Leonid

by KJ Dahlen

  When they got to the cabin, River got out of the vehicle and let Sammy out to explore.

  The man Barron had called Sasha got there and told Leonid he was going inside to turn on the generator and then he started hauling the boxes inside.

  River grabbed her own bags and went inside. She looked around and liked what she saw. The cabin was rustic but it had everything a person would need for a few days in the woods. She grabbed a drink and sat down at the table.

  Leonid and Sasha were already there at the table and each took a different box.

  As most of it was in Russian, she growled and put the papers to one side. She would pass them along to Leonid or Sasha. After going through about half the box, there was little hope she would find anything written in English. So instead, she brought out the papers the attorney gave her a few days ago.

  She began rereading them. The papers were just what the attorney said they were. A deed to the farm and a copy of his will. Alexi had left her everything. There was an aerial photograph of the farm plus blueprints of the original house and barn. The second set of blueprints showed much more than just the house and barn however. It showed tunnels between the house and barn then a separate tunnel from the house to another structure altogether. This structure was vast but she hadn’t seen any other buildings that close to the house. Had this structure been hidden? Maybe underground?

  She frowned but how could a structure that big be hidden underground and no one noticed anyone building it? They would have had to get backhoes and lumber in there to build it.

  She looked again at the blueprint and found an area big enough to hold several vehicles attached to the structure. It too, seemed to be hidden but that was speculation on her part. She looked up as one of the men cleared his throat.

  They were both staring at her.

  “What are you trying to figure out?” Leonid finally asked.

  She shrugged. “My grandfather’s attorney gave me a copy of his will, along with the blueprints of the house, but there is a second blueprint that shows something else, maybe another structure but I don’t remember seeing any other structures there, except for the barn and a couple small sheds. This structure is bigger than they appear to be. It may even be hidden somehow.”

  Leonid looked over at Sasha and then back to her. “Can we see the blueprints you have?”

  River handed them over to the men and waited while they studied them.

  Finally, Leonid nodded. “I think you are correct. See it is attached to the house by an underground tunnel.”

  “Well, that’s a relief.” She shook her head. “I thought for a moment... I was seeing things that weren’t there.”

  Sasha turned to Leonid and asked, “Do you suppose these were the meeting rooms Vlad was speaking of when he told us Alexi let them stay at the farm? They wouldn’t have wanted just anyone or everyone to know they were there or start asking about his visitors.”

  Leonid nodded. “You might be on to something.”

  River sat back in her chair and studied the two men for a moment. “Do you remember Barron saying my grandfather might have left some evidence of what Vlad was really doing at the farm in a place only I might know of?”

  “Da.” Leonid nodded. “What about it? You said you never met the man, so how would you know where he would hide something?”

  River had thought about this. “It’s true, I never met him, but I did know his daughter rather well. Like there was one place in our house, she would put things. She had explained to me that it was our, to go bag. She said if we ever for any reason had to leave the house in a hurry, the go bag would be stocked with everything, we would need to start over. Then she showed me where it was and that I couldn’t touch the bag unless she and my dad were no longer alive. I left that house the night they died and I think the bag might still be there. Of course, I don’t know for sure but it was well hidden, so well hidden that unless you knew where it was, you’d never find it.”

  Leonid glanced over at Sasha then back to her. “Do you think your grandfather had such a hiding place?”

  River nodded as her throat swelled with unshed tears. “She had to learn of such hiding places from someone? Most children learn from their parents. Although what my mother had to hide, I have no clue.”

  “Where was your mother’s hiding place?” Sasha asked.

  “It’s hard to explain I’d have to show you.”

  Sasha looked over at Leonid. “We have to go back to the farm and find his hiding place.”

  Leonid nodded. “I know but we might have to shoot our way in. And we can’t do that with just two of us.”

  River agreed but she also had to state what she felt, “That may be true but I want to get to the information my grandfather left without your uncle being there, if that’s possible. I want to see what my grandfather left for me before he does.”

  “Da, I think that might be a good thing,” Leonid agreed. “From what I’ve been reading, my uncle has been living a double life for a long time. I’m not even sure who he is anymore.”

  Sasha looked troubled as he agreed, “I’m not sure that what those men did couldn’t be considered treason, not only here but in other countries all over the world as well. And their connection is well established to Russia. No wonder your uncle wanted to get his hands on this information before anyone else did.”

  Leonid nodded. “This information in the wrong hands would sink the KGB.”

  “Not to mention every man in those files,” Sasha added. “Some of those men have been living a double life for probably more years than we’ve been alive.”

  Leonid rubbed his hands over the angles of his face. “Bylad, this is a fine mess.”

  River reached for the letter her grandfather had left her. She hadn’t had a chance to read it yet and only knew what his attorney had told her. And she’d been so angry and shocked at her grandfather’s existence and up until now, she wasn’t sure she wanted to find out any more than she already knew. They were right though, this was an awful mess, and she wished she didn’t know any of it. But she had to be sure it was Vlad her grandfather had been warning about. After all, she had told them all he was. She could’ve sworn the name the attorney told her was Vlad.

