The Nine Men (A Novella)

by Haydn Jones

  I knew it was special! Alexi thought.

  Viktoriya looked around the room. ‘Is this the only place where your books are kept?’

  ‘No,…We have a vault and there are lots of books down there too. Our books are mainly religious, as you’d expect, but we also have books on gardening, beekeeping, woodwork, cooking, bookkeeping, mathematics; you name it, we’ve probably got it. Actually I have recently completed an inventory of the books down there, and I’m sorry to say but I didn’t come across anything like this.’

  ‘I’d still like to see it for myself, before I go. Can I also see your inventory, please?’

  ‘Yes… I’ll be happy to show you, Miss Pushkina.’

  ‘Call me, Viktoriya, please.’

  ‘I’ll be happy to show you, Viktoriya… What kind of books are you studying at the university?’ Alexi asked, sensing that the young student was beginning to relax.

  ‘Oh, mainly nineteenth century; what we call the Golden Age of Russian literature. Have you heard of Zhukovsky, Pushkin, Gogol?’

  ‘I’ve heard of them.’ Alexi said, unconvincingly.

  Viktoriya continued: ‘Turgenev, Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy?’

  ‘Of course, Leo Tolstoy. I didn’t realize Russia had so many writers.’

  ‘And poets!’ she added enthusiastically, with a glint in her eyes.

  ‘Do you read?’ she asked.

  ‘I read every day, but only from the Bible, Can’t say I‘ve ever read anything else.’

  ‘You’ve never read a novel?’

  ‘…Oh yes I have. It was a book that a visitor left behind, it was called… Far from the Madding Crowd. It’s about a man who loves a woman, but she’s blind to his affection.’

  ‘Thomas Hardy!’

  ‘You know it?’ Alexi asked in astonishment.

  ‘It’s a classic; Gabriel and Bathsheba.’

  ‘Yes, that’s right…Oh, well, then… I’ve actually read a classic!’

  Viktoriya laughed for the first time that day and her presence warmed Alexi better than a roaring log fire.

  Her scent was new and intoxicating. ‘What will you do when you actually join the FSB?’ He enquired, struggling with his tantalized emotions.

  Viktoriya’s smile disappeared. ‘I really don’t know. I just know it’s not what I want.’

  ‘So what do you want ?’

  Her contagious smile and the sparkle in her blue eyes returned. ‘I want to travel… I want to see America, Australia, Paris, London, New York.’

  ‘Me too! I think about it a lot,’ he enthused. Then there was a long silence as Alexi’s excitement evaporated. ‘I’m wasting my life here; I know I am.’

  ‘But… you’re a man of God, aren’t you?’

  ‘Huh!’ The monk lowered his head briefly before gazing up into the student’s eyes. ‘I was once… but not anymore — I don’t think God likes me very much.’

  Viktoriya’s jaw dropped. ‘Oh!’ The intrigued student was about to ask him why but the moment was lost when Alexi stood up and clasped his hands. ‘That’s quite enough about me; come along young lady, we have a book to find,’ he said, striding off.

  She smiled to herself and happily followed the monk.

  Chapter 15

  The American Embassy, New Delhi

  The day had started well enough but now there were problems. The briefing went well but the new fake passport for Robert McPherson hadn’t arrived and if the courier didn’t deliver soon he’d miss his flight to Moscow.

  Victor was loving the whole thing. He was to be himself on a visit to see the sights of the capital, but already a clandestine meeting had been arranged over the internet with the mystery person in Moscow.

  Robert was to be a representative of Harvard University by the name of Dr. Michael Waterman, also on a sightseeing trip but with an invitation, arranged by Linda, to visit the Danilov Monastery, home of the famous bells.

  Robert looked at the wall clock as the minutes ticked by; it was going to be tight. ‘It might be that you go on your own, Victor, and we meet up later at the hotel. I’ll get the next available flight.’

  ‘Okay, Robert.’

  ‘I'm Michael Waterman from now on, because the thought of spending the rest of my life in a gulag isn't very appealing; so let's get used to it.'

  ‘…Of course.’ Victor said, nervously.

