Red, White, and Boom by Karl Puttlitz

Author:Karl Puttlitz
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780984491001
Publisher: Adventure Street Press

TWENTY-SIX

MAX AND KAJ JOINED THE SEVERAL INVESTIGATORS that were combing through guard Konstantinov’s apartment. Jeb had them remain behind to follow through on the stolen plutonium. They needed to platoon so Jeb, Sorina and Petr could look into the third theft in the far north. Max knew that Jeb was worried. They no longer could afford to do things in a serial fashion. These materials were all stolen about two weeks ago. Every day that went by without retrieving them provided their adversaries the opportunity to smuggle them out of Russia.

The investigators on the site did not speak English so all the conversation passed through Kaj. The lead investigator informed Max, “Nothing in the apartment produced a radioactive signal.”

Max understood this to mean the plutonium was suitably contained. None of the powder fell upon the guard or his clothes, nor was it hidden in the apartment.

He said, “The problem was that the container wasn’t made of the right material or thickness to shield the guard from the lethal radiation it was emitting.”

The lead investigator had a brief discussion with the technicians who checked the apartment. He reported to Max and Kaj, “They’re convinced the stolen plutonium is not here, and they doubt it ever was.”

The investigator excused himself to take a call on his cell phone. Upon returning he exclaimed, “We may have identified the guard’s motive for the theft.”

Max anxiously awaited his explanation.

“The toxicology report just made available indicates the guard had some cocaine in his system.”

Max understood this also was the reason no payoff money was found. There was probably a direct exchange—drugs for the stolen plutonium.

“We retraced his transportation routine between home and work. Also, we interviewed those he interacted with on the day of the theft.”

“Anything that pops out is possibly germane.”

“The facility has several busses that run between there and town. He took the bus to the corner of Leningradskaya and Vagnera Streets. His apartment is a few blocks from there.”

“Did anyone notice him carrying anything?”

“Only a lunch pail, as he always did.”

Max assumed that was the way he transported the stolen material—it would not draw attention.

“What is the likelihood Konstantinov procured the material from within the plant by himself?”

“We believe someone else actually stole the material. It’s our theory he was used to get the stolen plutonium out of the plant.”

Max therefore concluded, “Konstantinov handed off the stuff before he came back to his apartment.”

“He was seen in a bar near the bus stop. The waitress who waited on his booth said he was there having a few brews with another guy.”

“Did she describe the other man?”

“She did. He’s probably some low-level nobody in the mob that they asked to meet with Konstantinov. Our guess is that he had no idea what he was picking up.”

Max answered, “That’s how the mob works. If something went wrong, he wouldn’t be able to provide any information.”

One of the investigators said, “Well that’s what we’re going on.”

Max, Kaj and some members of the police went to the police department.

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