The Romanov Ransom

48

The monitor beside Viktor’s hospital bed beeped steadily as Sam waited.

“Felix,” Viktor said. “Close the door… please… I’d rather not have anyone overhear.”

Once it was closed, Felix taking a position in front of it, Viktor turned his attention to Sam. “Because you’re Donovan’s friend, I know I can trust you… And I want Felix to also hear… Tatiana isn’t the only Russian involved with Rolfe Wernher. She’s merely the latest. It’s how we knew to cultivate Durin… And now that we’ve verified that the Wolf Guard is still operating in Europe, the stakes are even higher. They are, no doubt, how Rolfe has managed to eliminate witnesses in every case brought against him…” He closed his eyes, the sound of the monitor beeping as they waited. Finally, he opened them again, saying, “Until the shooting in Königsberg castle, we weren’t even aware they’d infiltrated Russia. Now…”

Sam glanced over at Felix, then back at Viktor. “You can’t mean to leave her there?”

“Of course not,” he said. “But in the past, every time we made a move, they found out… We have to be careful who we include. I hate to believe that anyone we have inside Rolfe’s circle is giving information… Or, worse yet, that the few of us who know on the outside are…” His voice grew softer, his eyelids starting to fall. But he roused himself, looking at them again. “The possibility exists… So you see my dilemma? There are many more lives involved than just Tatiana’s… She knows the risks… knows our hands are tied. But… she knows… someway, somehow… I’ll get to her… Have to do it below the radar… Without help…”

“From a hospital bed?”

“A flesh wound… They’ll be releasing me in the morning… I hope…”

“And if they don’t?”

“Perhaps…” He looked at Sam. “We saw how you went after your friend, Zakaria. I thought that you…”

Felix took a step forward. “You can’t mean send an American?”

Sam, hoping to cut through the tension in the room, said, “I’d be glad to help in any way I can.”

“No,” Felix replied. “It’s as Nika said. Tatiana is our concern. Not the Americans’.”

“You’re right,” Viktor said, his breathing more shallow. “Except that the Fargos are… in a unique position to help… without raising suspicion. They did it once… Not too out of the realm of their nature to do so again… without exposing anyone on the inside.” He looked at Sam, trying to keep his eyes open. “I have no idea if this key is important…”

“We’re hoping to find out,” Sam said. “Even if we don’t, we’ll make them believe it’s important.”

Viktor nodded. “Thank you.” He closed his eyes a moment. “I think whatever they’ve given me… for the pain… is starting to work…”

“We’ll let you rest,” Sam said.

“Felix…” It took some effort for Viktor to open his eyes. “Help the Fargos…”

“Yes, sir.”

When it was clear he couldn’t fight the pain medication anymore, they left, Felix following Sam down the hall.

Remi stood when they walked into the lobby. “How is he?” she asked Sam.

“Fine. Sleeping now.”

“Thank goodness.”

Felix looked around for Nika. “Where is she?”

Remi nodded toward the doors. “She went for a walk. I’m sure she’ll be back soon. She was very upset.”

About two minutes later, Nika walked in the lobby doors. “Well?” she asked Felix. “What did he say?”

“He’s asking that the Fargos help.”

“Is that wise? We’re wasting time as it is. Tatiana could be hurt.”

Felix glanced down the hall toward Viktor’s room, then back at Nika. “It’s what he ordered.”

She crossed her arms. “Is there some grand plan?”

“I have none,” he said.

She turned her gaze to Sam. “And you?”

“To start? Call to let him know we have this key. And that we’ll exchange it for Tatiana.”

Nika opened her mouth to speak but then clamped it shut. Instead, she started pacing.

“Call,” Felix said.

Sam took out Tatiana’s phone, found Rolfe’s number, and called.

It went to voice mail. Sam waited for the recording, then said, “Sam Fargo. Call if you want the key. In exchange for Tatiana, unhurt.”

He disconnected.

Remi exchanged glances with him, her expression worried. “I hope she’s okay.”

“She’s smart,” Sam said. “She threw that key for a reason.”

Nika continued her pacing until the phone rang a few minutes later. She and the others gathered around Sam as he answered. “Fargo…”

“Apparently, you have something I want.”

“Who’s this?”

“Leopold.”

“Leopold? Where’s Tatiana?”

“Sitting across from me as we speak.”

“She’s not hurt?”

“The gag might be a little tight, but no. She made it clear that we’d be hearing from you about this key that you found.”

“I’d like to speak to her.”

“We all have things that we desire, don’t we? About that key—”

“Tatiana! On the phone!”

Sam heard an annoyed sigh, then, “Take the gag from her mouth so she can speak to the American.”

“Sam?”

“How are you?”

“I’m fine. Viktor?”

“Fine,” he said, relieved to hear her voice.

“Thank—”

“Touching,” Leopold said. “I’ve heard my fill. Have you?”

“How do you want to do this?” Sam asked.

“I can tell you how I don’t want to do it. I’ve heard all about the exchange in Marrakesh. So to avoid any possibility of losing control to you, we’ll make the exchange tomorrow night outside Berlin.” There was a muffled sound as though he’d muted the phone. A moment later, he said, “I’ll be in touch to arrange for the exchange. Tomorrow night. After midnight.”

“Why so late?” Sam asked.

The line went dead.