The Spy Case Chapter 3

The Spy Case

Chapter 3

Alarm bells screeched throughout the building. Vlad and I headed to the fire exit after grabbing our parkas. Sergei and Vera followed us outside into the sunshine—and a sight of total destruction. The front half of the hangar building lay in ruins!

Other pipeline workers and scientists from the lab were milling about conversing in Russian and pointing to the hangar. A man came up to where I was standing with Vlad, Sergei and Vera and others and related something tersely in Russian. Vlad turned to me. No one was in the building when an explosive device went off, he related. The workers were just heading to their lunch break.

That was lucky, I muttered and Vlad just shook his head. He turned to Sergei and Vera and they began to talk excitedly among themselves and the others in the small group that had gathered.

I heard police sirens in the distance and took the opportunity in the confusion to slip away where I could contact Dad and let him know what had transpired.

I headed to my dorm room, went in pulled my cell phone from my pocket, then called Dad.

Whew! He exclaimed. Maybe this assignment is too dangerous, he added. We'll come and bail you out.

No! I blurted. I've made a friend, Vladimir Malenkov. I think he may be the son of the man in the hospital back there in Moscow. He was just about to reveal something about his father when the explosive went off. Look, Dad, Vlad trusts me I think. I should stay, we might find out some valuable information. I'll watch my back, I promise.

Dad checked his files and reported that Yuri Malenkov did indeed have a son named Vladimir. OK, Justin I'll let you stay—for now. But if this becomes too dangerous we're pulling you out. Agreed?

Yes, I said. Thanks Dad. I hung up and was startled by a voice coming from the doorway behind me.

What's up? It was Vlad. Had he heard my phone conversation. I should have closed the door.

Oh, nothing. Just checking in with my Dad in case he hears about the explosion on the news, I remarked trying not to look too guilty. I was usually pretty good at that.

He seemed to accept my explanation no problem. OK, come on, the authorities want to speak to us.

They want to talk to me?

They're interviewing everyone in the whole complex. They're waiting downstairs in the common room. I followed Vlad down the corridor and down the stairs to the plain unadorned room off to the right of the main entrance. Two police officials were seated on the hardback chairs. Vlad went in and I followed.

Justin Macdonald? One of the officials asked getting up from his chair. He spoke with a heavy accent. He was a large man, clean shaven with light brown hair with a touch of grey, cut in a military style brush cut. You are from Canada, no?

Yes, I replied. I'm a student on a co-op for a few weeks. Working in the lab.

The official, whose badge read “Pushtin” in Cyrillic script, was unimpressed. Very well, he said. You are being here for how much time?

Since yesterday, I responded. I've been working in the lab with Vlad.

That's true officer. Justin and I have been almost inseparable, he said glancing at me.

Pushtin nodded. We would maybe have more questions for you, Mr. Macdonald. He motioned to his partner, an even sterner looking man, tall dark haired with a large bushy moustache. We leave now, he muttered.

With that they left the room. Whew! I said. Your police are a lot more sterner here than back home.

Stern? Vlad said. That guy was a puppy dog compared to some of the police. Not—that I've had a lot of experience with police, he added sheepishly.

I just grinned. Don't worry Vlad. I think you're a decent guy. Now, you were talking with your friends. What kind of damage did that explosion do?

Come, let's take a look.

The area around the hangar was cordoned off with tape and armed military guards were stationed around it. I hoped they had on long underwear and thermal socks. It was still pretty cold. We approached without getting too close to the guards, but the damage was obvious. And it was pretty bad. The front wall of the hangar had been blown away, leaving 3 walls still intact.

My friend Volya was working in here and had just gone for lunch, Vlad remarked. He told me that there were a few visitors here this morning, but Krakov often brings visitors from head office around to tour the complex. Volya told me the men are staying in Yakutska and that the authorities are questioning them now. Volya tells me this when I looked for him. I was worried about him. No one was hurt though. That is a very good thing.

Yes, I agreed. But why would someone want to blow up the hangar?

Vlad lowered his voice and pulled me away from a group of onlookers. Can I trust you, Justin?

I looked at his determined face. Yes, I said. Of course, Vlad. You can trust me. We're friends, aren't we?

Vlad nodded. Can we go somewhere and talk. The cafeteria? I don't want to go to my room.

We headed to the lunch room and it was fairly deserted, just a few people on their breaks. They were talking in hushed tones most likely discussing the bomb. I was surprised that TSO didn't close down due to the explosion but I guess “business as usual” was the norm here in Russia. Things were sure different from back home.

We sat at a table in the corner away from the others after grabbing colas from the vending machines. I tried to tell you earlier. I think there's a spy out here and I think I know who it might be.

Why do you think there's a spy? I asked, excited that I had stayed behind with Vlad and not left like Dad had wanted.

Someone doesn't want TSO to build the pipeline. We tried to buy some land but one of our competitors—Northlands Oil, bought it up before the deal could go through. Our competitor doesn't need the land, it's just sitting empty and undeveloped.

How do you know this? I asked.

You don't believe me? He asked. I didn't detect a note of annoyance. He was just asking.

I believe you, Vlad, I remarked.

My father works in Moscow at the Head office for TSO. The big bosses at the company think that he was the spy. But he is innocent. He was framed.

