M. Forsythe - While Rome Was Sleeping

“One more thing, I insist Karpov, that any further discussion of this matter be delayed until we are once again in Moscow and it can be brought before the Party,” Chernakov stated offensively.

Karpov was clearly stymied for the moment, though unconvinced by Chernakov’s attack; his words were that of a gambler hedging his bet, “Perhaps you are right, Chernakov, the Party should deal with this.”

As Lu Chan related Chernakov’s story of his encounter with Karpov, Wellman and Klein listened without interruption until then Neil commented, “Apparently Karpov wasn’t willing to let that happen.”

“That’s correct,” Lu Chan agreed, “He had determined that Chernakov was now a liability. Either way, Karpov was on trial… if Chernakov returned to Moscow and accused him, Karpov would be at best demoted and at worst sent to Siberia for ‘retraining’. On the other hand, if Chernakov defected Karpov would be held responsible for not seeing it coming. There was only one thing to do and that was to kill Chernakov.

“The General had figured it out too, so it was not a total surprise when the next morning Chernakov found himself under military guard at Karpov’s orders.

“When Chernakov met the supply truck he was accompanied by the guard. Apparently, word of the rendezvous point had reached Karpov and the guard was to make certain that Chernakov died.

“As I told you, I was the driver of the truck. It was a long ride and we were a short distance from the airstrip when the guard indicated we should stop; I pretended not to understand and he became very angry and pointed his gun at me. Chernakov ordered me in Chinese to stop. The guard ordered Chernakov out of the truck and told him to raise his hands. As he raised his weapon to shoot the General, I fired a short burst at him, killing him. The General jumped back into the truck and we went on to the airstrip. He got out and ordered me to leave him.”

Lu Chan was remembering his last words with Pyotr Chernakov, he said sadly, “He thanked me and told me to leave him there—we heard the helicopter in the distance and I saluted him and left at his direction. That was the last time I saw General Chernakov.” Lu Chan added, “He was one of the finest soldiers and bravest men that I shall ever know.”

Wellman and Klein were silent as Lu Chan concluded the last chapter in Chernakov’s life.

Drawing a deep breath Fred asked, “Where will your next assignment take you?”

Lu Chan smiled, “Back to Southeast Asia and possibly into China. I must leave soon; I am making a brief stop in Seattle where I have some unfinished business.

Seattle

Friday afternoon

Ramsey was shaken by Carr accosting him in his office and later by the rash encounter with Detective Savalza and Andrew Kincaid. It was very clear that Kincaid knew something about GCI. “How and what did he find out? I’d better call Tokyo and then Coleman.”

Ramsey dialed Coleman’s office at DIA. “Brad I had an unpleasant meeting with Harrison Carr this morning; he knows about the break-in in Bangkok. He was contacted by Schneiderman. Zurich wants closure on this thing, Brad, Harrison also.”

Brad responded, “I will call Karel Schneiderman and get back to you Lyle.”

“I have a three o’clock meeting with Carr, Brad, how much should I tell him? He already suspects that it was you who contacted Bangkok and assured them that this thing would be handled here.”

Coleman could hear the apprehension in Ramsey’s voice. “Keep the lid on as much as possible, Lyle. Tell Carr that we know who the intruder was and that he has been neutralized; tell him we are uncertain what the damage may be at this time. I’ll call Schneiderman and the Bangkok office as well and tell them that.”

Lyle entered Carr’s office promptly at 3:00 PM a sheaf of papers in his hand with rough notes.

“Sit down, Lyle,” Carr said somberly. “What do you have for me,” he asked glancing at the papers in Ramsey’s hand.

Lyle was prepared—“I have nothing in writing for you, Harrison; just some notes covering the items of your concern. Where would you like me to begin?”

“Let’s start at the beginning, Lyle.”

“Very well,” Lyle answered, “You recall, Harrison, the day I was called away from the partners’ meeting, I told you the next morning that something had come up that was somewhat risky. I had been approached by our Department of Defense representative for help with a problem. I was told there was a person with stolen GCI information who had escaped our Bangkok security by freighter and would be arriving in Seattle. The information this person had stolen could conceivably cause GCI and Ramsey & Carr a great deal of difficulty.

“The assignment was presented to me in an oblique and confidential manner as a way of protecting Ramsey and Carr and me individually as well as our contacts in the Department of Defense.

“The intruder was to be neutralized and it was done. Today our DOD contact is notifying Schneiderman and the Bangkok office giving them closure on the intruder. At the moment I know nothing more about this matter.”

Harrison Carr leaned back in his chair, “Thank you for your report, Lyle. I will follow up with Schneiderman as well; as a GCI board member, it is my responsibility to do so.

“I have one or two other questions for you; you were visited earlier by Seattle Police Detective James Savalza and Andrew Kincaid from the Seattle Times. Would you like to tell me why they were here?”

“No, Harrison, not at this time…,” Ramsey said impatiently.

Carr persisted, “My secretary overheard Kincaid say he would be calling about an interview regarding GCI and that you should talk it over with me…”

Looking at Carr, Lyle’s blue eyes flashed in anger. Taking a deep breath before responding he said, “I am not prepared to give an interview to Andrew Kincaid or anyone else about GCI without first discussing it with you, Harrison, and I haven’t time to do that right now. “I don’t mean to be rude, Harrison, while I appreciate your zealous safeguarding of our firm’s business ventures, at the moment I am unwilling to discuss this further.”

“You’re right, Lyle,” Carr was seemingly contrite. “I forgot the role I play here for a moment; I’ll see you in your office for our drink about 4:30 or 5:00.”

Ramsey returned to his office angry over his confrontation with his father’s long time partner. He felt like a chastised child. And yet Harrison Carr held the trump cards in Ramsey’s association with GCI.

At 4:30 PM the receptionist at Ramsey & Carr was gathering her coat and purse preparing to leave for the day. On his way to Ramsey’s office, Carr passed Connie Porter on her way out as well. Pausing for a moment he asked pleasantly, “Are you on an errand for Lyle or are you leaving for the day, Miss Porter?”

“Yes, Mr. Carr, I am combining an errand for Mr. Ramsey and leaving a little early. I have some shopping to do and Mr. Ramsey said it would be all right not to return to the office. Is there something you needed?”

“No, no,” he said with a fatherly smile, patting her shoulder. “I was going to suggest that you play hooky the rest of the day and we’ll see you on Monday.”

Connie relaxed, she admired Harrison Carr and often times would do some little favor for him if his secretary was busy. “I see you’re on your way to Mr. Ramsey’s office for your Friday get together,” she smiled.

“That’s right, Connie, now you have a good weekend.”

Ramsey watched the old man enter his office. Though he was less angry than earlier he had not recovered entirely from Carr’s high-handed manner.