Alex Shaw - Hetman - Donetsk Calling

“You assume right. So, Katya and I have had to start legal proceedings to attempt to get a court ruling stating that we can take Ana to the UK.”

“And he’s trying to stop this?”

“That’s why I called you Aidan. Katya doesn’t know about this, but first he went after my business and now he’s going after me. Shit, if I get framed for sexual assault no judge in their right mind will grant me custody over him for Ana.” Webb put his head in his hands and it was several seconds before he spoke again. “I’m her dad, not him”.

“What exactly has Kopylenko said to you?”

“He never said anything about sexual assault the crafty bastard; I thought it was all about my joy-ride in the taxi. He said on Monday they are going to present me and their ‘evidence’ to the judge. Kopylenko said unless they receive payment from Katya the judge will have no option but to find me guilty. So who’s this politician bloke the SBU are after?”

“The owner of this house, Ruslan Imyets.”

Webb rolled his eyes and let out a humourless laugh. “Imyets, the Verhovna Rada Deputy? I should be honoured.”

“You know him?”

“I’ve heard of him, he’s in pharmaceuticals before that he was Militia officer. The channel TVi ran a story on him, it very nearly put them out of business. He’s one of the most aggressive bandits from Donetsk, one of the President’s own ‘Donbas business buddies’. In the last two years Imyets has won more tenders than anyone else, and he’s used some very unsavoury means to secure them. Heck, if Kopylenko’s working for Imyets he’s got some serious Krisha!”

Snow thought for a moment. “What’s the connection between Kopylenko and Imyets?”

“Kopylenko is a Militia officer from Donetsk. Apart from that I don’t know.”

“Have you ever had any dealings with Imyets?”

“No, we don’t move in quite the same circles.”

Snow stretched out and fell his ribs. He’d just have a few bruises. “You know I don’t think Imyets knows anything about this. No offence Brian, but why would he bother with you?”

“I agree. I just sell books, not even mucky ones. I could murder a drink.” Webb raised his arms and gestured around the room. “Ironic eh, they put me in an empty wine cellar.”

Blazhevich checked his watch again. What was taking Snow so long? He cursed. He knew the Englishman too well, he’d ‘improvised’. There was a buzzing next to him and he picked up Snow’s Blackberry which the SIS operative had intentionally left behind. “Hello Alistair.”

“Vitaly, this means Snow is with you?”

“He was but now he’s checking out the address where we believe Webb is being held. I’ve got an eyeball on the location.”

“Which Militia station are they in?”

“They are not. It’s a private house belonging to Ruslan Imyets. They are holding him hostage.”

“So the kidnappers are Militia officers in the pocket of Ruslan Imyets?”

“Correct, which is why Dudka wanted you to back off.”

“Understood.” Vickers was annoyed it was all happening without him. “So what is Aidan doing?”

“He is inside looking for Brian. We had a plan; Aidan’s a drunk ex-pat looking up an old friend.”

“I see. So now they’ve got two hostages?”

“It looks that way.”

“So the plan is working Vitaly?”

Blazhevich shook his head. Both Vickers and Snow always thought they knew best, even though they had very different approaches. “Yes. If it was not the correct location they would have sent Aidan ‘packing’, but if we presume they are holding him then all we do is wait until he is moved.”

In his flat Vickers sipped his tea. “So what would the SBU like me to do?”

“We need to get something on Imyets. The SBU cannot ‘go in’ unless there is evidence of his involvement that’ll hold up in court otherwise our entire investigation will be blown. I can watch but I can’t act.”

“OK. I’ll wait until Monday lunchtime and then if we don’t have Webb or Snow I’ll go ahead with my official complaint.”

“You think Aidan will wait until then?”

“No. Where are you?”

Blazhevich decided there was no point in keeping the location a secret from his SIS contact. “Petropavlivska Borschagivka, I’m in the unfinished church.”

Vickers knew the place, it had become somewhat of a landmark. Commissioned by a Kyiv businessman twelve years before and never completed, its large bell lay outside still wrapped in its protective cover. The bell proved too heavy and too sacred for anyone to run off with. “I’m here if you need me.”

“Thanks.” Blazhevich ended the call. There was movement at the front door. Through the magnified image of the stills camera he saw two Militia officers in shirt-sleeves smoking and grinning. One held a bottle of whisky and poured a shot for the other. Blazhevich muttered to himself as he took some more pictures. “Come on Aidan.”

The cellar door opened and Kopylenko entered followed by another officer. The second officer spoke quietly into Kopylenko’s ear. “Captain Budt would like to know how your head is Brian?”

“Tell him that his mother should be proud that he hits like a girl.”

Snow sighed; Brian and Katya were both graduates of the same ‘charm school’.

Kopylenko frowned. “I will tell him, it is serious. But a more serious matter is you, Mr Snow. You were not looking for Eric at all were you? No you came here because Brian called you. I have his phone and have also checked with immigration. So I have a question for you Mr Snow, who are you?”

“Why ask questions, just shoot him.” Budt stated in Russian as he removed his side-arm from its holster and held it by his side.

Had he underestimated the men, would they try to kill him? Snow readied himself for action as he spoke. “I am Brian’s friend. He asked me to come and here I am.”

Kopylenko scratched his chin. “Now I believe what you are saying but that leaves us with a problem. You see you have assaulted a police officer. This is something that I cannot ignore so here is the deal. You will pay Captain Budt compensation of $15,000 and myself another $15,000. We will take you to our personal banker. Once you have paid us I will personally drive you back to the airport.”

“And what about Brian?”

“He must see the judge; his offence carries a much higher penalty.”

“Why can’t you just let it go man?” Webb stood, arms out at his sides and palms upwards trying to placate the policemen. “I am not the reason Katya left you. We both love Ana; we should be working this out together.”

Kopylenko’s face contorted with rage and he pointed angrily at Webb. “Because of you my daughter will not talk to me! I am her father! You have stolen her from me, from her grandparents and now you want to take her away for ever!”

“Think of her future, man.”

“You have no future! Her future is here with me!” Kopylenko took a step forward. “Don’t you understand? Now I can offer her the best. The Best! I have power, I have respect. I am no longer a simple officer from Donetsk.”

“No you are a puppet.”

Kopylenko struggled to control his anger and switched back to Russian. “Take them outside to the van. We shall move them to the woods and finish this.”

Snow started to move but stopped when the Glock was aimed at his forehead. At point blank range he had no chance of avoiding a round. There was a tense silence which was broken by the Nokia ringtone.

Kopylenko pulled his phone from his pocket. “Da? Suka!” He swore. “Ruslan Fedorovich’s is early. Move them quickly.”

Budt nodded. “Ok.”

Kopylenko left the room. Budt smiled, the Glock still trained at Snow’s head. He now spoke in English, the accent all but incomprehensible. “Move now, up step. You one, you two. Now.”