THE GRANDE BALLROOM.
Four bomb disposal experts in body-armor wheel a metal container out the doorway. Police mill about as ambulance attendants heft Rostislav's body onto a stretcher.
"See that your superiors file a detailed report on this incident," the tight-faced police detective says to Dominika.
"Yes-sir. Lieutenant General Yezhov will see to it first thing in the morning."
No sadness, remorse or queasiness sits beneath the slopes of Dominika's tight belly. She pushes feminine fondness and that wonderful orgasm aside. What unknown and powerful evil turned Dmitry into a rat-fucker? Viktor will unravel that mystery. She smiles. In one way, Dmitry was a prince. He's unwittingly promoted Dominika Patroph to Hard Man status. In the world of Russian espionage, a Hard Man is an operative who's worked a hostile environment and who has killed. She feels a soft tap on her shoulder and turns around.
"We'd better check in with Viktor," Sveta says.
TOKYO, THIRTY-SIX HOURS LATER.
Niguri strolls through a green garden filled with blooming flowers. Two young girls flank him. The taller girl wears a short blue cocktail dress, while the other is in a schoolgirl's pleated plaid skirt and white blouse.
"O-shiri kisu," Niguri snaps.
Both cover their mouths and giggle mischievously. One hikes up her cocktail dress revealing rising curves clad tantalizingly in blue lacy thong panties. The schoolgirl crouches down, slips her tongue under the thong's back string and puts her lips and tongue to work.
"Send these sluts away," Tomiko says as she approaches.
Niguri waves his hand and the two girls giggle and scurry off. When they're out of earshot, he turns to Tomiko. "Project Burning Boot was unsuccessful."
Invisible disappointment sinks from Tomiko's head to her toes. "That is disappointing news," she whispers.
Niguri grunts and drags his eyes away from the naked breast that's peaking from beneath Tomiko's snow-white silk kimono. "Security may have been breached, perhaps implicating me. What further damage to project Checkmate, is unknown."
"Was Wild Weasel caught and questioned?" she asks.
"Rostislav was a coward. He hesitated then was murdered by a Russian assassin of your gender."
Tomiko cocks her head. Her brow furrows. "What is known about this Russian assassin?"
Niguri shrugs. "Our agents in Moscow could provide little but a codename. She's a young sex-spy known to the GRU and KGB as Gypsy Danger."
"Gypsy Danger?" Tomiko takes a deep controlling breath. "How much does this assassin know of project Checkmate?"
"Unknown. Our agent said she is a hard woman."
Tomiko's large brown eyes look into his. "Niguri-san, there are no hard women -- only soft men."
He grunts. Tomiko's frustration is masked by a bantam smile as his gaze travels from her eyes to her neck, then lower. He reaches for her kimono and ever so slowly parts it in the center revealing her creamy breast-skin as it separates.
Niguri forces his eyes into hers'. "Is there an aggressive streak behind this magnificent bosom?"
"It shall be only you that decides that." She slips the silky kimono from her shoulders and lets it flutter to the ground. Tomiko's nudity meets his lusty stare. She guides his hand toward a hardened, yet quivering breast.
"This is not the time," Niguri snaps, jerking his hand away. "A new request has come from al-Gama'at al-Islamiyya by encrypted telex. Despite the Moscow setback, Phase 2 of project Checkmate shall proceed as planned. Due to the events in Moscow, I must travel to Afghanistan to arrange air shipment of the objects to America. Kasawara, you will journey there in my place. Work with our compatriots. Supervise all pre-strike details. I will join you in nine days and personally see that project Checkmate is carried out without flaw."
"But Niguri-san, I am but a comfort woman, the maker of your meals and receptor of your seed. A woman is unfit for a task of such great consequence."
"No," he says running a finger up and down the S curve of her smooth back and taunt bottom. "The fighters of al-Gama'at al-Islamiyya have hardened your body and disciplined your mind." His finger traces the jutting muscle line at the top of her leg. "Be honored Kasawara, that events give you a chance to make your mark within the movement."
"I am humbled by your trust," Tomiko whispers with a secret smile. Raising her leg, she strokes his cock with her knee. This is working out better than she'd planned.
THE GRU TRAINING FACILITY, NEAR KHODINKA AIRFIELD, MOSKVA.
"Who or what the hell is al-Gama'at al-Islamiyya?" Sveta says sliding bright green exercise thongs down her legs. She kicks them aside.
Dominika arcs twin chrome barbells from her thighs to above her head. "Viktor's trying to find out."