The Enemy

CHAPTER 35

Moscow, Russia

Tomasz Burliuk disconnected the call from Petrenko and slipped his cell phone away. The Belarusian gangster had informed him that the freelancers Burliuk had hired were successful in giving Petrenko his show of strength, though three had died in the process. Burliuk cared nothing for dead hitmen. All he cared about was that Petrenko would keep the arrangement with Yamout a secret, and Kasakov would never find out Burliuk had made a deal with his best friend’s mortal enemies.

Burliuk took a composing breath and checked his reflection in the closest wall mirror for signs of stress and seeing none used his palm to brush the shoulders of his suit jacket. He flattened a wayward strand of hair, turned and returned to the far side of the dining room where Kasakov sat with Eltsina and two prospective clients. They were North Koreans, both serious men in their fifties, representatives of Pyongyang.

The club was one of Moscow’s finest and Kasakov’s personal favourite, which meant it was Burliuk’s favourite too. Burliuk frequently accompanied his friend when dining, but it was rare to see Eltsina at the same table. Whereas Kasakov and Burliuk were friends as well as colleagues, neither had any affection for the Russian. She was a humourless woman who rarely smiled and never seemed to have any fun. Jokes that had Kasakov crying with laughter would often garner no reaction from Eltsina. For this particular meal, however, her expertise was needed.

Doing business with North Korea was practically guaranteed to raise Kasakov’s profile if any aspect was not conducted with the utmost discretion and careful strategy to limit exposure. Despite the huge sums of money to be made selling arms to the communist regime, as well as selling on weapons of their own manufacture, traditionally Kasakov only brokered with Pyongyang when the timing was just right, and the risks minimal. Now, however, times had changed and the need for a large deal with the communists was imperative to the organisation.

‘Gentlemen,’ Kasakov was saying, ‘I trust you enjoyed your meal and are ready to talk merchandise. As you’re aware, I’m offering you the unique opportunity of adding the Mikoyan MiG-31 to your nation’s air force. This is the very rare and extremely sophisticated BM multirole version of the interceptor model, which has significant upgrades to the original design. These include, but are not limited to, the ability to carry air-to-ground missiles, HOTAS controls, advanced avionics, digital data-link capability and Zalson-M passive electronically scanned phased array radar. That PESA has a detection range of four hundred kilometres and enables your pilots to simultaneously attack both ground and air targets. Your catalogue has the full list of the extensive improvements.’

Kasakov smiled before continuing. ‘Now, NATO has seen fit to designate this aircraft the Foxhound, which I think you will agree is a very apt name. The planes of Seoul and Washington will be like foxes to these merciless dogs.’

The North Koreans sat without expression.

Burliuk took his seat next to Kasakov and whispered, ‘I’m very sorry about that.’

Kasakov nodded, but Burliuk knew him well enough to feel his displeasure. No one else at the table acknowledged him.

‘The MiG-31BM is a very rare fighter,’ Kasakov added. ‘With these mighty jets in your air force you will join a powerful and elite cadre of nations. Aggressors to your country’s sovereignty, America included, will be terrified to send their planes into your airspace or their ships into your waters. Your strength will be unmatched, and your ambition realised. I have twenty for sale for the very reasonable sum of seventy million dollars each. This price is non-negotiable and includes delivery of the planes to the location of your choice at the time of your choosing.’

One of the North Koreans spoke. He was tall, deathly thin, his jet-black hair cut short. ‘The Indians will sell us upgraded MiG-29s for forty million each.’

Eltsina gave a small shrug. ‘Of course they will. Especially when they are worth no more than fifteen million, upgraded or not. And those upgraded MiGs will have been modified in India. We are offering genuine Russian-manufactured hardware, surplus to requirements, but that has never been used operationally. They are in perfect working order. Moreover, when you buy from us, you know with one hundred per cent certainty that you will receive one hundred per cent of your order.’ She smiled and raised her eyebrows. ‘You won’t have a repeat of that unfortunate Kazakhstan/Azerbaijan affair.’

The North Koreans began conferring among themselves in their own language. It sounded to Burliuk like an alien tongue. He shook his inhaler and used it to ease his breathing.

