Chapter 24 Chapter Twenty Two

A military jet awaits in a private area of ​​Sheremetyev 2 airport.Dana was surprised to find that she and Sasha Shadanov were the only two passengers. "Where are we going?" Dana asked. Sasha Shadanov gave her a wry smile: "To Siberia." Siberia.Dana felt her heart tighten: "Oh." The journey took four hours.Dana tried to strike up a conversation, hoping to get a glimpse of what was about to happen to her, but Shadanov sat in his seat, silent and stern. A Lada 2110 sedan was waiting for them on the icy airstrip when the plane landed at a small airport that Dana didn't know where in the middle.Dana looked around at the most desolate land she had ever seen.

"This place we're going to - is it far from here?" And will I come back? "The distance is short. We have to be very careful." Beware of what? After a short bumpy drive, they came to what looked like a small train station.Six guards in tightly wrapped heavy uniforms stood on the platform. As Dana and Shadanov approached them, the guards all stared greedily at Dana's profusely nude attire.One of them smiled triumphantly at Dana: "What a beautiful girl!" "of course!" Shadanov grinned and said something in Russian, and the guards roared with laughter.

I don't want to know, Dana decided. Shadanov boarded a train, followed by Dana, more confused than ever.Where can a train go in the middle of a desolate, icy tundra?The temperature in the train is extremely low. The engine started, and a few minutes later the train entered a well-lit tunnel that cut through the mountainside.Dana looked at the rocks on either side, inches away, and felt like she was having a weird, grotesque dream. She turned to Shadanov: "Can you tell me where we're going, please?" The train suddenly jolted to a stop: "We're here." They got off the train and walked towards a strangely shaped concrete building a hundred yards away.Two forbidding-looking barbed wire fences stand in front of the building, patrolled by heavily armed soldiers.The soldiers saluted as Dana and Sasha Shadanov approached the door.

Shadanov whispered, "Put your arm in mine, kiss me and laugh." Jeff would never believe this, Dana thought.She put an arm in Shadanov's, kissed him on the cheek, and forced a hollow laugh. The door opened and they walked in arm in arm.The soldiers watched Commissioner Shadanov and his beautiful whore with envy.To Dana's surprise, the building they entered was the top of an elevator that went underground.They stepped into the elevator, and the door slammed shut. As they began their descent, Dana asked, "Where are we going?" "Under the mountain." The elevator was accelerating.

"How far down the mountain?" Dana asked uneasily. "Six hundred feet." Dana stared at him in disbelief. "We're going six hundred feet down the mountain. Why? What's down there?" "You'll see." After a few minutes, the elevator began to slow down.Finally, it stopped and the door opened automatically. Chief Shadanov said: "Here we are, Miss Evans." But where is this? They got off the elevator and walked less than twenty feet.Dana stopped in shock.She found herself overlooking the streets of a modern city with shops.restaurants and theaters.Men and women were walking along the sidewalk, and it dawned on Dana that not one of them was wearing a coat.Dana began to feel warm.She turned to Shadanov: "Are we under a mountain?"

"That's right." "But—" She stared at the unbelievable picture before her eyes. "I really don't understand, what kind of place is this?" "I told you, Krasnoyarsk-26." "Is this some kind of bomb shelter?" "On the contrary," said Shadanov inexplicably. Dana looked around at all the modern buildings again: "Director, what is this place for?" He stared at Dana sharply for a long time: "You will be more comfortable if you don't know what I'm about to tell you." Dana felt a renewed sense of alertness.

"Do you know anything about plutonium?" "Not much, no." "Plutonium is the fuel for nuclear warheads, a key part of atomic weapons. The sole purpose of Krasnoyarsk-26 is to make plutonium. A hundred thousand scientific and technical personnel live and work here, Miss Evans. At first, what they got was The best food, clothing and housing. But they have a limit here." "what?" "They have to promise never to leave." "Do you mean--" "They can't go outside, ever. They have to isolate themselves." Dana watched the people walking along the warm street and thought to herself, this couldn't be true. "Where do they make plutonium?"

"I'll show you." A tram drove up. "Come." Shadanov boarded the tram, followed by Dana.They drove down the busy main street and ended up in a labyrinth of dimly lit tunnels. Dana thought about the incredible engineering and the years that had gone into building the city.A few minutes later, the lights started to come on, and then the tram stopped, and they were at the entrance of a large, brightly lit laboratory. "We get off here." Dana followed Shadanov to look around, amazed.Inside the huge cave are three giant reactors.Two of them were silent, but the third was running, surrounded by a busy technical cadre.

