Shinski let go of Emmanuelle’s lifeless corpse which collapsed in front of him. Streaks of blood now ran down the mirror. Shinski walked calmly up to Agent Cones smiling down at him. Clenching his fist he struck the CIA agent. Blood sprayed outward splattering on Frederick’s cheek.
‘Since you will not cooperate we’ve no choice but to kill you both.’ Konev remarked candidly.
Shinski pointed the gun to the side of Cones’ head.
Frederick stared down at the dead body of Emmanuelle. He glanced back at Cones who stared up at him. A smile appeared on his face. Shinski cocked his gun.
‘Bernard Schroder!’ Frederick blurted out.
‘Go on.’ Konev urged.
‘We were sent here to intercept him, the Americans want to bring him back to the United States.’ Konev smiled at Frederick.
‘There you see Professor you can be cooperative when you want to be.’
‘What now?’ Frederick asked.
Konev looked at Shinski who stepped away from Cones.
‘Now Professor we leave you with a little reminder of your visit.’ Shinski pointed his gun at Frederick and fired.
Chapter 6
American Embassy – Paris – 10:01am
Friday 10th September 1954
CIA Supervisor David Ash glared at the two men in front of. ‘Have you any idea the damage you caused last night. You destroyed a CIA run operation that had been going since the war. Not only that but one of our most valuable assets was murdered. Our entire Paris operation was dependant on Ladyhawk.’
‘With all due respect Mr Ash we had no idea a CIA operative was stationed at the Lumière hotel.’ Frederick winced in pain. Fortunately the bullet had passed cleanly through his shoulder.
‘I’m not addressing you Professor Frederick I was talking to Agent Cones.’
Cones was barely able to speak, his face swollen from being beaten repeatedly.
‘Director Hillenkotter has ordered you state side and Professor Frederick is going back to England this afternoon.’ Ash paused fixing a steely glare on Cones. ‘Take this message back to whatever branch of the CIA you are part of. I won’t tolerate other agents pissing in my pool.’ Frederick and cones stood and left Ash’s office. ‘I guess this is goodbye for the time being.’ Frederick said.
Cones managed a nod. ‘I’ll see you around Professor.’
Whitehall – London – 2:56pm
Monday 13th September 1954
‘They’re known as swallows.’ Stanford revealed. ‘Russian women trained in the art of obtaining secrets from western diplomats. The Soviets have these so called honey traps all over Europe, they’re a bloody pain in the backside. We’re forever telling our diplomats to keep it in their trousers but the message isn’t sinking in. MI6 got a cable from the French a few months ago after the French defence minister was caught in one of these honey traps. God knows how many secrets he gave to the Russians.’
Frederick stared out of the window recalling the events of the last few days. Guilt still plagued him as well as desire for the red haired woman.
‘You did nothing wrong Ralph.’ Ian Morgan assured.
‘I gave up Schroder’s name so technically that makes me a traitor.’
‘Nonsense!’ Stanford said. ‘You were forced into a situation you had no control over.’
‘Try telling that to Liz.’ He looked at Stanford. ‘They took pictures.’
Stanford nodded. ‘Liz will not find out about this Ralph.’
‘I appreciate your support but I fear the pictures they took will be used to discredit me. Norman Hinshelwood and Chester Osborn would like nothing better than to see me squirm on the end of an enquiry. This is enough to get be kicked out of Cambridge.’
‘I can assure you Ralph nothing like that is going to happen.’ Stanford said.
Frederick nodded. ‘Still no word from the Prime Minister?’
Stanford shook his head. ‘Not a thing, I was supposed to have a scheduled meeting with him yesterday but something came up.’
‘We suspect that the Americans have been keeping an eye on us making sure that we do not get anywhere near him, for now anyway.’ Ian Morgan said. Frederick nodded.
‘After what happened in Paris I suggest you take some time off.’ Stanford said. Frederick inhaled and winced. ‘Yes I won’t be doing anything for a few weeks.’
