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Chapter 34: Interrogation

Chapter 34: Interrogation

The secure room in the lower level of the mansion was deliberately plain. Concrete walls, a single metal table, two chairs, and lighting that was just bright enough to keep a person from finding comfort in shadow. It was not designed for theatrics. It was designed for results.

The Orlov captain sat with his hands bound in front of him. The cut above his eyebrow had been cleaned, but the bruising around it was already darkening. He looked smaller under the lights than he had in the warehouse, though the defiance in his posture had not completely disappeared.

Dmitri stood on the opposite side of the table. Anya remained slightly to his right, close enough to observe everything, far enough not to interfere unless needed. Two of Dmitri’s men waited near the door in silence.

"You’ve already given us the rail yard," Dmitri said. His voice was calm, almost conversational. "That bought you time. What you say next will decide how much more of it you get."

The man let out a short breath. "I told you what I know."

"You told us what you thought would keep you breathing," Dmitri replied. "There is a difference."

Anya studied the man’s face. Sweat had gathered at his temples despite the cool temperature of the room. His eyes kept flicking between Dmitri and the floor, never settling for long.

"Pavel didn’t just pass through," she said. "A man running with that much money doesn’t stop at a warehouse for conversation. What did he want?"

The captain’s jaw tightened. For a moment it looked as if he might refuse to answer. Then Dmitri shifted his weight slightly, and the small movement was enough to remind him of the position he was in.

"He wanted a way out of the city," the man said finally. "Clean transport. No checkpoints. He said he had something valuable enough to make it worth the risk."

"What something?" Dmitri asked.

"He didn’t show it. Just said it would make the Orlovs money if they helped him disappear."

Anya exchanged a brief glance with Dmitri. Information. That was always more dangerous than cash.

"And the rail yard?" she asked.

"There’s an old storage building near the east tracks. Used to be for maintenance equipment. It’s been empty for years on paper. That’s where he was headed."

Dmitri was silent for several seconds. Then he nodded once to the men near the door.

"Lock him down. No contact with anyone."

As they moved to take the captain away, Anya stepped closer to Dmitri. "He’s telling the truth about the location. I’m not sure he’s telling the whole truth about anything else."

"I know," Dmitri said. "But it’s enough to move."

They left the lower level together. The contrast between the cold interrogation room and the warmer upper floors of the mansion was sharp. Anya waited until they were alone in the corridor before speaking again.

"You’re going tonight."

It wasn’t really a question.

Dmitri glanced at her. "Yes. The longer we wait, the more time he has to disappear again."

She nodded slowly. "Then I’m coming with you."

He stopped walking and turned to face her fully. For a moment he said nothing, simply studying her expression. Whatever he saw there made the argument die before it formed.

"You stay close," he said. "No improvising."

"I wasn’t planning to."

A faint breath left him, almost a quiet sound of acceptance. "You never plan to. You just do it anyway."

Despite the tension still hanging over the night, Anya felt the corner of her mouth lift slightly.

Before they could prepare for the rail yard, another matter forced its way into the evening.

Katya intercepted them near the main study, tablet in hand. "You have a visitor request. Official channels. A city official named Anton Valev. He’s asking for a private meeting with you."

Dmitri’s expression didn’t change, but Anya saw the slight shift in his posture. "When?"

"He’s offering tonight. Or tomorrow morning at the latest. He says it concerns ’mutual interests’ in the southern districts."

Anya frowned. "That is not subtle."

"No," Dmitri agreed. "It isn’t."

He was quiet for a moment, clearly weighing the timing. Pavel was still out there. The rail yard lead was fresh. But ignoring a political approach entirely carried its own risks.

"I’ll take the meeting," he said at last. "Short. Controlled. Anya will sit in."

Katya nodded and moved away to arrange it.

Anya looked at him. "You want me there."

"Yes." His eyes met hers. "You’re part of this now. They should get used to seeing that."

The meeting took place in one of the smaller formal rooms rather than the war room. Anton Valev was a man in his late forties, well-dressed, with the careful smile of someone used to surviving by reading power correctly. He rose when they entered and offered a polite nod.

"Pakhan. And... Mrs. Volkov. Thank you for seeing me on short notice."

Dmitri did not invite him to linger on formalities. "You asked for the meeting. Speak."

Valev clasped his hands loosely in front of him. "The southern districts have been unstable since the recent shifts in control. Certain transport routes, certain businesses... they function better when there is clarity about who manages them."

Anya watched him closely. He was choosing every word with care.

"And you believe you can provide that clarity?" Dmitri asked.

"I believe cooperation is more profitable than conflict," Valev replied. "I can make certain municipal complications disappear. In return, stability in the areas under your influence would be... appreciated."

The conversation continued in that careful, coded manner for several minutes. Dmitri gave away little. Anya spoke only once, asking a direct question about the scope of Valev’s influence, which seemed to catch the man slightly off guard.

By the time the meeting ended, nothing formal had been agreed upon. But the opening had been made.

After Valev left, Anya and Dmitri remained in the room.

"He’s useful," she said.

"For now," Dmitri replied. "Men like him always are. Until they decide they want more."

She stepped closer to him. "You’re still thinking about the rail yard."

"Yes."

Anya reached up and adjusted the collar of his shirt, a small, almost unnecessary gesture. "Then let’s finish this."

Dmitri looked down at her for a long moment. Then he lifted her hand and pressed a brief kiss to the inside of her wrist, the contact low and private.

"Get ready," he said. "We leave within the hour."

Outside, the night had settled fully over Moscow. Somewhere near the old rail yard, Pavel was still trying to disappear.

He would not get much more time.