“Every three days the machines in this room produce enough plutonium to make an atomic bomb,” Shadanov said, pointing to the one where he was working. "That reactor still produces half a ton of plutonium a year, enough for a hundred bombs. The plutonium stored in the next room is worth a Tsar's ransom." Dana said, "Director, if they have so much plutonium, why are they producing more?" Shadanov said sarcastically: "That's what you Americans call a Catch-22. They can't shut down this reactor because its plutonium powers the city outside. If they shut down the reactor, the There will be no light and heat, and people will freeze to death in no time."

"That would be terrible," Dana said, "if—" "Wait, I'll tell you later that it's even worse. Due to the economic situation in Russia, the state no longer pays the technologists who work here, and they haven't been paid for months. They were divided years ago. The beautiful houses I've seen are leaking and decaying, there's no money to fix them, all luxuries are gone, and people here are dying. Do you understand the dilemma? The amount of plutonium stockpiled here is worth billions of dollars, but in The people who created it here have nothing and are starving."

Dana said slowly, "So you think they might sell some plutonium to other countries?" He nodded. "Before Tyler Winthrop became ambassador to Russia, friends told him about Krasnoyarsk-26 and asked him if he wanted to make a deal. He and some people here felt betrayed by the government. Winthrop was eager to seal the deal after talking to the scientists he knew. But it was complicated and he had to wait until all the circumstances had become clear." He was like a lunatic.He said things like "everything has become clear". Dana found it difficult to breathe. "Shortly thereafter, Tyler Winthrop became the U.S. ambassador to Russia. Winthrop and his partners, working hand in hand with certain rebel scientists, began directing plutonium to a dozen countries, including Libya, Iran , Iraq, Pakistan, North Korea and China.” After all the situation has become clear!The ambassadorship was crucial to Taylor Winthrop only because he had to direct the operation himself. The Commissioner continued: "It's very simple, because a ball of plutonium the size of a tennis ball is enough to make a nuclear bomb, Miss Evans. Tyler Winthrop and his associates made billions of dollars. They Everything was handled so deftly that no one doubted anything." He sounded sarcastic: "Russia has become a candy store—except you don't buy candy here, you buy atomic bombs, tanks , fighter jets and missile systems.” Dana tried to take in every word she heard. "Why was Taylor Winthrop killed?" "He got greedy and decided to intervene on his own. When his partners learned what Winthrop had done, he had him killed." "But—but why murder his whole family?" "After Taylor Winthrop and his wife died in the fire, his son Paul tried to blackmail the partner, so he had Paul killed. Then he decided he couldn't risk the other kids knowing about plutonium. risk, so he ordered the killing of the other two children, and arranged their deaths as an accident and a burglary by accident." Dana stared at him in horror. "Who's Taylor Winthrop's partner?" Chief Shadanov shook his head. "You know enough, Miss Evans. I'll tell you my name when you get me out of Russia." He looked at his watch. "We have to go." Shadanov turned and took one last look at the unstoppable reactor, which was churning out devastating plutonium twenty-four hours a day. "Does the U.S. government know about Krasnoyarsk-26?" Shadanov nodded. "Oh, yes. They're terrified of it. Your State Department is working desperately with us, trying to figure out how to make these reactors less dangerous. Meanwhile..." He shrugged . In the elevator, Director Shadanov asked, "Are you familiar with the FRA?" Dana stared at him and said cautiously, "Yes." "They were also involved in this." "What?" Then she suddenly understood.That's why General Booth keeps warning me to stay away. They came to the ground and got off the elevator."I have an apartment here. We will go there," Shadanov said. As they walked down the street, Dana noticed a woman dressed like herself nestled in the arms of a man. "That woman—" Dana began. "I told you. Certain men are allowed to have prostitutes during the day. But at night, the prostitutes have to go back to a heavily guarded compound. They have no idea what's going on underground." As they walked, Dana noticed that most of the shop windows were empty. All luxuries are gone.The state no longer has the money to pay the tech people who work here.They haven't been paid for months.Dana looked at a tall house on the corner and noticed that instead of a clock, it was crowned with a large instrument. "What's that?" Dana asked. "A counter that warns of any problems with the