The Kyiv File by David Archer

Author:David Archer [Archer, David & Wild, Damien]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-06-18T00:00:00+00:00

HE SAT on a park bench in Alexander Garden, Irina next to him with barely an inch separating the two. They’d finished up at the office at 16:30, the minister and his team long gone. By now, the high-speed Sapsan train would be well out of the greater Moscow area. They could breathe easier. At least until tomorrow morning.

Yesterday, Jacob had worried about being seen with her in close proximity. Now he knew it didn’t matter. No one was watching him—or her—and even if they were, he was now a clear favorite of Samsonov. The email about Tolya Voronin’s upcoming meeting with the president had gone out to all staff. No one would dare spread any gossip about the new boy wonder.

“You don’t mind me sitting this close?” Even as she spoke, she leaned in a fraction harder. She said his big body sheltered her from the chilly nip of the breeze. It was sunny, like yesterday, but the temperature had taken a dive and was set to plummet even further. A blizzard was forecast for the weekend. It justified the decision to abandon the idea of escape through Finland; however, if the weather turned too nasty, it could impact flights out of Moscow. If that happened…that could not happen.

“It’s fine. But we should be going now. Enough time has passed.”

Five minutes prior, the same man from yesterday did a brush-by. He dropped a scrunched-up piece of paper by Jacob’s feet. It told him how much of the newly developed plastic explosive to use in order to get the safe open but not bring the entire building down. Turned out, a blob no bigger than a pea was sufficient. He was glad to have double-checked, since his own guess would have been way off the mark.

As they walked to the Lenin Library Metro station, he instinctively snaked his arm through the crook of hers. “Last chance to back out.”

She glanced up at him, eyes glistening. “My parents are…” She began to sob.

“They’re what?”

“They’re going to hate me for what I’m about to do.”

Jacob pulled up and placed his hands on her shoulders. “You haven’t told them, have you?”

She shook her head. “I’m too scared. I know they want the best for me and Vova, but they’ll freak out when we disappear.”

“It’s best they know nothing, believe me. Keep it that way. Tomorrow’s just another day. I know it’s going to be difficult, for you and for your son. When—not if—the FSB come knocking, their ignorance will be their salvation.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.” His lie carried little conviction. The FSB would be anything but civil with Irina’s mom and dad, perhaps even brutal. Maybe Irina feared the worst herself. Her brother had already been on the wrong end of the law. Only the most naïve rose-colored-glasses-wearing Putinist believed humane due process was followed in Russia.

“You must think of your son.” Jacob switched the emphasis. “Your parents have lived their life. It’s time for you and for the next generation.”

She shrugged. “I know that’s logical.

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