Black Flagged Vektor (4) Read online

“Obviously, I’ll let you decide how to handle your source. Let me know if a warning isn’t enough,” Manning said.

  “Extraction?” Berg said, clearly surprised by Manning’s suggestion.

  “I’d support something like that in this case. Your source has more than paid his or her dues. Keep it in mind. Give me until tomorrow to redline your presentation and get it back to you with more detailed thoughts. Until then, you have some preliminary notes to work from. I’ll schedule a meeting with Director Copley for the late afternoon.”

  “Sounds like a plan. We’ll be on standby,” Bauer said.

  “Thomas?” Berg said, stopping the National Security Branch director in his tracks at the door. “I think we might want to consider bringing Emily Bradshaw back to the States. The Russians aren’t likely to be satisfied with Ian’s level of information.”

  “There’s absolutely no way they would abduct a station chief,” Manning said.

  “I sense the rules changing. I’d strongly consider it,” Berg said.

  Manning stared at him for a few seconds and opened the secure conference room door, disappearing from sight. Bauer gathered her materials and packed her briefcase.

  “I’ll talk to you later. Sounds like you have a call to make and some slides to fix.”

  “Not fix, modify. None of them were broken,” he said, closing his laptop.

  “That’s because I helped you with them. I’ll be by tomorrow morning to fix the rest of them,” she said, walking toward the door.

  “Your office or mine?”

  “Mine, of course. Your office is still a pit. As deputy director, I get to have someone unload all of my boxes,” Bauer said.

  “Sifting through the boxes is half the fun,” Berg said.

  “Then I suggest you schedule some time to have fun. Catch you tomorrow,” she said and vanished.

  “Yep,” he said to no one.

  Berg glanced at his watch. It would be nearly midnight in Moscow. He’d call Kaparov later tonight and hopefully catch him at the office. This would make it impossible for the CIA or NSA to use their magic and find him. If they could somehow triangulate Kaparov’s cell phone, nobody would be surprised to learn that his office was at Lubyanka Square. He seriously doubted that his own agency would attempt such a backhanded trick, but he’d take the steps to minimize the risk on Kaparov’s end. It was the least he could do for an old enemy turned wary friend.

  Chapter 5

  11:20 PM

  Falls Church, Virginia

  Berg sat at a modest kitchen table in his townhouse and dialed the latest number provided by his friend in Moscow. He’d purchased several new prepaid Tracfones recently and activated them using dummy email accounts through an untraceable laptop at Wi-Fi hotspots located across the D.C. area. Prior to entering Kaparov’s cell number, he had dialed the CIA’s phone redirect service, which would send Berg’s call through a random, unencrypted phone number, usually a business, within the same Moscow call area. Caller ID on Kaparov’s phone would show a local call, instead of a Virginia area code that would immediately raise eyebrows.

  “This must be important. It’s past your bedtime,” said a thickly accented, Russian voice.

  “It’s important,” Berg said.

  “Call me back in five minutes. I need to throw on a coat and head out for a smoke,” he said.

  “I thought you smoked in your office?” Berg said.

  “I’m trying to reform my ways.”

  Berg counted the seconds, considering the possible direction of their conversation. He needed to speak with Kaparov about two issues, but had to be careful with how he proceeded. He needed to warn Kaparov about the CIA officer’s abduction, but he also needed to prep Kaparov for the possibility that the U.S. government might strike a blow against Vektor. They’d likely need Kaparov’s assistance to pull off a fully successful mission. Unfortunately, the significance of the CIA officer’s abduction wouldn’t be lost on Kaparov, and Berg ran the risk of permanently losing him. He wouldn’t be shocked if Kaparov tossed his cellphone into the nearest sewer opening and never talked to him again. He’d have to tread lightly. A few minutes later, he tried the number again, hoping Kaparov hadn’t disposed of the phone.

  “Deputy Director, how can I be of assistance?”

  “I try to play that down around here, comrade.”