reactor." They turned into a side street full of apartments: "My apartment is here. We have to stay here for a while before anyone becomes suspicious. The NSA is going to investigate everyone." "National Security Agency?" "Yes, it used to be called the KGB. They changed the name, but that's all they changed." The apartment is large and once luxurious, but has become rundown.The curtains were torn, the carpet was frayed and the furniture needed re-upholstering. Dana sat and thought about what Sasha Shadanov had just told her about the FRA.This bureau is just a cover-up. The FRA's real job is to spy on foreign intelligence agencies.Tyler Winthrop was once the head of the FRA and worked with General Brewster. I will stay away from General Buster as you wish. Then there was her meeting with General Buster.Can't you fucking journalists let the dead rest in peace?I warn you to stay away.General Victor Bust had a huge secret service for murder. And Jack Stone tries to protect her.Be careful if Victor Booth knows I'm even talking to you... With FBI spies everywhere, Dana suddenly feels naked. Sasha Shadanov looked at his watch. "Time to go. Do you know how to get me out of the country now?" "Yes," Dana said slowly, "I think I know how to arrange it. I need a little time." When the plane landed in Moscow, two cars were waiting.Shadanov handed Dana a piece of paper. "I'm staying at the Kiaka apartment building with a friend. Nobody knows I'm there. It's what you call a 'safe hideout'. Here's the address. I can't go back to my own house. Come tonight at eight o'clock. I Must know your plan." Dana nodded: "Okay, I'm going to make a call." When Dana returned to the lobby of the Soyuz Hotel, the woman behind the reception desk glared at her.I don't blame her, Dana thought, I have to take off this horrible dress. In her room, Dana changed into her clothes and made a phone call.As the phone on the other end dinged and rang, she kept praying: Please be home, please be home.Dana heard Caesar's pleasant voice. "The Hudsons." "Caesar, is Mr. Hudson home?" Dana found herself holding her breath. "Miss Evans! It was great to hear from you. Yes, Mr. Hudson is home. Please wait." Dana found herself shaking with relaxation.If anyone could help her get Sasha Shadanov to America, Roger Hudson would be the one to do it. After a while, his voice came to the phone: "Dana?" "Roger, oh, thank God I found you!" "What happened? How are you? Where are you?" "I'm in Moscow. I've found out why Taylor Winthrop and his whole family were murdered." "What? My God. How do you—" "I'll tell you the whole story when I see you. Roger, I don't want to trouble you again, but I have a problem. There is a Russian dignitary who wants to escape to America. His name is Sasha Shadanov. His life is in danger here. He has the answers to everything that happened. We need to get him out, and fast! Can you help?" "Dana, none of us should be involved in this kind of thing. We're both going to get in trouble." "We have to take this risk. We don't have a choice. This is too important to get done." "I don't like this, Dana." "I'm sorry to bring you into this, but I have no one else to turn to." "Damn it, I—" he paused. "Okay. The best thing to do right now is take him to the American embassy. He's going to stay in that safe place until we work out a plan to get him to America." plan." "He doesn't want to go to the U.S. embassy. He doesn't trust them." "There is no other way. I will call the ambassador through a secure line and tell him that he must be secured. Where is Shadanov now?" "He's waiting for me at the Kiaka apartment building. He's staying with a friend. I'm going to meet him there." "Okay, Dana, you pick him up and go straight to the American embassy. Don't stop anywhere along the way." Dana felt relieved. "Thank you, Roger. I have to thank you." "Be careful, Dana." "I will." "We'll talk about it later." Thank you, Roger.I really thank you. Be careful, Dana. I will.We'll talk about that later. The tape is over. At seven-thirty, Dana slipped out of the staff corridor of the Soyuz Hotel.She walked through an alley and was staggered by the cold wind.She pulled her coat tightly around her body, but it was still cold to the bone.Dana walked the two blocks, sure she wasn't being followed.On the first busy street corner, she hailed a taxi and gave the driver the address Sasha Shadanov had left her.Fifteen minutes later, the taxi pulled up in front of an indescribable apartment building. "Shall I wait?" the driver asked. "No." Chief Shadanov may have a car.Dana pulled a few dollars from her bag and held out her hand, and the driver took them all with a grunt.Dana watched him drive away, and then she entered the building.The hall was empty.She glanced at the small piece of paper in her hand, apartment 2BE.She approaches a dilapidated staircase