by Howard Cohen
“If you wouldn’t mind when I stop open, the door and push our friend out of the car while I get rid of the driver in the trunk, “Jax finished.
Once they had disposed of the bodies Sonkin sat in front. Jax drove through a residential area parked the car and said,” Stay here. I’ll be back.” Sonkin sat quietly. Once again, he had been saved while other good men died. Tears ran down his cheeks. I’m tired of people dying for me. I’m not worth it. Not worth it.
A late model Toyota Camry pulled up to the car. Sonkin looked over to see Jax waving him to get in. “Sorry it took me so long I had to find the right car and change a few license plates.”
“Where are we going?” Sonkin asked.
“Stockholm.” Jax said. “On the early ferry. First, we’ll get something to eat.”
The Riga to Stockhlom ferry trip is eighteen hours. They parked the car in the airport parking lot and took a taxi to the ferry port. Jax had Sonkin purchase tickets for an outside cabin for two which included breakfast for $266 USD. At seven thirty the ferry left the pier.
91
Riga Latvia
Wednesday July 3, 2019
By five AM Portnov knew how bad the disaster was. Three were dead at the safe house, two dead in an alley and two wounded. All the CIA men were dead. Sonkin was gone. Someone had helped him escape, probably the man who had assisted his escape from Russia. Unfortunately, no one knew who that was. The one photo they had was too blurred for facial recognition.
More important: Where was Sonkin? His spies at the American embassy had not heard of any talk of a defector. Sonkin was still in the city. He had already sent men to the airport, main train station, and bus station. Unless they were very lucky, they would not find him. There were too many ways to leave the city. He called Bykov to give him the bad news. Bykov’s was surprisingly calm. “What a fucking disaster. I’m going to send you two dozen men. They will be there in two hours. Send them to every possible exit point.”
“We covered the airport very quickly. Same with Central Station. Riga police are no help. Your men will be of great help.”
“They are still in the city. From those we have interrogated, we have a first name for the other man, Dieter. Show Sonkins picture at possible exit sites. Keep me updated.”
Portnov didn’t like Bykov. He was a condescending prick. Thirty minutes later, he received a call from one of his men who was checking the ferry terminal.
“Boss, he was here. Sonkin bought a ticket on the seven-thirty ferry to Stockholm. It left forty minutes ago.”
“Are you sure they are on board?”
“They said he bought a cabin for two. Number 34.”
“Call the ferry and check if two men occupy the cabin. Now!”
Portnov went to the small refrigerator, took out a bottle of vodka, poured two inches and gulped it down.
92
Riga Latvia
Wednesday July 3, 2019
Sonkin looked around. Jax had left him in the parking lot twenty minutes ago with instructions not to move. A white older model Volkswagen Golf pulled up beside him.
“Get in.” Jax snapped, “Move it.”
Sonkin startled for a moment then moved quickly into the front seat. Jax drove slowly away.
“I thought we were going to Sweden?” Sonkin queried.
“That’s what I want them to think. It’s why I had you buy the tickets. I took those tickets and found two gentlemen on the purchase tickets line and told them that I had a sudden change in plans and would the like to buy my tickets at half price. They bargained me lower, which of course I had to agree and now they are in-cabin thirty-four.”
“And we are heading where?”
“Vilnius. Four hours away. The embassy is waiting for us. I called them yesterday at the airport.”
“You had this planned from the time we arrived in Riga?” Sonkin was astonished.
“It’s what I get paid to do. Now sit back, take a nap. I’ll wake you when we stop for gas and food.”
Jax had left out the part about the Russians eventually going to the ferry terminal and finding out they bought tickets for the ferry. They are smart enough to check who was in the cabin. Then they would consider the options: one, of which would be Vilnius. Once out of Riga, he sped up.
93
Riga Latvia
Wednesday July 3, 2019
When Portnoy’s operative called back, the news was not good.
“I was able to call the ship and was put through to the cabin. The occupants purchased their tickets from a man who said he had a sudden change in plans. He fits the description of the man with Sonkin.”
“Good work.” Portnov hung up. Where would they go? They had an hour and a half lead. Probably driving, he thought. Where to? “He paced back and forth. Portnov opened google maps and looked at the map of Latvia. Estonia? Lithuania? What would I do? He scrutinized the map: Lithuania, the embassy in Vilnuis. That’s where I would head. It’s closer than Estonia and the roads are better. He called Bykov.
94
Moscow
Wednesday July 3, 2019
Bykov listened to Portnov’s report. When he hung up he called the State Security at the Vilnuis embassy. Bykov brought the station chief up to date and what needed to be done. “You have about an hour before they reach Vilnuis. I would cover the embassy and the airport.”
“I won’t be able to put together a capture. Not enough time and too many places to cover. It could get ugly if there are civilians around.”
“The Man wants him dead. I’m texting you pictures. The older man is the primary target.” Bykov said.
“ If we see him, we’ll take the shot. Just be ready for the blowback.”
Bykov hung up. It would take a miracle to stop Sonkin now.
