| Subject: Chapter 33 |
Author:
Rita
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Date Posted: Monday, February 21, 08:24:45pm
In reply to:
Rita
's message, "TMTC" on Friday, September 10, 11:18:42pm
Chapter Thirty Three
********
From Chapter Thirty-One:
“Michael,” The apartment’s owner identified his intruder immediately. “How did you find me?”
“Perhaps I’m not as incompetent as you always thought.” Michael paused before deliberately addressing the other man by his first name to signify he was no longer the older man’s subordinate. “Egran.”
********
While Helmut was questioning his safety, Egran Petrosian was uncertain of his continued existence.
Michael’s hand on the gun was rock steady and still pointed at the former KGB colonel’s heart. The fact that he had not been shot immediately alleviated some of his concern - until he remembered Michael’s interrogation skills. The younger man’s pointed barb in response to his question caused further concern.
Having lost the considerable patience he had possessed while undercover all those years once he was thrown out of the very organization he’d devoted his life to, Petrosian decided to get this – whatever it was – over with quickly.
“What do you want?” Petrosian asked in heavily accented English.
“Sit down, please.” Michael’s tone was cordial even though his gun was still trained on the other man.
Having little choice, Petrosian did as he was told. Setting the chair he’d knocked over in his haste to stand up a few moments earlier upright, he sat down heavily.
Surprising the Russian, Michael holstered his weapon and sat down in the closest chair at the small square table.
Raising an eyebrow, Petrosian inquired, “This is not to be an interrogation?” Petrosian was aware of agency politics. Had to be in order to stay one step ahead all this time in hiding. He knew very well what Michael’s current role in the organization was. He was just surprised that Michael had settled for second in command.
“No,” Michael hid his mild amusement of the irony of the man in front of him radiating dread of their meeting.
“So, why you are here?” Now that he thought about it Petrosian realized that had Michael meant him harm or extraction back to Section One, he would have sent a team, not come himself for such a low level retrieval. He also suddenly understood that whatever Michael wanted, confidentiality was a part of it. He intuited that this meeting was for no one else’s eyes or ears.
Michael watched the various expressions and emotions flit across Petrosian’s face. Once he was satisfied Petrosian comprehended the situation, he answered the man’s question,
“What do you think?” Michael wanted to ascertain just how much Petrosian was still privy to before he gave him any answers.
“Past incompetency aside,” Petrosian offered a wry smile, “If you had wanted me dead, I would be. I do not think you are here to take me back either,” He spoke his thoughts aloud. “You want something from me.”
“Yes,” Michael confirmed. Petrosian’s statements attested to the former operative’s continued connections. He certainly knew Michael was back in Section. Even though he’d been relatively alone and on the run, he was still very much in the loop. All the better for Michael’s purposes.
“What is it?” Displaying bravado he wasn’t entirely confident of, Petrosian added, “And why should I help you?”
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