and walks up to the second floor.There was no one around, and a long corridor stretched out in front of her. Dana began to walk slowly down it, looking at the number on the door. 5BE...4BE...3BF...2BE's door is ajar.Dana tensed up.Carefully, she pushed the door open a little and walked in.The apartment was dark. "Director...?" She waited.no answer. "Director Shadanov?" There was a deathly silence.There was a bedroom ahead, and Dana moved toward it. "Director Shadanov..." As Dana entered the dark bedroom, she tripped over something and fell to the floor.She was lying on a soft, wet mass.Dana stumbled to her feet with a feeling of revulsion.She groped along the wall until she found a switch.She pressed it, and the room was brightly lit.Her hands were stained with blood.On the ground lay the object she had just tripped over, the body of Sasha Shadanov.He was on his back, his chest was soaked in blood, and his throat had been slit horizontally. Dana screamed.When she screamed, she looked on the bed and saw a bloody female corpse, a woman with a plastic bag wrapped around her head.Dana felt goosebumps build up on her body. In hysteria, she ran down the stairs of the apartment building. He stood by the window of an apartment in the building across the street, loading a thirty-round magazine into an AK-47 with a suppressor.He used a three to six magnification telescopic sight, accurate to sixty-five yards.His movements have the dash and calm demeanor of a professional killer.It's an easy job.The woman could come out of the building at any moment.He couldn't help smiling at the thought of her panic when she found the two bloody bodies.Now it's her turn. The door to the apartment building across the street swung open, and he slung his rifle carefully over his shoulder.He saw Dana's face through the sights as she ran out into the street, and she looked around in panic, trying to decide which way to go.He aimed carefully to make sure she was centered on the sight, then squeezed the trigger lightly. At this moment, a bus stopped in front of the building, and the bullets fired hit the upper part of the bus and lifted part of the roof.The sniper looked down, unable to believe what he saw.Some bullets ricocheted into the bricks of the apartment building, but the target was left unscathed.People swarmed out of the bus, screaming and screaming.He knew he had to get out of here.The woman was running down the street.Don't worry, others will take care of her. The streets were slick as ice and the wind was howling, but Dana didn't notice it.She was in a state of extreme panic.Two blocks away, she came to a hotel and ran into the lobby. "Telephone?" she said to the clerk behind the reception desk. He stared at her bloody hands and couldn't help shrinking back. "Phone!" Dana almost screamed. The clerk pointed nervously to a phone booth in the corner of the lobby.Dana hurried over.She took a calling card out of her bag and called the operator with trembling hands. "I want to make a call to the United States." Her hands were shaking and her teeth were chattering.She gave the operator her card number and Roger Hudson's number and waited.After what seems to be an endless amount of time, Dana hears Roger's voice. "The Hudsons." "Caesar! I need to speak to Mr. Hudson." Her voice broke. "Miss Evans!" "Quick, Caesar, quick!" A minute later Dana heard Roger's voice: "Dana." "Roger!" Dana burst into tears. "He—he's dead. They conspired—to murder him and his friends." "What? My God, Dana. I don't know what—are you hurt?" "No...but they're after me." "Listen carefully now. Air France has a flight to Washington at midnight. I'll book a ticket on it for you. Make sure you're not being followed to the airport. Don't take a taxi. Go straight to the Metropolitan Hotel. Then There are regular airline shuttles from this hotel. Take one of them. Blend in with the crowd. I'll wait for you in Washington. For God's sake, watch out for yourself!" "I will, Roger. Thanks--thank you." Dana hung up the phone.She stood there for a while, unable to move, terrified. She couldn't get the bloody image of Shadanov and his friends out of her mind.She took a deep breath and walked out of the phone booth, past the suspicious clerk, into the freezing cold night. A taxi pulled up on the curb beside her, and the driver shouted something to her in Russian. "No," Dana said, and she began to hurry down the street. She had to go back to her hotel first. Roger put the phone away when he heard Pamela coming in through the front door. "Dana has called twice from Moscow. She has found out why the Winthrop family was killed." Pamela said, "Then we have to kill her." "I've tried. We sent a sniper, but something went wrong." Pamela looked at him contemptuously. "You idiot, call 'em again. And, Roger..." "what?" "Tell them to make it look like an accident."