  She slid her finger under the tab and pulled out the letter. When she began to read the words he’d written, she was caught unaware of the emotion she was feeling.

  The letter began,

  My dear River,

  I know you won’t understand why I didn’t come forward when your mother and father were killed but I didn’t dare. They didn’t deserve what happened to them but I feel I may have been part of why they died.

  I will be forever grateful that you survived. I asked some friends to take you in and I did watch over you but it hurt to see you and not tell you who I was. It was lonely too.

  I know this is hard for you to believe but years ago, when your mother was about seven I lost my wife. She saw something she was never meant to see and within days, the men she saw came after her. Your mom, Sonja and I were not touched because we weren’t at home at the time, but I knew if I wanted my daughter to survive, I had to leave my homeland. I had to run from the bastards that murdered my wife. Unfortunately, I didn’t run far enough.

  They found me when your mom was older. I had to let her leave my protection. Then she found her husband and together, they had you. I had to stay away in order for my enemies not to find her, but no matter what I did, they found her anyway.

  I didn’t know then what I found out later. My good friend betrayed me. He lied when he told me the bastards who’d murdered my wife were dead. He lied straight to my face. When I realized the truth, I knew my good friend had set me up to take a great fall. He used me to gain a place where he could carry on his illegal activities for the KGB. That way, if I was ever discovered, he could claim he had no knowledge.

  Vlad Birizin is a traitor to me and to Mother Russia. The film I gave you will prove it. I didn’t develop it because I didn�
�t have the knowledge that you do and I didn’t want anyone else to see what I saw that day. A true betrayer.

  He has a nephew living here and I pray he is a good and honest man. I have also kept an eye on him. He seems to be a good person and he is with a good group. He should be warned that his uncle is not at all, what he seems. Take this information to him and help him bring this man to justice.

  If you are reading this letter, it is too late for me. I will be with my Sonya and Jenika again, but you have to live to see justice done.

  Always in my thoughts and prayers

  Your grandfather Alexi

  River felt the tears running down her cheeks. She laid her arms on the table, lowered her head, and just sobbed for a moment. She heard one of the men get up and come over to her. He lifted her up and cradled her in his arms. Sitting down again, he just held her for a moment. She had a feeling it was Leonid and for some reason, she didn’t care it felt good to have someone to lean on just now.

  After a few minutes, her tears began to dry up and she tried moved away but he wouldn’t let her. She raised her head and stared at him. Wordlessly, River handed him the letter from her grandfather.

  Chapter Eight

  Leonid stared at her for a moment then turned to read the letter. When he was done reading, he felt angry. Wordlessly, he passed the letter to Sasha.

  Sasha looked at River for her permission. At her nod, he took the letter and began reading it. When he finished he laid the letter on the able between them and looked at his friend and brother. “What are you going to do now?” he asked in Russian.

  “I’m not sure but if this is true, we have to stop him.”

  “We need those films developed before we confront your uncle,” Sasha reminded him.

  “You guys know it’s considered rude to speak another language in mixed company right?” River wiped her eyes again before moving off Leonid’s lap.

  He held her in place but she struggled enough he let her go. “I guess he was right about one thing wasn’t he?” she asked.

  “What is that little one?” Leonid wanted to know.

  “I guess that depends on what you do next isn’t it? Are you going to be a decent man and seek justice or will you turn a blind eye to your uncle’s activities?”

  Leonid surged to his feet and glared at her. The woman knew nothing about him, so he tried to reconcile that, but all he felt was rage. “If you knew anything about me, you never would have asked that question.” He growled.

  “But that just it isn’t it?” she whispered. “I don’t know you do I?” She moved away from both men. “The only thing I do know is that your uncle had my family murdered.”

  “We need the films developed before we can go ahead with anything,” Sasha commented trying to break the tension in the room. “We need to have more than just your grandfather’s words on paper. He claims he had proof, well we have to have that proof in our hands when we call in the big guns.”

  River looked confused. “Big?” She stared at them both.

  Leonid looked over at Sasha. “You mean the Bratva, don’t you?”

  Sasha looked uncomfortable as he replied, “Who else? This is their realm. This is what they handle.”

  River looked back and forth at them. “You are speaking Russian again. If you want me to trust you at all. That needs to stop!” She looked upset. “How am I to know you’re not plotting my death here? Right in front of me?”

  Leonid took a step to her and placed his hands on her upper arms as he smoothed them along her skin. “If we wanted that, you would be dead already, little one.”

  Shaking her head, she countered, “Not until you have the evidence.”

  Leonid gazed into her eyes. “We do not harm women or children.”

  River stared into his eyes as well. “God, I so want to believe you...” tears filled her eyes. “I-I’m just so overwhelmed by all of this. I feel so alone.”

