Kozachenko moved away from the camp and placed the call he’d been avoiding since rendezvousing with Barkov and the other men.
“Pakhan,” he said in a show of respect. In truth, he didn’t care much for the man. However, he was the leader of the bratva and currently the only one who could help them out of this jam. “We need to talk.”
“What happened?”
Kozachenko filled him in on the events since leaving Dykanka. “We’re safe here, and Yolkin is improving. But with the helicopters flying overhead and the increased patrols on the highways, we have no way to move. The window is closing on our opportunity.”
“This mission cannot fail.” His tone carried a rebuke.
Kozachenko’s face burned, but he kept his voice level. “It was a combination of decisions that brought us to this point, Pakhan.”
His words were measured, but he hoped his message was clear. Kozachenko and his men had fired on the plane on the pakhan’s orders. He was not willing to shoulder the blame.
The pakhan remained silent.
Finally, Kozachenko asked, “What do you want us to do now?”
“Stas is working on a plan.”
“Do you think it wise to keep him involved? Aren’t you afraid they might figure out he’s our man on the ground?”
“Nyet. He’s been very careful. Besides, he is who we have.”
“Forgive me if I lack confidence.” After all, they were talking about a man who’d shown a certain impotency when confronted with a simple task.
“Vasyl, you may not trust him, but I believe you trust me.” The pakhan’s voice held the timber of a threat. The head of the Russian bratva was not someone used to being challenged, and it was clear to Kozachenko that he had crossed a line.
“Of course, Pakhan.”
“Once Stas works out the details, he’ll be in contact. Now tell me, what was in the envelope?”
Kozachenko had been dreading this moment. He hesitated to tell him the truth for fear the pakhan would think he was lying.
“There was only one thing written on the page. It must be a password of some kind.” Kozachenko read it out loud. The pakhan repeated it back. “That’s right. It seems odd, but we must look on the bright side. It means Zhen gave him nothing.”
“Or everything.” There was a pause on the pakhan’s end of the line that made Kozachenko’s skin itch. “Now tell me why Agent Jordan’s being sent to Guangzhou.”
Kozachenko was caught off guard. “The DSS agent is going to China?”
“You didn’t know? You sound worried, Vasyl.”
Kozachenko couldn’t deny it. It made him angry he wasn’t informed and uneasy to think of Agent Jordan in Guangzhou digging for information. “That one is trouble, Pakhan. Don’t underestimate her.”
“You worry too much, Vasyl. She won’t be a problem. I have already arranged a special welcoming committee.”