by David Woods
“It will remain a secret.”
“I’m sure it will. I have every confidence in you, Irina.”
“Thank you Sir.”
“I hope he’s kind to you.” He smiled as he stared into her eyes. She returned his smile, but wondered what was going on behind those eyes. He cleared his throat. “If you have any problems at all, please come to me first.”
“I will of course.”
“I look after people who are loyal to me.”
She returned to her office wondering what he really meant, and what sort of man he really was. She did not know if he was married or anything about him.
That evening she was walking along the long corridor that led to the exit door when two uniformed men barred her passage and one demanded “Come with us please.” She did not argue and with her stomach turning over with fright she was led into an office where a woman, also in uniform, sat behind a desk. Sally glanced around the room as the woman stared at her, and noticed a mirror on a side wall.
The woman looked quickly at the mirror and then back at Sally. “Hand over your bag for inspection”
Sally put it on the desk, and the two guards stood behind her as the contents were examined in detail, followed by an inspection of the bag itself. Sally watched in nervous anticipation until she received the next order. “Take off your coat and pack your bag.” She obeyed without speaking. Her coat pockets were examined as she bundled her possessions back into her bag. “Now your jacket.” After inspecting the jacket, the woman ran her hands over Sally’s body in a professional manner. “Very well, you can go now.”
Sally dressed with difficulty, due to her hands shaking, and stumbled out into the corridor. The fresh air outside was a relief and she walked out of the steel gateway to be met by Vasily. He noticed her flushed appearance. “What’s the matter Irina?”
“I’ve just been searched.”
“How far did they go?”
“I just took my coat and jacket off.”
He laughed. “Is that all? You were lucky.”
“I don’t feel very lucky.”
The next day, whilst drinking tea with her boss, she waited until he finished making a comment about the weather. “I was searched on the way out last evening.”
“Oh, that’s just a routine random search. Nothing to worry about.”
“I didn’t enjoy it.”
“You’ll get used to it and take no notice, but if I ever suspect you of concealing information I’ll have you strip searched right here. And nothing hidden in your clothes or on your body will escape detection.” She was shocked by his frankness, and realised he had complete power over her body and her life. He saw her change of expression. “Don’t worry. As I said before I have complete confidence in you, and besides I prefer my ladies to undress on a voluntary basis.” She noticed the twinkle in his eye, and wondered how soon he would suggest just that.
Irina left Heathrow Airport with the fair-haired woman, who was chosen because she could be mistaken for her sister. They travelled to a large and very secluded farmhouse in Sussex, where she was thoroughly debriefed and given a new identity. Her appearance was changed and a new set of clothes chosen for her. She agreed to live in the farmhouse for six months, with all her requirements provided except one. She was still desperate to see Brian, re-living their time together over and over again in her mind, and tried to plan ahead to when she could leave and attempt to locate him.
Brian spent the next weekend hard at work, succeeding in pushing Irina to the back of his mind. By the following weekend he had become convinced that if he met her again he could remain just a friend. The Russian deal was also put to one side, as there was other important business to attend to.
When a letter eventually arrived from Moscow, requesting him to return in order to sign the necessary documents, he put it aside until he had time to consider it in depth. A quiet moment occurred a day later, and he turned the whole deal over in his mind. Although it was still worth having, he was not looking forward to returning to Moscow. That evening he showed the letter to Anna who said. “About time too. I hope they do not change their mind.”
“Yes, but I’m not sure I want to go back.”
“Well, it does seem a shame to turn the deal down. After all the work you have put into it.”
“True, but I still don’t feel happy about going back there.”
“But it is only for two days and one final meeting. It will be over in no time.”
“Yes, you’re right. I’ll go next week.”
“Good, because if you lose the deal you will probably regret it later.”
He travelled alone the following Tuesday, and read through all the details during the flight. He was met at the airport by a taxi and taken to the usual hotel, where he spent a quiet evening reading a novel, after a meal in the dining room.
That same Tuesday afternoon Sally was translating messages from England, and as she read the last report she broke out in a cold sweat. Subject: Jane Smith. Met at Heathrow Airport by fair-haired woman and driven away at high speed, unable to follow, due to a deliberate road blocking manoeuvre by a lorry. All attempts to trace subject failed. It is as though she did not exist, further enquiries continuing.
Sally sat and stared at the report for a while, considering its implications. It was obvious she would have to translate it for her boss, but it was also obvious that she must get a message to the drop point as soon as possible.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Brian awoke early, showered and as it was a bright sunny morning, decided to take a walk before breakfast. He walked along paths filled with office workers, trudging reluctantly to work, but after a while food became more important than exercise. He turned to retrace his steps, but came to a sudden halt when he spotted Sally crossing the road, and watched as she walked passed armed guards through a steel gateway. He consumed a satisfying breakfast and waited to be met in the hotel foyer. Time crept by slowly and half an hour later he was still patiently waiting, wondering if the Russians were sick again. As he was about to give up, the translator rushed in. “I’m very sorry to keep you waiting. My comrades are ready to see you now.”