95
Lithuania
Wednesday afternoon July 3, 2019
Jax woke Sonkin when they stopped for gas. While Sonkin was in the restroom, he called the CIA station chief. Martin Longstreet had read the briefing sent out by Langley.
“We will be in Vilnius in one hour. I want Sonkin on a plane to the US when we arrive.”
“Bring him to the embassy. We’ll set up a flight.”
“I won’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“You know what happened in Riga. They will have shooters there. I want to drive directly to a private jet, get on with Sonkin and fly to the US.”
“We can arrange that. Call me when you are twenty minutes from the airport.”
“They will have people at the airport. You should get a fighter escort.” He could hear the man laughing.
“I am not joking. The Russians will do anything to stop him from reaching the US. They will shoot the plane down over international waters. Get an escort.”
“You’re not joking. I’ll see what I can do. What a shit storm.” Longstreet disconnected.
Sonkin asked what the plan was. “I want the details.”
Jax told him. When they were twenty minutes away, he called Longstreet for directions.
“There’s been a hitch,” Longstreet said.
Jax pulled off the highway into a small shopping area. “What kind of hitch?” He could not keep the anger out of his voice.
“Langely wants you debriefed at the embassy about Riga. All our people are dead, and the Russians won’t cooperate.”
“You can debrief us on the plane. I am not bringing Sonkin anywhere except for the flight. And if you try to pull some shit at the jet, you will regret it.”
“You’re twenty minutes away. Keep coming. I’m texting you the directions. I’ll see what I can do.”
Jax explained to Sonkin what the problem was. “’ Shit. “‘They want us to do the same thing as in Riga!” Sonkin shouted. It was the first time Jax had seen any emotion from him since they left S
arvo. “If they won’t fly me to the US then let’s make a run for it. We can go to Kaunas or Klaipeda.”
“Kaunas is a good idea. Let’s do it. Fuck the CIA,” Jax said as he pulled out into traffic. Jax answered on the second ring. “Tell me.” He said abruptly, switching the phone to the speaker mode.
“Langely is firm, no plane until debriefing. They wanted me to remind you that they are paying the bills.”
“My mandate is to bring Sonkin back alive. I can’t do that if you insist on putting him in harm’s way.”
“We’re better prepared than they were in Riga.”
“I can’t understand the reason for not debriefing us on the way to the US. It makes no sense.” Jax said as he turned onto the highway to Kaunas. Longstreet did not answer right away.
“You still there, Longtreet?”
“I’m here. Just debating how much my career means to me. Okay, the truth is the powers that be don’t know if Sonkin is a plant or the real thing. He’s not getting into the states until they do, if ever. That’s the scuttlebutt.”
“Thanks, Longstreet. I’ll keep that to myself. Tell them we’re off the grid. Not you or the Russians will find us. “Jax hung up. Sonkin had heard everything.
“I can’t blame them. For forty years, I was a traitor. They’ll never let me in the US.”
“They won’t, but I will,” Jax said as they headed for Kaunas. He had not slept in over twenty-four hours
96
Moscow
Wednesday Afternoon July 3, 2019
Bykov called Joseph Bardovsky, Chief of FSB at the Vilnius embassy asking for a status report. Bardovsky informed him he had men at the airport as well as a sniper in position near the embassy. All had orders to fire as soon as the target is in sight.
“You know that a public assassination will cause an international incident.”
“An international incident doesn’t concern the PM. Keep me informed.”
When four hours had passed without sighting Sonkin, Bykov knew it was over. Sonkin was out of the country. He called Department Three, which was the section that dealt with computer hacking and espionage. Bykov requested that they hack Lithuanian airports for anyone named Dieter getting on a flight to the United States, the same with Estonia’s main airport, and include the private jet companies as well. As an afterthought, he added when checking the private companies include two men travelling alone to the same destination—highest priority.
Bykov would not report to the PM until he had exhausted every avenue no matter how unlikely they were to produce results.
97
Kaunas Airport Lithuania
Wednesday afternoon July 3, 2019
It took them an hour and twenty minutes to arrive at the Kaunas International airport, the second busiest in Lithuania. Jax drove to the private jet terminal and parked. They walked to the offices of Private Jet Charter.
A young woman in a blue suit with Private Jet Charter embroidered on the jacket greeted him. “How can I help you, sir?”
“I would like to charter a jet.”
“Great. One of our consultants will be with you shortly. Would you like coffee, water, Juice?”
“No, thank you.”
“Please have a seat, it won’t be long.”
Five minutes later, a man in a loose-fitting blue suit with the company logo approached them. “I am Gregor. Come to my office, and we can discuss your needs.”
It was a moderate size, utilitarian office. “Can I get you, gentlemen, anything to drink?” They declined. “What are you looking for?”
“I want an aircraft to fly us to Miami, Florida. Can you arrange that for today? Cost is not an issue.”
“You are very lucky. We have a new Lear Jet Bombardier. It is expensive however.”
