The Russian Woman

Chapter 58

Anya was working at her desk when the phone rang.

"Colonel Volkova."

"Colonel, this is Senior Sergeant Popov."

"Yes, Senior Sergeant, what is it?"

"I just let two men from GRU through. They're here for you."

"I see."

"I wanted to give you a heads up."

"I appreciate it, Yevgeny. Thank you."

She looked out her window and saw the men coming across the floor. She fought down her fear, taking deep breaths to slow the rush of adrenaline.

They came into her office without knocking.

"Volkova. You will come with us."

"You will address me as my rank demands. Who are you?"

One of the men held out his ID.

"We will address you as we wish. Come with us."

"You will regret your rudeness," Anya said.

She stood. They left her office, the men flanking her, pressing in on her. Silence followed behind as they passed through the work room.

As usual, Moscow traffic was heavy. The forty-minute drive from the ministry to GRU headquarters took more than an hour. Anya was taken to a room with a table, two chairs, and a large mirror on the wall. Her escort left and closed the door. She heard it lock.

She looked around the room. A vague, unpleasant odor of sour sweat lingered in the air. The walls were painted a dirty institutional green that reminded her of old pea soup. A camera watched from the ceiling. The table was scarred and chipped. She sat down in one of the chairs, wondering who was watching from behind the mirror.

She sat quietly, wondering why she'd been brought here. She didn't know if she was under arrest or if this was an attempt to intimidate her. She couldn't think of anything Petrov might have heard or seen that would cause problems, unless they'd seen her meet with Michael. But he'd told her that had been taken care of. If they had seen her, how would she explain it?

She guessed she'd been in the room for about an hour, when the door opened and Colonel Ivanov came in, carrying a laptop computer. He sat down at the table, across from her.

"Why am I here?" she said. "You are interrupting important work."

"You are here because of suspicious activity. Do you know who I am?"

"I know who you are, Colonel. Am I under arrest?"

"Not at this time. It depends on how you answer my questions."

"I protest this treatment."

"You may protest all you like, but you will still answer my questions. I advise you to cooperate."

"I am always ready to cooperate with the proper authorities," Anya said.

"On the Sunday three weeks ago, you met with a known dissident in Presnensky Park, a Professor Sokolov. What is your relationship with this man?"

Don't let him see that you know Vlas is dead.

"Professor Sokolov was one of my teachers at the University. I had not seen him for many years. Our meeting was an accident. We played a game of chess and talked. I don't know anything about his political views."

"What did you talk about?"

"Chess, mostly. Our time at the University. Vlas is ranked as expert. I am only an amateur, but I enjoy the game."

"He beat you?"

"Easily."

"What did you do after that, after you finished the game?"

"I went for a walk. Then I went into a café for a coffee."

"The Black Queen."

"Yes."

"Where you again met with Sokolov."

"That was a surprise. I had no idea he would be there."

"You expect me to believe it was a coincidence?"

"Of course I do."

"Would it surprise you to know that Sokolov is a dissident opposed to the president?"

"Yes, it would. I am a loyal officer. I do not hold dissident views. I already told you I was unaware of Professor Sokolov's political beliefs."

"You understand, it looks suspicious."

"To you, perhaps. I suppose that is your job, to be suspicious."

"What did you talk about in the café?"

"Chess, mostly about defensive strategy. The Sicilian Defense. We played another game. I drank my coffee and left."

"The welfare of the state requires constant vigilance, Colonel. You would agree?"

"Of course."

*****

Across town, on the top floor of the Ministry of Defense, General Stepanov called Anya's work number on the fourth floor.

"Major Kirov speaking."

"Major, this is General Stepanov. I wish to speak to Colonel Volkova."

"Sir, she's not here."

"Where is she? Why is she not at work?"

"Sir, she was escorted from her office by agents from GRU."

"What? When did this happen?"

"A little over two hours ago, General."

"Thank you, Major."

Stepanov disconnected. Then he dialed another number.

*****

In the interrogation room at GRU headquarters, Ivanov made a mistake. He opened his laptop computer, entered a few keystrokes, then turned the screen so Anya could see what was on it. He touched a key and the images began to move. It hit her like a fist to the gut. She was looking at a video of herself having sex with Stepanov, with him on top of her.

"You bastard," she said. "How dare you?"

"Vigilance, Colonel. No one is exempt. Let's move it forward."

He touched another key. The recording sped forward until she saw herself dressed, coming down the hall that led past the study. The camera angle shifted to inside the room. She watched as she opened a drawer in Stepanov's desk.

Ivanov stopped the recording.

"What were you looking for, Colonel?"

Think!

"A file."

"You admit you were looking for a file? Something classified, perhaps?"

"Not that kind of file. A nail file."

"Oh, come on. You really expect me to believe that?"

Before she could respond, the door flew open. General Stepanov strode into the room, his presence filling the space. Behind him were two soldiers with assault rifles.