Chapter 7
Emneth – Cambridgeshire – 7:56pm
Elizabeth Frederick looked at her husband as he stood in the kitchen looking out of the window into the darkness. ‘Are you ok sweetheart?’
Frederick turned and nodded smiling at his wife. ‘I was just thinking.’
Elizabeth nodded, she walked up to him and gently put her arm around him. ‘You should be more careful you know.’ She said indicating to his arm.
Frederick forced another smile. Guilt racked his inner thoughts. He was unable to tell her about the events in Paris. He had made some mundane excuse about falling and catching his shoulder. As Elizabeth squeezed harder Frederick’s thoughts dwelled on the flame haired woman he had encountered in Paris, and for a fleeting moment he found himself yearning to be with her.
Chapter 8
Seeds of Desire
The Kremlin – Moscow – 10:58am
Wednesday 15th September 1954
Anna Vilenko walked briskly down the corridor. Soldiers and other men turned to admire her slender frame as it swayed gracefully. Her red hair cascaded over her shoulders running three quarters down her back. She eventually came to the door she wanted and knocked loudly.
Nikolai Bulganin looked up as the door opened. The red hair woman entered the room and marched up to his desk before saluting.
Two other men were present. Igor Lakatos and Colonel Yuri Konev.
‘Ah Major Vilenko welcome back. I was just discussing your mission with Dr Lakatos and Colonel Konev. A success for Mother Russia, exposing Ladyhawk has dealt a great blow to the CIA.’
‘Thank you Comrade Bulganin.’
‘I’m sure you would no doubt like time to yourself, I suggest you take some time off. I’m sure your father would like to spend time catching up with you.’
Anna nodded. ‘With all due respect I would like to return to the Tunguska region I wish to continue with my research.’
Lakatos chuckled. ‘The Tunguska project is running just fine without you Major.’ He stared at her sculptured figure. ‘I’m sure given your skills you are better suited elsewhere.’
Anna ignored Lakatos’ comments. The only useful gift her training had given her was to shut out unwelcome comments.
‘I would like you to consider my request Comrade.’
Bulganin nodded.
Anna turned and headed back out the door watched by Lakatos who yearned for her.
‘A remarkable woman.’ Lakatos commented.
‘And one you can never enjoy.’ Konev said glaring at him.
‘What about Bernard Schroder, have we located him yet?’ Bulganin asked.
Konev shook his head. ‘He has eluded our efforts to find him, but our KGB operatives are confident he will turn up sooner or later.’
‘Doctor Schroder was one of the Nazis top scientists. I am confident that he will surface. A man like Schroder will not stay hidden for long. If he knows that the Americans are looking for him he will show up.’ Lakatos said.
Anna Vilenko breathed the Moscow air as she stood outside the Kremlin. She could still sense Igor Lakatos’ eyes boring into her body. She suddenly found herself back in the Lumière hotel with the stranger she had encountered the week before. A British man, a straight forward job like so many others she had performed. But this one felt different, when she kissed him she felt a connection, a passion she hadn’t even experienced with her dead husband. She shook off the thought and continued walking.
Chapter 9
Moscow Suburbs – 5:26pm.
‘You realised that you embarrassed me today.’ Colonel Konev said.
Anna looked do
wn at her father. ‘I am sorry papa, I just want to get back to Tunguska.’
Konev swigged back a shot glass of vodka and then poured another. ‘I know how eager you are to get back to your research. But you know Lakatos will be there and he will make things difficult for you.’
‘Lakatos is an imbecile who has risen through the ranks using deception and murder. He murdered Nicolai the night Comrade Stalin died, your son, my brother.’
‘It is too dangerous for you.’ Konev warned.
‘And what about what I’m doing now?’ Anna raised her voice. ‘A KGB whore, how long until someone turns on me.’ She knelt down in front of her father. ‘Papa I want to go back to Tunguska I have unfinished work to do there.’
‘Dmitri Kirov is no longer there to protect you, he defected to the west.’
Anna stood. ‘And who can blame him.’
