The Kovalenko Chronicles (pt. 9)

The Kovalenko Chronicles (pt. 8)

A Different Approach

Xi made her way angrily to Vasilev’s office. She was completely enraged. First, that her subject made her look quite the fool, and second, that her work had been interrupted. As soon as she was done with Emil, she would take care of that annoying little bird once and for all.

When she reached Emil’s office, as always, she did not knock. In her highly agitated state, it looked as though she would tear the door off it’s hinges as she shoved it open violently.

“Ah, there you are,” Emil said casually as Xi stormed in. “Interrogation yielded nothing, I am told?”

“She needs to be eliminated immediately!” Xi exclaimed loudly. “She is of no use to us, and keeping her alive is only asking for trouble!” Xi stared up at the ceiling for a moment and took a deep breath. As she lowered her head, she looked at Vasilev and calmly stated “I will take care of her as soon as we’re done here.”

“You’ll do nothing of the sort,” Emil responded flatly. “I believe Eva Kovalenko is a valuable resource. You methods were not effective, which only tells me we need to try a different approach.”

“She is nothing but a low level field agent who is kept in the dark by her superiors,” Xi said. “Go to Location A, watch or kill Person Y, return to HQ like a good lackey. Need to know only.”

“Indeed?” Emil queried. “Tell me, did she share all this with you before or after she regaled you with such fascinating facts about horses?” Emil let out a soft laugh as he posed his question. “No, Xi. We don’t know enough about Ms. Kovalenko yet to deem her expendable.”

Xi, seething inside, approached Emil’s desk. “I am telling you, Emil, she is useless. Be rid of her now, or regret it later. She didn’t talk because she has nothing to say. She is nothing more than a puppet of the ISD.”

“Perhaps you are right, Xi,” Emil replied thoughtfully. Xi nodded her approval, feeling slightly more confident that she was finally getting through to him. Her mind was already calculating all the damage she would inflict on Eva before finally allowing her the sweet release of death.

“But still, better safe than sorry,” Emil concluded. “We’ll explore other methods before we write her off completely.

Xi, sensing her opportunity slipping away, shifted her tone slightly. “Respectfully, I don’t agree with you, but if you wish to try other methods, I shall do so.” She was already envisioning all the horrors she could put her lovely captive through. If Emil wanted to try other methods, Xi would exhaust every single one of them in the name of seeing Eva suffer. She realized now how much this could work to her advantage.

“Good. I’m glad we’re in agreement,” Vasilev replied with a smile. “And while I do appreciate your dedication, you needn’t worry. I have another job for you. I’ll handle the interrogation personally from here on in.”

Xi, thinking she was on the verge of victory, was taken completely aback.

“You are going to handle it? And why, may I ask?” she questioned, with more than a slight tone of anger in her voice.

“As I said, I have another job for you,” Emil said. I need you to meet with our contact in town regarding the next shipment due from Romania. I need you to coordinate security, as this shipment is vital. I have more pressing matters to attend to here, and you’ve proven more than capable in the past. Shouldn’t be more than a week, assuming all goes as planned.”

“Can’t you send someone else?” Xi asked, with a slight desperation in her voice. “I started the interrogation with this prisoner, and I feel I am the most qualified to complete it.” In the back of her mind, Xi could see Eva slipping through her fingers. She absolutely must convince Emil to let her stay.

“There’s really no one else as qualified as you, Xi. And besides, it is me she tried to kill. Agent Kovalenko has made this slightly personal.” Emil stated with a matter of fact tone.

“Understood, but…,” Xi started to stammer.

Vasilev locked eyes with Xi and told her very directly, “My mind is made up and this discussion is over. I’ll have a car waiting out front in an hour. Go get ready, please.”

“You want me to leave tonight?” Xi asked sharply.

“Yes, tonight,” Emil replied bluntly.

Xi, awash in a sea of shame, desperation and anger, turned to leave the office. Her hands were trembling with a barely contained rage as she made for the door. She would leave, but not before she said a proper goodbye to her guest.

“And Xi…,” Emil casually lit a cigarette as he beckoned her. “No need to check on Agent Kovalenko. I’ll send your regards.”

Xi looked back at Emil with a cold, ruthless smile and the dead eyes of a shark. “But of course. Thank you, Emil.”

If looks could kill, Emil Vasilev would be dead where he sat.