Rachel shook her head. "Just like that."
"Yes." Demanski strolled across the room toward them. "I decided that my casinos should feature a 'Treasures of the Hermitage' traveling exhibit. We had success with a Louvre exhibit a few years ago, and it didn't take much to convince the Hermitage director that this could be a mutually beneficial arrangement."
Rachel stared at him incredulously. "You convinced him of this in the space of twenty-four hours?"
"Well, I agreed to loan them some artwork of mine that they've inquired about in the past. One painting is from the corridor outside my office. I'll miss it."
"My heart bleeds," Rachel said.
"Of course, I also made an extremely generous contribution toward the museum's improvements program. I assume that's what it was for, anyway. I paid it to the director in cash. Think I should have gotten a receipt?"
Tavak turned to Lev. "We bribed the wrong man."
"Don't blame yourselves. How could you have known I'd come along? Of course, all this was contingent on my taking possession of the exhibits immediately." Demanski pointed to a tapestry on the wall. "Damn. I should have asked for that, too. It's exquisite."
"Why?" Tavak asked. "Do you even know what we're doing here?"
"Since we met the other night, I've made it my business to know everything about you, Tavak. You'd be surprised what a man in my position can find out if he's willing to commit the necessary resources."
"I can imagine," Tavak said dryly.
"I know you've been following a trail that begins and ends with the great Egyptian physician Peseshet. And the fact that Rachel Kirby has taken such a keen personal interest indicates that a treatment option for GLD must be involved. But any such treatment almost certainly goes hand in hand with regenerating the cells of the central nervous system. That's quite an endgame."
"It would be, if any of it were true."
"Don't insult me, Tavak. The only question now is, where do we go from here?"
Rachel exchanged looks with Tavak and her sister before turning back to Demanski. "What do you want?"
"I want to be your partner."
Tavak laughed. "Go to hell."
"If my computer cycles are feeding the system that's generating the answers you need, I'm already a partner. And, since I possess a piece in which you obviously place great importance, that should make me even more indispensable. I want to share in the hunt… and the spoils."
"What kind of share are we talking about?" Tavak said.
"Half."
"No way."
"I have the exhibit."
Tavak smiled. "For now."
"Is that a threat? You think you can take it from me?"
"Did you think Rachel Kirby could take your casino for over two million dollars the other night?" Tavak shrugged. "If she and I put our heads together, I'm sure we could come up with something."
"Debatable. In the meantime, maybe I should cast my lot with another team. Mills Pharmaceuticals, perhaps? I'm sure they'd love to take a look at the mastaba wall." He smiled at the surprise on Rachel's and Tavak's faces. "Why are you so startled? I told you I do my homework."
Rachel was once more aware of the intelligence and driving force that was Demanski. He had executed this extraordinary coup, and he was not going to stop until he had what he wanted. It would be better to negotiate than have him constantly in their way.
"One-third," Rachel said. "If this is as big as we think it could be, that would make your casino empire look like chump change."
"You're overstating things a bit."
"You don't believe that," Rachel said. "You like the big ideas. Whatever the financial rewards, this idea is one of the biggest. And this is the team you want to be on. You wouldn't be wasting your time here with us if you didn't."
"A third is quite generous," Tavak said. He shot Rachel a look. "More generous than I would have been if my partner had bothered to consult me."
Demanski shook his head. "I've already invested a lot of money in this venture."
"A lot of money?" Allie snorted. "My sister was almost killed not too long ago. Stop bellyaching about your damn checkbook."
"I thought it was worth a shot." Demanski smiled at her. "One-third, huh?"
"Mr. Demanski?" A thin, white-haired man in a black suit stepped into the room, followed closely by the guard to whom Lev had spoken. The white-haired man was gazing warily at Tavak, Rachel, and Allie. "Is there some problem?"
"Not at all." Demanski clasped his hand on the man's shoulder and turned to the others. "I'd like you to meet Dennis Chernov, director of this fine institution."
Chernov brow creased. "May I ask, who are these people?"
The guard held his breath, gazing in panic at Lev.
Demanski didn't answer immediately, obviously savoring the moment. Then a smile lit his face. "Only business associates of mine. We just closed a deal to work together on a very exciting project. I invited them to join me here. Hope you don't mind."
* * *
After Demanski settled a few final details with the director, he exited with the others down the short stairway to the street.
"I assume we have a deal?" Rachel asked.
"Yes," Demanski said. "Why not?"
"So where's the mastaba wall?" Tavak asked.
Demanski looked down the dark street and raised his hand. Headlights lit up the night and a truck and two police cars roared to life. "Crated up inside that truck. Do you know what you're looking for on it?"
"Not in the slightest."
"I have a cargo plane waiting on an airstrip outside the city. I suggest we get off Russian soil before anyone realizes what just happened here. Agreed?"
Tavak nodded. "Agreed. Where is the plane going?"
"Wherever I want it to go." He lifted his hand and gestured. "Need a lift back home?"
A black limousine raced up the street and skidded to a stop in front of them. The vehicle's automated rear doors slowly swung open.
Rachel shot Demanski a sideways glance. "Tempting, if I wasn't so afraid of being thrown out over the Atlantic."
"The idea has its charms, but I'm quite sure you'll be calling and texting people to let them know you were with me. Besides, the cargo plane is a charter. Do you have any idea how much I'd have to pay to keep that crew's mouths shut?"
Allie shook her head. "This is going to be some partnership."
Tavak turned toward Lev. "It appears that we have another way home. Our paths diverge here, old friend."
"I can see that. I hope you find everything you're looking for."
"Me too."
Lev turned toward Rachel and Allie. "And it was a pleasure to meet two such charming sisters. Remember, you're always welcome at my place. You must promise you'll return."
Rachel clasped his hand. "I can't thank you enough, Lev."
Allie playfully pushed her sister aside. "And I'll definitely be back. Do svidaniya, Lev." She gave him a hug.
Lev was practically beaming, Rachel noticed in amusement. Allie had won another fan.
Demanski gestured toward the open limo doors. "Please."
Rachel, Allie, Tavak, and Demanski piled into the limo. The doors automatically closed, and the limo pulled away from the curb.
After a block, one of the police cars passed them and took the lead. The other squad car, Rachel noticed, dropped behind the truck. Within a few minutes, the caravan was on the ring road that circled the city.