‘Careful, even though you are my daughter you speak the words of a traitor.’ Konev warned.
‘You know what it’s like out there. Lakatos has virtually put the project on standstill and what little work is being done he is taking credit for.’
Konev looked at his daughter breaking into a smile. ‘You have the same fire inside as your mother did.’
‘Papa, please I am begging you let me go back to my research.’
Konev looked into the fire. ‘I will see what I can do.’
‘Thank you papa.’
Chapter 10
Fracture
Whitehall – London – 9:12am
Tuesday 5th October 1954
‘Good morning gentlemen.’ General Stacy greeted as he entered the room and sat down at the head of the table.
All the committee members had been contacted and told to report to London.
‘I received a cable from Washington yesterday.’ Stacy opened a briefcase producing a document. ‘Senator Barnes has been going through the Angel Committee membership. He has decided that the group needs to be scaled down.’ He looked over at Frederick. ‘With what happened with the Professor a few weeks back we cannot afford another incident with the Russians.’
‘Scaled down?’ Admiral Berkshire said. ‘I take it by that you mean put on the scrapheap.’
‘I wouldn’t go as far as that.’ Stacy replied, but Senator Barnes is adamant some of you be put on the side-lines.’
‘Another word for scrapheap.’ Berkshire added.
Stacy looked at him. ‘You of all people Admiral should be aware of the need for total secrecy.’
‘Are you saying none of us are trustworthy general?’ Richard Wilks asked.
‘I didn’t say that Professor Wilks I merely stated that Senator Barnes suggested that we take measures to ensure no more incidents occur.’
‘Since when has Senator Barnes been in charge of the Angel Committee General? I thought you were the head of this group.’ Frederick said.
‘I can assure you Professor I am in control of the Angel Committee.’
‘But Senator Barnes pulls all the strings.’ Morris Stanford said.
‘With all due respect Mr Stanford, both your Prime Minister and our President have authority over everything. This proposal will be put across their desks in due course for approval.’
‘And when will that be exactly? It seems to me that both the President and the Prime Minister have been kept out of the loop.’
‘Jacob Barnes feels that our leaders should be limited with regards to the information they receive.’ Stacy looked down at the document. ‘Now if anyone has got any more complaints I suggest you take them up with Senator Barnes.’
The room fell silent.
‘Ok then, effective immediately the following Angel Committee personnel are to be put on inactive service.’ Stacy made brief eye contact with Berkshire. ‘Admiral Berkshire, Sir Harold Bates, Professor Norman Canning.’
The three men Stacy just called out remained silent, Berkshire expressed a wiry smile and shook his head.
Stacy Continued. ‘Professor Archibald Watson is being assigned to the rocket research lab at Los Alamos, this is part of an Anglo American science exchange program Doctor Vannevar Bush put forward.’ Stacy then looked at Richard Wilks. ‘Professor Wilks, you will be given extra duties. An office is being set up to handle UFO reports as they come in. It’s at the Metropolitan Hotel.’ He glanced at the document. ‘Room 801. Morris Stanford, Ian Morgan and Henry Forbes will remain active members of the Angel Committee.’ Stacy finally looked at Frederick. ‘Professor, you will still act as our front man. Given your experiences with extraterrestrial beings over the past few years, you are too valuable to shelve.’
Frederick just nodded.
‘Agent Frank Cones will be returning and will resume his duty as your full time bodyguard. He is still recuperating after his encounter with the Russians. So until then We’ll try not to put you in harms way.’ Stacy forced a smile before standing. ‘This meeting is adjourned, thank you.’
‘I’ve never heard such a load of bollocks!’ Berkshire snorted. ‘Bloody Yanks, think they can come over here and do whatever they want.’
Professor Watson looked out of the window. ‘I guess I’ll have to tell the wife, although she isn’t going to be too pleased.’
‘Has anyone spoken to the Prime Minister?’ Richard Wilks asked.
‘No one has been able to get near him. I’ve tried on several occasions but something always crops up.’ Morris Stanford said.
