Sergei leaned forward. “You’ve discovered something?”
Valentina glanced over at him, mildly disconcerted with how easily Sergei could read her.
“A possible connection,” she admitted, focusing again on the tablet. “We’re going back to the meeting site after Yuri is finished stuffing his face. I want to check a few things out.”
“Lars and I will join you,” Sergei announced, pushing away his tray.
Yuri scowled. “No.”
“I was not asking you,” Sergei retorted, his shoulders tense and unyielding.
Yuri stood and leaned over the table. “Nikolai may have allowed you to stay, but you are not part of this investigation except by my leave. I will not bring a potential liability along with us.”
“I will not allow Valentina to go back there without sufficient protection,” Sergei argued, standing to
