Page 43 of King

Andropov thinks he can use us as pawns in a game of chess.Well, I’m a pretty decent chess player.

I call up Fogarty.

I tell him everything.I tell him about Tommy and my father’s murder by an Andropov operative.I tell him about the abduction of Natalia’s grandfather.

Fogarty is furious.“What the hell, Harrison?Why would those bastards take Natalia’s grandfather?Do they really think that’s going to settle the issues between your two families?”

“They think only in terms of power and who has what and when.That’s it.They want something from us, and so they see us all as game pieces on a big chessboard.You know, kind of the way the FBI sees Natalia and me…”

There’s a brief silence on the other end of the line as that hits home with Fogarty.He will have to admit to himself that it’s a fair comment.

“Hold on a sec,” he says, and I expect he’s going to confer with his fellow FBI Special Agents.Try to decide what action to take, if any.

Of course, I know that the FBI has no choice but to respond the way it does to organized crime.They see the bigger picture and are after the top dogs.They don’t want to go after petty pieces when they can take the King himself.Or Queen…

“Here’s what we’re gonna do,” Fogarty says after a moment.“We’re gonna have you and Natalia go to meet with Andropov as planned.I’m sure Andropov wants to continue the relationship because your business is a key part of theirs.But there’s going to be an operation to take the building.That’s all you need to know.When it goes down, keep your and Natalia’s heads down.You know how to take cover.Do it.”

That sends a chill down my spine.An operation to take Andropov.With us as decoys.Andropov will think we will come to some kind of agreement to work together.I won’t shut down O’Connor Enterprises, and I won’t jeopardize the work that Andropov wants to do with Tommy or with us.

In reality, both Andropov and my Uncle Tommy will be taken in.I’ve reviewed the info that I have on Tommy’s role in my father’s death with Fogarty.

It’s enough to put him away, the bastard.

“Jesus, Harrison,” Fogarty says, shocked at the story I’ve told about Tommy.I haven’t told him that Ryan knew as well and did nothing to stop it.

I’ll deal with Ryan myself…

At a later date.

I driveto the warehouse in Brooklyn where Andropov is holding Natalia’s grandfather.When I arrive, I see one lone security guard standing at the door, glancing at my vehicle like he already knows who I am by the make alone.

I stop, get out and look around at the streets surrounding the warehouse.Sure enough, there are several guards looking like they’re just passing time, but they’re sentries, watching and will alert a central command if they see anything questionable.

I don’t know how the FBI will move in, but there must be some way they have that will escape the notice of the sentries.

At least I hope so…

When I meet with the guard, he checks my ID and then pats me down.He takes my phone, and I’m glad I have a face lock on it, so he can’t use it to see my last call, even if it is to an unregistered cellphone.

I walk inside and take the stairs as ordered, noticing the warehouse is pretty much empty, except for some old boxes and a few large spools of some kind of metal wire.It must be used for meetings rather than business.

When I get to the second floor, I’m met by another guard in a black business suit, wearing an earpiece.I could barely tell the difference between them and the CIA…

He points to a door, which another guard opens to admit me.

I enter, and there, sitting at a small sectional sofa, is Natalia’s grandfather, Natalia and Yuri Andropov himself.

“Harrison!”he says and stands, ushering me over with a wave of a hand.“Please to accept my apology for the method of this meeting, but I did not expect you would agree to meet, especially after what happened with the diamonds.But you must admit that we need to talk and put all this behind us, no?Business is business.”

“Yes, of course,” I say and shake the hand that he extends, despite my absolute hatred for him personally and for his entire crime enterprise.“Business is business.I understand.”

“Yes, as a successful businessman, you understand.Now, please, let’s put all this behind us and move forward.”

I nod, waiting to hear what he has to say, but of course, I can never put it behind me until he’s behind bars or in the grave.

Business is what cost me three lives.Andropov must be so inured to murder and death that for him, it means just a snag in business to be overcome by a better deal, a higher number, more profit.

I will never become someone like that, no matter what.