

97

• •r 'm glad as hell you're not a cop. It's nice seein' a

new face out here now and then."

Her arm slipped around his neck and she offered her


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

97

(111 of 212)

+ 100%

etnovewassmootmrtsnt down on the bed

him as if she had oil in all her joints.

"You know what, Nick Carter?" she purred.

"What?"

THE ANDROPOV FILE

97

• •r 'm glad as hell you're not a cop. It's nice seein' a

new face out here now and then."

Her arm slipped around his neck and she offered her

mouth to his. It was a jong kiss, deep and open and

startling. During it. her body was yielding. melting to

his.

He slid his arms around her shoulders, and felt her

heart beat as she leaned against his body. He let his

tongue travel around the rim of her ear, feeling a shiver

of desire ride through her, matching his.

"I want you," she whispered.

"Right to the point, aren't you?"

"That's the way we do things down here. "

Her hand moved down between his legs. and for the

first time Carter realized he was naked.

' 'I do believe you're up to it,"

she chuckled, and

stood.

She moved across the room and killed the overhead

light. That left only the dim light from the bathroom

shining through the partially open door.

On the way back to the bed she unzipped the red dress

and let it work its way down over her body to puddle on

the floor. She wore no bras and in the gloom Carter saw

her slip out of the white haze of her panties.

He lay back as she moved over him, straddling him.

Her ripe breasts swayed provocatively and then lowered

to massage his chest as their lips came together.

Their mouths opened in a kiss that drove all the pain

from Carter's body.

She guided his hands to her hips and let him move her

down over him.

"There." she moaned, "right there."

Then she swallowed him and her hips twisted and

surged, drawing him deeper and deeper inside her.

She was a bottomless crean of pleasure, and Carter

explored it all. The waves covered both of them with


****** Result for Image/Page 1 ******

98

(112 of 212)

+ 100%

explored it all. The waves coveredb6iK"orthem

98

NiCK CARTER

desire, and then exploded into fire.

She locked her knees at his chest and undulated wildly

above him. He felt a contraction and a sudden, violent

throbbing as she reached the peak Of her own orgasm.

Suddenly his hips lurched and wave after wave Of

release surged through his body. It centered and flowed

upward to his chest and down to his thighs.

"Well?" she said, again settling her upper body over

his.

"All is forgiven," Carter said, grinning, already feel-

ing himself slipping into a deep sleep.