  “The infamous Karl Berg claims to be modest? This is disappointing,” Kaparov said.

  “I try not to attract too much attention in my twilight years. It’s bad for the career,” Berg said.

  “Apparently not so bad. Every time I read the cables, you are once again promoted. After last week’s events, I expect you to be running the show over there,” Kaparov said.

  Berg could hear traffic and distant voices in the background. Possibly a light breeze blowing across Kaparov’s cell phone.

  “I had little to do with this one. Our domestic security forces took the lead. Plus, I’m starting to get the feeling that this promotion is more about keeping an eye on me and less about my wildly lucky hunches.”

  “Instinct, my friend. There’s no such thing as a hunch in this business, which leads me to a rather delicate matter. My instinct tells me that you haven’t been completely forthcoming about Stockholm’s grand prize,” Kaparov said.

  “And I thought I could still slip one by you after all of these years.”

  “You couldn’t do it back in the day. What made you think anything had changed?” Kaparov said, followed by roaring laughter.

  Since Kaparov had brought up Reznikov, Berg felt comfortable moving forward with news about Vektor first, followed by the warning about the abduction.

  “Funny you should mention this prize. We need to discuss an ongoing problem in your neck of the woods. Something that shouldn’t exist.”

  “Confirmed by our mutual friend?”

  “Confirmed with details. I’m going to need some help with this one,” Berg said.

  “We’ll see. Timeline?”

  “Nobody seems keen about waiting for the next incident.”

  “Be careful with your guest. He’s a slippery one. Our Arab friends weren’t the only parties interested in his services.”

  “He’s in a safe place,” Berg said.

  “I hope so.”

  “Now it’s my turn to warn you about something,” Berg said.

  “Should I start running for the nearest Metro station?”

  “Not yet, but you’ll definitely need to raise your guard. Someone in Stockholm disappeared last night. He didn’t have any detailed information about the surprise party, but he does know that most of the guests received last-minute invitations.”

  “I see,” Kaparov said, pausing for several moments.

  “Are we still friends?” Berg said.

  “For now. I’ll need to see what comes of this before I make any promises about the future.”

  “I understand. The vacation offer still stands, if the climate changes too drastically.”

  “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” Kaparov said.

  “From a practical standpoint, I prefer that you stay in Moscow,” he said, and they both started laughing.

  “If you had said anything else, I would have hung up on your dishonest ass. We need to figure out a better way to keep in touch. Throwing cell phones into the Moscow River can be expensive, especially on my salary.”

  “I can’t believe you would pollute the river like that. I thought they were cleaning up the Moscow,” Berg said.

  “Throwing phones into the river is the new national pastime. Putin has resurrected the paranoia in our DNA. Even the kids throw their phones in, and they don’t even know why they’re doing it.”

  “As long as it keeps you out of the Moscow River, I approve.”

  “Nobody is going to throw me in this river. No calls in my office or my home. If what you say is true, neither location will be safe. This time of the year, I like to walk every evening from six-thirty to seven, right after dinner. I stop
off to buy vodka and cigarettes. It’s my usual routine. This would be the best time to call.”

  “I can give you a Moscow number that will redirect your calls. Just in case.”

  “Sounds good. Call me in a few days, and I’ll take that number. Until then, be careful with your new friend and stay out of trouble.”

  “That goes double for you, comrade,” Berg said and hung up the phone.

  He stared at the clock on the microwave and shook his head, taking in what Kaparov had said about Reznikov. His hint that the scientist had attracted attention beyond Al Qaeda disturbed Berg to the core. Given Reznikov’s outlaw status in Russia and Europe, he would have been forced to rely on Russian organized crime contacts for false paperwork or “off the books” travel. The Russian mafiya would have undoubtedly surmised his potential. The market for bioweapons among desperate rogue states represented an untapped economic resource for organized crime networks. The thought sent a chill through his body. He’d incorporate this revelation into the presentation, in the hopes that it would emphasize the importance of putting Vektor out of business.