“I said the cost is no object. How long will it take to get us airborne?”
“Two hours if the crew gets here promptly. They did not expect to fly today.”
“Tell them if we are in the air in two hours, I’ll give them a generous bonus.”
Gregor made a phone call then asked for their passports and credit information. Jax handed him their passports, signed all the papers and waited while Gregor called his bank to verify credit.
“You’re all set. The crew is on its way, and the aircraft is refueling. If you would like a coffee and something to eat there is a small cafeteria in the next building. Please be back in an hour and a half.”
Jax settled at a table with an expresso, while Sonkin nursed a coke.
“You must be wealthy to charter a big jet. Or is somebody else paying for it.” Sonkin asked
“I will try to get the CIA to pay the bill. They will refuse, but in the end, they’ll pay.”
When they returned to the office, Gregor introduced them to the pilot and copilot. Thirty minutes later, they were in the air. A flight attendant offered them drinks. They declined and both were quickly a sleep.
98
Moscow
Wednesday afternoon July 3, 2019
Two hours later, Bykov received information from Department three. Two men, one named Dieter, had chartered a plane from Private Jet Charter at the Kaunas airport. The flight plan was for Miami, Florida, with a refueling stop in Lisbon in about four hours.
Bykov knew there was no way to stop them in Lisbon. No one would get off the aircraft during the refueling.
Avros Kotov, head of FSB left the PM’s office sweating and pale. At one point in the meeting, he thought the PM would strike him. He had never seen him that angry. When he arrived at his office,he called Bykov.
“I have just left the PM.” Kotov said, lighting a cigarette.”He wants Sonkin dead. You do have a plan, I hope.”
“They will refuel in Lisbon then head to Miami. We can get them over the Atlantic. With their transponder codes and tapping into Lisbon radar, we’ll have a good idea where they are,” Bykov said.
“We have a squadron of MiG 35s at the military field here in Moscow. They have the range and can refuel in flight.” Kotov told him.
“I’ll discuss it with the man. Ten minutes later, Bykov received a call back. “He approved the mission. Two MiG 35s, our latest fighter, are taking off as we speak. They have the flight plan, transponder codes and strict instructions to verify the identity of the aircraft before firing.”
Bykov lit a cigarette, gulped down a shot of vodka then another.
99
Over the Atlantic Ocean
Wednesday late afternoon July 3, 2019
Jax and Sonkin slept until they landed at Lisbon to refuel. An hour after they left Lisbon, while Sonkin was sipping a scotch, Jax went into the cockpit. The two pilots said hello. They asked him if he was enjoying the trip. “Very much so.” he said, leaning in closer, “In about two hours a Russian MiG is going to shoot this aircraft down. “
“What are you talking about? Shoot us down,why?” The pilot asked calmly.
“Because the Russian government wants my friend and I dead. If you turn back, they will shoot us down over Portugal.”
“Not if we land. We are only forty minutes from Tenerife in the Canary Islands.”
“You’re going to turn off your transponder, drop your altitude and change course to Washington DC.
“We won’t do it.” the pilot said, “I’m turning for Tenerife.”
Jax took out his Glock, “Turn off the transponder.” Neither man moved. Jax smashed his Glock into the side of the co-pilots head, knocking him unconscious, lacerating his scalp splattering blood over the cockpit.
“Turn off the transponder.”
“If you hit me the plane will crash. “
“I’m afraid not. I have a jet. Fly it all the time. Now, turn off the transponder.”
“No!”
Jax could fly the plane, but he did not know where, on this mod
el, the transponder switch was. The transponder gave their GPS position. The copilot began to groan. He sat back up, felt his head, looked at the blood on his hands and groaned again. He then wretched into his lap.
Jax said to the pilot. “I will give you one more chance to turn off the transponder. If you don’t, your copilot dies. I will drag him out of his seat, take him to an exit and throw him out. At thirty-six thousand feet it should take him three minutes before he hits the water.” Jax released the copilot’s harness, grabbed him under the arms and dragged him out of his seat. “You’re going to learn to fly,” he said to the copilot.
“Stop!” the pilot said. He reached under the console, flipped a switch which opened a small door on the control panel, toggled the switch, then closed the door.
“Very good. Slowly descend to thirty thousand feet and change course for DC.” Once that was done, Jax told him to put the aircraft on automatic pilot. “Okay, now you made that entirely too difficult. Take your friend to the main cabin. Tell the stewardess he fell getting out of his seat and hit his head. Have them clean him up. Go!”
Jax put the Glock into his waistband at the small of his back. When the pilot returned, Jax told him to clean up the copilot area and sit there. Jax sat in the pilot’s seat. “When we need to make any course corrections, you make them.”
“You didn’t have to strike Christen. He has a concussion.”
“All you had to do was turn off the transponder when I asked the first time. Believe me, if we didn’t turn off the transponder and change course we would all be dead.’
“We could have landed at Tenerife.”
“There’s a Russian consulate in Tenerife. Once they knew we were landing there, they would be ready for us.”