Makarov reached the final step and braced himself against the wall, taking a breather from the constant running and sprinting he had just endured. The jump and explosion was one thing to endure, but it was a completely different thing having to outrun nearly half of the city's police, for nearly an hour without rest or a break.
He wasn't much one for running, or jumping. Both were bothersome to him and overall, pointless. He would formulate another plan that would work around that factor then spend running. Anything to avoid a sprint.
But it was a plan conceived on the fly, and one that had gotten him, and Anatoly both safely out of a serious bind and back out of harms way. Things hadn't gone exactly to plan, and now he was back to square one, with no leads and now more police on his tail. Two steps forward, and two steps back. Just a waste of time.
Anatoly reached the apartment door and immediately knocked against the wood, completing a five knock pattern. There was a small pause before Victor answered, actually surprised to see Makarov with him.
"Makarov?" Victor asked, looking back between the two in confusion. "What are you two-
"Just let me in..." Anatoly said weakly, moving past Victor and into the safety of the apartment room. Victor just gave him a look before turning back to Makarov.
"What's wrong with him?" Vcitor asked.
"Its a long story." Makarov explained, proceeding inside the apartment. "I'd be happy to tell you once I catch my breath."
Makarov stepped into the narrow hallway and Victor closed the door behind him, securing the locks that were bolted onto the side of the door.
Makarov walked past two room before proceeding into the main living room of the apartment. The place was located just on the outskirts of the industrial district, a poor neighbor hood that rivaled even Moscow's poverty district. But it was just the place that was perfect for Anatoly and Victor to live, as well as Elena.
The place was simple, but it provided enough space for five people to live with minimal difficulties, so long as they were comfortable with each other. The apartment had all the basic utilities, as well as a T.V, desk, and basic furniture. The only thing that seemed to be out of place was Anatoly's laptop, which sat on a desk in the far end of the living room. The piece of technology was the very thing that had allowed them to monitor the police, as well as find the lead about Locke. It was an invaluable tool, and Anatoly couldn't have been the better person to use it. He was the only one who actually knew how to use it.
But even with a secure residence and advance technology, it would all prove useless if the police were to ever discovered them, and with the new realization that someone had figured out that they were monitoring the police, he knew that it would be a matter of time when they were knocking at the door, if they were careless...
"So what happened?" Victor asked as Makarov reached into his pocket for his cigarettes. "Did you find Locke?"
"Not exactly." Makarov replied, lighting the cigarette and sitting in an open chair. "There were some minor difficulties..."
Anatoly laughed weakly. "Ya...'Difficulties.."
"What kind of 'difficulties'?"
The trio turned to see the familiar figure of Elena Zakhaev, standing by the hallway, holding a small rubix cube in her hand and wearing her same boring bland expression.
"Wait, let me guess..." Elena said, putting a finger to her mouth. "You didn't find Locke?..."
Makarov narrowed her eyes at the young girl. "Very observant. Care to elaborate on that further?"
Elena nodded. "Judging by your tired state from having to run, and your anger slowly rising, I'm going to guess, and this is just a wild guess, that you ran into the police?"
Makarov nodded slowly, his anger beginning to rise. "You never fail to amaze me... Tell me, do you like having your bones broken?"
Elena shrugged. "Threaten me all you want, it doesn't change that fact that you were outsmarted at your own game. If your going to cry because you got beat, maybe you need to find a new calling..."
Makarov was beginning to get more and more angry with every word she said. He had just ran and evaded the police for nearly an hour, and after finally reaching safety, he had to deal with Elena's smug and sarcasm, which was enough to set him off when he was calm. The girl's attitude was one he despised, and one he had already grown sick off. And this situation wasn't helping their partnership.
"Why don't you try avoiding the police and then you tell me how it feels..." Makarov countered, glaring at her. "It would do you some good, considering all you ever do is play with your god damn puzzle cube."