  Few would ever truly realize how important it had been to take Reznikov out of circulation. If the raid on Vektor succeeded, he would permanently “retire” the scientist. Reznikov wouldn’t be the first “retiree” to take a walk in the forest and never return. The term “retirement” had more than one meaning at the Mountain Glen facility.

  Chapter 6

  9:24 AM

  Federal Security Service (FSB) Headquarters

  Lubyanka Square, Moscow

  Alexei Kaparov extinguished his cigarette and lit another one immediately, inhaling deeply. He turned toward the Internal Affairs investigators and released the noxious smoke in their direction. The younger agent grimaced, while his seasoned partner stared through the haze unimpressed. At least they had the respect to send an old-timer to question him.

  “Smoking has been prohibited in this building for two years,” the younger agent said.

  “My habit was grandfathered,” Kaparov said.

  “By who?”

  “By someone old enough to be your grandfather. Are we done here? I’ve told you everything I know about Monchegorsk, which is nothing. I know this is hard for your superiors to understand given my position as director of this division,” Kaparov said, placing the cigarette in his overfilled ashtray.

  “What bearing would that have on Monchegorsk?” the older agent said.

  “Back to square one, eh? How many interrogations have we been through, and we can’t seem to get past this,” Kaparov said.

  Kaparov shook his head. He really didn’t need this shit, but it was necessary in the long run. He’d continued to seek information about Monchegorsk long after everyone else had stopped asking questions. He didn’t see any other option. He had a reputation for tenacity and defiance, which had obligated him to pursue his initial line of questioning about the possible use of bioweapons in Monchegorsk for a reasonable period of time.

  Before the government’s ironfisted clampdown on information pertaining to the “situation” in the Kola Peninsula, his office had received more than enough warning signs to warrant further investigation of a possible “biological incident.” The video smuggled out of Monchegorsk and released worldwide by Reuters cast serious doubt on the government’s assertion that employees of Norval Nickel had formed an armed insurgency. If he’d suddenly dropped his inquiry, he would have drawn even more attention to himself.

  “Interviews,” the younger agent corrected him.

  “That’s right. Interrogations were banned along with the cigarettes. Comrades, I have work to do, so if you don’t have any new questions, I don’t have time to give you the same answers to the old ones,” he said and started typing on his keyboard.

  The older agent forced a smile, which Kaparov returned before turning back to the computer monitor, pretending to open emails. At least they weren’t asking questions about Stockholm. He could play this little bullshit cat-and-mouse game for the rest of his career if it suited them. He wondered how many times they would be required to return before someone interceded on his behalf.

  “Thank you for your time, Alexei,” the gray-haired investigator said, sharing a glance that acknowledged the futility of this game.

  “My pleasure, Boris,” he said.

  Less than a minute later, his deputy walked in, closing the door behind him. Yuri Prerovsky crossed his arms and stared at Kaparov.

  “Yes?” Kaparov said.

  “What did they want?”

  “The same thing they wanted three days ago. The same thing they talk to you about. Monchegorsk. It’s the same conversation every time. Why do you keep asking questions about Monchegorsk? I don’t ask questions anymore. Why did you keep asking questions after the government explained what happened? Because I’m not a fucking idiot. What does that mean? It means you’re all fucking idiots for thinking the government explanation has satisfied the population. And round and round we go.”

  “Nothing more, huh?” Prerovsky said.

  “No. Nothing more. We’ve discussed this.”

  Kaparov was starting to get annoyed by everyone at this point. He’d shared his strategy with the nervous youngster, assuring him that as long as his “friend” in operations covered her tracks, they could not be linked to Stockholm. He’d draw a little heat with the Monchegorsk questions, which would divert any other attention away from them. Why would a veteran of the KGB era keep bringing up Monchegorsk and Reznikov if he had anything to do with Reznikov’s abduction? That’s the question he wanted internal affairs to ask themselves.

  “I know. It just makes me nervous,” Prerovsky said.

