Cobalt (12 page)

     ‘… and as you know while President Watson believed he was doing the right thing for the people of Russia, that swine, Youvelish knew that only the upper classes, notably the congressmen of Russia would benefit from such an agreement.’

     ‘I understand your passion, Comrade, and I share you’re concern. I too have family who suffer in the sweat shops to manufacture useless merchandise.’ While Teslovich felt strongly against the exploitation of his family, he enjoyed the benefits bestowed to his own upper class household by the U.S./Russia Work Treaty. This was something he had never told Kellerin. To do so would have been detrimental to their partnership. Teslovich benefited profitably from playing both sides against each other, and the money was something he was not about to give up.

     ‘The Americans have signed a deal to unite Russia and America in the space race. The deal was to have the Russian factories manufacture the superior electrical and technical equipment America needed to stay ahead of the space game. Cuba and other European countries have been coming close to achieving great things over the last decade, and with Russia’s help, and bountiful mineral mines the United States knew they could continue to dominate the space advancements race.’ Kellerin stood and began to pace his office, talking into the conference function on his desk phone. While he didn’t live in Russia, and he had never lived there, he still felt strongly about the situation created by the treaty. His sources had brought him evidence of slave labour, something he believed had been annihilated with Brezhnev’s presidency in 1982. Under Yuri Andropov’s presidency the notion of popular election was introduced, an issue that was continued under Gorbachev’s democratic administration. A change in electoral strategy and government control was seen as beneficial to all of Russia, and it was believed that with the abolishment of communist control all of Russia would greatly improve financially, economically and well morally, also. Kellerin, like so many others, believed democratic government, and strong relations with the United States would greatly improve Russia, so when the damaging effects of the U.S./Russia Work Treaty were brought to his attention, along with the foul dealings of President Youvelish, Kellerin swore to take action, no matter the consequences, and taking the White House was a means to an end. A risky one at that.

            ‘It is the children I pity, Michlov. Boys as young as eight and girls only fourteen years old are forced to work in the appalling conditions found in the uranium mines. Children who should be educated. Children who are the future of Russia slave in mines and factories to fill the pockets of corrupt politicians. These conditions have been contested worldwide by the United Nations. One of the central aims is to achieve international cooperation in solving economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian problems and encourage respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms, yet because the sanctioned treaty is supposably benefiting Russia’s economy, the conditions are allowed to continue. Children are being exploited Michlov. Thousands of children go to be hungry every night and wake to work in very harsh conditions. Grown men could not function under these conditions. Children should not be forced to endure something as horrible as this. Children should go to school, they should play sports. In the ideal world all children would eat three balanced meals a day.’

     ‘Comrade, I have heard all this a number of times before today, and I agree with you, the conditions are appalling. But, soon you will see the resolution of this problem. As far as the United Nations is concerned everything involved with this treaty is extremely rewarding. The signing of the nuclear disarmament pact, the co-operation between Russia and America in the space race, it all benefits humanity.

     ‘I see nothing humane about entire families slaving for seventeen hours a day, and not receiving enough money to feed themselves. I see nothing that promotes human rights and fundamental freedom when people are killed in mining and machinery accidents so rich families, and corrupt politicians can enjoy another three-course feast. The situation must be reversed. And I intend to make President Watson see the folly of his actions.’ Kellerin sat down again, calming himself after his passionate outburst. Teslovich had warned him of becoming too personally involved on a number of occasions, and usually he had been able to detach himself from the mission. This time, however, it was different. Children were suffering. Women were loosing their families. This time there was no selfishness motivating his cause, or his response.     

     ‘Comrade. May I ask exactly how we are going to enter the White House. It’s not like we can simply walk in through the front door.’

     ‘That, my friend, is exactly how we are getting in. I have a number of people on the inside for this one.’

     ‘How?’

     ‘Some were bought, and others, well they had their own agenda. Their own reasons for wanting President Watson held by terrorists. I didn’t ask why I merely accepted the challenge.’  

      ‘Very well, I will see you in thirty-six hours. Inform me if the plans change.’

     ‘Be careful. You have been instrumental in the plan thus far, and I’d hate for you to miss the most vital stage.’

     ‘And I look forward to ending this also.’

As Teslovich’s line clicked off Kellerin punched another number into his phone and sat back into his leather chair. The phone rang twice before a feminine voice answered sleepily on the other end.

     ‘I hope this is important. It’s still early. You know I’m not a morning person.’

     ‘Angela, honey. How are you liking Florence.’

     ‘Dominic, darling, I’ve missed you terribly. Why haven’t you called me before now?’

     ‘I had to give you time to achieve your goal. I trust you saw Madeline and Glazer.’

     ‘Yes, and as you said Rick was very interested in seeing me again. How did you know that would happen?’ 

     ‘I know Madeline very well. I know that she keeps the Deputy Director around, but if questioned she would deny everything. She is a very private woman, and I know that he wants more affection, less secrecy. You were the perfect distraction for him, and hopefully for her.’

     ‘Well she seemed distracted when she found me in her hotel room. She threatened me with her gun.’

     ‘Excellent work, Angela. Any distraction will give us a slight edge over them. If they are fighting, their work will suffer. Excellent.’

     ‘Did you hear me? She pulled a gun on me.’