Elena gave a small smile. "Well, in all fairness, I did warn you..."
"Warn me?"
Elena raised her eyebrow. "Don't you remember our little conversation in the library?"
Makarov loosened his grip on the his seat. "Ellien Lelend..."
Elena nodded in reply. "Bingo."
"She knew I was monitoring the police." Makarov said, remembering talking to her over the phone. "She knew I was looking for the Patriot, and knew I would go to the apartment. And I'm sure she know doubt knows who 'Yuri Vasily' really is."
"Yes, I would expect that..."
Makarov closed his eyes and took another breath of smoke from his cigarette. "If she was able to figure out all this on her own and has access to the Police and FSB, then she's definitely a threat. One that needs to be taken care of immediately before she causes more problems..."
His eyes reopened and they narrowed at Elena. "You said you knew her."
"Yes..." Elena started. "I did..."
"How?" Makarov demanded. "Where did you know her?"
Elena gave Makarov a reluctant look. "You really want to know?"
"I want to know everything you know about her." Makarov repeated, still waiting expectantly for an answer.
There was a long pause as Elena took her time, thinking up her answer. Every second she took caused Makarov to slowly get angrier and angrier. Finally, after what seemed like a minute, she gave her answer.
"No." She replied flatly, looking to her rubix cube.
"What did you say!" Makarov yelled, getting out of his chair. Anatoly slowly sunk deeper into his and Victor quietly turned away.
"I said-
"I know what you said Goddamn it!" Makarov shouted in anger. "And no is not the right answer!"
"It is now." Elena said, turning away and beginning to walk away.
Makarov fists griped tightly. "I swear-
"Maybe when I do give you advice, you'll take it with a grain of salt." Elena replied simply. "Maybe next time you'll be more appreciative."
"Fine." Makarov spat, glaring at her. "I don't need your help killing one person. I can do this by myself."
Elena gave a small laugh. "Whatever..."
Makarov watched as she went to the nearby door leading to her room, and she was soon out of sight. He shook his head and sat down at the desk in the living room.
"It doesn't matter anyway...Either way, Ellien Lelend will be dead in the end...And that's all that matters..."
Makarov turned over to Anatoly, who was sitting next to his computer.
"Anatoly, bring up all records on the current number of police and FSB currently in Moscow." Makarov ordered. "We need to find out how much this woman knows..."
It took them nearly the rest of the day to figure out who and where Ellien Lelend was. Makarov retold of what had happened, as well as how they had escaped. Victor only nodded as he listened, while Elena stared up at the ceiling, seemingly focused on something else in her only world.
They had checked over the Police and FSB database, but no one with the name Ellien Lelend was registered or had been registered. Nothing came up.
Makarov first thought was that she had given him a false name or alias, but he quickly dismissed that notion. There was no point in trying to confuse or trick someone who you were going to arrest in just seconds. That is, until he had escaped.
Then he tried to remember if Vorshevsky or Carpathia had mentioned her to him once when he was in the Ultranationalist party. But nothing came in to play, he had never heard the name before. Not even Zakhaev mentioned her. But then again, he never mentioned he had two children as well...
It was safe to assume that Ellien knew people and had connections in the Ultranationalist party, but he didn't think she was an Ultranationalist herself. Based on what he had heard over the phone, she was some sort of private detective or mercenary that even Carpathina and Vorshevsky trusted. Trusted enough to give her power over the police and FSB.
There was no doubt about it. She was in Moscow. She had connections to Carpathia and Vorshevsky. She finally and most importantly,' she had figured out what he was doing and most likely knew about 'Yuri Vasily'.
There was only one option left. This problem had to be dealt with immediately. And permanently.
Makarov turned over to Anatoly. "Is Carpathia making any public announcements to the public in the near future?"
"Let me check." Anatoly replied, tapping over his computer. "Yes, hes due to make a public address in exactly three days at Pushkin square. Why?"
