The Forever Spy

by Jeffrey Layton

  * * *

  “Yuri, Nick.”

  “Dobroe utro!”—Good morning.

  Yuri remained at home; Nick called from the consulate in San Francisco using a secure phone. Yuri used the cell Nick had provided. They spoke in Russian.

  Nick said, “I have an update on Elena.”

  “What’s she up to?”

  “Trouble, I suspect. She left Vancouver early this morning and drove to Seattle. I had her tailed. She ended up at a private marina near downtown. She just boarded a huge yacht tied up to the visitor’s dock. My team following her reported that the damn thing is a football field long.”

  “What do you know about it?”

  “The boat is at the far end of a dock and the gate to the dock is locked. We should have more info soon—my guys will figure out a way to get an ID on it.”

  “Could her trip be related to official SVR business?”

  “Right now, she’s supposed to be on an Air Canada flight to South Korea. From there she’s scheduled to connect with another flight to Vladivostok.”

  “So we have a sudden change in plans.”

  “Apparently.”

  “Have you been able to check with her supervisor?”

  “That’s part of the problem. The op she’s involved with in China is run from Moscow. We’re totally out of the loop here at the consulate. Without making waves, I can’t get past the security protocols. I don’t want to tip my hand until we know more.”

  Yuri digested Nick’s report. “It sounds like you think there could be a problem with her.”

  “Maybe. There’s still nothing that I could find in our system that indicates she was recalled to deal with you regarding the seabed recorders—or Laura’s situation.”

  “Nick, she’s working on her own. None of what she’s doing with me has been sanctioned.”

  “I don’t know. It’s possible that what’s going on is related to her China operations.”

  “Do you really believe that?”

  “I know you have suspected her all along but—”

  “She’s turned, Nick. That’s the only thing that makes sense.”

  “But why would she go rogue? I don’t understand that.”

  “If I had to guess, I’d say money.”

  “I don’t know . . .”

  Yuri moved on. “Last night, I told my PRC contact I wasn’t going to provide any additional intel on the seabed recorders until Laura and Maddy are released. That didn’t go over very well. He’s been pressing me hard to finish the work, claiming that both China and Russia need all of the underwater data in order to counter the U.S. missile subs. I know that’s bullshit—at least for our own uses.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I’m convinced the GRU knows nothing about this operation, same for the SVR.” Yuri hesitated, recalling an open issue. “And remember the so-called liaison—Tim Dixon. He has to be a shill. I bet he’s not even Russian.”

  “I haven’t found anything on him.”

  “And you won’t because he’s a fake,” Yuri said. “The risks that we’re now taking, searching for and recovering the seabed pods, are insane. Russia’s relations with the U.S. are at near crisis point because of the problems in the Arctic plus what happened to their oil tanker and then the attack on Sakhalin. Think about that. The Kremlin would never sanction an operation to recover the pods at a time like now.”

  “It would be a perfect excuse for the Americans to start a war.”

  “Exactly. We were lucky last year with the Neva. But now, if the American Navy discovered the pods—or me—it might be enough to push them over the cliff.”

  “You’re right,” said Nick. “There’s something wrong here.”

  “And guess who’s mixed up right in the middle of it?”

  “I get it, Yuri.”

  “Elena’s in Seattle to deal with me. Whoever she’s working for wants me to finish the recovery. She’s going to continue to use Laura and Maddy as leverage to force me to comply. And when I do that, you know what’s going to happen to us.”

  “How can I help?”

  “I need you here again—now!”

  CHAPTER 58

  When Yuri drove into Northwest Subsea Dynamic’s parking lot at 10:12 A.M., the cell in his coat pocket chimed; it was Nick’s throwaway. His company phone remained silent and its GPS tracker turned off. Yuri parked his Highlander in an open stall, switched off the engine, and reached for the ringing mobile. Only two people knew its calling number, Nick Orlov and Elena Krestyanova. The screen displayed “Unknown Caller.”

  “Hello,” he answered.

  “Privet, Yuri.”

  “I wondered when you would call,” Yuri said, switching to match Elena’s dialect.

  “Yes, it seems that I have been tasked once more with coordinating this operation. Our Chinese partners claim you are being unreasonable—again!”

  “You’re wasting your time. I’m not doing anything more until Laura and Madelyn are released.”

  “Come on, Yuri. You’re almost done.”

  “I don’t care—this has gone on too damn long.”

  “We need you to recover your underwater machine today and then process the data. That’s it—then you’ll be done and your lovely partner and her infant will be returned to you.”

  “No.”

  “Captain Lieutenant Kirov, this comes straight from the Ministry of Defense.” Elena’s voice stiffened. “You are directed to complete the operation and cooperate fully with our Chinese allies.”

  “Not until they’re released.”

  Yuri waited for the expected reply but heard nothing. “Elena, are you still there?”

  A new voice responded in English. “Yuri, honey, it’s me.”

  Laura! Yuri was energized as a flood of endorphins surged into his bloodstream.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “Yes, I’m fine. They’ve been treating us well. Elena’s here, too.”

  “Where are you?”

