when my phone rang. No number I recognized, but I was used to that. “This is A.C. Gillian.” “I need you.” My heart skipped a beat. Mzatal, his voice like cold steel. In the background, I heard shouts and screams. “Where?” “Siberia. Ust-Ilimsk. Helori will—” The line went dead. That was all I needed to know. “Jill! I’m going to Siberia! Ust-Ilimsk. How cold is it there right now?” I ran for the closet, pulled out my rucksack and quickly checked weapons and ammo. I’d learned from hard experience to always have a bag packed and ready to go with necessary items for a variety of scenarios: flashlight, first aid kit, crowd control devices, toiletries, clean underwear and socks, and even a small packet of coffee. “Off the top of my head, I’d say it’s really, really cold.” Jill stepped out of the dining room, already busy pulling info up on her phone.
