"You're free to make any assumptions you like. I'm still trying to find something that will crack it."
Vera studied her with dark, unbelieving eyes. "We know you are the best there is. I find it hard to believe that—"
"Well, take it or leave it." Eva switched off the computer and turned around. "I'm still working on it. I haven't given up yet."
With a sigh Comrade Karanova eased herself gracefully onto the plush couch in the sitting area. Then she exhaled impatiently. "We know something will happen any day now. Are you sure you did not break any part of the encryption?" She looked up. "No dates, no deadlines?"
"Nothing." Eva poured more cold tea into her china cup. She did not bother offering seconds to her Russian guest. The time was approaching noon, and she'd only gotten two hours of translating done. The day was slipping away, and her head still hurt from the dregs of alcohol.
"Then you have nothing to tell me. We are all wasting time," Vera declared finally, rising.
"Michael will keep his end of the bargain, don't worry. Moving money is his specialty."
"So I'm told. But if he does not return the embezzled funds by the end of the week . . ."
"If he said he'll handle it, he'll handle it." Eva handed her the fur coat that had been tossed across their rumpled bed. It was real sable, the genuine article. She used to have one too. "Now if you don't mind . . ."
"As we agreed, I have arranged for an . . . individual from our embassy to be here outside your door around the clock. The first shift came this morning with me and is here now."