By who? Do you know? I tried not to sound too excited and blow my cover.

I don't know his name but the man works closely with two officials back at the head office. I think their names were Petrov and Romanov. My dad mentioned their names a few times.

Whoa! I blurted. I tried to act like I knew nothing of the senior Malenkov. I wished I could tell him who I really was and that I knew about his father, but I decided to wait a bit longer.

My father gave everything to that company. He would work late, long after the other employees went home. He wanted to make this pipeline a success. With my mother being sick last year he was under a lot of stress worrying about her.

As Vlad was telling his story, I was thinking that TSO should take a closer look at their employees family life. I'm sure your dad is OK, I said. But why do you think he was framed?

Someone in the office set him up. He told me this the last time we spoke on the phone—last week. He thought that his bosses, this Petrov and Romanov were suspicious of him. Why else would they be suspicious of my father unless someone was telling them things behind my father's back. I don't understand, Justin. It's all so confusing.

I was silent for a moment and didn't know how to respond. Romanov and Petrov had the wrong man, I was sure of it now. Vlad had no reason to lie to me—he didn't know who I was—or did he?

You seem so easy to talk to Justin, Vlad said after a moment. I'm sorry if I burdened you with my troubles. I'm just so worried about my father.

Don't worry about it, Vlad. I don't mind your talking to me about this. I'm just glad you trusted me enough to tell me. I like you and hope we can be friends, I said, offering my hand which he shook. I'm sure you'll hear from your dad soon.

Vlad nodded. A few more people were coming into the lunch room now. It was nearing dinner time and work had been suspended for the rest of the day because of the explosion. We overheard some of the other employees talking. Vlad was able to translate for me what some of the people were saying. Not too much damage was done to the actual pipeline and only a bit of the materials were damaged or destroyed.  A major shipment of supplies was expected the next morning and another rush shipment was scheduled for a few days later.

Repair teams had been out to build a makeshift wall on the hangar, with heightened security around the entire complex. A detachment of law enforcement was on their way from Moscow and would arrive in the morning to take over the local investigation. They would find the culprits, they vowed.

We grabbed a quick dinner of lamb stew and biscuits and ate in silence while the other employees discussed the bombing. Sergei and Vera came in as we were about to leave. Sergei spoke to Vlad who nodded.

Krakov wants to see me in his office right away, Vlad remarked. I'll meet you up in the dorms?

I nodded and went on my way, after waving goodbye to Sergei and Vera. Sergei gave me the thumbs up as I turned to leave.

I went to my dorm room and Vlad came along about 10 minutes later. Krakov told me about my father, he related. He's OK. He’s in the hospital. He had a heart attack. I wasn’t able to talk to him in the hospital, though, he’s still unconscious.

I breathed a sigh of relief that I wouldn't have to blow my cover. Vlad found out about his dad on his own. I had been tempted to tell him what I knew and was now glad I hadn't.

Justin, do you mind if I spent some time alone. Today's been full of excitement and I need a little down time. I’m really worried about my father.

That's fine, Vlad, I said. I want to go talk to Krakov myself anyway. I have a few questions for him. See you later, eh?

He nodded and grinned. Come by later if you want—say around 10. We can listen to some music. I know this great band out of St. Petersburg.

Sounds great. With that I went back to my room and put on my parka and boots. The sun was waning in the sky but it was still pretty light out. Outside the temperature had dipped again and there was a biting wind. As I approached the administrative building I saw a large figure coming out the main doors. He looked familiar. Then I realized it was Boris, from back in Moscow. What was he doing here at TSO?

He didn't look too happy as he hurried along the sidewalk to the small parking lot and folded himself into a small blue car. I thought about calling out to him, but he looked all serious. Back in Moscow he was joking around. I watched as the car sped out of the lot to the main entrance and turned left, headed towards Yakutska. He sure seemed to be in a hurry, I mused.

I went inside the administrative building and approached Krakov's office. Inside the outer office I took off my coat and boots. I noticed that Olga, Mr. Krakov's assistant was not at her desk. I also noticed the door to Krakov's office was slightly ajar. No sound came from the inner office.

Something was off, I thought suddenly as I approached Krakov's door. I peered inside the office hoping to see Krakov at his desk but I could see no one. I turned away but heard a noise. It sounded like a groan coming from the far side of the desk.

I went inside the office and went around the desk and gasped at what I saw. Krakov was lying motionless on the floor by his chair. Olga was beside him, and she was starting to stir.

I knelt beside her. Her eyes fluttered open and she gasped in fear. It's OK, Olga, it's me Justin Macdonald.

She tried to sit up and then noticed Krakov. She wailed again. Oh! Mr. Krakov!

It's OK, Olga. I'll call the authorities. You just rest. I pulled my cell phone from my pocket but wasn't sure what number to dial. Olga, now seated in Krakov's desk chair rattled off a number in Russian—1-4-7-7.

I dialled the number and handed her the phone so she could speak in Russian. A moment later she hung up and handed me back my cell phone. The authorities will be here shortly as well as an ambulance. Is Krakov OK?, she said turning to him.

I knelt beside the prone figure and tried to revive him. He had a large welt on his forehead but it wasn't bleeding. His eyes fluttered open and he was able to gasp one word before collapsing unconscious again. Boris!