Power Play

CHAPTER 15 USS MICHIGAN

John Kaufmann had never been aboard a submarine before. He’d interrogated prisoners in many exotic locations, but never underwater. He was standing in the submarine’s Battle Management Center, watching the displays as Michigan’s crew retrieved a black mini-sub, which had appeared a moment ago from the dark haze behind the submarine. Navy divers were currently hauling the mini-sub inside the shelter. Captain Murray Wilson approached, informing him they’d be ready to proceed in a few minutes.

“Do you want us to warm Novikoff up first? It’s been a cold ride.”

Kaufmann shook his head. “It’s better if I start while he’s cold and uncomfortable.”

“We’ve prepared a space,” Wilson said. “The Officers’ Study, one level down, beneath the Control Room.”

Ten minutes later, Kaufmann stood outside the Officers’ Study. Novikoff was inside the small room, which contained a small rectangular conference table and a few chairs. He was alone, handcuffed to a chair, with the lights turned off as Kauffman had instructed. Kaufmann waited a while longer, letting Novikoff’s mind wander in the darkness.

Kaufmann flipped through the man’s dossier one final time, reviewing the pertinent details again. Novikoff wasn’t your garden-variety terrorist or well-trained spy. He was just a guy doing his job. Kaufmann had a job to do as well. He closed the folder and entered the study, flicking on the bright lights.

Novikoff blinked repeatedly as his eyes adjusted to the light, his gaze focusing on the stranger, who closed the door behind him and took a seat at the other end of the table. Kaufmann was dressed in black, wearing an exposed shoulder holster and firearm. He pulled the pistol from its holster and placed it on the table for effect. Novikoff’s eyes shifted between the gun and Kaufmann’s face until Kaufmann spoke in Russian.

Kaufmann spent a few minutes explaining the situation: Novikoff had been identified as a member of a team of experts who were designing new systems for Alexander.

“Explain what those systems are and you live. Don’t and you die.”

Whether Kaufmann would actually kill Novikoff didn’t matter. Whether Novikoff believed it, did. However, Novikoff wasn’t fazed.

“If I reveal what we have developed, I will be killed. Either option results in my death. I prefer to go to my grave without compromising what we have achieved.”

“It appears your life is forfeit, either way,” Kaufmann agreed. He opened Novikoff’s folder and slid across the table a picture of his wife, who resided in Moscow instead of with him for some reason. “What about your wife?”

Novikoff looked up. “You would be doing me a favor.”

Kauffman pushed two more photos toward the Russian. “What about your son and daughter?”

Novikoff didn’t immediately respond this time. His face turned slowly red as his anger built. “You wouldn’t!” he finally said.

“We would,” Kaufmann replied. “But you can prevent it. Just tell us what we want to know.”

The Russian remained silent for a while, then said, “If I reveal what we’ve built, not only will I be killed, but my family as well. You offer no upside.”

Whether the Russians would kill Novikoff’s family was unknown, as was whether Novikoff believed his assertion. However, Kaufmann latched on to the man’s last statement.

“I do offer an upside. Answer my questions and no harm will come to you or your family. Following our conversation tonight, you will be returned to your home and no one will be the wiser. Additionally, we’ll deposit five hundred million rubles into a Swiss account for you. No one will learn of our meeting, you and your family will be safe, and you’ll be well-rewarded. A notable upside on all three issues.”

This was where Kaufmann had been headed all along. The conditions for Novikoff’s capture, provided to Michigan’s SEAL unit, had been specific. Home alone, with no one aware that he’d been kidnapped. If things went as planned, he’d be returned home before sunrise.

Novikoff’s eyes dropped to the table as he mulled the offer over. After a long moment, he looked up and began talking. Kaufmann pulled an audio recorder from his shirt pocket and pressed Record.