Spirits of Retribution by Rod Johnson

Author:Rod Johnson [Johnson, Rod]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780578489124
Published: 2019-05-04T22:00:00+00:00

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Gennadiy Borzilov lay in his hospital bed. The entire medical team treating him marveled at his progress. The bomber’s condition was upgraded to “serious but stable.” From their perspective as doctors and nurses, they felt some measure of relief and even accomplishment at the improved health of their patient. It was remarkable that he had some possibility of surviving, as the president’s order to them demanded.

The Secret Service and FBI agents hovering outside the Russian’s room couldn’t care less about his survival chances. Their only concerns were, could he talk, and how soon?

Interrogators had forced their way into his room a couple of times, only to be frustrated by the prisoner’s inability to remain awake. And whenever he stirred briefly, he was unwilling to answer questions. It seemed that he was only prepared – or able – to speak with his intended target, the president.

Finally, around ten o’clock his alertness improved to a point where questioning might be productive.

FBI Special Agents Russell and Jeffries stood on each side of his bed.

“Can you answer some questions?” asked Jeffries.

“I want a lawyer.”

“Miles, the man wants a lawyer,” Russell said to his partner. “Do you think he should get a lawyer?”

“I don’t think he should get one, Phil. And we’re not required to provide one.” Miles Jeffries directed his words to the injured man. “You see, Gennadiy, you’re a terrorist so we don’t have to allow you to speak with an attorney.”

In truth, there was an ongoing debate within the FBI about the man’s status and his right to an attorney. The legality was uncertain enough that one was even then in the waiting room down the hall. For the time being, the decision had been made to proceed with questions. Even if the interrogation was thrown out in its entirety because the man had been denied legal counsel, any information he provided could move the investigation further along.

Even without anything he might divulge at this point, if it were to be thrown out, the case against him remained ironclad. An enormous pool of witnesses had observed him at the hospital when he attacked the motorcade. He was even recorded on security cameras. His conviction was a lock so the risk of any information being deemed inadmissible was worth taking.

Both agents waited for a reply.

“I have diplomatic immunity,” came Borzilov’s assertion.

This, too, had been a topic of discussion among the FBI’s legal team. Though they felt he wasn’t entitled to the claim, the fact was that the Russian ambassador, perhaps unwittingly, had virtually nullified the status with his briefing this morning. A number of counselors had anticipated that Russia might initiate the immunity claim to enable their representatives to place guards with their spy to protect him from interrogation. Even if he had gone rogue, Bureau lawyers thought that would’ve been the smart play. But it looked as if the Russian was on his own.

“Sorry, comrade. Your country has sold you out. You’re all alone, it appears.”

Just as the Special Agents prepared to begin questioning the man, the door to his room opened.

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