CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SIX: CLAIRE'S INSTINCTS

"What do you mean?" Mason asked, catching on to Claire's strategy of keeping Viktor talking. Viktor chuckled. "Think about it. Who's on this cruise? Some of the wealthiest, most influential people in Eastern Europe. And now, thanks to our little crime spree, I have access to their personal information, their habits, their secrets. The blackmail potential alone is worth more than all the stolen trinkets combined." As Viktor gloated, Claire noticed Sergei slowly, almost imperceptibly, shifting his position. She kept Viktor engaged, hoping to buy more time. "So this was never about the thefts at all," she mused. "It was all just a cover for your real plan." "Precisely," Viktor nodded. "The perfect distraction. Everyone so busy looking for a petty thief, they never noticed the real crime happening right under their noses." Just as Viktor was about to continue, several things happened at once. Sergei lunged forward, tackling Viktor to the ground. The gun went off, the sound deafening i