Thomas Amo - An Apple for Zoë - Book One ~ The Forsaken

"Remove your overcoat before you step inside. Do you have a weapon in your possession?" he asked.

Stasya quickly followed the guard's order and removed her long gray cashmere overcoat. She placed it on the hook provided by the sliding door that would give her admittance to the capsule.

"I am not in possession of a weapon," she said waiting for the door to slide open. Stasya hated being screened in the capsule. The room was always extremely cold and the result was always the same. She knew the guard would be staring at her overly erect nipples.

"Place your briefcase on the conveyor table to your left please," commanded the guard calmly.

Stasya put her case down and waited. Seconds later a loud electrical buzz sounded. The door slid back allowing her to step inside while at the same time sending her case through a separate scanner. By the time her security scan was over, the conveyor belt would have delivered her case to the other side of the room.

"Please step to the center of the capsule and wait for the door to close behind you, then raise your arms to your sides in the form of the letter 'T' and close your eyes."

Stasya did as ordered. The moment her eyes closed another electrical sound came and she could hear the door slide closed behind her and feel the scanner pass in front of her as another scanner passed behind her. The guard watched the monitor from his side of the room and was satisfied with the result.

"You may lower your arms now and open your eyes," said the guard, pressing a button that activated the door on the opposite side of the capsule.

"Please step all the way through, your case is waiting for you to your left. Your coat may be collected upon your exit scan of the capsule when you are finished. You may now proceed to interview station seven, follow the red line on the floor to your destination," said the guard as he watched her step into the hallway. Stasya quickly gathered her case and put her back to the guard, she knew all too well the scanners gave the guards a perfect view of her anatomy and she wasn't giving him any more time than necessary to imagine her undressed. As much as she despised it, Stasya Gusarov realized this was the price one paid to be a translator for the federal government.

Stasya walked quickly down the long, windowless hallway. The glare of the overhead lights made the white walls and floor blur into one another. The red line below at her feet kept her focused on her destination. As she turned the corner she was met by another armed guard who stood in front of the door marked "Station 7." He wore a black beret and gray colored fatigues.

"Commander Gusarov?" inquired the guard. Stasya nodded and watched the guard come to attention and give her a proper salute. She nodded once again accepting his professional courtesy.

"You identification please, Commander."

Stasya placed her case on the floor and reached inside to retrieve her official federal ID. She handed it to the guard, who slid the card through a portable scanner.

"Thank you. Please place your right eye against the retinal scanner at the door," the guard instructed.

Stasya stepped up and placed her eye against the device and waited for the beep. A loud click sounded inside the door announcing the bolt had unlocked.

"Thank you, Commander," said the guard as he handed her back her ID and held the door open for her.

Once inside, Stasya made her way to an office that was marked, "Ready Room." She found it was unlocked. She stepped inside, closed the door and locked it. Behind her was a large oak desk with a single file lying dead center on top of it. She sat her attaché case down on the desk and reached inside to remove a large file which looked nearly identical to the one already there. The only difference was her file had a white label surrounding it with bold black print that read, "Cmdr. S.B. Gusarov-Eyes-Only." Stasya took her seat, broke the seal and began to read.

Inspector James and Captain Shelton stood in front of the interrogation rooms at station seven. From their position, they could see into both rooms through the two-way glass. Separated by soundproof walls, sat the Baranova Sisters—Devonia was on the left, Tarista on the right.

"Well if this ain't a shit load of deja vu," said Shelton. "Last time we did this the whole damn place went up in flames."

"And our witness with it," added James as he watched them intently.

Looking left he recognized Devonia as the driver of Hummer. She sat silently with her chin on her chest and her hands folded together on top of the table. Obviously she was handcuffed to a solid steel ring just under the table. She was still covered in blood and wearing the black tank top.

James walked a few steps to the right and peered into the room on the right. There sat Tarista Baranova, also still covered in blood. She too had her head bent to her chest. Both sisters had been tranquilized in order to place them safely inside the interview rooms. As James moved a step closer he wondered how long it would take for the drug to wear off. At the moment they both seemed innocent and looked more like victims than sadistic killers. As James touched the glass Tarista suddenly looked up directly at him. She slowly and deliberately licked her lips and smiled.

James walked back to the left side of the room only for his fear to be realized as Tarista turned her head and watched him move.

"Is it just me or does she know exactly where you are in this room?" asked Shelton.

"It sure seems that way doesn't it?" said James as he noticed Devonia was now awake and also watching him.

"Tommy, you sure you want to go in there with those two?" asked Shelton. James stepped back to the middle of the room where he could see both sisters equally.

"It's the only way I'm going to find out what the hell is going on, Cap. As soon as Summers finishes her meeting with Director Collins, maybe we will get some answers."

The sisters turned their heads and looked at the wall that separated them and both smiled as if they could see each other.

"Jesus Tommy, these two give me the flipping creeps," said Shelton.

"Tell me about it," he said, as Jessalee joined them. Coldly Jessalee stared at the sisters. James noticed her hands were trembling as she held her evidence kit in one hand and a report in the other.

"You got something, didn't you?" asked James.

"I got plenty, I'm on my way to conference with Summers and Director Collins. I've been asked to have you and Cap meet with us after your interview, Tom," said Jessalee as she walked away. James called to her. "Jessa, what is it?" he asked. Jessalee stopped and looked back to James and Shelton.

"All I can say is some of that blood that is splattered all over them, belongs to my sister." And with that, she abruptly turned and walked away. James watched her disappear around the corner. He looked back at Devonia and Tarista. To his surprise both of them were nodding their heads in a yes movement as if they were agreeing with Jessalee's claim. But how could Jessalee know the blood was her sister's? All the evidence in room 1219 was destroyed in the fire. He thought to himself. James knew this was hard on Jessalee and he intended to do everything he could to help her find closure on the death of her sister.

Both James and Shelton's attention was caught by the sound of an office door opening. They looked over and saw the raven-haired Stasya Gusarov step from the office into the room. In one hand she held a folder with Russian writing on the outside of it. In her other hand she held a King James Bible.

"Inspector Thomas James?"

"Yes?"

"I am Commander Stasya Gusarov I am here today to serve as your translator," she said with the trace of her home accent. James looked at Shelton for help. Shelton shrugged her shoulders.