Makarov just closed his eyes and calmly smiled. "Because I think I know when and where Ellien Lelend will be..."
"And when and where she'll die..."
Sedusky trudged along the hotel hallway, fatigued from another long day of work. He was expecting to take care of some other matters after he got off, but a certain individual just had to call him before he got himself home.
He raised his hand and knocked on the solid oak, already not wanting to speak to Ellien. He was supposed to be investigating Matthew Webb right now, and instead he was stuck here.
The door open and the elderly figure that was Jaufrei greeted him with a polite but warm smile and led him inside. Sedusky walked in and found Ellien sitting in a chair, just staring outside the room's window, watching the sunset.
"Ellien?" Sedusky asked, starting towards her. "You wanted to see me?"
She quietly nodded. "Yes, I did. Please have a seat."
Sedusky complied ad took the chair next to hers, looking out at the Moscow skyline. The tops of the buildings were all golden yellow, lit up and highlighted by the setting sun.
"There have been some setbacks to this investigation Inspector Sedusky." Ellien said, looking outside the window. "Pieces moved in places that didn't have the needed effect."
Sedusky sighed. "Look, if your trying to apologize for what happened earlier-
"Not at all." Ellien said swiftly. "I'm simply stating the facts. And the fact is that we have gotten know where."
Ellien closed her eyes. "I believe we need to take this investigation to the next stage, and that's what I've called you hear to."
Sedusky nodded. "Goon..."
"I've worked on this case no for only a week, and its apparent to me now that the way we are operating is very inefficient. Meetings at hotels at late hours don't help anyone's work production."
Sedusky nodded. "Thank you..."
"Therefor, in part of Potentate Carpathia's support, I have come to you with an offer, one that I'm sure you will consider."
Sedusky raised his eyebrow in question. "An offer? What kind of offer?"
"A job offer to be exact." Ellien explained. "One that has you working under me. Working separate from the offices where you are located now."
Sedusky narrowed his eyes. "So I would be working for you. For Carpathia?"
"For me, yes. But for Carpathia no." Ellien replied. "Trust me, I wouldn't even want to be in the same room as the man, let alone work for him?"
"Yet this is from his support?"
Ellien nodded. "All he is giving me is command over the police and FSB anytime I need or choose, without even being an active member or either."
Sedusky shook his head. "That's a lot of power for one person."
"Exactly, which is why I want you to help me."
Sedusky took a moment to consider his options. For now, the Patriot and Makarov were still one the loose, and it seemed he and Ellien were the only two to have gotten any solid leads. If him and her were able to work together with those resources at their fingertips, there's no telling what they could do. It really was a good offer.
"Do I get the same pay as what I'm having now?" Sedusky asked.
"You get that and more." Ellien replied. "But I know your not interested in the money. You just want justice just like me."
Sedusky sighed and smiled. "Fine. I'll accept your offer. On one condition."
"Which is?"
"That Lieutenant Kowalski comes and works along with me." Sedusky said. "I won't make any exceptions."
Ellien paused before giving a nod. "Yes, I guess we can make that arrangement. In fact, I think that it would be good to have another member. Besides, your not the only one who i want to have work with me, so consider it done.
Sedusky gave a puzzled look. "Not the only one?"
Ellien nodded. "Yes, I'm going to offer the same thing to Agent Obreiski, since he's here on behalf of the United States investigating the Patriot. But that can wait.
Sedusky nodded. "Alright.."
"Also, I understand you found a USSA member..."
Sedusky gave her a surprised looked, stunned she knew about that. She just calmly continued.
"Whatever your doing, make sure your careful." Ellien said, staring out the window. "Your no good to me dead."
Sedusky gave a nervous smile. "Thanks for that comforting statement."
Ellien gave a rare smile. "Happy to help."
"So what are you going to do for the time being?" Sedusky asked as he got up.
Ellien closed her eyes. "I think I'll be meeting Vladimir Makarov very soon now..."
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