Chapter 146 Nikolai
The three days felt like three years. I did not sleep, eat, or leave the estate. I just sat in my office staring at the phone, waiting for instructions that never came.
Viktor came every day with updates. His men were watching the city, monitoring communications, tracking anyone suspicious. But there was nothing. No leads. No clues. No trace of whoever had taken Anya.
"They are good," Viktor said on the second day. "Professional. They know how to stay hidden."
"Then we find better people to look for them."
"We already have the best. If they do not want to be found, we will not find them. Not in three days."
I slammed my fist on the desk. "Then what do you suggest? That I just sit here and wait like a dog?"
"Yes. That is exactly what I suggest. Because if you go chasing ghosts and break their rules, they will kill her. You know that."
I knew it. But knowing it did not make it easier. Every hour that passed was another hour Anya was with strangers. Another hour she was afraid. Another hour I could not protect her.
On the third day, my phone finally rang. The same distorted voice. The same mechanical tone.
"Nikolai Markov. Your three days are up. Are you ready to hear my terms?"
"Yes. What do you want?"
"Not what. Who. I want you to release someone from your custody. A man named Ivan Federov. The banker you kidnapped six months ago. You have been holding him in your estate, using him to access accounts and move money. I want him released."
My mind raced. Ivan Federov. Yes, I knew the name. I had taken him months ago when I needed access to certain offshore accounts. He had been useful and cooperative. I had kept him locked in the basement ever since.
"How do you know about Federov?"
"That is not important. What is important is that you release him today within the next two hours. Or your wife dies."
"And if I release him, you will give me back Anya?"
"Not immediately. First you release Federov. Then I verify he is safe and unharmed. Then, and only then, I will tell you where to find your wife."
"That is not acceptable. I want proof she is still alive first."
"You had proof. The video I sent you three days ago."
"That was three days ago. I want new proof. Today. Now."
There was a pause. "Check your email in five minutes."
The line went dead. I opened my laptop and waited. The longest five minutes of my life. Then the email came. Another video. This one was longer. Twenty seconds.
It showed Anya sitting up in bed. She looked healthier than before. Her hair was brushed. Her face was clean. She wore a different nightgown, white and expensive. She was reading a book. Someone spoke off camera. "What is today's date?" Anya looked up. Her eyes were tired but alert. "April twenty-third." "And what is your husband's name?" "Nikolai Markov." "Thank you."
The video ended. I watched it three more times, studying her face, her movements, her voice. She was alive and being treated well. But she was still a prisoner.
The phone rang again. "Satisfied?"
"Yes. I will release Federov. But I need more than just a location. I need a guarantee she will be there and proof you will not kill her the moment I let him go."
"You do not get guarantees, Markov. You get my word. And my word is all you have."
"Not good enough."
"Then let me make this simple. You have two hours. Release Federov or I start hurting your wife. I start with her fingers, then her toes, then worse. And I will send you videos of all of it. Do you understand?"
Rage flooded through me. "If you touch her..."
"Two hours. Starting now."
The line went dead. I stood up, walked to the door, and shouted for my men. "Get Federov from the basement. Clean him up. Give him food and water. I need him presentable in one hour."
"Boss, are you sure about this?"
"Just do it."
They scattered. I went back to my office and called Viktor. "I am releasing Federov."
"What? Why?"
"Because they want him and they have Anya. I do not have a choice."
"This could be a trap. They could take Federov and kill Anya anyway."
"I know. But what else can I do? If I do not release him, they will hurt her. I cannot let that happen."
Viktor was quiet for a moment. "Where are you releasing him?"
"They have not told me yet. They will call with instructions."
"Then let me come with you. Bring backup. Just in case."
"No. They said come alone. If I bring anyone, they will know and kill her."
"Markov..."
"I have to do this alone, Viktor. I have to trust they will keep their word."
"And if they do not?"
"Then I will kill everyone involved and burn their world to ash. But first, I have to get Anya back."
I hung up. My phone rang again. Different number. Same distorted voice.
"Good. I see you are cooperating. Here are your instructions. Take Federov to Gorky Park, the fountain in the center. Be there at exactly three o'clock. Leave him there and walk away. Do not follow him or watch him. Just leave. When I verify he is safe, I will send you the location where you can find your wife."
"How do I know you will keep your word?"
"You do not. But you have no choice. Three o'clock. Do not be late."
The line went dead. I looked at the clock. It was one-thirty. I had ninety minutes.
My men brought Federov up from the basement. He was thin, pale, and frightened but alive.
"Federov, today is your lucky day. You are being released. But if you ever speak about what happened here or tell anyone what you saw, I will find you and kill you. Do you understand?"
He nodded frantically. "Yes. I understand. I will not say anything. I swear."
We drove to Gorky Park in silence. Federov sat in the back trembling. I sat in the front, my mind racing. This could be a trap. This could be the end. But I had to take the risk for Anya.
We arrived at two-fifty. The park was busy with families, couples, and children going about their normal day. None of them knew what was about to happen.
I walked Federov to the fountain. "When I leave, you stay here. Someone will come for you. Do not run or hide. Just wait."
"Who is coming for me?"
"I do not know and I do not care. Your part in this is over."
I turned and walked away. I did not look back or watch. I just walked to my car and drove away.
My phone rang as I reached the street. "Good. You followed instructions. Now wait. I will contact you when Federov is safe."
I drove back to the estate and paced the office. Watched the clock. Every minute felt like an hour. Every hour felt like a day.
Finally, after what felt like forever, my phone rang. "Federov is safe. Now, as promised, here is where you can find your wife. The old Petrov warehouse on the outskirts of the city. You know the one. She is in the basement. Alone and unharmed. Go get her, Markov. And be grateful I kept my word."
"If this is a lie, if she is not there..."
"She is there. I promise. Now go before I change my mind."
The line went dead. I ran to my car and drove faster than I ever had before. The warehouse was forty minutes away. I made it in twenty-five.
I pulled up outside. The building looked abandoned, dark, and quiet. I got out and ran to the entrance. The door was unlocked. I pushed it open and went inside.
"Anya!" I shouted. "Anya, where are you?"
My voice echoed through the empty building. No response. I ran through the warehouse checking rooms and calling her name. Nothing.
Then I found the stairs to the basement. I ran down them. The basement was dark and cold. I turned on my phone's flashlight.
And I saw her. Anya was sitting in a chair with her hands tied behind her back, her feet bound, a gag in her mouth. But she was alive. She was there.
I ran to her. Pulled off the gag. Started untying the ropes.
"Anya, are you okay? Did they hurt you? Are you..."
She looked at me with wide, terrified eyes. "Nikolai, it is a trap. You need to leave. Now."
Behind me, I heard footsteps on the stairs. Multiple sets. Coming down fast. I turned. Five men appeared, all armed, all pointing guns at me. And behind them, walking slowly down the stairs, was a face I recognized.
Alexander Volkov.
"Hello, Nikolai," he said with a smile. "Thank you for coming. We have much to discuss.”