1:00 p.m.
Viktor Kozlov walked directly into the mall and made his way to the food court, where international food was concocted in an American way and was left in a display case until shoppers got hungry enough to try it. He ordered sweet and sour pork and chicken egg rolls from Bamboo Wall. He walked to the area of partially clean tables that served the entire array of fast-food restaurants, where Ilia Czerinas sat eating pepperoni and sausage pizza from the Leaning Tomato kiosk. Viktor sat and began eating. Neither of the men spoke for a few minutes, and then Viktor said, “I think it has to be tonight.” He waved an eggroll, looking like an orchestra leader, as he spoke.
Ilia stared at him silently for a time and then said, “Maybe.” He paused and then added, “Or maybe we don’t do it al