  “I can’t say anything about that. The people holding us will only allow me to say that if you finish whatever it is you’re supposed to do today they will release Maddy and me tonight.”

  She seemed to be listening to another voice in the background, then continued. “They promised me that if you finish the assignment and we remain silent about what’s happened, you can stay here—in the United States. You will be officially retired from the Navy in good standing and the Russian government will not object to your immigration to the U.S.”

  “Who promised this?”

  Yuri’s question met another round of silence.

  Elena spoke, this time in English. “As Laura just said, you’ll be a free man once you complete the assignment. No strings attached.”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “That’s more like it.”

  * * *

  Yuri remained seated in the SUV, thinking about what had just happened. He picked up the same cell and dialed.

  Nick answered on the third ring.

  “It’s me again,” Yuri said. “I just heard from Laura.”

  “She and Maddy okay?”

  “Yes, and guess who’s with her?”

  “No?”

  “Elena claimed that the FSB and GRU again recalled her to convince me to cooperate.”

  Nick cursed. “That means Laura is in Seattle with Elena.”

  “Yes. Is Elena still on that yacht?”

  “As of twenty minutes ago, when my guys phoned in a status report.”

  “That’s where they’ve been holding them. Remember what Laura first told me about asking Dan Miller and the Hercules for help to find the pods? We knew it was a clue, but I didn’t make the connection until now.”

  “You’re right!”

  “What has your surveillance team found out about the boat?”

  “It’s named the Yangzi. Registered in the Cayman Islands. Supposed to belong to some Hong Kong billionaire named Kwan.”

&nbs
p; Yuri cursed.

  “There’s more—it’s all fitting together now.”

  “What?”

  “When I ran Kwan’s name through our system, he was flagged. Turns out he’s MSS.”

  “She’s working for this guy, Nick. He turned her somehow.”

  “I agree. She’s a double.”

  “I’m running out of time. I’ve got to get Laura and Maddy off that boat before everything implodes. When will you be here?”

  “My flight leaves at one fifteen.”

  “I’ll pick you up.”

  * * *

  The MSS operatives stalking Yuri Kirov parked their Honda Accord on the street about fifty meters from Northwest Subsea Dynamics. The GPS tracker attached to the frame of Yuri’s Highlander allowed them to follow discreetly. The two men had an unobstructed view of the SUV. Aided by a pair of binoculars, the MSS team leader kept watch as the target remained inside the vehicle.

  When Yuri exited the Toyota and walked in the front door of the office building, the senior operative decided to phone in a status report. He connected with Commander Wang.

  “The subject drove straight from his residence, arriving at his business approximately twelve minutes ago.”

  “No stops?” asked Wang.

  “That’s correct, sir. But when he parked, he sat inside the vehicle for ten minutes. He appeared to be talking on a cell phone.”

  “But he’s inside the building now?”

  “Yes, about two minutes ago.”

  “Keep monitoring. I expect he will be on the move soon. When he does leave, continue your surveillance but at safe distance. Call me the minute he leaves.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  * * *

  Yuri ignored the first three calls from Nick’s throwaway phone as he sat at his office desk working. He suspected either Elena or Wang, but the caller left no voice mail messages. The NSD receptionist also held all of his landline calls.

  It was half past noon. Knowing he could not delay any further, Yuri answered the fourth call. “Hello,” he said.

  “What are you doing?” demanded Wang. “You’re supposed to be in Anacortes now.”

  “Something’s come up.”

  “I don’t care. You need to leave now.”

  “No, I don’t.”

  Wang said, “Look, Kirov, if you ever want to see—”

  Yuri cut him off. “I already have what you want.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “This morning I took a second look at the data from the recording pod we recovered. Remember the background noise that I filtered out to help capture the surface contacts?”

  “What about it?”

  “I ran an analysis this morning on the raw background sounds—unfiltered.”

  “Why?”

  “I didn’t have the time, or the energy last night, plus it’s a hassle to set up. Anyway, we—the Russian Navy—always analyze every byte of the data recorded by the pods, even background. Sometimes you get lucky.”

  “You found something!”

  “I did.”

  “A submerged contact?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is it an Ohio?”

  “I don’t know yet, but it certainly is not a Los Angeles- or Virginia-class. I know those sound prints.”

  “What then?”

  “Possibly a Seawolf. The prototype is based here.” Yuri paused. “But what I really suspect is that it’s one of the two converted Ohios that are based at Bangor.”

  As part of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia, the U.S. Navy removed all nuclear-tipped Trident missiles from four Ohio-class SSBN submarines. The missile silos were converted to carry conventional armed cruise missiles and the subs reclassified as SSGNs. Two of the converted boats homeported at Bangor with each sub carrying up to 166 Tomahawks.

  Wang considered Yuri’s revelation. “Why would the American Navy allow it to run submerged so close to its base?”

  “The risks are lower—no nukes aboard, other than the reactor. Plus they carry another very special cargo that demands absolute secrecy.”

  Wang picked up instantly on Yuri’s lead-in. “SEALs.”

  “Correct.”