  “Internal affairs should make you nervous. They make me nervous…”

  His statement was interrupted by the phone on his desk. He held up a finger and answered the call.

  “Director Kaparov.”

  He listened as Prerovsky glanced around at the piles of folders stacked haphazardly throughout the office.

  “I’ll be right up, sir,” he said and replaced the receiver.

  “That was Greshnev. He wants me upstairs immediately,” Kaparov said.

  An audience with the Counterterrorism Director was something he typically avoided at all costs, but in this case, he relished the opportunity. His obstinate refusal to play along with Internal Affairs’ nonsensical semantics game had finally earned him the chance to put this nonsense to rest. He could simply throw his hands up and ask what his boss wanted from him.

  “Did he say what he wanted?” Prerovsky said.

  “Of course not. I guarantee you that Boris flipped open his cell phone once they were out of our section and reported that the interview went nowhere as usual. Maybe five interviews is the magic number for a crusty dog like myself.”

  Kaparov reached into the ashtray on his desk and smothered the cigarette he had lit to annoy the younger Internal Affairs agent.

  “Do you want me to wait here?” Prerovsky said.

  “Don’t you have a fucking job to do?”

  “Keeping you out of trouble is a full-time job,” he said and stood up to get the door for Kaparov.

  Kaparov retrieved his suit jacket from a tree stand next to the door and squeezed the ill-fitting brown jacket over his saggy frame. He pulled down on the lapels out of habit, which did little to flatten the wrinkles.

  “I think it’s time for a new suit,” his deputy said.

  “Maybe it’s time for a new deputy director,” Kaparov said, raising an eyebrow.

  “If you’re not back within the hour, I’ll start looking for my new deputy,” Prerovsky said, dusting off the shoulders of Kaparov’s jacket.

  “If succeeding me gives you hope, who am I to crush the dream?”

  “You can’t blame a young man for dreaming. See you in few minutes. Greshnev isn’t one for many words,” Prerovsky said.

  Kaparov walked through the cluster of cubicles and workstations that defined his turf on th
e third floor. Few of his analysts looked up from their work to greet him, which was to be expected. His true mood, or whatever he chose to display, was rarely established before lunch, and nobody wanted to push their luck, especially after a visit from Internal Affairs. This suited him fine. He wasn’t in the mood for small talk on most days, and today was no exception. Despite this preference, he’d have to put on a smile and do some public relations work, regardless of the meeting’s outcome.

  In a few seconds, word would spread like wildfire that he was meeting with Greshnev, fueling rumors limited only by their wildest imagination. Within two minutes, half of them will be despondent, convinced that the entire section would be dismissed, their careers forever tainted by Kaparov’s stubbornness. The other half would start to prepare their transfer requests, certain that Greshnev would appoint a ruthlessly cruel director to replace Kaparov and reform the section. He’d spend half of the remaining day smiling and assuring them that everything was fine. The smiling was the worst part. Kaparov hated smiling.

  He proceeded past the boundary of his section and turned onto a central thoroughfare leading to the staircase. A few minutes later, he was standing in front of Greshnev’s secretary like a schoolboy waiting to see the principal for a spanking. She barely acknowledged his presence, and he silently refused to take one of the wooden chairs against the wall.

  Inga Soyev, as her desk placard indicated, had apparently been a fixture in this building before Kaparov started his career with the KGB in 1973. With silver hair and graying skin, she looked old enough to have served as a secretary under Stalin’s regime. Despite her years, she looked sturdy. When she stood up to open the door to announce Kaparov to Greshnev, she showed no signs of advanced age so common among senior Muscovites. Wearing a pressed knee-length gray skirt and starched white blouse, she moved steadily and surely, with perfect posture. Kaparov suddenly felt self-conscious about his shabby appearance and unhealthy aura.

  “The director will see you now,” she stated without smiling.

  “Thank you,” Kaparov said, moving past her scornful gaze as quickly as possible without breaking into a run.