Black Widow. Cliff Ryder

of sending Ajza into this.”

      “I thought you’d feel that way, but she’s a good bet, Samantha. Her parents were from Chechnya.”

      “Only just. They moved to Britain when they were in their early twenties.”

      Kate didn’t miss the fact that Samantha used Ajza’s first name. Evidently she’d already developed something of a fondness for the young agent.

      “According to the background I’m looking at,” Kate said, “Ajza Manaev speaks the language. So did her brother. They know the old ways of the culture.”

      “Probably one of the reasons MI-6 shoved Ilyas over into Russia.”

      “Yes.”

      “If someone made her brother while he was on assignment there,” Samantha said, “they could just as easily make Ajza.”

      “I hope they don’t. And we’ve got an agent in place who should be able to help out. If he’s needed. He’s spent time in Chechnya as a soldier. He knows the terrain and the people.”

      “Ajza’s young.”

      “All the best operatives are. You know that. An experienced agent is usually one who’s also known to the opposition.”

      “I know.”

      That was one of the hard-core truths about espionage. Only the young ones remained truly invisible out on the playing field. Their greatest vulnerability, their inexperience, was also their greatest asset. Unfortunately when the assets no longer helped, that lack of experience got agents killed.

      Samantha returned Kate’s level gaze with her own. “You want me to bring her in.”

      “Let’s keep an eye on her for a few days,” Kate said. “Give her a few days of downtime while I try to find some leverage we can use. Then if the situation warrants, we’ll bring her in and see what she has to say.”

      Samantha nodded. “Let me know when you want me to make contact.”

      “I’ll be in touch.” Kate touched the screen and broke the connection.

      Turning her attention to her files, Kate ran through the operations Room 59 was currently working on and the ones in development. They were stretched thin.

      But we’re making a difference, she told herself, and clung to that. She struggled not to think of the young woman and how she’d lost her brother, or the fact that—if everything went as planned—she’d soon be asking her to step into harm’s way.

      She opened Mayrbek Taburova’s file again and stared at the picture of the man. A cold shiver ran up Kate’s spine as she studied the blue eyes. They belonged to a predator. She had no doubt about that.