42 |

Salisbury District Hospital
Salisbury, United Kingdom

 

DCI Nelson waved Hugh Reading over and leaned in, his voice low. “You can see him now. Five minutes.”

Reading patted his old colleague on the back. “You’re a good lad. Drinks later?”

Nelson smiled. “The boys and I will be there. It should be grand.”

“I’ve invited my son. He’s a copper now.”

“I heard. You must be proud.”

Reading’s chest swelled. “You have no idea. But if I’ve left this cursed earth and you ever hear of him considering joining Interpol, you smack him for me.”

Nelson laughed. “It’s a promise.” He became serious, pushing open the door. “Five minutes.”

Reading nodded then headed into the room containing the two remaining, and original, Novichok victims. Igor Kulick had just woken after weeks of slipping in and out of consciousness, and lay in bed appearing weak but on the mend, his daughter in the next bed, sleeping.

Kulick’s eyes narrowed and fear crossed his face as Reading, an imposing figure, entered. “Who-who are you?”

“I’m Agent Reading from Interpol.”

Kulick relaxed slightly and frowned. “Interpol? I don’t think you guys have been at me yet. How many times do I have to answer the same things?”

Reading smiled and approached the bed, lowering his voice. “I have a message from Whiskey-Alpha-Four-Two.”

Kulick’s eyes widened as he drew a quick breath. “So, he got the message?”

Reading held up the piece of paper found in Kulick’s wallet by Nurse Aldrin. Kulick slumped in the bed, the tension he must have been feeling since the moment he woke, eased. “He wants you to know that you and your daughter are safe now.”

Kulick’s shoulders heaved as his lips trembled, his eyes brimming with tears. He reached out and grabbed Reading by the arm. “Tell my old friend, thank you, and I hope one day to tell him some more Soviet jokes.”

 

THE END

 

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