Kasakov turned to Burliuk and gestured for him to move closer. As he did, Kasakov whispered, ‘Kindly tell me what was so urgent that you had to leave the table in the middle of a deal that you said yourself we desperately need.’

Kasakov’s voice was quiet, tone calm and controlled, but Burliuk could feel the malice.

‘Forgive me, Vladimir, but I assure you it was necessary. I heard a rumour yesterday, from an associate of mine in Minsk, that an assassin would be travelling through the city on his way to Russia to make an attempt on your life. I sent some people to check the validity of the rumour. It turned out to be true. My men intercepted the assassin. Unfortunately, when they tried to detain him there was a gunfight and the assassin was killed before he could be questioned.’

Kasakov looked surprised, buying the lie perfectly, and then even smiled a little. ‘Then you’re forgiven, my friend.’ He looked at Eltsina. ‘I thought you were in charge of my security, Yuliya. Maybe I should give your pay cheques to Tomasz from now on.’ Eltsina smirked but she didn’t respond. Kasakov smiled and reached for his wine. He took a large swallow. ‘Oh, and on this matter, if either of you would be so gracious as to discover who is so keen to have me killed, I would rather appreciate it.’

Across the table, the North Koreans were still conferring.

‘I heard something about a mass killing at a hotel in Minsk,’ Eltsina said to Burliuk. ‘Is this the incident you are referring too?’

Burliuk sipped his mineral water and avoided looking at her. ‘I’m afraid I haven’t yet got all the details.’

‘When you have,’ Eltsina said, her tone gentle and understanding, ‘I would very much like to hear them.’

Burliuk nodded.

‘More importantly,’ Kasakov said, ‘what is happening regarding the bastard who killed my nephew? Have you found out where he is hiding yet, and commissioned someone to extinguish his miserable existence?’

Eltsina said, ‘We’re following leads, but Ariff never stays in one place for more than a year or two and takes many precautions to avoid being found. Therefore it’s taking some time. But I promise we will locate him. An American team looks to be the best option to send once we know where Ariff is. They come very highly recommended by my associates in the SVR. The team’s track record is excellent. The only problem is, they are asking for a lot of money.’

Controlled anger passed over Kasakov’s face. ‘When I said money is no object, what did you not understand?’

Eltsina frowned. ‘I do not sign the cheques. It was Tomasz’s idea to negotiate their price down.’

Kasakov looked at Burliuk. This time the anger was not controlled.

‘They’re asking for a ridiculously huge fee, Vladimir,’ Burliuk countered quickly, feeling his lungs tighten. ‘You expect me to manage your finances, and that is what I am doing. For the money they are asking we could employ an army. I’m not exaggerating.’

Kasakov leaned closer to Burliuk. ‘If they are as good as Yuliya says they are then cease negotiations immediately, and pay them whatever — and I mean whatever — they want. Each second Ariff breathes and Illarion does not is unacceptable. If they bring me the Egyptian’s intact head so I can mount it on my wall, I shall pay them triple. Is that clear enough?’ Burliuk nodded. ‘Just make sure that worthless dog and his family are dead. Quickly.’

The North Koreans stopped talking and looked back across the table.

‘So, gentlemen,’ Kasakov began, anger gone, back to business. ‘Have you made up your minds?’

The thin North Korean interlaced his fingers. ‘What about armaments? Tell us what you intend to deliver with the planes.’

Burliuk used his inhaler a second time and fought not to smile. Everyone, governments included, wanted something for nothing.

‘A hound without teeth is no good to any man,’ Kasakov said, ‘but sharp fangs cost money. You’ll be pleased to know I have near enough unlimited access to air-to-air missiles such as the R-33 and the newer R-77, as well as air-to-surface, including the X-55 anti-ship missile. Please, my dear friends, check your catalogue for a full list of prices. However, as a sign of our enduring friendship, if you would be so very kind as to buy all twenty jets then I will supply each with a full armament of your choice of missiles. No extra charge.’ He paused. ‘So, do we have a deal?’

The thin North Korean nodded. ‘But we want assurances of quality.’

‘Of course,’ Kasakov said with another smile. ‘You can have a money-back guarantee.’