Read Kings of Many Castles Online
Authors: Brian Freemantle
Kings of Many Castles (39 page)
“Isakov and Sakov were both cameramen,” challenged Charlie.
“It was a love symbol for Isakov, when he and Bendall were together in the army. Made them elite—special—together. It was Agayan who insisted Sakov have it done, to make him part of the group—a blood brother-when they all got together at the TV station. Sakov had all the other shit put on his arms to make him one of the boys in the army: his father was actually a career office, a major in the KGB. It was Agayan who guided Sakov organizing their special evenings, drinking and singing that wailing song, which again was some fraternity crap they went in for in Afghanistan.”
Charlie was glad he had more Islay malt in the office closet. The bottle they were drinking was almost empty. “Mittel lifted all the missing records and files, totally to incriminate the FSB?”
“Every one, he and whoever else he’s working with at the Lubyanka,” agreed Kayley.
“Making it-and Viktor Karelin’s chairmanship-look ridiculous?”
“Karelin could never have survived.”
“Neither could Okulov,” recognized Charlie, remembering the recommendations of Natalia’s official enquiry. “Whatever the outcome of the commission-or whether Okulov accepted its findings or not—there would have been no way Okulov could have convinced anybody the assassinations weren’t orchestrated with the help of old KGB friends, to get his presidency confirmed. It would have been a walk-over for the communists.”
“Even with their problems with the commission, it was a brilliant game plan,” said Kayley, emptying the last of the bottle between them. “The communists win by a landslide, Okulov, Karelin and reforms vanish into oblivion and the communists regain the Kremlin and hold the Duma. Gennardi Mittel gets the chairmanship of the FSB and Leonid Zenin transfers as his deputy. Vladimir Sakov goes back into the fold, his field life over, to become chairman of whatever FSB Directorate he wants and Boris Lvov is appointed head of the militia. And finally Washington is given the stiff middle finger to its Son of Star Wars treaty in the hope of making things awkward for the American president, even if he’s not killed.”
Charlie heard the other man out but said at once, “What problems with the presidential commission?”
“Mittel apparently persuaded Karelin to let him represent the FSB, so he could really stir the shit. But the chairperson was a fiesty gal who sent him packing and insisted on Karelin appearing personally. And Zenin expected to get the commission chairmanship: imagine that as a destructive duo!”
Fiesty gal, picked out Charlie. Natalia was still in danger if the Grand Jury hearing didn’t evidentially produce everything Kayley had just told him. “They’ll run, make some move when they know Sakov’s gone!”
Kayley looked curiously at the bottom of his empty glass. “Anticipated it!” he said, triumphantly. “Mittel was Sakov’s direct contact. I had Sakov call him—recording it, obviously—to say he was
going out of town. Got Mittel on tape ordering him—a supposed television cameraman, don’t forget!-to stay in Moscow and wait to be told what to do next, that everything was under control. Sakov comes from Gorkiy: that’s where they’ll be looking for the next few days, not Washington.”
going out of town. Got Mittel on tape ordering him—a supposed television cameraman, don’t forget!-to stay in Moscow and wait to be told what to do next, that everything was under control. Sakov comes from Gorkiy: that’s where they’ll be looking for the next few days, not Washington.”
“How quickly will the Grand Jury return the indictments?”
“Sakov’s the only witness. It only took me about four hours to get what I’ve told you.”
“What’s the route then?”
Kayley shrugged. “Anandale talks to Okulov direct, to fix their simultaneous prime slot television appearances, giving Okulov time to brief Karelin to get everyone in the bag first. And you know the best bit?”
“What?”
“Okulov gets his sweeping election victory when the communists are exposed. And Anandale gets the sons-of-bitches that maimed his wife, maybe even the actual guys from Department V who pulled the trigger. But without having to suspend or cancel America’s missile defense system, which guarantees his second term, too. Ain’t that the prettiest thing?”
“And you?”
“I was called by the president into the Oval Office and with the acting head of the FBI and Wendall North as witnesses got told I could choose whatever internal Bureau division I want. You really have got me into the Hall of Fame, Charlie.”
“You’re welcome.” It might have been by proxy but he’d maintain the never lose, never be beaten philosophy. He got the second bottle from the corner cupboard.
“All we’ve got to do is keep up the frustrated act over the next few days,” said Kayley.
