CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Mikhail Potemkin ascended to his private observation bridge where the night air was humid and still and the only sound an occasional surge of muffled laughter coming from the crew’s bar near the bow. The water was a black shroud. No stars tonight. Setting his jaw, he called Liski.

“Bodashka, we must talk. Rapid action is in order.”

“At your service,” Liski said, his tone deferential, as it had been since the escape of Marianna Kovalenko. “What’s going on, Mikhail?”

“First, my plan to eliminate Bryson Witner went completely to hell.”

“But how? You are the most thorough planner I’ve ever known.”

“No cat can catch every mouse that chews at the wires. In this case, Witner’s counselor was exposed to the Novichok instead of him. Good plan, bad timing. The counselor is dead instead, and Witner turned this misfire to his advantage. He escaped.”

“Escaped?” Liski made a hissing sound. “My God. The devil must be on his side.”

“Maybe so, but Dr. Witch has played his last trick. Get over here immediately. Use the Lear. You need to find him and finish the job.”

“What if the police get to him first?”

“Don’t let that stop you. Find a way to destroy him however you can. You will be given a full briefing by Colonel Spavin after we talk. All resources will be at your disposal.”

“It will be done,” said Liski. “We will not fail.”

“I want action, not words,” Potemkin said. “Now, let us talk about Marianna Kovalenko. I remain unhappy about her escape, Bodashka. Very unhappy. This is a personal humiliation. No one can do this to me. This must not stand.”

“I understand, Mikhail. I take full responsibility. It was my fault, not yours. At least we extracted from Kovalenko’s friend in Kyiv that she was heading for America.”

“America is a big country, in case you forgot. You used to live there. Like a big shot.”

“But I have people keeping an eye out for her. She will have to surface, and we’ll be waiting.”

“You don’t have to wait.”

“What do you mean?”

“I have found her. Me—I found her. With no help from you.”

After a pause, Liski broke into excited speech. “How? This is good. Where is she?”

Potemkin described what Haines had told him about the woman in Forester’s office. “And I had my people review footage from the hospital. They found her coming through the lobby. She’s changed her hair color, but it’s her. I’m sure of it.

“Unbelievable,” said Liski. “How did she do it?”

“How is irrelevant. She obviously had access to the news in Ukraine and knew what was going to happen to her. She has a nimble mind and she wants to live. The question is what to do now. But I know one thing that gives me an advantage.”

“What do you know?”

“Her going to Forester proves she did not go to the American police. They think Marianna Kovalenko is dead because of the DNA. She knows they wouldn’t believe her. So she goes to Forester instead, hoping to enlist his help. She will try to convince him that he was tricked, then she will get him to help her. She is very clever.”

“I wish she were on our side.”

“But she is done making a fool out of me. You must find and eliminate her—and show her no mercy. Make her know terror. Forester will probably try to hide her. Start by surveilling his house. The colonel will help you with all the resources you need for both jobs. Stay in contact.”

“Yes. I will divide my crew into two teams—one for Witner and one for Kovalenko. They will begin even before I arrive. I’m on it like a hawk, like a ferret. I will not sleep till this is done.”

“Leave no witnesses with Marianna. Have her dig her own grave. If she is with Forester, have him dig one for them both.” Liski laughed at this. “I didn’t say that to be funny. I mean it.”

“You really want them to dig their own graves?” asked Liski.

“Why would I say it if I didn’t mean it?”

“But what if I find a safer way to dispose of them?”

“There is no better way to create terror. Have them dig their own graves. In the ground. End of discussion.”

“Not to contradict you, but that could be risky. Cadaver dogs could find them. With all respect, maybe you are taking this too personally.”

“Excuse me? What are you suggesting? That maybe I’m insane?”

“No, no. Of course not. Just saying there could be more efficient ways—”

“Shut up and follow my orders. No more talk. She brought this on herself.”