The Pretender's Gambit

by Alex Archer

  “So Onoprienko goes over to Benyovszky’s apartment, bashes in his head and takes the elephant,” Klykov said.

  Serov shook his head sorrowfully. “Leonid, we’re eating.”

  Annja wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Don’t worry. I’m fine. I’ve had dinner down in burial pits while we were exhuming graves. Some of the bodies were fresh enough that they still had flesh on them. This doesn’t bother me.”

  Klykov grinned. “You see, Pitor? You worry too much. Annja is not a typical woman. You should have realized that earlier today when all the shooting was taking place.”

  “Fine. I will mind my own business.” Serov turned his attention back to his meal.

  “Where is the elephant?” Annja asked.

  “Onoprienko has it. He didn’t keep it at his apartment.”

  “You can’t keep anything in that building,” Serov said. “It’s filled with thieves.”

  “And one police officer,” Annja pointed out.

  Serov laughed. “That’s a funny story, actually. The police officer did not live there. He was only there in the building to make a buy from a drug dealer. That is why the police arrived so quickly.”

  Bart hadn’t mentioned that. “How did you find that out?”

  “The same way Leonid knows so much. While we were wasting time at the police station, time that we won’t get back, Leonid and I had people out talking to people. We only remained at the station to make certain you were released and in no trouble.”

  “Oh.”

  “Please,” Klykov said to Serov, “may I tell my story? It is, after all, my story and I am buying dinner.”

  “Of course. I was only answering Annja’s question.”

  “As Pitor said, I asked a few people who know people to go out and ask about people. It was not so much to do. After the shooting in Onoprienko’s apartment, everyone was talking. My people only had to listen and report back to me. What I learned is that Onoprienko stole the elephant in order to pay off his debts to Guro. Onoprienko told Guro about the elephant. Guro didn’t trust Onoprienko, so he sent Kaneev and his men to get the elephant and to kill Onoprienko. Guro wanted the elephant to settle the debt, if it was worth that much, and he also wanted Onoprienko dead as a statement to his other clients.”

  “Bart said there was a group of people there buying weapons from Kaneev.”

  Klykov grinned. “Guro wasn’t aware of that. If Kaneev had lived—”

  “And he might have if Leonid did not shoot so straight,” Serov put in.

  Klykov performed a small mock bow. “Had Kaneev lived, Guro would probably have killed him for his betrayal. As it is, Guro now owes me a favor for exposing his enforcer as a weak link.”

  “A weak link?”

  “Sure, sure. Think about it. If Kaneev had gotten caught doing business on the side, and he would have, then he could have spilled everything to the police and claimed Guro was behind it all. It was genius, actually. Kaneev had his own insurance policy in place in the event of his apprehension. The police would have wanted a larger fish than Kaneev, and he is the kind of person who would sell out his employer. Make a deal and be gone, all the while his illicit profits would be waiting for him.”

  “Guro didn’t know that?”

  “Not until today. And now he has Kaneev’s stashed money, which Guro is also thankful for. He owes me a big favor.”

  Annja realized that she was getting sidetracked. “Okay, so we’re certain that Onoprienko has the elephant.”

  “He does.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Because Onoprienko doesn’t have a buyer here.” Klykov smiled. “But he does have one in Odessa.”

  “Who is it?”

  “That I am not certain of. Yet. But I have people asking questions. Once questions start getting asked, once a thing is almost known, soon the answers come.”

  “Is Onoprienko still in New York?”

  “No. He flew to Canada with a man who regularly travels between New York and Saint John, New Brunswick. That man does some smuggling business and taking Onoprienko was easily arranged because they have worked together before.”

  Annja stopped eating as her appetite all but disappeared. “So the elephant is already gone.”

  “I did not say that.” Klykov sliced into a dumpling. “You have passport, da?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then we will go to Odessa and continue tracking Onoprienko. My travel agent has booked us seats on a flight out of LaGuardia at seven o’clock in the morning. Can you be ready by this time?”

  “I can be.” Annja looked at Klykov. “Why are you doing this?”

  He smiled at her. “Because it has been a long time since I have been on an adventure with a beautiful woman. And do not worry that this is some kind of romantic overture. This is done because I respect you. If I had ever had a daughter, I would have wanted her to grow up like you. Fierce and independent.”

  Appetite returned, Annja dug into her meal with renewed gusto. There was nothing like a fresh clue to revitalize flagging enthusiasm. The hunt was still on.

  Chapter 20

  “You’re in Odessa?” Bart sounded half-asleep. “But you were there in Brighton all day yesterday.”

  Annja walked through LaGuardia at 4:30 a.m., not feeling exactly at the top of her game either. After finishing dinner with Klykov and Serov, she had returned to her loft, packed, and made everything as ready for being away for a few days as she could.

  “Not Little Odessa. Odessa as in Odessa in Ukraine.” Annja paused and looked around the terminal for Klykov and didn’t see him. Her e-ticket had been waiting for her online and she only had to swipe a credit card to claim it. Since the booking had been at the last minute, she had been treated to extra scrutiny that had left her feeling just short of violated.

  “You’re leaving New York?” Bart sounded more awake now.

