Title: The 355

By: greygoose70

Chapter 3

Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean

After a brief stop at CIA Headquarters where Beckett was sworn in, given official CIA status and identification they picked up Terri, hopped on a helicopter to Reagan International Airport where they boarded the CIA's private G550 to London.

"Okay Terri, tell us what you got on Nikoli Kerchenko," Rick said after taking a drink from the cherry coke can he was holding.

"Well as you know…" Terri then went on to relate everything The Company had assembled on Kerchenko, why he became known as 'The Master Thief', why he was labeled as a possible Russian spy maybe even an assassin.

"Thanks Terri, we'll meet with Emily in the morning get a look at the body and what intel Interpol has on him. In the meantime everybody put your minds to rest we don't want make any assumptions this early in the investigation."

Interpol Hdqts, the next morning

At 7:00AM the following morning Agent Rick Rodgers (he always preferred his real name when on a case that involved international connections), newly ordained Agent Kate Beckett and Agent Terri Jeffers entered Interpol Director Emily Prentiss' office. After the initial greetings that involved hugs as well as the customary handshake they got down to business. Director Prentiss then went on to give them everything Interpol knew and suspected regarding Nikoli Kerchenko including why she believed the body down in the morgue is him.

Interpol's Morgue

Upon entering the morgue they group was introduced to Doctor Brian Roswell who explained the cause of death (the two .30 caliber bullets removed from the chest) but also the man had a blood condition called polycythemia vera (what could be the first stage to leukemia if not treated).

"What else did you find doc," Beckett asked?

"This," he replied turning over the bodies left arm, pointing to an area on the outer portion of the wrist. "It looks like he had another tattoo that he had removed. I took an infrared scan of the area and got what appears to be a bird."

"A raven," Rodgers said. Suddenly everyone turned their gaze toward him. "Has multiple meanings death being one of them. Could also signify shadows of the person, unconscious or unknown side of one's personality."

"Anything else mister encyclopedia," Prentiss enquired which got snickers from the others.

"Intelligence, ravens are considered brilliant creatures and let's not forget supernatural, their connection to the underworld which in our case is the criminal faction."

"Well it's almost lunch time and I'm in the mood for some fish 'n chips," Rick announce.

"And I know just the place," Emily responded, "The Golden Chippy, it's not that far from here, we can walk."

Following a magnificent fish 'n chips lunch they gathered back in Emily's office. Rick immediately excused himself to make a phone call. When he returned he began instructing them what needed done. "Terri, I want you to work with Emily start up-dating our dossier on Kerchenko; compile a list of all the high value thefts over the past five years in any country and visit the two crime scenes. Kate, you're with me."

"Where we going?"

"Shopping we'll need warmer clothes in Moscow, let's go."

Sheremetyevo International Airport, Moscow, Russia

Rick opened the rear passenger door for Kate which she instantly slid in Rick closing the door afterwards then getting in the front passenger side himself.

Kate shivered. Standing out in the 24 degree Moscow weather waiting for their ride was so much different than being out in the same conditions in NYC.

"Kate, I'd like you to meet General Dimitri Vartokov, Head of Russian Intelligence; Dimitri meet CIA Agent Kate Beckett."

"Pleased to meet you Sir," Kate said (words in italic font indicate speaker is speaking Russian)

"And I you," Dimitri replied then turned toward Rick saying, "Pretty and smart."

"You have no idea," Rick declared. Their responses getting a smile of appreciation from Kate.

"What can you tell us about Nikoli Kerchenko," Kate asked? She had moved over to where she sat between the two men.

"Not a whole lot after he was released from prison five years ago. He just seemed to disappear. There were rumors of course but nothing that could be proven. We will meet with the one man who may tomorrow."

"Who might that be," Rick inquired?

"Uri Volkov," Dimitri answered.

"Head of the Volkov Crime Family," Rick said turning to face Kate.

"Kerchenko was a member of the Volkov mob prior to being sent to prison on a petty thief charge. Upon his release he left the family. You don't just walk away from the family though so I'm pretty sure Volkov has kept tabs on him." Dimitri explained to his two companions.

"You sure this Volkov person will talk with us," asked Kate?

"He will if he believes he is dead," Dimitri replied just as he pulled the car into the entrance of Double Tree Hotel.

Moscow, the next day

"You sure he's in there," Kate enquired from her, Rick and Dimitri's location across the street from the Moskova Restaurant.

"Yes, he comes here every day for lunch; he will then go to a spa for massage." acknowledged Dimitri.

"So where we going to do this, here or at the spa," Rick wanted to know.

"Right here, right now," proclaimed Dimitri just as he saw Volkov exit the restaurant where his guards were quickly disabled and Volkov was being escorted in his direction.

"What is this," Volkov shouted as he was shoved into Dimitri's car.

"Calm down Volkov, we just want to talk to you," Dimitri said.

"About what," Volkov asked his voice still elevated.

"Not what but who," he heard a female voice respond from the back seat.

"Who are you," he asked turning in his seat seeing her and a male companion.

"American agents," Kate replied. "What can you tell us about Nikoli Kerchenko?"

Rick was quite content to let Kate ask the questions, she was a seasoned interrogator and very good at it.

"What about him," Volkov responded his tone now more subdued.

"He's dead," she said with conviction then producing Kerchenko's photo.

"That looks like him but how do you know for sure."

"He had this tattoo on his left shoulder," she said producing a second photo.

"So what do you want to know I haven't seen him in five years."

"Maybe not but you know what he has been up to."

Volkov stared into the face of his interrogator, saw the determination on it, knew she was going to get what she wanted. "He went to prison for petty thief. While there he got educated in the art of master thievery so when he got out he left the family struck out on his own. Then two years ago I heard he hooked up with group out of Bosnia called 'The Culper Ring' nothing since. They supposedly pick his jobs, sell the items at a private auction, Kerchenko gets his cut and the rest goes to support the ring. That's all I know."

"Okay Mister Volkov you're free to go. Thank you," Kate told him. Volkov exited the car and went back to where his guards were standing. He gave them a good dressing down then got in his car and left leaving them standing there.

"What do we know about this "Culper Ring," Kate said turning her focus on Rick.

"Nothing about this one but…

TBC