The Boy from Reactor 4

CHAPTER 64





“IT SEEMS YOU have some influence in Russia,” Deputy Director Krylov said. “The director told me to give you full cooperation.”

“We’re old friends,” Kirilo said. “We went to university together. We’re always on the lookout for the best interests of our countries, the way neighbors and brothers should be.”

In addition to Deputy Director Krylov, Kirilo, Victor, and five other men sat at a large rectangular table at the Magadan headquarters of the FSB, the Russian Federal Security Service and successor to the KGB.

After quick introductions, it was clear from their titles that the first four were the deputy director’s lackeys. The fifth one, however, wore an everyday olive military uniform with a single gold star on the insignia on his shoulder.

“This is Major General Yashko of the Russian Ground Forces from the Far Eastern Military District,” Krylov said. “Your exact command, General? Forgive me; in all this excitement, I’ve forgotten.”

“The Fourteenth Independent Spetsnaz Bridage in Ussuriysk.”

“Special Forces,” Kirilo said.

“Yes,” Major General Yashko said with a dismissive smile. “To catch a woman and a child.” He enunciated slowly and precisely to convey his disgust with his assignment.

“You’d be surprised how elusive American women can be,” Victor said. “Especially if they’re from New York. I see them outside my apartment on the sidewalk chasing their dreams every day. They move so quickly. One second they’re there. Then you blink. And they’re gone.”

Major General Yashko measured Victor and smirked. He turned to the deputy director. “Who is this little man?”

“He is with me,” Kirilo said. “Do I need to get the director and the general on the phone and ask them for reassignments?”

“No, you most certainly do not,” Krylov said.

He turned to a wall with twenty television monitors featuring live video feeds. Some showed passengers wheeling suitcases and checking in, while others offered wide-angle views of piers and ships.

“We have security monitors at Sokol Airport,” Krylov said. “Arrival, check-in gate, security, luggage, departure. There are five international flights departing this evening from Magadan. We also have security monitors along the pier. There are three ships leaving this evening. We have agents all over the airport and the pier.”

“But you’re not certain she’s even in Magadan,” Major General Yashko said, “are you?”

“We’re certain she’s either in Magadan or is on her way,” Kirilo said. “She’s getting local help, so she could be coming in slightly off the grid. On a parallel road of some kind.”

“Passport Control is on full alert throughout Russia,” Krylov said. “It is impossible for her to get out of Russia legally.”

“Then she will get out of Russia illegally,” Victor said.

Shortly thereafter, two shapely assistants came in with lunch and coffee.

It was 12:00 p.m. on Friday.