  Robert tapped his arm, reassuringly. ‘Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.’

  ‘Yes…Don’t worry, I will…Michael.’

  At that moment one of the embassy staff walked into the briefing room, smiling. ‘Your passport, Dr. Waterman,’ he said, handing it to Robert.

  Moments later Robert and Victor were in the back of a black limousine heading for the airport. Robert breathed a sigh of relief. Victor pinched himself; no, he wasn’t dreaming.

  Robert regarded Victor with a faint smile. ‘We can’t afford any hold-ups.’

  The comment reminded the Frenchman that this wasn’t a game they were playing and a long forgotten tingle of excitement rippled through his aging body like an alchemist’s elixir surging through his veins. ‘Je suis d’accord, mon ami.’

  *

  Chapter 16

  ‘It’s your own fault for being so bloody clever.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Viktoriya asked her room-mate, coyly.

  ‘Well, you know that the FSB have their pick of the students and naturally they’re going to take the best, aren’t they?’ Olga explained.

  Viktoriya smiled. ‘Is that why they have me looking for some old book in a damn monastery?’

  Olga lit a Marlboro Red then continued to carefully paint her toenail. ‘I’m sure there’s a good reason for it, Viktoriya.’

  ‘But I don’t want to work for the FSB. Who do they think I am, anyway?’

  ‘What else will you do?’ Olga asked.

  ‘I don’t know, anything but work for that pig.’

  ‘He’s a monk isn’t he?’

  ‘Not him.’

  ‘Who then?’

  ‘Commander Leonid Tsvetaeva. He makes my skin crawl. The way he looks at me. I know exactly what he’s thinking.’

  ‘What’s he thinking?’ Olga donned a broad smile, before flicking her cigarette ash out of the bedroom window.

  ‘You know.’

  ‘I want to fuck you.’ Olga added without looking up.

  ‘Exactly!’ Viktoriya shivered at the thought then a moment later a slight smile appeared on her face. ‘The monk is actually quite cute though… in a strange kind of way.’

  ‘Do you fancy him ?’

  ‘Not really, no… but he’s a nice guy, even though he’s a monk.’

  ‘Well, he won't be fucking you will he, being a monk and all that?’

  ‘Olga! Is sex all that matters to you?’

  ‘I haven’t found anything better, yet.’

  ‘Honestly! …It’s just that we have a lot in common, that’s all.’

  ‘You and a monk have a lot in common?’ Olga deftly flicked the cigarette butt through the open window and continued painting her nails.

  ‘I know it sounds stupid, but we do. We both want to travel and we’re both unhappy doing what we’re doing. I think he’s lost his faith and would get out of the church if he had half a chance.’

  ‘Is he good looking?’

  Viktoriya hesitated and crinkled her nose. ‘No…not classically good looking. He’s a bit thin to be honest. He needs a good meal or two; but he does have a kind face.’

  'What's his name?'

  'Alexi.'

  ‘I bet he’s all over you isn’t he? You might be the first girl he’s been in close contact with. Have you thought about that?’

  ‘Don’t be silly, Olga. He’s not all over me. Actually he’s very polite and respectful.’

  ‘Ohhh get you! Very polite and respectful.’ Olga laughed. ‘You mean he’s not interested in getting into your panties.’

  Viktoriya smiled. ‘You’re incorrigible,’ she said, shaking her he
ad.

  Olga screwed the cap back on the nail-polish bottle and inspected her feet. ‘There; that should do it. I have a date tonight and I want to impress.’

  Olga was tall, blonde and very attractive and tonight she was definitely dressed to impress. Her skirt was short, exposing long, slender legs and her blouse showed off her ample cleavage.

  ‘Who is it this time?’ Viktoriya enquired.

  ‘That sounds terrible.’

  Viktoriya raised her eyebrows.

  Olga was pouting in the mirror and noticed Viktoriya’s reaction ‘Okay…okay… You don’t know him, but he’s loaded. I’m hoping he’s my passage out of here.’

  ‘Room for one more?’ Viktoriya asked, despondently.

  ‘Sorry honey, this one is all mine. Anyway,’ she giggled childishly, ‘you have your monk now.’

