The Last POW

by Howard Cohen

  Oleg greeted him at the door. Bykov introduced two of the men as inspectors, three crime laboratory technicians and two bodyguards.

  “First, we will go to the office. Come.” The entourage proceeded to the corner office. “Who works with Dr. Sonkin most?” Bykov asked.

  “I do.” Pavel raised his hand.

  “Good. Go into the office, do not touch anything. Check to see if there is anything out of place, missing, changed, or different.”

  Pavel spent ten minutes going over the entire office. “Nothing appears changed or out of place.”

  Bykov signaled the crime scene technicians who began their examination of the office. The two inspectors started questioning the staff. Oleg, Pavel and Bykov went to the conference room.

  “After we are through here, we will go to the house. Do either of you have any thoughts on his disappearance?”

  “I was not close with him outside of work,” Oleg said.

  “Before his wife died, we were very social. Dinners, concerts, he likes Tchaikovsky. Picnics in the summer. After she died, he would not accept my invitations to dinner. He never stopped grieving.” Pavel explained.

  “ Did he appear depressed? Talk of suicide?”

  “No,” Pavel said, “Never.”

  “Pavel, you have been to his house?” Bykov asked.

  “Yes, several times before his wife died.”

  “Good. Then you will come with us to the house. I would like you to look around the house, tell me if anything is missing or out of order.”

  Oleg walked over with the group. Pavel was surprised that nothing had changed from his last visit three years ago. Bykov didn’t seem disappointed that Pavel found nothing changed.

  Technicians entered to do a forensic examination of the house.

  “I will be in touch. “Bykov turned and left.

  “ Bykov will call Moscow as soon as he gets back to his office.” Oleg said. “They will order a massive search effort. Sonkin is one of the most important men in the country. They need to know what happened to him. Bykov will be under enormous pressure to resolve this quickly.” He patted Pavel on the shoulder, and both walked back to the Institute.

  36

  Sarov, Russia

  Tuesday May 26, 2019

  Father Fedor stopped by daily after finishing his guided tunnel tour. They played chess which Sonkin invariably won.

  “How are you holding up my friend?” Fedor asked, heating water for coffee. He poured water into two mugs, added a tablespoon of instant coffee, stirred and handed one to Sonkin.

  “I get depressed at times thinking about Anna,” Sonkin said. As she lay dying, she confessed to me she had been KGB. I was an assignment until we fell in love. All those years Anna lied to the KGB and the FSB.” He stopped for a minute fighting back tears. “She told them how happy I was, how loyal, all the while knowing how unhappy I was.”

  “You were indeed fortunate to have such a wife. I will say a prayer for her soul tonight.”

  “Thank you, father.”

  “Is there anything you need? More food, books?”

  “No, I have enough of everything. “

  “Then, I will see you tomorrow.”

  37

  Sarov, Russia

  Wednesday May 27, 2019

  Bykov’s conversation with Moscow had not gone well. His superior was very clear that those at higher levels wanted Sonkin found. “It comes from the PM himself. Sonkin knows too much to lose. I tried looking at Sonkin’s records, but they are classified , “need to know only, top secret.” Then I was called and told not to re-access those files. Close that city down.” Bykov had never considered that Sonkin might be defecting, but that was the unspoken message in the conversation.

  No one in the Institute had been of any help. An exhaustive examination of the office and home did not result in any clue to Sonkin’s disappearance. Why did he leave his cell phone home? Forgot it? Most likely. Did not want to be traced if he used it? Did he have another cell phone? He could have purchased a throwaway.

  Bykov pressed a button on his desk. One of his investigators entered.

  “Check every store that sells cell phones. Show them Sonkin’s picture. Use the local police.” the inspector left.

  Every exit from the city had been alerted. Every road of any size within a hundred miles had a roadblock. If Sonkin had left the city on Friday night, he could be several hundred miles away by the time they noted his absence. Moscow had alerted all commercial and private airports, ports with ferries or cruise ships, railroad terminals and bus depots.