"What's going on here?" Stepanov said.

Ivanov slammed the laptop closed, jumped to his feet, and saluted.

"Sir, I am conducting an interrogation."

"I can see that. Why is Colonel Volkova here?"

"She is suspected of treason."

She had to do something.

"Sir," Anya said.

"Yes, Colonel?"

"This man has placed cameras in your apartment. Tell him to show you what he has on his computer."

Stepanov's voice was dangerously calm.

"Is that true, Ivanov?"

"I can explain, sir."

"I'm sure you can, Colonel. However, nothing you can say justifies placing surveillance in my private quarters."

"Sir, she was looking through the drawers in your desk."

"That's true, sir," Anya said. "I broke a nail. I was looking for something to fix it."

"What else does he have on his computer?"

She spoke to fuel Stepanov's anger.

"He has everything, Yuri. The bedroom, the bath. He put cameras everywhere."

"I see. Colonel Ivanov, give me your computer."

"Sir, I must protest..."

Stepanov always wore his pistol. Now he took it from the holster and pointed it at Ivanov.

"Give me the computer."

White-faced, Ivanov handed the laptop over.

"Listen to me very carefully, Colonel," Stepanov said. "You will have every recording and video made in my apartment on my desk within one hour. You will remove all surveillance equipment immediately. Today. Now. If you try to fuck with me on this, you will wish you had never been born. Do you understand?"

"Sir, I..."

Stepanov leaned close and placed the barrel of the pistol against Ivanov's forehead. His voice was very quiet.

"Do you understand? Yes or no?"

"Yes, General."

"On my desk. All of it. In one hour."

"Yes, General."

"Then we're done here."

He holstered the pistol.

"Colonel Volkova. You may ride with me back to the Ministry."

"Yes, sir."

Stepanov was silent as they left the building. The soldiers climbed into their vehicle and drove off. Stepanov's driver held the rear door open while Anya and Stepanov got into the car. Once they were moving, Stepanov raised the window between the rear compartment and the driver. He poured himself a vodka. He did not offer one to Anya.

"What were you really looking for?" he said.

"I told the truth, Yuri. I wanted to fix my nail. I thought I might find something in your desk."

"I want to believe that."

"What else would I be looking for? This is Major Petrov's fault. He desires me, but I loathe him. He knows it. I think he convinced Ivanov to follow me and put cameras in your apartment. I ran into an old professor of mine in the chess park. I hadn't seen him for years. Ivanov says he's a dissident, but I didn't know that. They have built that up into treason."

Stepanov looked at her.

"Mmm. Well, these things happen. Forgive me, my dear, I should've offered you a drink. That was most stressful for you."

Stepanov poured a vodka and handed it to her. She threw it back in one gulp.

"Yuri, he was going to arrest me."

"I have enemies, Anya. They would like to create a scandal around me. It's possible that is what is behind this. I am only sorry you have been caught up in it."

"I don't think Ivanov will let it go," Anya said.

"Don't worry about Colonel Ivanov," Stepanov said.

His voice sent a chill down her back. She took his hand.

"Thank you, Yuri."

He watched her lean back against the leather seat.

What were you doing, Anya?

As First Deputy Minister of Defense, Stepanov received daily briefings from the intelligence services. Two days before, the briefing had contained an assessment that someone was passing sensitive military intelligence to the CIA. The assessment was deemed reliable, based on information obtained from a highly placed American source.

He found it difficult to believe Colonel Volkova could be the traitor. What possible reason could she have to betray the Motherland? She had become a national figure. People were naming babies after her. She came from a family with a long and distinguished record of loyal service.

Very few achieved her level of success, and the future promised more. Stepanov was planning to move her into a position of more responsibility, where she would wear a general's star. He had guaranteed her career. Why would she do anything to jeopardize that?

She was a pleasant companion. He didn't think she was pretending to enjoy his company. She seemed natural in his presence. No, he couldn't believe she was a traitor. Looking in his desk must be nothing more than an innocent mistake.

All the same, he decided to keep an eye on her. If it did turn out to be her, he would shoot her himself. With regret.

Back at the Ministry, Anya ignored the covert looks as she walked across the work area to her office. Once inside, she closed the door and drew down the blind. She sat at her desk and began shaking. She took slow, deep breaths, until her body stilled and she regained her calm.

She remembered the odd way Stepanov had looked at her in the car. Had he believed her story? She supposed he must have or she'd be sitting in a cell, waiting to be interrogated. Damn Ivanov, anyway. Damn him and his toady, Petrov. She imagined the two of them watching while Stepanov grunted over her, and felt a quick flush of anger.

At least they weren't likely to be a problem from now on. Yuri would see to that. There were advantages to being associated with such a powerful man. As long as he was convinced of her loyalty, she was safe.

At least for now.