  ‘He’s hardly going to be my passage out of here, is he?’

  ‘See you later my little virgin friend.’ Olga stepped out into the hallway, turned, smiled and blew a kiss to her room mate before closing the door behind her.

  Silence. Viktoriya slumped on her bed, deep in thought.

  Chapter 17

  Michael Waterman walked towards the uniformed officer who'd gestured for him to approach the desk. The officer took his passport and inspected it, glancing up at him a few times during the inspection. The phone on the desk began to ring and the officer picked up the receiver. For a moment he sat in silence listening to the person at the other end of the line. He then started speaking in Russian for what seemed like an eternity to Robert. He tried to stay calm and show none of the nervous emotions beginning to raise his heart beat.

  The officer finally replaced the receiver. 'Business or pleasure?' He asked sternly.

  'Pleasure... A well deserved holiday.'

  'Where are you visiting?'

  'Just Moscow.'

  'Where are you staying during your visit?'

  'At the Danilov Hotel.’

  ‘You have a reservation there?’

  ‘Yes.’

  The stone-faced officer stamped the passport and handed it back to a grateful Michael Waterman who smiled and walked off in the direction of luggage reclaim, taking a few deep breaths along the way; watched anxiously by Victor Canseliet, still to get through passport control.

  *

  Commander Tsvetaeva struggled to stand up. Grabbing his walking stick from the holder by his office door he walked out into the corridor towards the elevators. As he approached the doors they opened and a young woman holding a folder under her arm smiled and exited. Before he entered the elevator he watched her walk away. The doors closed behind him and the commander hit a button on the panel. A voice asked for identification and he peered awkwardly into a small blackened window on the panel.

  ‘Identification confirmed, Commander,’ said a metallic voice and the elevator started it’s decent to the Intelligence Gathering Centre some 180 feet below ground level in a lead lined, nuclear-proof chamber.

  A few moment later the elevator stopped with a slight jolt and the doors opened. Commander Tsvetaeva stepped out into the bright, florescent light of the massive control room, which stretched as far as the eye could see. People were everywhere, busy staring at computer screens as he walked unnoticed down an aisle towards his destination. The buzz was that of any large, busy office. Some people were talking, animatedly, in small groups gathered around computer screens while others worked studiously at their desks, alone. They were all watching a suspicious world watching them.

  Eventually the commander arrived at the desk of a young man who was studiously typing something on his keyboard.

  ‘What is it?’ Tsvetaeva asked.

  The young man looked up and placed a pencil behind his ear. ‘I’m very well thank you,’ he said, with a forced smile.

  Tsvetaeva said nothing.

  ‘It may not be anything but I think you should be aware that Victor Canseliet has arrived in Moscow.’

  ‘Who is Victor Canseliet?’

  ‘I thought you might ask that. He’s a Frenchman and a world authority on secret societies and esoteric scripts. He’s into alchemy and all that weird stuff.’

  ‘So he’s a fucking nutter. What’s that got to do with anything?’

  ‘…Don’t you think it’s a bit of a coincidence that we’ve been told to look for an old book with a strange esoteric script — and all of a sudden this renowned expert appears in Moscow — on holiday?’

  ‘…Where’s he staying?’

  ‘The Danilov Hotel.’

  ‘Okay, let’s keep close to him. It’s probably just coincidence.’ Commander Tsvetaeva turned and walked away.

  ‘Excellent work, Nikolay — Please don’t mention it, Commander, I’m just doing my job,’ the young man uttered to himself as he watched the old soldier hobbling away towards the elevators in desperate need of a cigarette.

  ‘Just coincidence?…I don’t think so somehow,’ Nikolay said, resuming his internet search of Victor Canseliet.

  Chapter 18

  Commander Tsvetaeva looked around the table at the students before lighting a cigarette and blowing a cloud of smoke towards the ceiling. ‘You have now been looking for this book for four days and I presume, as I have heard nothing from any of you, that it hasn’t been found yet?’

