Private Moscow

Chapter 73

Leonid Boykov yawned and shifted in his seat. He’d told Dinara and Jack his plan during the drive back from Volkovo. He’d billed it as a deal with the devil, but that was melodramatic. In truth, he planned some mutual backscratching with a Moscow cop, and Jack had approved the idea.

They’d arrived back at the Residence shortly after midnight, and Leonid had resisted Feo’s invitation to join him and a few reprobates in a backgammon tournament. Instead, Leonid had gone straight to bed.

He’d risen at 5 a.m., feeling tired and dull, but a coffee and the short walk to his car that had filled his lungs with ice-cold air shocked him awake. He’d driven through the quiet city to Zhitnaya Street and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He’d parked nearby, and had gone inside. After introducing himself to the officer on duty, he’d taken a seat in the grand lobby and waited.

A call to an old colleague had revealed Anna Bolshova’s shift started at 6 a.m., and when she arrived ten minutes early, she looked tired and miserable. Her mood darkened further when she caught sight of Leonid. He intercepted her as she crossed the expansive lobby.

“Whatever it is,” she said, “I don’t have time.”

“I’ve got something for you,” Leonid replied.

“Really,” Anna said, feigning interest. “I’m so lucky to have you in my life.”

“You are,” Leonid responded.

Anna’s mood soured. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done? They’re talking about sending me back to regular duty for destroying an SVR investigation.” She picked up her pace. They were almost at the security barriers.

“It’s a big one.”

Anna stopped in her tracks and turned toward Leonid. He felt waves of anger radiating off her.

“What have you got for me this time?” she asked. “Are you going to get me to raid the Kremlin? Or perhaps round up the government?”

“You’re going to like this,” Leonid said.

“No, I’m not,” she replied. “Leave me alone, Leonid Boykov.”

She turned away from him and marched toward the security barriers. She pulled a pass from her pocket and was about to scan it, when Leonid spoke up.

“What if I could give you a Black Hundreds recruiter?”

Anna stopped and looked at him skeptically. The offer had even managed to get the duty officer’s attention, but he quickly went back to the paperwork he was doing at the front desk.

Anna slowly retraced her steps. “How?” she asked.

“He’s got his chapter running a sideline,” Leonid revealed when he and Anna were toe to toe. “Selling narcotics.”

She whistled. “Even Black Hundreds’ supporters within the force won’t try to protect him if that’s true.”

“Exactly,” Leonid said. “It’s an easy win. You can arrest the entire ring, put away some rotten apples and do it without fear of political interference. The Black Hundreds might try to kill the man, but they certainly won’t protect him.”

“Who’s the recruiter?” Anna asked.

Leonid smiled, and Anna backed away, exasperated.

“And here’s me thinking this was payback for sabotaging my career,” she remarked.

“What’s one thing got to do with the other?” Leonid asked. “This is a new favor, and a new favor deserves a new reward.”

“What do you want?”

“Your assignment to the Interior Ministry gives you access to information beyond the reach of a normal police officer,” Leonid replied. “I need you to find out what Boltino Army Base was used for.”

“Tell me who the recruiter is,” Anna replied.

Leonid slipped a card into her hand. “Here’s my number,” he said. “Call me when you’ve got answers.”

He backed toward the exit.

“I should have you arrested,” she said.

“But you won’t,” he responded. “Find out what was happening at Boltino, and I’ll give you a name that will put you back on the command fast track.”