“Oh good, so the meeting is going ahead?”
“Yes it is.” They travelled in silence and stopped outside the same building as before. The translator led the way to a large wood panelled room with a central round table. Twelve dark suited officials were already seated with papers scattered in front of them, and Brian was led to a chair where he sat for a while watching the others talking and laughing among themselves whilst ignoring him.
The jovial atmosphere was instantly shattered when ten uniformed men burst into the room, carrying automatic weapons, the officials became silent and their faces seemed to drain of colour, Five of the men walked around one side of the table and the other five stood opposite, the one in charge ended up behind Brian and tapped him on the shoulder. “Mr. Wilkins, you are under arrest.”
Brian was absolutely stunned and could only blurt out. “Who me, what for?”
“You will please come with us.” It was like his whole existence had been crushed by a direct hit from a bolt of lightning, resulting in his mind taking a nose dive into a black hole. As he desperately tried to recover from the shock, he staggered forward, one guard following with his briefcase and the others surrounding him as he was bundled out of the room. No one spoke as he trudged forward to be eventually pushed into a car for the short journey to the ominous grey stone building with the steel fence around it. He was pulled out of the car and pushed down a flight of stone steps, a steel door clanged shut behind him as he was marched along a dimly lit cold stone walled corridor and through yet another steel door. He ended up in a room where another uniformed man sat behind a desk with a grey coloured file open in front of him. A middle aged man with a sallow complexion and a good knowledge of English said. “Sit down Mr
. Wilkins, and listen carefully to what I have to say.” A chair was placed in front of the desk into which Brian collapsed, dreading what was coming. Although it was cold, he felt a trickle of sweat run down his forehead which he wiped away. The interrogator noticed his nervous state. “If you tell me the truth, you will have nothing to worry about.”
Brian cleared his throat. “What am I charged with?”
“I will ask the questions, and then you will answer.”
“Ok. What do you want to know?”
“Who is this woman?” A photograph was shoved in front of him.
“She’s a woman I met at a party. I think her name is Irina.”
“Who is this man?” Another photograph appeared in front of him.
“Oh that’s Viktor. I met him at the same party?”
“The interrogator nodded and the photographs were removed. “What contact have you had with these two people since this party?”
“None at all.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“Good, if you keep telling the truth, there will be nothing to worry about.”
Brian did not feel the slightest reassured, especially when the next picture was placed before him. His stomach turned over at the sight of Sally’s photograph.
“Who is this woman?”
“Jane Smith.”
“What is her real name?”
“I don’t know, she’s been Jane Smith for the short time I’ve known her.”
“And how long is that?”
“About six months, I suppose. She used to call at my office selling stationery.”
“Why did she accompany you to Moscow?”
Brian hesitated for a moment, and then blurted out. “We had become lovers.”
The questioner’s expression did not change. “Did she ask to come with you?”
“Of course she did. She seemed very keen to come.”
“Have you seen her since?”
“No, or heard from her.”
“Do you find that strange?”
“Yes, I did wonder why she hasn’t rung me.”
“Where does she live?”
“She wouldn’t say.” He felt the need to qualify that answer, and quickly added. “In case I telephoned when her husband was at home.”
“So she is married?”
“That’s what she said.”
The interrogator looked at him with a fixed steely glare. “I said I wanted the truth. And if I don’t get it this photograph will be sent to your wife.”
Brian stared at a picture of him on a park bench, kissing Irina dressed as Sally. “I have told you the truth. I don’t know any more about Jane Smith.
“There is another reason, apart from sex, for her visit to Moscow. What is it?”
“I don’t know. She begged me to take her, stayed with me all the time and came home with me. That’s all I know.”
“I think you know a lot more, but we’ll leave Jane Smith for the time being. “Who is this?”
A picture of Sally before her change of appearance was pushed in front of him. He studied it with his heart in his mouth and said “I think this is a girl I met in East Germany. She was an interpreter on a farm and her name was Sally, I think.”
“She disappeared the day you departed from that farm. How did you get her out?”
“I’m not responsible for getting her out. How could I be? The lorry was searched when we left the farm and again in Berlin. It would have been impossible.”
“Yet it happened, didn’t it?”
“I don’t know. Did it?”
“I think you do know, and you are going to tell me how. And, you’ll tell me all about Jane Smith.”
Brian stayed silent as two more pictures were pushed forward showing two men. He wished a hole would appear in the floor and swallow him up, but he tried to sit still and look normal as his stomach throbbed.
“Who are these men?”
“I don’t know.”
“You should, you killed them.”
“I have never killed anyone.”
“These two gallant comrades were beaten up and then shot. And then you hid them amongst a pile of corn sacks.”
Brian swallowed hard and thought what the hell? It cannot get any worse. He said forcefully. “How the hell do you think I managed that? I’ve never owned a gun in my life, and what would have been the point of beating them up and killing them?”