  Nervous mumblings and the lowering of heads confirmed the commanders suspicions. ‘I need to know what progress you have made, if any,’ he added sharply before sucking smoke deep into his lungs. ‘Let’s start with you,’ he said, pointing a finger at Svetlana.

  Svetlana glanced down at the note book in front of her. ‘I have been searching through the Cathedral books, and there are a lot of them I must say. I estimate it will take about two or three more days to complete the search. So far I have found nothing that even resembles the book we are looking for, so I…’

  ‘Yes , yes , yes, just keep looking, but make it one day rather than three. Working into the night if you have to; this is important.’

  Svetlana nodded reluctantly. ‘I will, Commander.’

  ‘Viktoriya, what have you found?’

  ‘I’m afraid to say my search has also found nothing that remotely resembles the book, Commander. I have been working through a book inventory that one of the monks created, and that has made my search easier.’

  ‘How long will it take?’ the commander asked, impatiently.

  Viktoriya took a deep breath. ‘I estimate three more days.’

  ‘One! You have the inventory.’

  ‘That’s simply not possible, Commander; I’m already working over twelve hours a day.’

  The commander looked coldly into her eyes but Viktoriya held his stare… ‘And you, Victor?’ he said, pointing to the student next to her.

  It was only three days but the thought of being with Alexi for that brief time pleased Viktoriya. He was a sweet person and the more they were together the more she liked him. She wondered if he liked her as much as she liked him. He was funny and he made her laugh but he respected her and he made her feel special. She realized Alexi was the complete opposite of the ‘smoking pig’ sitting facing her at the table, struggling to take his eyes off her breasts as his fourth cigarette in fifteen minutes filled the room with acrid smoke.

  *

  Alexi was looking forward to seeing Viktoriya and eagerly checked his watch every few minutes. ‘The damned thing must have stopped,’ he said to himself impatiently, tapping the watch face. She’s late, he thought, but then he saw her entering the monastery gates. She was wearing tight, denim jeans and a black leather coat. Viktoriya smiled and waved to him and his heart almost stopped. He had never known a woman so beautiful as her.

  Alexi had not been sleeping well. Viktoriya had occupied his thoughts day and night and he was beginning to feel guilty about lying to her about the book. So much so that that very morning at prayers he’d decided to tell her about it and his plan. Now though, in the cold light of day, he wasn’t sure he could confess. How woul
d she react to him wasting her time? Maybe he would wait until he got the money from the book and then he could leave this place for ever. Then he would ask her to marry him. After all he would be a wealthy man and he could buy her anything she desired. They would have six children and a big house in the country with stables and a courtyard. It wasn’t America but it was better than this and in a few days he would be meeting Victor Canseliet; then his dreams would start to become reality.

  He watched as Viktoriya approached and his heart began to thump in his chest. ‘Hello, Viktoriya.’

  ‘Hello, Alexi.’

  For a moment he stood speechless looking into her blue eyes.

  ‘Well, — shall we continue?’

  ‘…Yes,… yes of course, I’m sorry; follow me please.’

  Some distance away Commander Tsvetaeva observed them and their body language as they walked slowly towards the monastery’s main entrance.

  With a twist of his boot he ground his cigarette stub into the pavement before setting off for his office. As he walked he reminisced about the beautiful women, so much prettier than Viktoriya, draped all over him every night, begging the young, good looking soldier to make love to them. But not anymore, those days had gone…forever.

  As the commander wandered he lowered his head; a pained expression replaced his short-lived smile.

  Chapter 19

  Robert felt refreshed after a good night’s sleep. He pulled the curtains back and squinted at the bright morning light that streamed into his hotel room. He could see the Danilov Monastery from his room with the golden domes reflecting the early morning sun. Below in the hotel garden, manicured lawns, separated by cobbled paths, stretched out in the direction of the monastery. Robert smiled when he noticed the distinctive figure of Victor, walking along the path towards the hotel entrance, clearly enjoying a morning cigarette. Robert was aware that this man was crucial to the success of the operation. Victor was the diversion he needed, the breathing space to allow him to operate undetected as one Michael Waterman, interested to see the sights of Moscow and the Danilov Monastery bells that Harvard fostered for many years.