  Leonid tucked her close and smoothed her hair with his large hand. “I promise. We won’t hurt you and will only protect you.” His vice was soft and tender. Then he caught Sasha’s surprised expression. He paused and realized he was all up on this woman, touching her, holding her. He cleared his throat and stepped back. “We are what your grandfather said in his letter. We are an MC, but we go legit with most things. We never kill unless we have to. We have honor and you want to know why?”

  River swiped at her tears and peered up at him.

  He went on to tell her, “Because back in our homeland, bad men did bad things to our families. They falsely imprisoned most of us and took everything from us. We do not ever want to be like those men.I t would mean they broke us, changed us into what they are. You understand? We will help you with this. We are not for sale at any price. This involves both the new country we live in and the old. It is too important to let slide, even if it is my uncle that we have to bring in to Bratva.”

  River studied him for a long moment then took a deep breath and let it out. “Ok...we can’t just take the film to a local developer. I’ll have to develop it myself but I can’t do it here. I need certain things and I don’t have what I need.”

  “We can get what you need,” Leonid stated. “But for now, we’re safe here. No one knows where we are and that’s our advantage. We can’t even go back to the compound. Vlad and three of his men are there.”

  “Make a list and I’ll go to LaDonna tomorrow,” Sasha told her. “I’m sure I’ll be able to get what you need there.”

  “And while you’re gone, we can try to fashion a dark room,” she said. “I hope whoever owns this cabin doesn’t mind.”

  “Grace will be fine with it.” Leonid shrugged. “We just have to call Barron and let him know what we found out.”

  Hours later, River laid alone in the bed, she borrowed for the night. Her mind was racing with everything she had discovered today. She found a grandfather and discovered he’d been betrayed by a friend, a man he trusted then used and abused.

  Then she had faced the man who probably had her family killed. How had he really known so much about her? From her grandfather or from being there? Watching everything that happened to her?

  She heard a footstep outside her door and she looked around for Sammy. She found him curled up in the corner and while he lifted his head, he didn’t alert so she knew it was one of the men she was here with. She relaxed again. If it had been anyone he didn’t know, she knew Sammy would have alerted her.

  River still felt restless for some reason and she knew from experience, she wouldn’t be able to sleep just yet, so she got up and went to stand by the window. The cabin was in a clearing but she knew the woods surrounded it, so she watched the trees for a while.

  Then she saw a shadow move out there and she watched as the moonlight revealed Leonid walking out into the woods. She was curious as to what he was doing out at night in the wood. So she went to her purse and found her gun. Then she let herself out and went to follow him.

  She prayed he was just taking a stroll in the woods but she had to be careful too. Her foster father had taught her how to carry and use the weapon because she’d been on location alone so much when she did her photography. So far, no one had ever bothered her so she hadn’t had to use it yet. And she hoped she wouldn’t have to use it on him.

  She may have only just met this Leonid but there was something about him she couldn’t forget. The things he said earlier. About bad men doing bad things. She had believed him too. It was there in those deep green eyes. His conviction, honor and truth about what you see is what you get.

  She bit at her lip. What would she get? She’d been almost spellbound when he’d looked into her eyes. He had gold flecks around the irises of his eyes. The man had smelled too good as well. When had she thought a man smelled so good? She shook her head. She must be insane after all.

  Something about him was sliding in under her skin though and making her want to feel it more. She couldn’t explain it but she kind of wanted to feel it, watch it grow
and see what it would become. Was it interest or something more? She didn’t know...not yet.

  While almost holding her breath, River slipped out of the house and followed his trail into the trees. She listened carefully and moved quietly. Her foster father had taught her how to be one with her surroundings and how to blend in with whatever was around her.

  She stopped and listened as she thought she heard a voice. Creeping closer, she could make out bits and pieces of a conversation. She got a little closer. Now she could see him. It was Leonid, on the cellphone with someone.

  “Da, we went through the papers and its straight up treason against the United States and at least three other countries. These papers outline a plot bigger than I’ve ever seen before.” He paused, then said, “Da, I know but these papers are at least forty years old, some are more modern but the oldest goes back to the 70’s. Russia was a superpower back then. If this ever got out, Russia would be done, no one would ever trust us again.” He paused to listen a moment then said, “We did find a list of agents they sent all over the world to spy for them as well.”

  She got a little closer then she could see him pacing as he spoke to his caller.

  “If this information fell into the wrong hands it would bring Russia down for war crimes.”

  She rested her head against the tree she hid behind. He could be talking to anyone. Then his voice changed and she had to strain to hear his words.

  “Vlad has something to hide more than just this farm I think. Her grandfather hinted in a letter that he knew something about his friend, he suspected for a long time but he finally had the evidence to prove Vlad betrayed not only his country but their friendship as well. We haven’t seen the evidence yet but Alexi knew he was going to die and he knew Vlad would be behind it.” He listened again and then snarled, “Alexi left her a fucking letter naming his killer and tying him to her mother’s death and her grandmother’s death. He warned her to be safe and he wanted her to contact us. He said he prayed we would do the right thing for her.”