Day 43—Wednesday
Yuri Kirov was in the Alaska Airlines departure lounge at Honolulu International, sitting in a chair. It was late morning. He arrived at Joint Base Pearl-Hickam about two hours earlier aboard a C-17 Globemaster from Yokota Air Force Base. He could have delayed until the evening for another military flight bound for Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State but punted instead.
Yuri splurged, paying a premium for an upgrade to a first-class seat aboard the Boeing 737. Absent for nearly three weeks, all he wanted was to get home ASAP.
The Colorado arrived at Yokosuka Naval Base 18 hours earlier. After a U.S. Navy helicopter flight to Yokota, Jeff Chang offered Yuri a seat aboard the CIA Gulfstream bound for Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. Yuri declined, deciding to take the C-17 flight.
Having observed several interview sessions conducted by Jeff, Yuri was done with Dr. Meng Park and Serpent. Jeff along with a cadre of CIA, FBI and U.S. Navy technical experts could continue the debriefing without Yuri’s input.
Yuri pulled out his iPhone from a jacket pocket. He located the mobile number from his contact list—the same number he’d used while aboard the Colorado. He selected text mode and keyed in one word: NEVA. He fingered the send icon. “Delivered,” appeared nearly instantaneously on the screen.
Yuri smiled as he thought about Nick Orlov’s reaction when he followed the trail. Yuri’s message was already in the draft folder of the Gmail account they shared.
It was the concluding element of Yuri’s exit plan, one final concession to the homeland. The draft email contained the twenty-four digit passcode to the encrypted video file from Yuri’s last spy mission for Russia—China’s subterranean ballistic missile submarine base at Yulin.
Yuri checked the time: 11:31 A.M. He had planned to hold off until he landed at Sea-Tac International but he couldn’t delay any longer. He hit the speed dial on his phone. Yuri called her cell, bypassing the receptionist.
Laura Newman answered on the third ring. “Yuri!” she called out, reacting to her iPhone’s caller ID display.
“Hi sweetie.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Where are you?”
“Honolulu, about to board an Alaska Air jet for home.”
Yuri expected a cheerful response but heard weeping instead. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ve been so worried. It’s been two weeks and not a word. I just knew they had you doing something dangerous.”
“I’m sorry but it was impossible for me to contact you.”
“I know, but everything we’ve been through…I couldn’t help myself.”
“I’m fine, honey. You can stop worrying.”
“But they still have you under their thumb. What will they have you doing next?”
“I’m working all that out. It’s going to be okay.”
I don’t know.”
Yuri changed subjects. “How’s Maddy?”
“Great, she’s doing great. She’s missed you, too.”
“I can’t wait to see her.”
“When’s your flight get in? We’ll pick you up.”
“Eight oh five. I’ll just take Uber home.”
“No way, we’re coming!”
“Okay, that would be wonderful.”
Laura said, “I do have some good news, about the company.”
“What’s that?”
“The merger looks like it’s really going to happen. The closing is set for next Tuesday.”
“Wow, that’s terrific. I’m so happy for you.” Yuri heard the boarding call for his flight over the gate intercom system. “It’s time for me to board now. I want to hear all the details when I see you this evening.”
“Okay. Have a safe flight. I love you.”
“I love you.”
Yuri picked up his overnight bag and walked toward the jetway, grateful to be heading home. All he wanted was to live a long boring and happy life with Laura and Maddy.
Yuri was done with his life as a spy but nothing yet had been settled with the FBI and CIA nor with Russia. And the China threat still loomed.
As Yuri settled into the luxurious leather seat in the first-class cabin of the Boeing, he shoved the negative thoughts into a corner of his brain. He removed his wallet from a pocket and stared at the snapshot of his lover and her child.
Yuri smiled. It’s going to be great to finally be home!