The Soviet Comeback by Jamie Smith (best ereader for academics TXT) 📕

lead,” she snapped. “I mean are we sure this is the same guy in both the photos?”

“Come on, it’s clearly the same guy. Look at the cheekbones, the shape of the face.”

She traced the face of the CCTV shot. “I can’t see a scar on his face here.”

“Of course you can’t, the resolution is terrible. Why are you resisting this?”

She looked at him crossly. “It feels a bit manufactured.”

“What do you mean?” he said, confused.

She lowered her voice to a whisper again. “That the day after we sleep together you find a way for us to work a case together.”

He looked at her, surprised. “Jesus, Sarah, look we are both professionals and we have a job to do. I have enough on without creating cases to work just to be closer to you for a few hours more a day. Do you hear yourself?”

She said nothing so he continued. “You’re investigating the existence of a covert KGB agent carrying out assassinations on US soil, and I’m leading on KGB movements and operations. We have a duty to the American people to pursue it and try to prevent any more deaths. If you don’t want to work with me on this then I’m sure I can ask the chief to find me someone else who will. This is the sort of case that analysts die to get their hands on.”

She softened slightly and brushed the hair from her eyes. “Sorry, Jake, I’m just a bit tired today for some reason.” She smirked at him. “And this case is driving me nuts.” She pulled out a cigarette, lit up and breathed out, closing her eyes in thought. “If this White Russian is real…”

“I know,” he said, nodding. He coughed as she blew smoke in his direction, but she ignored him.

“Christ, I figured I would be doing low level analysis when I joined, not investigating the existence of a KGB agent that could cause the outbreak of World War Three. Have you ever seen this guy before?” she asked, signalling to the photo of Brishnov which lay open on the desk next to her.

“Never,” he said without missing a beat. “Which is incredible if he was senior enough to be close to both Yerin and Brezhnev. Like Yerin, perhaps he was very much Brezhnev’s man, which would support the SE’s theory that he’s potentially now a rogue agent.”

“This would be a hell of a lot easier to look into if they hadn’t cracked our codes and executed all of our agents on Soviet soil in the past couple of years.”

Nikita pulled the report from the file. “Any idea what ZB is?” he asked, pointing at the letters at the bottom of the page.

She peered over at it. “No idea. I guess initials of someone over there.”

“You don’t know who?”

“Jake, I don’t even know where their office is, let alone who those vultures are. What does it matter who put the report together anyway?”

“Hmmm? Oh no, I don’t suppose it does; I was just curious. I mean where did they get the idea to look into CCTV footage on this particular street?”

She shrugged. “Head up there and ask if it bothers you so much. Our job isn’t to ask questions but to find the answers.”

“You’re right. I might not survive a trip into the lion’s den of the SE office. They’re probably all white,” he joked in an undertone as he stood up, fighting the curiosity and desire to meet another KGB asset within the CIA.

“We have to take this to Sykes,” Chang said. “If nothing else it puts the involvement of the nuclear disarmament process out of the picture. We need to loop in Blaine too.”

“You think we should go to Sykes with no proof and just another empty theory? I could do without another dressing down. Let’s ask Blaine.” He signalled to his desk mate who was looking increasingly worse for wear, and looked relieved to have a reason to step away from his paperwork.

“What’s up? If you’re going to suggest the bar again tonight, then no way man. I can’t keep pace.”

Chang laughed. “What happened to your strong Irish blood?”

He looked mournfully at Chang. “You don’t look much better.”

“Charming,” she said, crossing her arms. Blaine spluttered to try and correct himself but Nikita saved him. “Yes, we all look awful. This isn’t about drinking though, this is about the case Sykes wants us to work on, and we have a new lead that could save you a lot of grunt work.”

“I don’t hate the sound of that,” said Blaine, brightening slightly. Nikita passed his colleague the file and watched his eyes widen as he looked through. “You guys think this is legit?” he asked.

“Jake does,” said Chang archly. “I’m not so sure, but it’s the only lead we’ve got and it would fit with the current political climate in Russia.”

“I can’t deny that it makes me happy. Trying to predict Russian disarmament is difficult enough without it becoming part of a major conspiracy to crush America. Definitely a line worth pursuing. Look into it before telling the chief though; he doesn’t like empty theories. I found that out the hard way when I suggested the Boston Celtics would win the playoffs this year. Big mistake.”

“I agree,” said Nikita. “Sarah, we need to find answers on this and fast. Lives depend on it.”

“OK. First of all, we need to find out who the White Russian is, and where he is,” she replied.

“I’ll find the who, you find the where,” said Nikita. “If he is close to Yerin then I should be able to track down someone who can give me that information.”

They each returned to their desks with a renewed energy and sense of purpose. Nikita sat down and smiled inwardly. So far, the plan was working.

CHAPTER