     ‘Poor baby. I’ll make it up to you. Between attempting to destroy the Watson marriage, creating a diversion for Teslovich and having a gun pulled on you you’ve been a very busy girl. I’ll make it up to you when you return.’ Kellerin pushed a button that ended the call. Everything was working out perfectly, and finding Angela was a stroke of pure luck. That woman could certainly hold a grudge. Angela had told him when they first met that Rick had left her for a younger brunette, a woman who was to be his partner at the CIA. She had scoffed, that at the time she believed Rick only wanted to test this woman in every possible way, physically, mentally, sexually, but when he didn’t return to her she vowed to make him sorry. She had married his best friend from high school and Rick didn’t even show up at the wedding. In fact she had been married four times, each ending in a bitter divorce. She resented Rick for destroying her life, and she resented the brunette even more for taking him from her. Angela had never seen Madeline, until they met at the airport. Kellerin wished he had of seen Angela’s expression when she came face to face with her. She had spent fourteen years hating a woman she didn’t even know, and Kellerin had used that hate to his advantage. On a whim he sent Angela after them, hoping that should they be together, her presence would interrupt their partnership, and thus their investigation. It had been a gamble, considering no-one knew whether Madeline and Rick were, or had ever been together, but according to Angela his ploy had gained time, and that was all he wanted.

            Kellerin turned and looked out him window. He smiled at the view. In the distance he could see Capital Hill rising above the city. He thought of Madeline and Rick chasing Teslovich around Europe, in search of him, when in actuality he was in Washington DC.

CHAPTER 16

During the two hour, fifty-five minute helicopter ride, the pilots, young military men - about twenty-four - decided to test Rick's flight endurance. Dropping hundreds of feet into canyons and racing at high speeds, they attempted to instil fear into him. Rick, loving a good challenge, sat straight-faced, peering out the windows, and looked to be enjoying himself, very much. He even ate the chocolate bar they offered him. Madeline, on the other hand, hated the way young men showed off around big machinery, particularly when a woman was present. ‘Boys with their toys!’ was all she said as they lifted her from the passenger hold. Rick jumped down, grinning like the Cheshire cat. Grinning that is, until the helicopter had disappeared from the dock, on which it had dropped them, then he bolted to the side rail and vomited, twice, into the water. Madeline smiled, Poor Rick, she thought, he still has to go one hour on the vaporetto, to mainland Venice. She looked at the water, it was only at a slight swell. The trip would be smooth, enough, she thought. Not that she minded. Her father had been Navy and she had spent the first eight years of her life on boats, but after the helicopter ride, she wasn't sure how Rick would fair.

            As they stepped off the open dock, and onto the ferry, it began to rain. Madeline reminisced, the last time she had been in Venice, it had rained, also. The ride was peaceful, not to many people travelled on the one p.m. and Rick seemed to have regained his stomach. Madeline stood, leaning on the rail looking out across the water. She didn’t notice Rick move, until he stood behind her, his hands holding the rail either side of her, his body melded against hers. She felt him lean closer to her and she relaxed against him as he rested his chin on her shoulder.

     ‘Some day’ he said, against her neck. ‘We’ll have to return to Venice, by ourselves, on a holiday. No terrorists, no agency, just us and the world’s most romantic city.’

     ‘Mmm, that would be nice.’ Madeline commented, still watching the water rush under the edge of the ferry, her voice taking on the faraway quality often associated with tourists and the atmosphere Venice created.

     ‘When that happens we’ll make love in a gondola, where my increasing libido and the gentle rocking of the boat in the water will do nothing but enhance your pleasure.’ Rick whispered, his breath tickling her skin, his arms closing more securely about her.

            Madeline turned in his arms, to face him, smiling. ‘Aren’t you ever sated?’

     ‘Around you, Madeline. Never!’ He pulled her closer, and nibbled on her neck, as she laughed. Rick laughed against her throat, the sensation causing her to push against his shoulders. Making a spectacle of herself was something Madeline tried to avoid, at all costs, and she and Rick were about to do just that. Particularly if he keeps this up, she thought to herself. Rick straightened to his full height and looked down at her, still smiling. Madeline winked at him and turned to face back out across the water. Rick stepped away to admire her fully.

            Leaning back against the cream wall of the ferry’s cabin Rick let his eyes roam all over Madeline. Silhouetted against the grey Venetian sky, her dark hair blowing in the gentle breeze, Rick couldn’t help but smile. Madeline’s full-length black overcoat hid from the viewer the soft curves of her body. It hung almost straight, shapeless to her ankles,  except for the slight moulding at her waist, but every so often when the breeze increased slightly it swirled away and gave Rick a glimpse of her well-shaped calves, and the hem of her short white skirt, that were hidden beneath.

            Madeline turned to face him, the change of angle causing her hair to blow across her face. Rick stepped over to her and gently pushed at the wayward strands that crossed her cheek. She smiled at him, and shivered. He looked down at her white suit and dark coat, and then wrapped his arms, and the lapels of his own overcoat around her, holding her very close to him.

     ‘I forgot how cold the canals can be. This wind just blows right through you.’ Madeline stated, as if trying to apologise for her momentary loss of self-control. Rick just held her closer.

     ‘It’s Ok. I like having you this close.’ He whispered, huskily, his words almost lost in the wind. Almost. Madeline smiled to herself, enjoying the feel of his arms around her.

            As the vaporetto made its way slowly towards St Mark’s square it passed a small funeral party. Madeline turned to follow its progress along the Grand Canal. Rick watched also, confused by the procession that followed the funeral barge.