Vektor Read Online Free PDF Page A

you?” Kaparov said.
    “From a practical standpoint, I prefer that you stay in Moscow,” he said, and they both started laughing.
    “If you had said anything else, I would have hung up on your dishonest ass. We need to figure out a better way to keep in touch. Throwing cell phones into the Moscow River can be expensive, especially on my salary.”
    “I can’t believe you would pollute the river like that. I thought they were cleaning up the Moscow,” Berg said.
    “Throwing phones into the river is the new national pastime. Putin has resurrected the paranoia in our DNA. Even the kids throw their phones in, and they don’t even know why they’re doing it.”
    “As long as it keeps you out of the Moscow River, I approve.”
    “Nobody is going to throw me in this river. No calls in my office or my home. If what you say is true, neither location will be safe. This time of the year, I like to walk every evening from six-thirty to seven, right after dinner. I stop off to buy vodka and cigarettes. It’s my usual routine. This would be the best time to call.”
    “I can give you a Moscow number that will redirect your calls. Just in case.”
    “Sounds good. Call me in a few days, and I’ll take that number. Until then, be careful with your new friend and stay out of trouble.”
    “That goes double for you, comrade,” Berg said and hung up the phone.
    He stared at the clock on the microwave and shook his head, taking in what Kaparov had said about Reznikov. His hint that the scientist had attracted attention beyond Al Qaeda disturbed Berg to the core. Given Reznikov’s outlaw status in Russia and Europe, he would have been forced to rely on Russian organized crime contacts for false paperwork or “off the books” travel. The Russian mafiya would have undoubtedly surmised his potential. The market for bioweapons among desperate rogue states represented an untapped economic resource for organized crime networks. The thought sent a chill through his body. He’d incorporate this revelation into the presentation, in the hopes that it would emphasize the importance of putting Vektor out of business.
    Few would ever truly realize how important it had been to take Reznikov out of circulation. If the raid on Vektor succeeded, he would permanently “retire” the scientist. Reznikov wouldn’t be the first “retiree” to take a walk in the forest and never return. The term “retirement” had more than one meaning at the Mountain Glen facility.
     

Chapter 6
    9:24 AM
    Federal Security Service (FSB) Headquarters
    Lubyanka Square, Moscow
    Alexei Kaparov extinguished his cigarette and lit another one immediately, inhaling deeply. He turned toward the Internal Affairs investigators and released the noxious smoke in their direction. The younger agent grimaced, while his seasoned partner stared through the haze unimpressed. At least they had the respect to send an old-timer to question him.
    “Smoking has been prohibited in this building for two years,” the younger agent said.
    “My habit was grandfathered,” Kaparov said.
    “By who?”
    “By someone old enough to be your grandfather. Are we done here? I’ve told you everything I know about Monchegorsk, which is nothing. I know this is hard for your superiors to understand given my position as director of this division,” Kaparov said, placing the cigarette in his overfilled ashtray.
    “What bearing would that have on Monchegorsk?” the older agent said.
    “Back to square one, eh? How many interrogations have we been through, and we can’t seem to get past this,” Kaparov said.
    Kaparov shook his head. He really didn’t need this shit, but it was necessary in the long run. He’d continued to seek information about Monchegorsk long after everyone else had stopped asking questions. He didn’t see any other option. He had a reputation for tenacity and defiance, which had obligated him to pursue his initial line of questioning about the possible use of bioweapons