  “To get to Ukraine, you must leave New York, so yes, I’m leaving New York.”

  “Why?”

  “Because that’s where Onoprienko is headed.”

  “Wait. Slow down. How do you know this?”

  “I don’t know it, but that’s what I’ve been told.”

  “By Klykov.” Bart made that sound more like an accusation than a statement of fact.

  “Yes. By Klykov.”

  “You could have told me this last night.”

  “And then you would have spent the night asking me questions I don’t have the answers to. That wouldn’t have been good for either of us. I’m telling you now so you’ll know. The answers, if I’m lucky, are in Ukraine.” Annja didn’t like feeling she had to report to anyone, let alone Bart, but the search for the elephant was part of his murder investigation.

  “Where’s Onoprienko now?”

  “On his way to Odessa.”

  “Who is Onoprienko meeting there?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “Is Klykov holding out on you?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  Bart sighed grumpily. “You’re trusting that old guy too much, Annja.”

  “We’ll see. In the meantime, I’m going to grab breakfast and get ready for the flight. I just wanted you to know where I was and that maybe you’ll get a break on the case. If the ME and forensics people tie Onoprienko to the murder of Benyovszky, you should be able to get extradition, right?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Then let’s hope it works out like that.”

  “I appreciate it, but that’s not going to stop me from worrying about you.”

  “I worry about you, too, but you still have a job to do and I do, too. We can’t let worry stop us. We both love what we do, so we deal with it.”

  “I know, but this is kind of crazy.”

  �
�So is chasing killers through New York City and you do that every day.”

  “I don’t think of you doing something like this. I usually picture you in some quaint little restaurant eating the local fare and drinking wine after a long day playing in a sandbox digging up bones and trinkets somewhere.”

  Annja checked an immediate attack on his casual dismissal of her vocation. “That’s not what this job is.”

  “I’m getting that. You know I didn’t mean it like it sounded. It’s early. I’m not at my best. Call me when you can?”

  “I will.” Annja said goodbye and went looking for breakfast. Despite her fatigue, she felt energized. It was always good to be moving toward a goal.

  * * *

  “GOOD MORNING, ANNJA.”

  Glancing up from her tablet, Annja spotted Klykov standing only a few feet away from her table in the terminal’s lower food court. He was dressed in another neatly pressed suit and pulled a carry-on bag behind him. He held his fedora in the other hand.

  She smiled at him. “Good morning.”

  He pointed with the hat to the seat across the small table from her. “May I sit?”

  “Of course.” Annja took her tablet off the table and pulled her breakfast toward her to make room for him.

  Klykov sat and hung his fedora on the extended handles of his carry-on. “Sleep well?”

  “I got a couple hours’ sleep.” Even those had not been restful. Yesterday’s argument with Bart kept replaying in her head in spite of the polite conversation they’d had only a short time ago. And the violence in Onoprienko’s apartment thundered around in her brain, as well. Normally she didn’t think too much about events like those because once something was done there wasn’t much she could do about it, but she knew most of the feelings now were because the situation had involved Bart. “And you?”

  “I slept well enough. I have to admit, I’m excited about going on this trip. I mean, it’s one thing to watch you do what you do on your show, but it’s really something to be part of it.”

  “There’s usually not as much gunplay.” At least, not that ended up in the shows. Annja kept as much of that out of those stories as she could.

  Klykov grinned. “That is nothing. I have seen years of that in this country and in Russia. The chase to learn the secret of the elephant is so different.”

  “It is.”

  “You lead a remarkable life, Annja.”

  “I can go get you breakfast,” Annja offered.

  “No, thank you. I had breakfast before I left the house this morning. I would have invited you to meet somewhere, but I guessed that you were a lot like my wife and probably liked to have time to yourself when you had to get everything together. Meeting you here seemed less invasive.”

  “Thank you. I didn’t know that you’re married.”

  “Was married. For forty-two great years.” A shadow dimmed the lights in Klykov’s eyes. “I lost her to cancer three years ago.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Life is what it is, Annja. We had forty-two years and we loved each other very much. I still love her.” Klykov shook his head. “I don’t talk to many people about her.”

  “Then I feel privileged.”

  Klykov chuckled. “You would have liked her. She would have liked you. Your spunk. Your zest. Those are qualities Katia respected in people.”

  “She sounds like a great lady.”

  “She was.” Klykov looked at the rest of the food court bustling with travelers around them, but she knew he wasn’t seeing them. He was somewhere else.

  “Can I get you some coffee then?”

  “No.” Klykov shook his head. “I’m fine. Thank you. I did find out who Onoprienko hopes to sell the elephant to in Odessa. More information came in last night. There is a…woman Onoprienko likes to talk to. When he has the money. He mentioned his scheme to her the night before he killed Maurice Benyovszky.”

  “Who?”

  “A fence named Viktor Fedotov. An honorable man as far as thieves go. I talked with him this morning. He has agreed to stall Onoprienko in the event he arrives in Odessa before we do.”

  The PA announced the initial boarding call to their Aeroflot flight to Odessa. There was one layover in Moscow. They were going to be in the air and in Moscow for almost fifteen hours before they reached Odessa. Thankfully Klykov had reserved two first-class seats.

