Thunderbolt by Richard Turner

Author:Richard Turner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: thriller, military, paranormal, aliens, sience fiction
Publisher: Richard Turner

23

Saint Petersburg International Airport

Grant waited patiently at the luggage carousel for his suitcase to arrive. He rolled his head around, hearing his neck crack. It had been a long flight, which included a stop in Munich. After sitting for hours, Grant was happy to be back on his feet.

“Here’s mine,” said Maclean, grabbing his duffle bag.

Elena stood beside her friends, watching the luggage go by. “You know, all the bags look alike to me. If it’s not a shade of blue, it’s a shade of black.”

“That’s why I still travel with my old, beaten-up, army duffle bag,” said Maclean.

Once they had their luggage, Grant pointed toward a Hertz car rental kiosk.

“That won’t be necessary, Mister Grant,” said a woman, stepping out of the crowd. She looked to be in her mid-thirties, with short, black hair and pale, almost white, skin. Her eyes were light blue, and her lips shone with red lipstick. She had a slim, tight build that could only come from hours in the gym.

“And why would that be, Ms…?”

“You can call me Kristina. You won’t need to rent a car, as I have an SUV parked outside for us to use.”

Grant studied Kristina. “If you’re who you say you are, what is the state flower of New Mexico?”

“The Yucca flower.”

The woman looked like the person in the picture Andrews had shown Grant before leaving the States. The pre-arranged question checked out as well. Grant offered his hand. “Good day, Kristina.”

Kristina smiled but kept her hands by her sides, passing the second identification criterion.

“Okay, where’s your SUV?” asked Grant.

“Follow me,” said Kristina. She led them outside the terminal and straight to her waiting silver Mercedes-Benz SUV.

“Nice ride,” said Maclean.

“It’s not mine,” replied Kristina. “I stole it. Only the plates are mine.”

“So, we’re going to be riding around in a hot car?” said Elena.

“Yes,” replied Kristina, pressing the button on her remote to open the vehicle’s doors.

“Why, may I ask?”

“Because I needed a vehicle that could seat four people comfortably, and I was tired of my old car, so I traded it for this SUV.”

“Aren’t you worried about the police?”

Kristina chuckled. “Not at all; they’re afraid of me. Now, please load your bags in the back, and I’ll take you to see Aleksey Slastin.”

“Who’s he?” asked Maclean, buckling himself into his seat.

“He’s a dean of history at the university that employed Mister Hayes’ friend, Gennadi Karpov. I called him this morning and arranged for you to meet him.”

“Thanks,” said Grant.

“I take it he still believes that Jeremy Hayes is dead?” asked Elena.

Kristina nodded. “Oh, most certainly. I never brought up the fact that you have doubts regarding the official police reports. So, couch your questions carefully, lest he become suspicious.”

“Got it,” said Grant.

“Sit back and enjoy the ride,” said Kristina, starting the SUV. “It shouldn’t take us more than an hour to get there with today’s traffic.”

“Time to get some shuteye,” said Maclean, making himself as comfortable as he could.

“Lord, no,” groaned Grant.

“What’s wrong?” asked Kristina, pulling out of her parking spot.

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