The Black Dolphin by Tim Heath

Author:Tim Heath [Heath, Tim]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Happy Content publishing
Published: 2020-08-06T16:00:00+00:00

17

Aktobe, Kazakhstan

Present Day

The airport seemed modern, bright, the Russian language dominant, though English-language signs were visible too. The three agents walked out into the sunshine shortly after ten that morning, their heads somewhat fuzzy––they’d spent the night travelling––but each had managed a little sleep on the flights.

They had travelled fairly light, each with a large camping backpack, though most of the things they needed they couldn’t bring with them. Sasha assured them both they would pick everything up once there. He’d now gone in search of a hire car, the two Brits standing on the spot for a while, lapping up the sunshine. Twenty minutes later, Sasha swung into the kerb. He opened the boot; the pair dropped their bags in before getting into the car.

“I asked about a camping supply shop,” Sasha confirmed, presumably with the people at the car rental firm. “There’s a big one about twenty minutes from here,” he said. “I’ve got the directions.”

If he’d followed them, neither of the other two could quite tell. Sasha did at least one U-turn, but soon enough, they arrived at the store. Large banners showed people sleeping in tents, Sasha leading the way in, feeling at home in a country where most people spoke Russian.

Forty minutes later they were pushing a trolley full of goods towards their rental. They didn’t have a weapon, but had purchased several large hunting knives. Both men claimed to be useful with a blade, Zoe not knowing if it was male bravado or they really could use one. She liked them vying for her attention. Everything would stay in the boot for the time being; they were in no imminent danger.

Anissa had confirmed that Anastasia was now in Aktobe, staying at the Dastan, a four-star hotel in the centre of the city, not all that far from the airport. Charlie confirmed that they would meet with the Belarusian late-morning.

Sasha pulled up in front of the multi-storey hotel just after eleven. The three agents got out, very much friends on holiday, their cover for being in the country. Sasha assured them the FSB had no significant presence on the ground in these neighbouring states, a far cry from when these countries were all in the Soviet Union and the KGB had fingers everywhere.

Anastasia sat in the restaurant, a drink to hand, as she spotted the three-person group walk in. Besides Alex, she’d only ever met Anissa, though she had a fair idea who the strangers were that were now entering the hotel. Charlie smiled at her, the three cutting across the room and making a beeline for her table. She remained seated, remained calm. They could just as easily have been FSB––her number up.

“I’m Charlie,” the British agent said, holding out his hand for Anastasia, who took it without hesitation, smiling up at him. “This is Zoe, and this is Sasha.” He pointed out the two colleagues standing either side of him.

“Please, sit down,” she said, once greetings were over, the three taking the empty chairs around the table, Zoe tucking in next to the Belarusian, the two men facing her.

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