The Big Breach - Index of

The Big Breach; From Top Secret to Maximum SecurityCompliments of http://www.192.comresidential blocks that dominate much of Moscow. The lack of colour wasstriking - the grass was worn away, the trees were bare and even thefew battered Ladas parked around were dull greys and browns. One was onbricks with all its wheels missing and I wondered if it was SOU's oldcar. Apart from a couple of small children playing on the only unbrokenswing in the park, there was nobody around. I orientated myself,recalling the details of SOU's sketch map. Exactly as he had promised,looking down the broad street which stretched in front of me, thecorner of a dark green apartment block, in which his mother-in-law'sflat was situated, protruded from behind another identical block. Theshort walk took me across a pedestrian crossing, providing a finalchance to check up and down for surveillance.The rubbish-strewn entrance lobby stank of piss and vomit and wascovered in graffiti. I pushed the button to call the lift - more out ofhope than expectation. SOU had told me it hadn't worked for years.There was no sign of movement so I began the trudge to the eighthfloor, thinking it was understandable that his elderly mother-in-lawhardly ever left home.Knocking gently on the peeling metal door of appartment 82a, there wasno reply. I knocked again, this time more firmly, but still noresponse. Increasingly anxious that my visit coincided with one of thefew occasions when she was out, I banged harder. Finally, a nervousfemale voice answered, `Kto tam?'In carefully memorised and practised Russian I replied, `My name isAlex, I am a friend of your daughter and son-in-law from England. Ihave a letter for you.' Her reply was well beyond the range of the fewRussian words I'd learned, so I repeated once more the phrase. Therewas no letter-slot through which the letter could be posted, so therewas no alternative but to gain her confidence sufficiently that shewould open the door. After I had repeated myself three times, hopingthe neighbours weren't taking note, the heavy doorbolts slid back andthe door opened a few inches on a chain. I pushed the letter throughthe gap and just caught a glimpse of wizened hands grasping it. Thedoor closed and was wordlessly re-bolted.I waited outside for about five minutes, watching the street belowthrough a narrow and dirty window, before knocking again. The door wasopened without delay and a tiny old lady beckoned me into the gloomyflat, smiling toothlessly, and indicated me to sit down on the sofa. Itwas the only piece of furniture in reasonable condition in the tidy butsparsely furnished and drab room. The old lady mumbled something that Ipresumed was an offer of hospitality, so I nodded enthusiastically andshe disappeared into the kitchen. SOU had told me that his mother-inlawwas fairly well-off by Russian standards - she had a flat all toherself and a small pension from her late husband. But looking aroundthe cramped quarters, it was understandable why SOU and his familyfled. Just as SOU had promised, in the corner of the room stood asewing-box, which if he was right, would still contain the two blueexercise books containing the notes.The old lady returned a few minutes later with a cup of strong, heavilysugared black tea, which I sipped out of politeness rather than thirst.SOU had listed in his letter a few of his personal belongings and theircollection was my ostensible reason for the visit. The old ladypage- 86 - To purchase the original limited edition hardback version of this bookplease call 08000 192 192 or go to http://www.192.com