The Romanov Conspiracy: A Thriller by Glenn Meade

Author:Glenn Meade
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: tinku, General, Suspense, Action & Adventure, Fiction
ISBN: 9781451611861
Publisher: Howard Books
Published: 2012-08-07T04:30:00+00:00

53

EKATERINBURG

It was raining heavily that evening. Thunder rumbled in the darkened sky as the Fiat truck squealed to a halt outside the Imperial Hotel on Neva Street.

Yakov sat in the passenger seat beside the driver, rain lashing the windshield. Next to him, Kazan barked at two of his plainclothes Cheka huddled under the truck’s drenched canvas. “Get going. You know what to do.”

The men jumped down and ran through the rain into the hotel.

Kazan said in frustration, “Our spy’s somewhere in the city, I’ll bet my life on it, Commissar. His best bet for now is to remain hidden in Ekaterinburg.”

Yakov stared out beyond the rain. The Imperial was the last hotel and lodging house on the list, and all had been checked twice in case their quarry had found housing there recently. The city was a warren of backstreets and tenements, but Yakov hadn’t the manpower to search everywhere.

The two Cheka returned and climbed into the back of the truck, shaking rain from their coats, and one of them said, “No new guests have arrived, comrade. No one matching the man’s description has tried to check in.”

Kazan slammed a fist into his palm. “Where’s he got to? He can’t be sleeping rough, not while he’s wounded and with a curfew. If he’s not staying in a hotel or lodgings, then someone has to be helping him.”

Yakov lit a cigarette and stared out past the rain, studying the city’s distinctive skyline, dotted with church spires and cathedral domes. “Not short of religious orders this city, is it?”

“It’s long been an Orthodox settlement. Monasteries and churches are everywhere.”

“They’re also known to offer sanctuary. Get me a complete list of church establishments.”

NEAR SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

ENGLAND

“I think we’ve covered everything,” Boyle said.

They were in the windowed office at the back of the hangar. Lydia carried a small suitcase and Andrev a well-worn Russian-army-issue kit bag.

Boyle added, “But no harm in checking all our papers. Let’s have a look.”

They all did as he suggested, then Boyle handed Andrev and Lydia each a Nagant revolver and a box of cartridges. “I’m hoping you won’t need these. Remember, lose the weapons if ever you think they’ll cause you trouble.”

Boyle gave them each a small purse filled with rubles and kopeks, a payok—a booklet filled with ration stamps—and a single canvas bag of provisions containing cheese, butter, bread, jam, tinned sardines, and biscuits.

“The food’s the kind that can be bought in Russia, and there’s enough to last you both a week. The money will be enough to get you to your destination. You don’t want to get caught with too much cash; it could only attract unwanted attention.

“I’ve given you ration booklets—the Reds have issued them because of severe shortages. I’ll be carrying the same provisions and ration booklets. Once we land near Riga, I’ll leave you, and make my way by train to Ekaterinburg. Is there anything you’d like me to go over again?”

Andrev glanced at Lydia, then shook his head.

“That’s it, then. We’re ready to go.” Boyle

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