“It’ll be a walk in the park,” insisted Charlie. Who did he have to walk with? he wondered.
“That’s what both the American and the Englishman are saying?”
“According to Kayley, American newspapers are openly saying that it’s a conspiracy between Okulov and his old friends,” said Olga.
“What about official investigation?” asked Zenin.
“They say there’s nothing positive they can do, they’re waiting for the result of the commission, like we are.” Olga cleared the table while Zenin carried the remains of their dinner wine into the lounge.
“I’ve been talking to people,” said Zenin. “There’s no way Okulov or Karelin can survive.”
“Do you think a change of government will affect us personally?”
“Who knows?” smiled Zenin.
Olga sat at Zenin’s feet, her arm looped over his knees, her wine glass in her other hand. “Can I ask you something?”
“What?”
“You’re not unhappy, are you: not thinking things aren’t working out between us?”
“Of course not! Things
are
working out! Why do you think they’re not?”
are
working out! Why do you think they’re not?”
“In the last few days you’ve just seemed … I don’t know … distant, I suppose.”
“A man can’t make love every night!”
“I didn’t mean that.”
“I’ve been considering a lot of options: trying to find a way to move forward. I want to get it over with. Finished.”
“It will be, soon,” said Olga, emptily.
Charlie waited four days before going to the Radisson Slavjanskaya hotel again, carefully allowing two hours from the end of Sasha’s schoolday. The immediate anger would have gone by now. He certainly wouldn’t lose his temper-he had nothing to lose his temper about—and hoped Natalia wouldn’t, either, certainly not in front of Sasha. If Natalia insisted, he’d even keep it a telephone conversation, although he’d have more chance of persuading her if they could meet, face to face. Alternatively she might agree briefly to leave Sasha in the room, so they could talk in the hotel lounge or bar, although he thought that unlikely. He didn’t want to leave Sasha alone in a hotel bedroom himself, no matter how briefly.
Charlie found the house phone in a corner of the foyer, glad it was an enclosed booth. The man who answered in room 46 said Charlie must have the wrong extension: he was a computer technician from Kiev who’d only arrived that morning. The receptionist
told him Natalia Fedova and the little girl had booked out the previous day, without leaving a forwarding address.
told him Natalia Fedova and the little girl had booked out the previous day, without leaving a forwarding address.
Back at Lesnaya Charlie walked aimlessly around the echoing rooms, as he had every night since Natalia left. That night, though, he stopped in Sasha’s room, properly seeing for the first time that there were still things of Sasha’s that Natalia hadn’t taken, particularly toys. Then he saw that the doll he’d bought back from London was there but the previous, forgotten sister with the droopy eye wasn’t.
The perfectly coordinated seizures were filmed, to be shown directly before the simultaneous telecasts by both presidents. Anandale personally pressured Okulov during his alerting telephone call after the Grand Jury indictments for FBI agents to be visibly present at each arrest, which took place at four A.M. At each, doors were jackhammered off their hinges. Everyone named by Sakov was confronted before they could get out of bed. John Kayley, who was with the loyal FSB officers who took deputy chairman Gennardi Mittel into custody, was identified during the president’s address to the nation as the officer who had broken the case. Olga Melnik was taken manacled from the apartment with Zenin and held for a week before being released. The detentions were announced-simultaneously again—five hours before the televised appearance of the two leaders, and in mid-afternoon Petr Tikunov, the communist party presidential candidate, put a gun into his mouth and pulled the trigger. In his broadcast Anandale spoke of a plot that could have destabilized world peace, which was now strengthened and more secure because of the cooperation between two great nations. Okulov even more grandiosely talked of Russia being pulled back from reentering the dark ages and of a cancer being excised from an organization and a political party which sought to subvert the new Russian democracy.
He echoed Anandale’s insistence on a strengthening between the two countries and said he was looking forward to officially becoming Russia’s leader in the forthcoming elections. Neither referred to a missile defense treaty.
He echoed Anandale’s insistence on a strengthening between the two countries and said he was looking forward to officially becoming Russia’s leader in the forthcoming elections. Neither referred to a missile defense treaty.
Charlie Muffin watched alone in his echoing apartment, smiling at the sight-repeated after the president’s identification-of John Kayley for the first time in a freshly pressed suit and laundered shirt. There was, inevitably, a cigar.