  All individuals that left the city from the last time someone saw Sonkin until Monday morning were tracked down and questioned. Hospitals, clinics and morgues were checked. Police had shown his picture at every hotel, hostel and rooming house. Local television carried his picture on every newscast. Many calls were claiming to have seen Sonkin. None panned out.

  Sonkin had disappeared. Bykov would keep tight control on the exit points and hope for a break.

  38

  Sarov, Russia

  Thursday May 27, 2019

  Oleg was now acting director of the Institute. He had never been satisfied with the explanation of the anomalies. His suspicions that they were the result of a self-destructing propagating worm were worrisome. If he was right, the only person capable of developing such a program was Sonkin. The problem was he could not find it in any of the records, or the software of actual aircraft. It was just a theory without a shred of proof except for the anomalies on the six tests. With Sonkin missing, he debated whether to tell Bykov his concern. Finally, he called Bykov.

  After listening to Oleg explain about the anomalies, his theory about the worm, Bykov asked,”As I understand what you are telling me you think Sonkin placed a program in the software to cause aircraft to crash. That this program disappears leaving no trace, after investigating all the aircraft programs you have not found any abnormalities, and there have been no crashes or other problems with the involved aircraft after thousands of hours of flying. Am I correct?”

  “Yes. I know it sounds crazy, especially with no proof, but it’s the only way to explain the six tests.”

  “They just could have been anomalies, correct.”

  “Yes, but I just don’t think so.”

  “Look harder. Bring me some proof of this theory.”

  Oleg spent the next two weeks going over every program in all the aircraft and missiles that Sonkin had worked on and found nothing. Relieved that he would not have to embark on the long and difficult task of rewriting all the software for dozens of aircraft and missiles he moved on to new projects

  39

  Moscow

  June 1, 2019

  Bykov paced outside the office of Avros Kotov Director for Internal Affairs. He had abruptly summoned Bykov to Moscow. His appointment was for 2 PM; it was now 4 PM. Kotov’s secretary looked at him, “You can go in now.”

  It was a large office with a panoramic view of St Basils. Kotov was in his late sixties, short, bald, hard brown eyes under thick eyebrows and a pockmarked face.

  “Sit.” Bykov sat. Kotov stood behind his large cherry wood desk. “Every day, the PM calls me in the morning and again in the evening for updates on Sonkin. He is worried that the man has defected.”

  “Why would Sonkin defect? He never showed any anti-government sentiments. Sonkin was apolitical his entire life. We vetted him before he became director of the institute. He was clean.”

  “Only three people know what I am about to tell you me, the prime minister and the head of the FSB. There was another who knew, but he passed away several years ago. When he died, it was decided not to share the information with his replacement.” Kotov lit a cigarette, took a long drag. “Sonkin is not his real name. His name is Robert Miller. He was shot down over Hanoi in 1972 and sent t
o Russia in 1974.Sonkin-Miller decided to stay, married a Russian woman who was a KGB agent sent to seduce him and he became our greatest aircraft and missile, engineer as you know. If he has defected, it will be a great intelligence coup for the west. That’s what troubles the PM.”

  Bykov said nothing for a few minutes while he thought about what Oleg had told him. Finally, he informed Kotov of Oleg’s theory. “In conclusion,” Bykov said,” I must emphasize that Oleg has found nothing. No evidence for anything he has postulated. I am only relaying what he told me because I have included his remarks in the Sonkin investigation file.”

  “If he finds something you let me know. For now, it’s a theory and doesn’t help us. Do you think he has gotten out of the Sarov?” Kotov asked, sitting down.

  “We have searched the city several times, offered a large reward and Sonkins picture is everywhere, including being shown before every television show. FSB questioned and re-questioned every informant. We received numerous calls about sightings, none of which panned out. As of now, we have no solid leads.” Bykov stood, stretched. “I believe he has left the city. Whether he is out of the country or not is the question. I think not. We closed links to the outside before he would have had a chance to reach a city with international flights or ships and trains that leave the country. He’s still here.”

