"Not long afterward, Herr Steiner and his organization came into the picture. Klaus still didn't have any of the scientists helping him yet, and he knew I had access to their documentation. Several times he approached me, always with a threat, trying to obtain information. Then, one night, he followed me and tried again. When I refused, he… " Moshenko lightly touched her arm, while Steiner listened and waited for the right opportunity to try and escape. Natasha’s voice faltered momentarily. "I let Eric believe he was the children's father. He loved them and he was able to provide for them."
Moshenko started walking faster, shoving Steiner ahead of him. "And what of Stoyakova?"
"I intercepted one of the films Professor Heisen was sending to him just a few weeks ago and forwarded a copy to Comrade Antolov."
"Was Heisen threatened by Stoyakova?"
"His twenty-year old son was taken. He's being held at Lubyanka under an assumed name."
Moshenko shook his head. "This game we play," he said softly. She looked at her watch again, and he asked curiously, "What is supposed to be happening, Lieutenant Ostrova?"
"Comrade Stoyakova has assumed that Klaus has contaminated the water supply system and the refreshments in the meeting hall. He was to make a speech to the meeting participants that unless they take an immediate vote putting him in power, he will withhold the antidote for the drug."
"Antidote?" Steiner laughed over his shoulder. "There isn't any antidote."
"Of course, there isn't, Klaus," she replied condescendingly. "But they don't know that, do they?"
Moshenko again poked Steiner in the back with the Makarov. This time Steiner swung around, but Moshenko jumped aside, catching the East German with a fist on the side of his neck. Steiner went down. Moshenko grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, jerking him to his feet. "That's not wise." He shoved him ahead.
Natasha continued as if nothing had happened. "Comrade Antolov made the decision to entrap the minister and would do it by allowing him to proceed with his plan. I was instructed to follow Klaus and see to it that he was stopped." Somehow she anticipated Moshenko's question and responded, "I persuaded Comrade Antolov to allow me to do this. He knows what Klaus did to me. He knows about the children." She gave a hesitant smile to Moshenko, trying to understand how he became involved. "But you, Colonel, why are you here? How did you…?" Her hand holding the gun dropped by her side, her pace slowed as she stared at Moshenko's back as he proceeded ahead. "You… you're working with the two Americans!"
"Someday we may discuss the matter," he answered, while he kept walking. Then, suddenly he reversed his previous decision. "But what I will tell you, Lieutenant Ostrova, is that you do not have to worry about your children."
She caught her breath and rushed up to him again, but immediately she realized he would tell her nothing further. The heaviness that had weighed upon her heart vanished. She felt the kind of relief only a mother could know. She refocused on the East German with renewed vengeance. She had the upper hand now and persisted in her attempt to destroy the arrogance and viciousness she loathed. "Klaus, you have been nothing more than a pawn. Shall I tell you what the Americans did to your lab, to all your hopes and dreams? In fact, there is very little left of the entire building." She didn't wait for a response and goaded him further. "Or would you prefer instead to know what I did to Karl or what happened to Victor and your precious brother?"
A low growl rose deep from within Steiner. Moshenko's reaction was a split second too late, as the East German dove at Natasha, shoving her gun hand up. A single bullet fired, ricocheting off the concrete walls, the sound traveling through the tunnel. Moshenko took aim but couldn't get a clear shot off, as Steiner and Natasha fell to the floor then rolled as one down the incline.
Natasha's back hit the wall, knocking the wind out of her. Steiner wrestled the gun from her hand then raised up and fired at Moshenko who dove into an alcove, ducking underneath water shutoff valves. Moshenko could only watch as his transceiver flew out of his pocket and skidded somewhere into the darkened alcove.
Steiner grabbed Natasha by the arm and yanked her to her feet, then immediately grabbed a handful of her long hair that had fallen loose from the bun.
Moshenko leaned toward the edge of the wall. Another bullet whizzed by his head. Steiner pushed Natasha, making her run in front of him while he kept a death grip on her hair.
Moshenko rolled into the passageway. Laying on his stomach, he took aim and fired but the bullet careened off the concrete floor next to Steiner's heels. The Russian jumped to his feet and started running. His mind raced. The only way for him to go is the door where Grant is, the Presidium tunnel, or the passage used by maintenance. That passageway ran parallel to the Kremlin wall, just inside the grounds. The distance to Grant was at least fifty yards. Moshenko didn't know how soundproof the tunnel walls and door were. Did Grant hear the shots?
Steiner and Natasha were still in sight. Up ahead was a slight curve to the left, just before the Presidium passageway. He lost sight of them as they made that curve. He pulled up slightly, no longer hearing their running feet. Hugging the wall, he cautiously walked around the curve, the gun grasped in his right hand.
Steiner was plastered against the opposite wall just past the Presidium passage. He was using Natasha to shield his body. He pulled her hair, roughly jerking her head back. Thoughts whirled through his mind. How many rounds were left in his weapon? There could be three… or none. He had no idea where he was but had to assume the tunnel was an escape route and probably exited beyond the Kremlin walls. He shot a glance up the Presidium passage, quickly determining from its angle that it led where he didn't want to go. Why was the Russian taking me this way? Could someone else be waiting? He had to keep Natasha alive, at least until he found a way out.
Beyond the wall, Grant and Adler were growing anxious. Adler stood under the street grate. Large snowflakes fell between the bars, settling on his upturned face. He wiped the melting snow from his cheeks then pulled his watch cap down over his ears. A howling wind rushed across the grate. A strong gust swirled a layer of snow from the street, thrusting it down into the tunnel. Adler jumped back, then he quickly went back to where Grant was pacing.
Adler clapped his gloved hands together. "Jesus! It's a helluva good thing the colonel got us these jackets, otherwise we'd be frozen like popsicles! But if this show doesn't get on the road pretty soon, nobody's gonna find us till the spring thaw anyway!"
Grant walked past him. "Something's wrong, Joe. It shouldn't be taking… "
The sound of gunfire interrupted his words. They grabbed their weapons from their waistbands. Grant took up a position to the right of the door, Adler to the left. They had no choice but to wait because gaining entry to the tunnel from their side was impossible. The door was locked from the other side.
Steiner pressed the Makarov against Natasha's temple. She tried jerking away, but he pulled her hair, nearly snapping her neck. A weak cry caught in her throat. Steiner shouted to Moshenko, "You know what will happen if you make a move closer to us! Tell me how to get out of here, and I'll release her once I'm outside!"
Moshenko said under his breath, “I am sure you will.” He continued aiming his gun directly at the two. He had to count on Grant and Adler. His voiced thundered in the enclosed space. "There's a door straight ahead. On the other side is a tunnel that will lead you to the street above, next to St. Basil's Cathedral." If Steiner ignored him and decided to take the maintenance tunnel, they'd have to go like hell to catch him on the other side.
Slowly, Steiner started sliding his back along the wall, ensuring Natasha shielded him. Moshenko stayed back, but kept the same distance, putting himself in a very vulnerable position. Why hasn't he fired? Moshenko thought back and started counting the number of shots Steiner fired. Three. But how many does he have left?