Charlie had turned to CNN for their quickly assembled documentary on the entire investigation—dominated once more by the gantry fight between Bendall and Sakov—when the telephone rang. His stomach hollowed at Natalia’s voice.
“You?” she anticipated at once.
“Yes.”
“Why did you give it away to the Americans?”
“That’s the way it worked.”
“And now that Filitov’s been arrested you know I wasn’t the leak.”
“I said I was sorry. I’m glad you’ve called.” He could persuade her. Not easily, perhaps, but now they were talking he could convince her to call the whole nonsense off.
“There are some things I need to collect.”
“Come back, Natalia. Please.” He’d let her have her pride.
“Clothes. And some stuff of Sasha’s.”
“How is she?”
“Fine. She asks after you.”
“I miss her and I’m lost without you and I want you both to come back.”
“Can I come by tomorrow, to pick them up.”
That’s when it would be best, when they were in the same room together. “What time?”
“About now?”
“I’ll be waiting.”
He was.
He opened Volnay but left it in the refrigerator to stay chilled and abandoned the idea of canapes because it would be trying too
hard. He did put cornflowers in a vase, though, because they were her favorite and it was quite normal for him to buy them for her. He poured himself scotch, which he would normally have done at that time but left it untouched on the low table. Illogically he had expected her to ring, from the street, and started at the sound of her key in the lock, only just getting to his feet as she entered. She had a case in either hand!
hard. He did put cornflowers in a vase, though, because they were her favorite and it was quite normal for him to buy them for her. He poured himself scotch, which he would normally have done at that time but left it untouched on the low table. Illogically he had expected her to ring, from the street, and started at the sound of her key in the lock, only just getting to his feet as she entered. She had a case in either hand!
Charlie went towards her but looked beyond, for their daughter. “You’re back! Where’s Sasha?”
Seeing his look and realizing his misunderstanding, Natalia easily lifted both empty cases and said, “To carry what I’ve come to collect.”
Charlie stopped, uncertain whether to go on to try to kiss her. Not a good idea, he decided. “I’ve opened some wine.”
“No thanks. I’ve got to get on.” She couldn’t let him talk her round.
“You got my note at the hotel?”
“Of course.”
“I went again but you’d moved out?”
“I’ve got a temporary ministry apartment, until I can find something.”
“I want you to come back here.”
“You said.” It would be so easy to say yes but she really wasn’t sure if she wanted to, not totally.
“I made mistakes. Let’s not make any more.”
“It’s too claustrophobic. We’re not happy together.” He had to agree with that!
“We can be! Not all the time but most of it. People aren’t, not all the time. Let’s learn from this, not suffer from it.”
“I don’t feel I’m suffering. I need space, to breathe.” Which was what she felt she’d been doing, breathing. Feeling free.
“Sit down. Please. Let’s talk.”
“I need to pack. Sasha’s staying at Marina’s again but I said I wouldn’t be long.”
“You sure about this?”
“Yes.”
“Now you’re making the mistake.”
Natalia walked around him and disappeared into their bedroom, saying nothing.
Charlie went to follow but stopped again. It would be wrong to crowd her.
I need space.
Leave her alone: let her see—feet—what it was she was abandoning. He stayed standing but sipped for the first time at the neglected drink. Natalia crossed from their bedroom into Sasha’s without looking sideways along the corridor towards him. When she emerged with the two cases he said, “Do you need help with them?”
I need space.
Leave her alone: let her see—feet—what it was she was abandoning. He stayed standing but sipped for the first time at the neglected drink. Natalia crossed from their bedroom into Sasha’s without looking sideways along the corridor towards him. When she emerged with the two cases he said, “Do you need help with them?”
“No.”
“I want to be able to see Sasha.”
“Yes.”
“So I need an address.”
“I’ll let you have it, when I get one.”
“What about now?”
“It’ll only be a few days.” Stay strong, she told herself, don’t give in.
“Don’t do this!”
“Keep safe, Charlie.”
He remained standing after the door closed behind her, quietly again, the drink forgotten in his hand. He put it down abruptly, angrily, spilling it, and at once wondered why-for whose benefithe was performing like someone in a B movie. He went into their bedroom, seeing that this time Natalia had cleared everything from her closets. He thought at first she’d only left one thing in Sasha’s room, the doll he’d brought back from London. Then he saw, beside it, the diamond bar brooch he’d also bought there for Natalia.
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