  Kotov lit another cigarette. “If he gets out of the country into western hands, the PM will see that we all pay a heavy price. Do you have a deputy you trust?”

  “Yes, young but very capable.”

  “Good. Have him take over in Sarov. Keep tight security on anything leaving the city until we are one hundred per cent sure he is somewhere else. I am assigning you to my staff as lead investigator on the Sonkin case. Everything to do with the case will come to you, including the daily calls from the PM.” Kotov smiled. “You’ll get used to his threats after a few calls.”

  “I have a few parts of the investigation that I need to handle myself. As soon those are completed, I will come to Moscow. Is that acceptable?”

  “Don’t take too long.” Kotov stood to signal an end to the meeting.

  As he left the Kremlin Bykov began to formulate his own exit plan should Sonkin reach the west.

  40

  London

  Thursday June 14, 2019

  Jax was beginning to doubt the wisdom of his plan to wait a month to extricate Sonkin. He had called Alexey to set up a date for his return to Sarov. Alexey told him it would be dangerous to get in and impossible to get out. “Every barrel is opened and checked.” Jax inquired if there were any other means Alexey might know of to get into Sarov. Alexey said he would check around.

  It was now almost a month since Sonkin had disappeared and there was no let-up in the security. Jax has miscalculated. He had assumed that after a month they would believe Sonkin had left Sarov, security would go back to normal, and he could get Sonkin out. Now Jax couldn’t get in or out. He needed a new plan.

  41

  St. Seraphim Monastery Sarov, Russia

  Friday May 15, 2019

  Sonkin paced the length of the room and back. Each stride was thirty-six inches. Five one way, five back. It one took one hundred seventy-six trips to walk a mile. He did this every day after his morning meal. Some days he would repeat the walk in the afternoon.

  Every few days, father Fedor would come after his tours. They would play chess, discuss politics, and pray together. Long hours of isolation were beginning to wear slowly on him. Sonkin needed to see the sky, feel the sun, breathe fresh air.

  He asked the father to take him up to the surface. “It is too dangerous even late at night. The church is always open. It won’t be long before he comes for you. Be patient, my son. Don’t do anything foolish. “Father told him.

  Sonkin understood the dangers and knew he should not leave his hiding place. Yet, at 3 AM, he left the room, cautiously made his way to the staircase to the monastery. He stopped, listened for any sounds, then climbed the stairs into the nave. There were a few lights at the altar, candles at a few shrines still flickered, otherwise it was dark. He made his way to the side door and out into the night. Sonkin stayed into the shadows. He took deep breaths of the cool night air, bent down to touch the grass, smell the earth, remembered his nightly walks with Anna. He lost track of time, and only the sound of an early rooster roused him from his memories. Sonkin went back into the church, through the nave and down the stairs. He never noticed the older woman kneeling in silent prayer in the rear of the church. She was there every morning at 5 AM praying for her lost son before opening her coffee shop.

  42

  New York – Moscow

  Saturday-Sunday June 20-21, 2019

  Jax told his secretary that he would not be taking any new cases until he finished the Russian job. He had spent the last few days relaxing in New York with Alice Compton.

  “I don’t know what you do Jax, but when you come back from one or your trips the sex is amazing,” Alice said, returning to bed from the bathroom. “Again, Jax,” she whispered. He rolled over “Your turn to be on top”.

  In the morning, he made coffee, toast and scrambled eggs. Alice ate quickly, kissed him on the cheek.” See you for dinner at 7,” she said. “And don’t forget the red wine.”

  Jax was on his second cup of coffee when the plan came to him. It was a simple plan but very risky. First, he had to get all the parties to agree. If they did, he would need a few props. One more night with Alice, then he would fly to Moscow.