  * * *

  ON THE OTHER side of the terminal, Rao watched Annja Creed talking to the old Russian. Having had precious little sleep the night before because he’d been camped outside the woman’s apartment, Rao looked forward to the long flight. He still didn’t know why the archaeologist was leaving New York City. As far as Rao could tell, she had not found the elephant.

  Rao felt troubled as he sat there. He had followed her from her apartment that morning, and had nearly panicked when he realized her destination was LaGuardia.

  He had purchased a ticket that had gotten him inside the terminal, spied on her while she worked on her computer, and saw her e-ticket printout just long enough to confirm she was going to Odessa in Ukraine.

  That had puzzled him. He had wondered then if Annja Creed had given up pursuing the elephant. That didn’t seem like something she would do. In the end, he knew he simply had nowhere else to go. Onoprienko had not turned up and the police in New York City were searching for the man. Rao knew he could not find Onoprienko before the police did.

  If the police got their hands on the elephant, there was a possibility that the temple could file diplomatic claims and get the elephant returned. That would take time, and there was a risk that information might come to light that would slow down that return.

  It would be better if Rao was able to get the elephant himself.

  The trip to Odessa could be something Annja Creed had already scheduled. Rao was cognizant of that. If that were the case, all he could do was turn around and begin the search for the elephant anew.

  When the old Russian showed up and took a seat with Annja Creed, Rao felt more certain he was on the right track. He sat, hidden in plain sight, clad in American street clothes and expensive sunglasses.

  When the boarding call came, Rao picked up his carry-on and headed to check in.

  * * *

  SHE IS HEADED TO ODESSA, UKRAINE. DOES THIS MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU?

  Sequeira sat on the edge of his pool and watched Joana swimming laps. He enjoyed the smooth play of her muscles as she moved through the water.

  Then he returned his attention to the cell phone text from Brisa. The assassin had included a picture of Annja Creed walking through the airport terminal. The woman was very beautiful.

  WHY IS SHE GOING TO ODESSA? Even as he asked that question, Sequeira thought of the history of the elephant piece and how it had passed through Russia. Ukraine was not so far from Russia.

  I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND OUT. IF I WAS ALLOWED TO ENGAGE HER, I WOULD HAVE AN ANSWER.

  And Annja Creed would also be dead. Despite the tension that filled him, and the fear that he was going to lose the elephant, Sequeira smiled at that. Brisa was not always calm and cool. The assassin preferred to know a target, identify it, and eliminate it.

  ANNJA CREED IS OUR ONLY LEAD TO THE ELEPHANT AT THIS POINT. I WANT HER ALIVE FOR NOW.

  ALIVE IS HARDER.

  YOU’RE GETTING A BONUS FOR BRINGING THIS IN.

  I CAN’T SPEND A BONUS IF I’M DEAD OR IN JAIL.

  GETTING NERVOUS?

  NO, BUT AN OPERATION HAS TO RUN CLEANLY IF IT IS TO BE SUCCESSFUL. THERE ARE TOO MANY MOVING PARTS IN THIS ONE.

  WAIT A LITTLE LONGER.

  IS THE MONK NECESSARY? I COULD KILL HIM.

  LEAVE HIM IN PLACE FOR THE MOMENT, AS WELL. IN CASE ANNJA CREED DOESN’T WORK OUT. Sequeira sat there in the early afternoon su
nlight feeling content and excited. Authorities had noticed Melicio was missing, but the tide had not brought the body back into the coast yet. Perhaps it wouldn’t show up at all. He returned his attention to the phone, to the picture of Annja Creed. I AM COMING TO ODESSA.

  IT WOULD BE BETTER IF YOU STAYED OUT OF THIS.

  I WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH YOUR WORK. I JUST WANT TO BE THERE WHEN YOU GET THE ELEPHANT.

  THE POLICE HAVE ALREADY TIED YOU TO CALAPEZ.

  “POSSIBLY” TIED ME. That information had come from the attorney Sequeira had hired in New York. NOW THAT CALAPEZ IS DEAD, THERE ARE NO MORE TIES TO ME. I’M COMING TO ODESSA. IF YOU HAVE THE ELEPHANT BEFORE I ARRIVE, ALL THE BETTER.

  There was no response. Sequeira didn’t expect one. He usually agreed with whatever Brisa said. But in this instance he couldn’t.

  “Fernando, you are not paying attention.” Joana pulled at her bikini bottom as she walked up the steps out of the pool. She showed him a mock pout. “You need to stop doing business and swim. Get your cardio in. Spend time with me.”

  Sequeira smiled up at her. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to go.”

  “Why?”

  “Business.”

  “Where will you go?”

  “To Odessa.”

  Joana stood before him, radiant and beautiful, and he knew from the tight corners of her eyes that she was thinking he was planning on a rendezvous with another woman.

  Sequeira stood and kissed her hard enough to bruise her lips. “Do not worry. I will think of you every minute I am gone.”

  “How long will you be away?”

  “I don’t know yet.”

  “Then take me with you.”