The assistant he chose was a long-haired young man of studious appearance and intense. Can I help you?
Kurbsky put on his French accent. There is this novel, On the Death of Men by Alexander Kurbsky. Ive read it in French, but I see you have a new edition in English? I would enjoy comparing the two.
The young man turned away and was back in a moment with a copy. An excellent idea. I suppose it could be argued that to really get the essence of it, one should read it in Russian.
I see your point, Kurbsky said. Have you read it?
Good heavens, yes, who hasnt? A remarkable man.
He had the book in his hand, and Kurbsky said, The French edition I read had no photo.
This one has, a most excellent one. He showed it to him.
Kurbsky nodded. He looks like quite a character.
The young man smiled with real enthusiasm. I only wish we could get him in here for a book signing. Theyd be queuing round the block. Will you take it, sir?
Kurbsky nodded. He looks like quite a character.
The young man smiled with real enthusiasm. I only wish we could get him in here for a book signing. Theyd be queuing round the block. Will you take it, sir?
Certainly. Kurbsky paid cash and, playing his role to the hilt, said, Im going in for more therapy. Reading it will help pass the time.
The young mans face clouded. I hope things go well for you.
So do I.
He went out, dropped the book in his bag, and pulled his woolen hat back on. It was the ultimate test and he had passed it. Time to report in at Chamber Court. He decided to go on the underground and made for the nearest station.
IT WAS AROUND that time that Father Patrick Meehan, after an hour of hearing confession in St. Marys, went into the vestry, found an umbrella, and went out through the side door to have a smoke. He had managed to get his consumption down to five a day. A desperate struggle, but he was trying hard. He lit up, turned into the cemetery, and almost fell over Josef.
As someone who had served as a parish priest in Belfast during the Troubles, death was something he was extremely familiar with. Josef, with blood all over his face, was clearly gone, so he rushed to Basayev and saw immediately he was a lost cause too.
He took out his mobile and called for an ambulance, then informed the police. He returned to Josef and felt for a pulse, just to be sure. There was none, but in the circumstances, his duty as a priest was clear. He began to recite the prayers for the dying: Go, Christian soul, from this world in the Name of God the Father Almighty who created thee.
Soon sirens sounded, and not one, but two ambulances braked hard outside the church and the paramedics came on the run.
THE GENERAL STORE that Katya had mentioned to Kurbsky carried a sign: Patel & Son. It was what the English were fond of calling the Corner Shop, a place that was always open and sold everything. It was quiet, no customers, elevator music playing softly, and the young man sitting behind the counter was Indian, wearing jeans and a black bomber jacket, and he was reading a book, which he put down when Kurbsky appeared.
Can I help you?
I hope so, Kurbsky said. A friend of mine, a Polish guy named Marek, had a job at a house near here with two ladies? He worked in the garden, did odd jobs, and they let him live over the garage.
Thats right. I knew Marek well. Im Hitesh Patel. He offered his hand.
Kurbsky shook it. Ive had a letter from them offering me the job, now that hes gone back to Poland. Marek recommended me.
He produced it. Hitesh read it and nodded. I see. Whats the problem?
Im not sure if Ive got the right house. Im new to London, and I seem to have gotten all turned around.
Hitesh came around the counter, took him to the door, and pointed. Its right there, with the high walls. Theyre big on security. Front gate or side gate, theres a voice box, so you speak to let them know youre there. Theyre really nice ladies. Youll do well there.
Thats good to hear.
Hitesh was concerned. So you need regular chemotherapy?
Thats right. Lung cancer.
Im sorry. Youve really got to take it easy. Can I offer you a cup of coffee? Weve got the machine there.
Id rather have tea.
Ill join you.
They sat on either side of the counter, and Kurbsky said, Youre not very busy.
Not during the lunch hour-its all local trade.
Theres just you, then?
Hitesh laughed. My father and mother have gone home to Bombay for three months, and Im sitting in for them. A couple of local ladies come in part-time.
What do you usually do?
Im a medical student, just starting my fourth year.
Where did you go to university?
Here in London. He laughed. A great disappointment to my father, because Im not a businessman. Im too English for them. I was born here.
I know the feeling. I have a French father and I was born in Devon. I read English at London University, then I worked as a journalist, before He gave an excellent performance. Well, you know what I mean. Look, thanks a lot. Ill see you again.
Take care, Hitesh told him, and Kurbsky left.
HE APPROACHED THE house from the mews. Katya answered, opened the gate, and he walked through the garden and found her waiting on the terrace. She took his hands and kissed him on both cheeks.
