The Hunter

CHAPTER 82

Moscow, Russia

Wednesday

14:11 MSK

Colonel Gennady Aniskovach passed through the corridors of the SVR headquarters and, with a controlled amount of anger, accepted that his face now drew more glances damaged than it had when beautiful. Prudnikov’s secretary, who had previously always gazed at him with brazen longing and desire, averted her eyes when he arrived at her desk. Aniskovach waited while she announced his presence by an intercom and, despite the pain it caused, gave her his best smile when she finally glanced his way before he entered Prudnikov’s office.

The director was reading a report of some variety and did not look up. There was no small talk. Aniskovach knew he had exhausted that particular pleasure. Eventually Prudnikov placed the report to one side. He adjusted it so it was square to his desk.

He poured himself a glass of water and took a drink. ‘My throat is hoarse from the amount of explaining I have been forced to do on your behalf. As you may expect, the GRU in particular are not exactly happy that four decorated members of our special forces have lost their lives and that another three were injured during an operation we told them nothing about — an operation that should have been theirs to conduct in the first place.’

He rubbed his brow before looking up, grey eyes narrow. ‘I do not appreciate that you have put me in this position yet again. I did as you requested, and I gave you the task of recovering those missiles, at the same time allowing you the chance to repair your tarnished reputation. And what do you do? You are responsible for yet more deaths; you create yet more problems for me. And you didn’t even come back with so much as a handful of bolts.’

‘I’d like to remind you of the unforeseen circumstances that interfered with the mission,’ Aniskovach responded calmly. ‘Yet I still managed to successfully destroy the missiles and therefore deny America acquiring our technology.’ Aniskovach stood straight-backed. ‘And I offer my sincerest regret for the loss of life, sir.’

The head of the SVR smirked. ‘Even you cannot make that sound sincere, Gennady. Though others may not see past your charm, I am not so easily misled. I’ve spoken to the soldiers at the hospital, and I know what really happened. You had nothing to do with the destruction of the missiles. That was but a fortunate coincidence, so don’t try and claim credit. I always knew that you were ruthless, but now I know that you have no conscience, not even when good men die to serve your ambition. If it were purely up to me, I would have you thrown out of the organization or, at the least, I would confine you to a desk for the rest of your career where you could do no more damage.’

‘Sir, I-’

‘Silence.’ Prudnikov waved his hand. ‘Do not spill your veneered words on me. There is no need for it. I say this honestly: Your ability to capitalize on your own mistakes is extremely impressive. Even at my best I don’t believe I could have wriggled from the fisherman’s net as well as you have.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘I’m sure you don’t. But it seems the GRU were not the lone recipient of information relating to the Tanzania operation. That we very nearly lost our missile technology to the Americans has created ripples in the pools of power above my head. It was an especially clever move of yours to leak what happened to those who know no better so that the illusion of success can shield you from your failure. If nothing else, I must respect your guile.’

Aniskovach had originally planned to appear shocked at news of the leak but now chose to stand emotionless. There seemed little point in acting ignorant.

‘There are many who care only for headlines who are extremely pleased with your actions. Press releases are already being prepared to boast of our victory.’ Prudnikov sighed. ‘Quite the hero, aren’t you?’

‘I do my duty as well as I can.’

Prudnikov laughed bitterly and leaned back in his chair. ‘It appears that your stock has risen sharply and that you have some new friends in the Kremlin, friends who inform me that you’ve done Russia proud, friends who inform me that it would weaken our very nation if I were to downgrade your responsibilities. Apparently the lives of four distinguished soldiers, four real heroes, is but a small price to pay for keeping our missile superiority. I have been instructed that I should congratulate you, reward you, even.’

The SVR colonel tried not to look too pleased with himself. This was going even better than he had expected.

‘Thank you, sir.’

‘There is no need to thank me, Gennady, when this has been entirely of your own doing. Any thanks you receive should therefore be directed purely toward yourself.’

‘Then I thank myself.’

Prudnikov’s eyes narrowed to slits. ‘Your arrogance will be your downfall.’

‘Perhaps,’ Aniskovach began, ‘but so far any arrogance has been more than justified. There is no reason to suggest that justification shall not continue. In which case confidence would have been a more accurate choice of word. Sir.’

Prudnikov, showing a look of pure disdain, considered Aniskovach for a long time. He didn’t retort, and Aniskovach took his silence as a sign of concession in the verbal battle. Eventually the head of the SVR adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. ‘Since I cannot demote you,’ he said, ‘I may as well make use of you. You are to continue your hunt for General Banarov’s assassin. Hopefully on this matter you have already reached the limits of any damage you may have caused. Do we know anything more of him?’

Aniskovach had not told Prudnikov the full extent of what happened in Tanzania and had completely left out the involvement of Banarov’s killer. Such information was too valuable to give up until the most opportune moment. For now, though, one minor detail to placate Prudnikov wouldn’t hurt.

‘Well,’ Aniskovach began with a carefully measured quantity of drama. ‘We’ve had a very interesting development in that regard.’