“I have good news, Dmitri.”
“You’re buying the drinks tonight? I could benefit from ingesting my own body weight in alcohol.”
“Well, it’s true that I will buy, after what you’ve been through. It was a stressful mission for me, but I didn’t take any damage. I can’t imagine what it was like for you.”
“I’ll tell you about it tonight.”
“I look forward to it. But that’s not the news.”
“What is it then?”
“My helicopter has found your dolphins.”
“That’s impressive.”
“Right where you lost track of them.”
“You’re sure it’s them?”
He likened himself to an idiot the moment after he asked.
“I’m quite sure they’re the only dolphins wearing blue swimsuits with cameras mounted on their heads.”
“Alive, I hope?”
“Yes, at least I think they both are. One of them isn’t moving, but he is upright on the surface while the other swims around him. I’m sure medical attention is required.”
“Can you get their trainer to them on a skiff?”
“Really? For dolphins, Dmitri?”
“Trust me, they’ve earned it.”
He heard his friend sigh.
“Very well. Get your trainer ready and I’ll have the skiff pick him up on your port side.”
“I’ll explain tonight why you’re doing the right thing.”
“Yes, you will. But as of now, I’m no longer paying for the drinks all night. You’re buying the second round.”
Volkov summoned his veteran on his microphone.
“Get the trainer on the phone.”
“One moment, sir. He’s right here.”
“Yes, sir?” the trainer asked.
“A helicopter has found your dolphins. At least one is alive. The other is questionable, but I’m hopeful. I’ve arranged for you to board a skiff and retrieve them.”
The line went silent.
“He’s on his way up, sir,” the gray beard said. “He took off into the conning tower like lightening.”
The echoing ring of boots against rungs rose like staccato, and then the trainer materialized. Holding back tears, he trembled. Volkov shrugged and then raised his arms, conceding to the inevitable.
“Very well. Let’s get this over with.”
The trainer fell into his chest and embraced him.
“Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure. You earned it.”
Volkov pushed him back.
“Enough. You have work to do. They need your attention. Get out of here.”
Forty-five minutes later, the frigate’s skiff pulled away from the Krasnodar, and a sailor handed the satellite phone to the executive officer.
“That’s it, sir. That’s everyone except you and the captain.”
The executive officer turned, lifted the phone, and hunched into an earnest conversation. When the minute elapsed, Volkov remained silent and let the man continue, wondering how he would deal with the uncomfortable situation of having nobody to call when his turn arrived.
His few friends were drinking buddies who commanded naval vessels and hid their loneliness together in alcohol. As for a wife, he stood atop her steel hull.
As he sought a clever way to hide his social solitude, he noticed the arm pushing the phone his way.
“My father wants to speak with you.”
He accepted the phone and pressed it against his ear.
“This is Commander Volkov.”
The voice carried the certainty of a man accustomed to people listening.
“Commander Volkov, is what my son said true? Did he show courage and skill during your battles?”
“Yes, sir. He showed great character under stress. I was impressed. His performance was exemplary.”
“My son? I’d never seen any spark that could ignite him to his potential. But when he just talked to me, he sounded like a changed person. I thank you for turning my son into the man I wanted him to be. I am in your debt.”
“It was my duty, sir. I was happy to do it.”
“You know I have great wealth and political power within the region.”
“Yes, sir. I don’t claim to know the full extent, but I’m aware of your reputation.”
“I am privy to information that’s relevant to the forces around you. I know how each member of your admiralty will position himself in response to what just happened. Are you ready to hear what you will experience upon your return to port?”
Volkov swallowed and felt his heart pounding.
“Yes, sir. I’m ready.”
“You may have already surmised what I’m about to tell you, but I regret to inform you that your submarine career in the Russian Navy is over. You’ll be relieved of command.”
The words were a lance in his sternum, and he forced a reply through his tight throat.
“I appreciate your candor.”
“The truth is that all the admirals admire your efforts, regardless if they admit it or not. So you’ll be allowed to have an administrative job until you’re eligible to retire. But the power center of the flag officers will use you as the scapegoat.”
“I’m sure I’ll manage, sir. It’s traumatic for anyone to leave behind command of a ship, whether it’s to become a squadron commander or a scapegoat. I appreciate you warning me what sort of path I must now take.”
“There is good news, however. It may not seem good now, but it will in time. People whose business it is to know things are aware of what you did. You have a fan base among select captains of industry who want to interview you for high-level positions.”
The wind forced Volkov to yell into the mouthpiece.
“I haven’t considered a career beyond a submarine. This is happening fast. I’m still commanding my ship as we speak.”
“I understand. I don’t mean to overwhelm you, but I do want you to know that you have a powerful ally in me. I will make sure that you have options. A man of your quality would be wasted behind an administrative naval desk.”
“Thank you. I don’t know what else to say.”
“Say that you’ll join me for dinner. There are many men eager to meet you. In fact, I’m enjoying an expansion of my network as word spreads that I’ve positioned myself as the gateway to you. There’s one new name in particular that I’m dying to meet before making the introduction. You’ve created quite a following.”
“I’m honored.”
“May I count on you joining me for dinner tomorrow? I assume you’ll want your privacy this evening.”
“Yes.”
“I look forward to it. My son will tell you when my car will pick you up at your quarters.”
The line went silent, and Volkov handed the phone to his executive officer.
“We’re having dinner with your father tomorrow night.”
“We’re not. You are. He doesn’t mix family with business.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to exclude you.”
“You didn’t, sir. You included me in the most exclusive place I needed to belong but couldn’t get to. I have my father back.”
Volkov enjoyed the sentiment and then turned his attention to the water.
Placing binoculars to his face, he looked far beyond his rudder into the southern distance. Atop the Goliath, the Specter became a dot on the violet horizon, shrinking under the golden rays of the setting sun.
As the most thrilling episode of his life drifted away, the notion of never again seeing the tandem of mercenary ships filled him with relief — and sadness.
CHAPTER 25
Jake climbed the twisting earthen path up Montagne Saint Victoire, the peak he had seen glorified by the post-impressionist, Paul Cézanne. As uneven and jagged stones slowed his steps, an updraft from the valley lifted the scent of lilac into his nostrils.