‘What do you suppose he meant by limiting the information that Eisenhower and Churchill receive?’ Norman canning asked.
‘This Senator Barnes is the one firing all the shots at the moment If you asked me it looks as if he wants to cut them out of the picture altogether.’ Frederick said.
Watson stood. ‘Well no sense in hanging around I have things to do.’
All the committee members got to their feet and filed out of the room.
Chapter 11
The visitor
Emneth – Cambridgeshire – 6:45pm
Wednesday 13th October 1954
Frederick took a few seconds to digest who was sitting in the armchair in the living room.
‘Welcome home my dear husband.’ Elizabeth said cheerfully, kissing him on the cheek.
Susan bounded over to Frederick. ‘Daddy.’ She pointed at the man in the chair. ‘Did you know that this nice man is the Prime Minister of Great Britain?’
Frederick beamed. ‘Really, you are a clever girl aren’t you.’ He knelt down. ‘Now why don’t you go and help mummy in the kitchen?
Susan skipped into the kitchen.
‘Adorable children you have Professor.’ Churchill praised, holding up his cup and saucer. ‘And Elizabeth still makes a fine cup of tea.’
Frederick smiled.
Churchill put his cup to one side. ‘I’m sorry I haven’t been around.’
‘It is to be expected, you are the Prime Minister.’ Frederick said.
‘I received the report this morning concerning The Angel Committee. I’m furious and extremely sorry it has come to this Ralph. I had argued that you take Malcolm’s place as head but the Americans beat you to it.’
Frederick nodded.
‘I have tried to get hold of President Eisenhower this week but he seems to be stonewalling me. And as for this Senator Barnes saying who goes and who stays.’ The Prime Minister shook his head. ‘I know Malcolm briefed you about this Barnes fellow just before he died.’
Frederick took a moment to think about his lost friend. ‘We discussed the possibility that the Americans maybe trying to limit you in regards to information.’
Churchill nodded. ‘I’m afraid we’re in a pickle, the Yanks have us at a disadvantage. The reconstruction of Europe still goes on nine years after the war. And the Americans are pouring billions into the rebuilding. They’re making deals with whoever they can to gain more territory. The Russians are fortifying their positions, Germany has been split down the middle.’
‘I was thinking of resigning.’ Frederick confessed. �
��Without Malcolm it seems impossible to carry on.’
‘I’m afraid Professor I must insist you grin and bear it.’ Churchill thought about what he just said. ‘For all our sakes.’
Frederick nodded.
‘I’m sorry about Paris, I had no idea the Americans were going to throw you to the Soviet dogs. I would have intervened but I’m afraid my hands are tied. The job of running this country must come first.’
‘I understand Prime Minister.’
‘However there is hope.’ Churchill produced a small brown envelope and handed it to Frederick. ‘Before Malcolm passed away he put a plan in motion, a plan that will eventually get us control again.’ He got to his feet. ‘I’m afraid I must get back to London. It seems you aren’t the only one the Yanks are keeping tabs on.’ Churchill shook Frederick’s hand. ‘Goodbye Professor and Good luck.’
Chapter 12
Legacy
Trinity College – Cambridge – 7:58pm S
Saturday 16th October 1954
Frederick paused for thought before knocking on the dormitory door. He reminisced over his early years at Cambridge. That first time he knocked on the door of the Cambridge Apostles. Guy Burgess and Richard Wilks ushered him in, introducing him to fellow apostles and giving him a lecture on past members. Checking his watch to make sure it said eight exactly Frederick knocked loudly three times.
William Chambers answered the door. ‘Good evening Professor Frederick thank you for coming.’
Frederick stepped through the door and a familiar smell greeted him. A young man walked up to Frederick holding a plate on which sat some toast and sardines.
Frederick smiled and took the plate. ‘Nice to see traditions are being kept up.’
‘We’ve prepared a seat for you.’ Young Chambers said indicating to an armchair which was located in front of a projector screen. Frederick sat and started to eat.
The Angel Conspiracy (The Angel Cronicles Book 2) Page 3