The Boy Who Stole from the Dead

CHAPTER 56

MARKO GOT BEHIND the wheel. Nadia navigated from memory. She’d travelled on one of the scavenger trails last year in an old Soviet military supply truck.

An alarm sounded once they crossed the main road onto the path that led to the trail. Nadia guessed it was the fire alarm at the power plant. There had to be a fire truck on the premises. Nadia saw flames in the side view mirror coming from the direction of the babushka’s house.

Marko drove twenty miles through the woods. They didn’t encounter the driver or the other hunters. They’d abandoned their posts per the General’s instructions. The trail was wide and well-worn by truck tires. Marko spun the wheel to avoid trenches, eased the throttle when the trail wound around trees. The SUV’s suspension absorbed dips, bumps, and sudden turns. They emerged out of the forest on the main road to Chornobyl three miles past the checkpoint. From there it took them a little over an hour to get to Kyiv.

The navigation system was in Russian. It included a directory of destinations. Nadia programmed it to take them to the Intercontinental Hotel. When they got there, they circled the property and parked two blocks away. Wiped down their fingerprints out of paranoia, took Nadia’s luggage, and walked to the hotel. They got one room with two double beds so they could protect each other. Although the General and the rawboned man from Lviv were dead, they assumed they might be at risk out of sheer prudence.

It was 12:07 a.m. by the time Marko posted the do not disturb sign on the door. Nadia checked her e-mail. Obon’s assistant had forwarded the picture of the Zaroff Seven. It was a black and white photo of six men and a woman standing around a large bear. Nadia recognized the General and the rawboned man from Lviv. They looked twenty years younger. Beside them stood Valentin, his hair darker and face fuller. An attractive woman pressed against him, undoubtedly his first wife. Nadia didn’t recognize the remaining three men. Although the General had told her Simeon Simeonovich wasn’t one of them, she still felt relieved he wasn’t in the picture.

New York was seven hours behind. That made it 5:07 p.m. Nadia called Obon and thanked him for the e-mail.

“The other three men are similar in stature to Valentine,” Obon said. “They’re all junior oligarchs, all still alive.”

He read their names to Nadia. She wrote them down but they meant nothing to her. Afterward, she thanked him and hung up. She told Marko what she’d learned.

“The General told us he took this responsibility on himself,” Marko said. “Didn’t sound like the other three were in on it at all.”

“Agreed,” Nadia said.

“And it’ll take some time for them to find out what happened. We should be able to get out of the country.”

“But even if we do, bottom line is there are three more guys out there, who may or may not care about revenge.”

Marko shrugged. “It’s not neat and tidy, is it?”

“No it is not.”

“Life rarely is.”

Nadia called Johnny. She got voice mail but he returned her call immediately. They exchanged updates. Between the two of them, they knew everything now, Nadia thought. Except for one thing.

“What about the locket?” Nadia said.

“He found some markings under the gilding. He thought it might be chemical compounds of some sort.”

“Who else knows?”

“No one.”

“Not even Iryna?”

“He says no.”

“Do you believe him?”

“He told you he’d never lie, didn’t he?”

“Johnny. Do you believe him?”

“Yeah,” Johnny said, without hesitation. “I believe him. Iryna doesn’t know anything. She’s not a concern. When are you coming back to New York?”

“New York. I used to think of it as the rat race. Now it’s sanctuary. I miss it so.”

“It misses you.”

She told him she’d call back with flight information as soon as she had it. After hanging up, she took a shower and fell asleep while Marko watched local news to see if there was a report on the fire in Chornobyl.

At 7:00 a.m. she dialed the cell phone number Simeon Simeonovich had given her. Perhaps he could expedite their departure from the country.

“You didn’t call the office,” he said. “You called my personal cell phone. I don’t say this often. I’m flattered.”

“That makes two of us since you gave me the number in the first place.”

“I’m pleased to hear your voice. Did your trip to Lviv reach a satisfactory conclusion?”

“Yes. Very much so.”

“Good. And did you discover something that might help you with the boy’s case?”

“Yes. I’m optimistic.”

“Outstanding. Then to what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”

“I need to leave Kyiv this morning. I was hoping you might put in a call and ease the way with Immigration.”

Simeonovich paused. “The Orel Group simplifies entry and exit to and from the Independent States for its contractors. Unfortunately, your assignment ended. So it would be inconsistent with our corporate policy for the Orel Group to act on your behalf.”

“Of course.” Nadia cringed. “I shouldn’t have asked. It was unprofessional.”

“But if there were prospects for us to do business again soon, that might change matters.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. I’m always considering acquisitions. I’ve been looking at a small coal company in the U.S. The stock has gotten killed. I’m scheduled to be in New York City next week. Would you be interested in discussing it over dinner?”

“I’d have to check my schedule but I might be available.”

“I may need help with the menu.”

“That could possibly be arranged, too.”

“Call my assistant with your flight information. She’ll arrange VIP.” He softened his voice. “Until the day we meet again.”

“Yes,” Nadia said, savoring that familiar electric current over the phone. “Until that day.”

After she hung up, she saw Marko staring at her, head propped up on a pillow.

“Are you going to be dating a Russian guy?” he said.

“No. I’m not dating anyone. I’m going to have a business dinner with him. That’s all.”

“Didn’t sound like business to me. You realize if he steps out of line I may have to kick some ass.”

“Of course.”

He nodded, satisfied. Then turned serious. “And if I didn’t say it, thanks.”

“For what?”

“For coming back for me. You’re a good sister.”

He’d never said anything like that to her. Ever. If she thought about it any more, she feared she’d show her emotions, which was unthinkable. She burst into motion and started packing.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said. “It was a purely selfish act. If you’re gone, who’s going to protect me?”

“You got that right, Nancy Drew.”