  In addition to carrying cruise missiles, the Ohio SSGNs were equipped with an advanced SEAL delivery system that allowed for the clandestine insertion of a SEAL force up to sixty-six strong onto a hostile shore.

  Wang said, “We’ve heard rumors that those boats simply disappear.”

  He referred to the MSS illegal who monitored submarine traffic into and out of Hood Canal. On several occasions, the spy had reported the unexplained and unobserved departure of an SSGN. In contrast, the missile subs—SSBNs—were always noticed. As an apparent safety requirement for submarines carrying nuclear weapons, the Trident boats would navigate on the surface when passing through the drawspan opening of the Hood Canal Bridge. Traffic backs up on both sides of the opening, allowing unobstructed public views of the warships as they cruise to and from the Bangor base.

  “That fits,” Yuri said. “I think the converted ones must be allowed to navigate under the floating bridge rather than use the surface opening. That way they could reach the Pacific submerged and avoid satellite tracking.”

  “That explains a lot,” Wang offered.

  “Piece of cake for the U.S. Navy.”

  “What?”

  Yuri didn’t try to enlighten Wang on the meaning of the America idiom, one that he had picked up from Laura. Instead, he said, “With the sonar capability of an Ohio, they could easily sail under the floating bridge, even with its anchor lines.”

  “This is very good news, Kirov,” said Wang. “We may no longer need to recover the second pod. I need to review your analysis of the submerged recording to make that determination.”

  “There’s no need to waste time with the other pod. I have what you want. The complete analyses along with the raw data files are stored on a portable drive sitting on my desk.”

  “I’ll send a messenger—he can be at your office in minutes.”

  “Not so fast. We have other business first.”

  “I know what you want, but you must produce the data first.”

  “No. We’re going to make an exchange on neutral grounds.”

  Wang rubbed his chin. “What do you propose?”

  “I will only deal with my people, specifically Elena Krestyanova. I know her and trust her.”

  “That might be possible, assuming the Kremlin sanctions the trade.”

  “It will. Our Navy wants this data just as much as yours. Why do you think we risked placing the recording pods in the Americans’ backyard? It’s been a priority for years.”

  “All right, what else?”

  “We make the exchange tonight; I want Ms. Krestyanova to handle it.” Yuri dictated the details of the swap.

  After taking in Yuri’s demand, Wang said, “What you propose is feasible, assuming Krestyanova receives clearance from Moscow.”

  “She will, but what about you—what clearances do you need?”

  “None. This is my operation.”

  “Good. Then you need to find Elena and have her call me.”

  “I will work on it as soon as we hang up.”

  “One final item, Wang.” Yuri raised his voice. “If you double-cross me, I will blow the entire operation. I don’t care that you’re partnering with Russia. Both of you have used my family as pawns.”

  “Calm down, Kirov. This is going to work out.”

  “You know I only care about one thing?”

  “Yes.”

  “Just make sure they’re safe.”

  * * *

  “Do you believe his story?”

  “Technically, yes. What he said about the submerged recording is possible. But I still don’t trust him.”

  Kwan Chi and Wang Park relocated to the operations center, sitting across from each other at the conference table. Elena remained in the upper-deck salon. Wang had just briefed Kwan on his conver
sation with Yuri Kirov.

  “So he flatly refused to recover the second recording pod?”

  “He claims it’s no longer needed.”

  “We have no way to know if he is playing us or not.”

  “Not until we get access to the raw data and conduct an independent analysis.”

  Kwan looked away, thinking. Half a minute later, he faced Wang. “I agree that it is wise to remain cautious regarding Kirov. However, we have backed him into a corner, which is dangerous for us as well as him. We must now use finesse to complete the process. He needs the illusion of hope, and that has to come from you.”

  Illusion of hope, Wang thought, knowing it was code. “I understand, sir.”

  “Do you still have him under surveillance?”

  “Yes, he remains at his office.”

  “Very well, your request to abandon recovery of the second pod is approved. You may recall your team from Anacortes. I will have Ms. Krestyanova set up what Kirov wants.”

  “Thank you. I’ll get right on it.”

  “Commander, there’s something else.” He met Wang’s eyes.

  “Sir?”

  “I know the importance of the information Kirov says he has, but it’s now secondary to our mission. Kirov’s threat to expose us is something I cannot take lightly. He could screw up everything.”

  “I understand, sir.”

  “I want you to plan for the exchange as he outlined, but your primary task is to take him out during or immediately after it is completed—do you understand?”

  “Terminate Kirov.”

  “Correct. He needs to be removed tonight.”

  “And his companion?”

  “The woman needs to be disposed of with Kirov.”

  “And the child . . . ?”

  “We are not monsters, Wang.”

  Wang looked concerned. “It could get messy, sir. He’ll no doubt be armed . . . and in a public place.”

  “I’m sure you can work it out.”

  Wang started to stand but Kwan waved him back. “One last item,” he said.

  “Sir?”

  “You will have a third target tonight.”

  Wang frowned, uncertain about Kwan’s reference.

  “Our Russian liaison, Ms. Krestyanova. She cannot be trusted. Nothing can be traced back to us through her.”