Kir Romanovitch won’t like it,” Ilya said. “I’m supposed to bring the professor home. Already you’ve stalled. I was supposed to leave with him yesterday.” He stood opposite Dima in the train yard amid the stench of burnt coal. The commotion of workers loading crates of ammunition was around them. All those bullets, Dima was certain, guaranteed this war would be a bloodbath. Ilya looked haggard and wrinkled, like he knew it, too. Pathetic. Turning on a man he called friend. Dima spit on the ground at Ilya’s feet and Ilya flinched. He was afraid, yes, but worse, Ilya was off balance. Overwhelmed. This negotiation, Dima saw, was more than Ilya had anticipated.
“Kir wants numbers and this is his only way to get them,” Dima said. “Vanya doesn’t have them.”
“Of course Vanya has them. Kir told me so himself.”
“Kir lied. Vanya told me he doesn’t have any equations. He’s still working on it. I thought the extra day would help but he needs more time than that.”
“Kir wouldn’t tell me something that isn’t true.”
“You believe that?” Dima paused and let his words sink in. Then he pushed his finger into Ilya’s chest and continued, “If Vanya ran, it was from Kir. This Romanovitch, he’s powerful, no? He must have scared the Jew off.”
“Maybe.”
“No maybe. I know he did. Let’s start again. Kir Romanovitch wants Vanya’s numbers, but from what I see there are two problems. First, Vanya doesn’t want to give them to him. Second, Vanya doesn’t have them. Not yet. That means if you take Vanya to Kir now, he’ll never produce anything for your man. But if you leave Vanya with me, let him think he’s free, he’ll produce. And when he does, I’ll get the numbers for you to give to Kir.”
Ilya kicked a rock. It ricocheted off a rail with a ping. “But now that I found Vanya…”
“You’re set! I’ll stay with him while he works. I’ll get you what Kir needs.”
“I can’t let him go like that.”
“What choice do you have? What will happen if you return to Kir with Vanya, and Vanya doesn’t have the numbers Kir expects? Even worse, what happens when he refuses to work?”
“Fine. Then I’ll join Vanya. I’ll travel with him.”
“How would you explain how you got here? Found him? If Vanya’s as smart as you say, he’ll put it together. He’ll see Kir’s hand in it. Whether he trusts you or not—and he’d be a fool to trust you showing up here like this—he’ll run. You’ll never find him again.” Ilya nodded, and Dima couldn’t tell whether Ilya’s cheeks burned because he was embarrassed or because he felt guilty. Either way, thanks to God he got the point. “All this is going to cost more than we agreed.”
“I can’t pay more.”
“You have no choice.” He stepped closer. “I’m going to have to stay with Vanya for weeks. While he works. And my time is expensive. You’ll pay me what you have now. Then more, later. Did you bring the money?”
“Yes, but…”
“Enough with the stalling. If you’re not going to pay me, then Vanya’s right there.” Dima pointed across the train yard, past crates of ammunition and the litter of seats and berths ripped from passenger cars to make way for supplies. It was risky, but Dima sensed he had the upper hand. “Take him if you want. But mark my words, Kir won’t be happy.” Ilya didn’t move. Dima continued, “When we land, I’ll send a telegram. Here. To Riga. I’ll let you know where we are, and how close Vanya is to solving his math.”
“No. I need to know where you’re going. Now. So I can send a report.”
“I don’t know yet.” The lie was easy. “They won’t tell me. Just west. You need to trust I’ll get what Kir wants.”
“Why would I trust you?”
“Why wouldn’t I get you what you want? I want my money.” At least that much was true.
“And Vanya? Why does Vanya trust you?”
“I don’t know if he trusts me. But he needs me. I speak English,” Dima said with a smile that made him stand taller. “He’ll need me when he finds his American.”
“An American?” Ilya said and Dima realized his mistake at once. “I didn’t know he was after an American. I’m guessing Kir didn’t, either. Why?”
“Doesn’t matter, does it? Do we have a deal?”
“I need to explain it all to Kir. Ask for more money.”
“Then do it. I can stall for a few more days,” Dima said. But he needed more than just money from this Ilya. He also needed assurances that Ilya wouldn’t follow because if he did, he’d scare Vanya off. Or at least Yuri. And if Yuri fled, he’d take Vanya with him. Dima looked over his shoulder to be certain no one was watching. “Make sure you remind Kir how happy he’ll be when he gets his numbers. The wait will be worth it. And tell him not to send anyone else. No other spies. I’ll know if he’s following us. And I’ll make sure he never gets those numbers if he does.” Dima took the purse from Ilya.
As he walked away, he realized he’d have to learn more about Vanya’s work so he could be sure he was getting a fair price. What kind of numbers could be worth so much?