  Jax called Father Fedor and told him what he had in mind. They agreed to meet in Oreshki, a village seven miles from Sarov. The town had a small church but no full-time priest. Father Fedor served Mass on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

  Jax never liked Moscow. It reminded him of an older man with a hangover: old communist-era buildings with air conditioners sticking out from windows like barnacles on an old ship. Cafe Odessa was busy with the dinner crowd. Jax made his way through the crowded bar to Alexey who sat on a high stool at the end of the polished ebony bar. Jax ordered a scotch.

  “Nice to see you again Dieter. I told you on the phone that it is impossible to get into Sarov. And if you did, you could not get out.” He drank his vodka. The bartender refilled it immediately.

  “I don’t want to go to Sarov. I want a car and driver to take me to Oreshki.”

  “It’s an eight-hour drive. How long are you going to stay?”

  “I need to leave very early this Tuesday to be in Oreshki before five. The driver can leave the next morning. Can it be arranged?”

  “No problem. Nikolai will drive you in my car. Very comfortable, great sound system. You did not say how long you were staying or how you would get back.” When he received no reply, he added, “ Of course, it will cost you.”

  “I’ll see you Tuesday morning.” Jax placed a stack of euros on the bar, finished his scotch shook hands with Alexey, then left.

  43

  St. Seraphim Monastery Sarov, Russia

  Sunday June 21, 2019

  Father Fedor knelt before the altar. He prayed for forgiveness for the lies he would eventually tell, for strength do what was required of him, for Sonkin, for Misha, for Russia. He had suffered under the communists. When communism fell, he thought Russia would change. It never happened. Putin was reestablishing czarist rule. He, and his oligarchs controlled Russia. The younger generation liked the new system; older persons wanted the security of communism. He wanted freedom like they had in the United States. He’d help Sonkin although he knew that it would not end well for him. Father rose made the sign of the cross and went to guide his last tour of the day. After Mass, he would talk with Sonkin.

  When Mass ended, he was heading for his office to change his cassock when one of his regular mass attendees came up to him. Mrs.Fima Gusev’s son was killed in Chechnya four years ago. Every morning she prayed before opening her coffee shop, an
d each evening she attended Mass.

  “Fima, how are you?”

  “Fine, Father. I hope you are well.”

  “I am. What can I do for you? Do you want to go to confession?”

  “No, father. This morning when I was praying, I saw a man come into the church through the side door. He walked to the back of the church. That was the last I saw of him.”

  “Perhaps he was a worshipper and was going to one of the shrines in the rear to light a candle.”

  “It is dim in the church in the morning, so I can’t be sure, but he looked like the man they are looking for. I’m not sure what to do.”

  “If you’re sure you must tell the authorities. If not go home, check the pictures they circulated and decide if it’s him you saw.”

  “Thank you, Father. “He watched her leave. “If only she will wait a few days before going to the authorities,” he said to himself.

  44

  St. Seraphim Monastery Sarov, Russia

  Wednesday June 24, 2019

  Sonkin was relieved to see the door slide back, and father enter. He put the kettle on the hotplate.

  “How are you father?”

  “Fine. I spoke with Dieter today.” Fedor said accepting a steaming cup of tea. “He outlined the plan to get you out of here. It’s risky, but I believe it will work.”

  “Tell me,” Sonkin said cautiously.

  “Every Tuesday and Thursday I travel to Oreshki for Mass. They have a small church but can’t afford a fulltime pastor. You and I are the same height, same color eyes, same hair color, although I have a bit more gray. On Thursday you will dress like me. Dieter is providing a beard and glasses for you. You will do exactly as I always do: take a taxi to the east exit, walk to the gate, Sgt Zimanov will greet you. Give him a blessing.” Fedor demonstrated how he made the sign of the cross. “Walk through the gate to the bus stop. It will come around eight or nine depending on whether Grimiski the driver was drunk the night before. Board the bus, give him a blessing and sit in the third-row aisle seat. It where I always sit. Oreshki is the first stop. There will be a few passengers, none will bother you. At Oreshki you will be met by my cousin Misha. He will take you to his house where Dieter will be waiting.” They sat in silence for a few minutes.