Helena Halme - The Red King of Helsinki - Lies, Spies and Gymnastics

‘I would like to talk to your father,’ Maija said.

Anni was quiet. She regarded Maija, as if judging if she could trust her.

‘I think we’ve got a right to know what’s really going on, don’t you?’ Maija said, trying to control her anger.

‘It’s not Anni’s fault, none of it is!’ Pia said.

Anni touched Pia’s arm. ‘It’s OK, your mum’s right. It’s a bloody mess and innocent people are getting caught up in it.’

‘I wouldn’t call being held, threatened and followed by the KGB, as being “caught up”!’ Maija said.

‘Anni’s eyes flashed, ‘Followed? What do you mean, followed?’

‘Oh, Anni, Iain told me everything about Kovtun. That he’s about to defect, and that you might be in danger.’ Pia said.

‘You mean the Admiral? You know he works for the British Intelligence?’

‘Yes, of course we do,’ Maija said and continued, ‘Do your parents really know you’re here?’

‘Not exactly.’

Maija sat down. She felt tired. The coffee-maker was making gurgling noises and she got up again, mechanically, to get three cups out. She poured the hot coffee and said, ‘Right, Anni, now it’s your turn to tell us what you – or your father – thinks is going on. Perhaps then we can get back to normal. Agreed?’

‘Of course, though I don’t have much time,’ Anni replied.

‘Are you back in your flat?’ Pia asked.

‘No, we are kept in a Finnish SAPO safe house in Kirkkonummi. I’ve to get the bus from the station at 18.30, otherwise they’ll notice I’m gone. I was only supposed to go out for a walk.’

‘I don’t understand. Is the Finnish secret police involved in the defection of this Kovtun type?’ Maija asked.

‘Yes, they want to get rid of him. That’s what my father told me. He was joking that the Brits don’t know what kind of paskiainen they’re getting.’

Maija was quiet. They agreed on that score. The man could easily be described as a bastard, though she herself would not have used such language. Then she had a thought.

‘But isn’t it dangerous for the Finnish state to be involved in a defection? I thought we were neutral. Certainly we can’t help the West, can we? Doesn’t Big Brother mind?’

Anni looked coy. She gave a sideways smile and said, ‘Of course the Finns don’t know anything about it – officially!’

‘I see,’ Maija said. She tried not to panic. It was obvious the girl didn’t understand the severity of the situation. How foolish Jukka Linnonmaa was to tell her such secrets!

‘And your father doesn’t know you’re here?’

Anni didn’t answer. She looked at Maija with her clear blue eyes, but Maija could not tell from her expression what she was thinking. Maija saw the time was approaching six o’clock. Anni too looked at her watch.

‘Do you have to go back?’ Pia said. She looked miserable.

‘Listen, both of you. The reason I came was to warn you. We think, or at least Dad does, that Kovtun is planning something involving one of the girls in the team.’ Anni was silent for a moment.

Maija sat back down, ‘Why do the Finns want to get rid of Kovtun so much? Surely all the Soviet Embassy staff are the same? They’re all Russians and Communists, aren’t they?’ she asked.

Anni looked very serious. ‘My father says this Kovtun is worse than the others.’ Anni paused for a moment and looked down at her hands. ‘He thinks he’s the King of Helsinki! But he’s been present at Kekkonen’s talks with the Soviets, even with Brezhnev. You know their secret talks?’ Anni looked at Maija and Pia in turn. Maija had no idea what the girl was talking about, but nodded. She wanted to hear all that Anni had to say. ‘Kovtun has been present at these talks as the only other person. He’s been acting as interpreter. He knows what Kekkonen has promised the Russians on our behalf. If Kovtun gets to the West, he will tell all, and then everyone will know what Kekkonen is really up to!’

Maija stared at Anni. This was far more serious than she had thought. This is what Linnonmaa was involved in – treason! Although Maija didn’t support Kekkonen, and had never voted for him as she regarded him as far too soft on Russia, he was still the elected President of the Republic! Maija also believed that without Kekkonen, Finland could now be part of the Eastern Bloc. It was his diplomacy that had kept Finland independent when other European countries such as Hungary and Czechoslovakia were time and time again pulled back behind the iron curtain. And unlike many right-wing people in Finland, Maija didn’t believe that the West would come to Finland’s aid if Russia decided to invade. Finland was simply not important enough.

Maija regarded Anni. Her eyes were wide. Pia was staring at her friend too. ‘So it’s really important to let the Brits have him! Important for Finland!’ Anni said.

‘But what if this Kovtun does speak about Kekkonen and the Finns vote Kekkonen out and replace him with a right-wing politician? Will that not force the Russians to invade?’ Maija said. She gave the girl a stern look. ‘Besides, this is not something any of us should be involved in. What your father does is up to him and his conscience…’

‘What do you mean?’ Anni’s eyes flashed at Maija.

‘Perhaps I’ve misunderstood,’ Maija said.

‘Yes, I think you have. My fat her is a Finnish diplomat and he always acts in the best interest of the fatherland.’

Maija thought that sounded like a phrase this girl had heard often. ‘Well, I’m not sure I understand any of it,’ Maija put her hand on Anni’s arm, ‘but what is it we can do to keep ourselves out of all this? That is why you’ve come, isn’t it?’

‘Yes,’ the girl said keenly, ‘Pia, you must keep your ears and eyes open at the Tournament, and keep an eye on the little girls. I just wanted to warn you that something is going to happen at the competition tomorrow. I couldn’t let you go without warning you.’ Anni looked at Pia, and squeezed her hand.

‘Shouldn’t she stay away from the Tournament, if it’s dangerous?’ Maija said. She had crossed her arms over her chest. Anni said nothing.

Pia ignored her too. ‘I’m so glad you’re alright!’ she said with tears in her eyes, hugging Anni again.

Maija got up. ‘I’m going to phone the police. I’m sure they can sort this out. There must be a procedure…’ she was on her way to the telephone in the hall.

Anni got up too and blocked her way. She looked Maija in the eyes and said, ‘The police will not be able to do anything. Besides, they won’t believe you!’

Maija regarded Anni. Again she seemed so authoritative. ‘Please, Mrs Mäkelä, phone my father, if you like. He’ll say the same as me!’ Anni scribbled a number on a piece of paper and handed it to Maija, ‘Ask for Mr Laine.’

Maija took the piece of paper and stared at it for a moment. ‘Please Mrs Mäkelä. My father really does know what he’s doing, and this is for the best. For Finland!’

Anni glanced at her wrist watch. ‘I need to get back.’

‘I’ll take the tram with you into town and then we can talk on the way,’ Pia said.

‘No way, girls. Anni, I’m afraid you are going to have to make your own way back. I cannot let Pia get into more danger.’ Maija thought, if need be, she would physically detain Pia.

‘Mum!’ Pia protested, keeping hold of Anni’s arm.

Anni freed herself from Pia’s grip and said, ‘Your mum’s right, Pia. I’ll be OK, nobody knows I’m here. I’ll give you a ring when we’re back in Helsinki.’ She picked up her down coat, and hugged Pia hard. Then she was out of the door. Maija and Pia went back into the kitchen. They peered out of the window out into the darkened street, lit only by the faint glow of the street lamps. After a short while, they saw Anni step onto the street. They watched in silence as Anni’s long blonde hair disappeared around the corner.