“You were caught doing something illegal by these policemen.”
“That’s ridiculous. If they were policemen, why didn’t they just arrest me if I was in the wrong?”
“I will tell you what I think happened. You were caught with this woman, Sally, and you had to kill the men to get her out.”
Brian sat staring at his feet, wishing he could turn the clock back, but the interrogator continued. “You have not told me the truth, but I can assure you that you will. Stand up.”
The chair was taken away and a woman in her thirties came in. The two burly guards stood silently behind Brian and the woman said in heavily accented English. “You will be searched, take off your clothes.”
He hesitated, and received a punch in the back which made him gasp. He staggered forward, shaking as he stood up to undo his jacket, the woman grabbed it and searched the pockets. His back was aching and his mind in turmoil, he just could not believe what was happening. Each item of clothing was examined and thrown into a box, and he stood shivering and embarrassed as the woman looked him up and down. Suddenly the guards wrenched his hands behind his back, and the woman was able to see his entire body. She grinned as she appeared to take in every detail and said slowly. “You sad little Englishman.”
The interrogator spoke as Brian’s hands were tied tightly. “You can tell me the truth now. It will save you a lot of pain.”
“I’ve told you all I know.”
“I see. You will tell me, I can guarantee it.”
Brian just stared at the floor, but on hearing another person approach, he looked up to see a middle aged woman with a ruddy complexion. He thought she had a face like a welder’s bench. She spoke good English. “Legs apart.” He obeyed, and she looked at him with a sickly grin. The humiliation became too much for him, but as he looked away he felt a searing pain from his genitals as she kneed him in the crotch. He gasped before falling on the flagstone floor and for a few seconds he blacked out, but came to as he was pulled to his feet. His stomach ached and his hands shook. The two women were talking rapidly in their own language, glancing in his direction from time to time, and he guessed they must be discussing which torture to apply next, which made him shudder. He wanted to tell them it was all a mistake, but knew it would make no difference. Suddenly one of the guards pushed him forward to a barred door, which opened and he was shoved backwards in to a stone cupboard with only enough room to stand up in. The door was pushed shut against his body, his hands were touching a rough stone wall behind him and there were only two inches each side of his shoulders. The ceiling was three feet above him and there was a bright light shining downwards.
The younger of the two women stood grinning in front of him. “How are you feeling now you pathetic Englishman?” She prodded him with a stick, but he hardly felt it as his body felt numb, his stomach throbbed and his mind could not take in all that was happening. It’s all a bad dream, he kept telling himself. I’ll wake up in a minute. After an hour of standing his mind adjusted to his situation and he looked to find the women still there along with two guards. They were dressed in warm clothes, and he was naked and freezing. He had an attack of the shivers and was about to ask for his clothes, but the women immediately said. “You will remain silent until you are ready to confess. And you will stay awake.”
“But I’ve told the truth.”
“Silence.” She pr
odded him hard in the groin with a pointed stick. He gasped and struck his head against the steel bars, and from that moment his private hell became worse. His mind reached the depths of despair, his hands went numb, his feet ached and he suffered bouts of shivering. After two hours the guards changed, and a glass of water was offered, to be drunk through a straw. His mouth was dry as he sucked the foul tasting liquid into his mouth, and he was relieved when the obnoxious woman walked out of the room.
An hour later he was released from his torture cupboard and sat before a young woman interrogator, relieved to be sitting down. She had short hair and an attractive face, which made him feel embarrassed again at his nakedness. She spoke softly. “We find that people tell the truth when they are naked. How long have you known Jane Smith?”
“About six months.”
“How did you meet her?”
“She visited my office, to sell me stationary.”
“When did you start having an affair with her?”
“About a month ago.”
“How did it start?”
“We got to know each other through regular meetings. And we met at a hotel and spent the afternoon in one of the rooms.”
“Which of you suggested having sex?”
“Jane.”
“Why did you agree to this? When you are happily married.”
“I just fancied her.”
“And to hell with your wife, I suppose?”
He just shrugged his shoulders. The woman stared into his eyes. I don’t believe you a word of it. Now just tell the truth. Or I’ll make your life a living hell.”
“I have told the truth. Please believe me.” He begged.
“I want to know why she came with you, and how this woman, Sally, managed to get out of East Germany.”
“I’ve told you all I know.
“You’ll tell me the truth very soon. In the meantime you will stay awake, so you can think it over.”
He was pushed into a slightly larger cell, this time about four feet square, with walls and floor of stone and a very bright light set into the low ceiling. The woman interrogator looked through the steel bared door. “I don’t want to see your horrible body so put these on.” A pair of thin pyjama type trousers was pushed through. His hands were still tied behind his back, but he suddenly felt the cord being cut. It was a relief to be able to move his numb hands, and he was grateful to pull on the trousers, but they were no protection from the cold. The water he had drunk soon passed through him into the large steel bucket in the corner.