We were getting worried. We expected you earlier.
Ive just been having a cup of tea with Hitesh Patel and showed him your letter. Hes a nice guy.
Svetlanas waiting.
They went into the conservatory and found her in her usual wicker chair. She reached up to kiss him We were worried for you.
No need, Babushka. Last night I went down to the Salters pub at Wapping and had supper. I got a taxi and then walked the streets. This morning, I did the same. Actually, I had a funny experience on Oxford Street.
What was that? Katya asked.
He told them about the episode in the bookstore. Isnt it wonderful? he said. Even with my photo on the book he was holding, he still didnt recognize me.
Katya said, There was a call for you.
There couldnt have been, he said.
Sorry, I mean the call was through me. Major Roper gave me one of those encrypted Codex mobiles. He said hed been trying to get you but couldnt get a response.
Ive had mine on vibrate. Ill speak to him.
Ive got chili con carne for lunch. Ill show you the room over the garage afterwards.
But first, theres champagne, Svetlana told him. A celebration of your return after all these years.
Just give me a moment, he said. I must call Major Roper.
YOU WERE TRYING to get me, he said when Roper answered.
Yes, there was no response, so I got worried.
I put my Codex on vibrate, and its easy to miss that faint tremble, especially when youre walking in the crowds of Oxford Street. What did you want?
Theres a breaking story on all the news shows. Shadid Basayev and his driver, a man named Josef Limov, were stiffed at that church in Mayfair where he has a memorial to his wife.
And when was this?
The priest, a Father Meehan, came across the bodies in the church cemetery not much more than an hour ago.
So information will be thin on the ground at the moment. What do you think, a Russian connection? SVR perhaps, he said, naming the Foreign Intelligence Service, which was in many ways a successor to the KGB.
Im not so sure. In the old days, they often hired the IRA to do their dirty work. These days, Muslims are popular.
Mind you, he was a bad one, Basayev, Kurbsky said. He wont be missed.
Ill give it some thought. Well speak again.
I might drop in to see you.
You know where I am.
LUZHKOV HEARD WHAT Bounine had to say, was shocked and delighted. There was no point in holding back on the story, and as it started to break, he contacted the Prime Ministers suite at the Kremlin and spoke to Putin.
I am obviously pleased that Basayev has finally met his end, but the manner of it gives me pause for thought.
I can see that, Comrade Prime Minister. He treads a dangerous path. You dont want to make fools of Ferguson and his people.
On the other hand, its a brilliant stroke if he gets away with it. Putin laughed. I like it. Let it ride, Colonel, and well see where it leads.
Bounine, sitting opposite him, said, How was he?
Delighted. I think the idea of Kurbsky making fools of Fergusons company actually pleases him. I wont try to speak to Kurbsky. Ill leave it to you, Yuri, youre the man he trusts.
THE LIVING QUARTERS over the garage were not quite as he remembered them. The bathroom had been improved, but the big room where Kelly had taught Kurbsky judo had been developed into another apartment, a kitchen area in one corner, a living room in another, and a wide window looking out over the garden. It was nicely furnished and in good order.
I had cleaners in after Marek left, and a plumber to improve the bathroom and kitchen. Its linked to the central heating system in the main house, Katya said. Svetlana wants this to work, Alex, and so do I.
Sit down for a minute. She faced him across the table, and he took her hand. Youve been great to me, your input in this affair has been fabulous, and I know youre a true friend to my aunt. It seems to be working, my new identity. As Ive told you, Ive been out and about, and I feel that Alexander Kurbsky is the invisible man. I can come and go at Holland Park as Henri Duval. Lets take it a day at a time.
Good, she said. Regarding your new identity, I hesitate to bring this up, but-
But you think Id better actually do some gardening now and then, to fit my cover story, right?
Right, she said with relief. Ill just show you the garage and the equipment and well go back to Svetlana.
Downstairs she pressed a button, and the garage door lifted. There was a riding mower, garden tools of every description, and a small Ford van in dark green. It doesnt look like much, but I use it as a general runaround. Its been in here for years. Just use it as you see fit. The right documents are in the glove compartment, and they include Henri Duvals name. The keys in there also, and a hand control to let you in or out at the front gate.
Excellent. He smiled. Lets go back to the conservatory and help Svetlana finish that bottle of champagne.
SHORTLY AFTER THE news came out of the bloodbath at St. Mary and All the Saints, Ferguson had spoken to Roper. Its like Belfast on a bad Saturday night in the old days. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet Office are not pleased.