Chapter 5

The following morning Wednesday 28th January, they took their time over breakfast, they were not going to the cemetery until early afternoon, and while Ivan was in the kitchen eating and enjoying a fried breakfast that Maeve had served up for him, Michael who had only wanted toast and coffee, had finished and excusing himself wandered into the lounge to make a couple of phone calls, and phoned John Kelly first.

"Hey John - Are you at home or the office?"

"At the office, came in early as I have some stuff to catch up on."

"Will you be free to take time out from the office tomorrow morning?"

"I can be free if you need me to be Michael."

"I told you Ivan Vetrov was going to be here for three days. He arrived yesterday and we are going to the cemetery this afternoon, but last night he expressed a desire to meet Olivia Patterson while he is here. I am more than happy to take him myself, but the thought crossed my mind, that if you are prepared to take him and are free to do so, you would be the best person as you know her well now. But it has to be the morning as he is due to go home Friday, and we need to keep the afternoon clear for something else."

"Okay Michael I'm happy to help out. Olivia gets up early so I'll call her straight away to make sure it is convenient for her."

Fifteen minutes later, John phoned and confirmed Olivia would be pleased to meet Ivan the next morning and he would pick him up at 9:30 am. Then John chuckled and said, "Olivia is quite excited Michael, she has heard a lot about Ivan and she enjoys male company. I'm looking forward to meeting him and seeing how they react to each other. You just can't help love this lady; you really must meet her one day Michael. You could come with us?"

"Okay one day John, but not this time, I will be needed in the afternoon if I can arrange something else for him...tell you later, I need to make an urgent call now."

Ending the call Michael then phoned Bernard Markham, who picked the call up after a few seconds, and Michael immediately identified himself, "Good morning Bernard...Michael Hayes here."

"Good morning Michael, what can I do for you this early in the day?"

Bernard, you remember Ivan Vetrov don't you?"

"Yes..."

"Well he is here in New York right now, and he would like to meet Roman Stanislav. I know you took on being his lawyer after Vadim Zalesky died in prison, and I was wondering if you could possibly arrange a meeting between them for tomorrow afternoon, assuming he is in New York of course; Short notice I know and apologies for this but Ivan returns to Miami on Friday."

"Why does he want to see him Michael?"

"He just wants to meet him personally to thank him for his generosity in sending cheques to him and Suzie Keaton, and he has a question he wants to ask him direct to do with the amount he sent him personally."

"Wasn't it enough Michael? He was far more generous than he need have been."

"More than enough, there is nothing sinister going on here Bernard...he is up here clearing up a few things He wants complete closure on past events before he moves on and gets married next month."

"Married?"

"Yes - to Suzie Keaton."

"Oh I see...so something nice came out of the nightmares inflicted by Vadim."

Bernard paused for a moment as he was thinking and then continued, "Look Michael, I'm not sure about a meeting with Roman, he is a nice guy, nothing like his cousin, and went to pieces after his cousins murder in prison, and misguided as he was he loved his cousin, and we know what the stupid fool tried to do as a result. But Lieutenant Caine as he still was at that time understood him and Roman came to his senses fast, he has however had bouts of depression. But he is getting better week by week and with my help has gradually been clearing things up this end, and we are very close to finalising all that needs to be done, and then he can get on with his life. He has been carrying a lot of guilt feelings around. But love of family often makes us blind to what we should have done. He couldn't have stopped what actually happened as he knew after the events, but he knows he could have given him up at an earlier stage and Vadim would have been arrested earlier."

Then Bernard chuckled, and added, "The longer I am talking to you I am coming to the conclusion that maybe a meeting would do Roman some good to meet Ivan Vetrov particularly as it sounds like he is bearing no grudge, and I trust your word on this point Michael?"

"You have my word Bernard."

"Okay...Roman is here in New York, he is presently living in his cousin's luxury apartment, but hopes it will be sold very soon now...he doesn't want it."

"Perhaps a meeting will help them both?"

"That sounds good to me Bernard."

"I'll give him a call then but I won't be able to make contact until late morning so it will be early afternoon before I can get back to you."

"Thanks Bernard, appreciate your help."

Ending the call Michael made his way back to the kitchen and smiled, Ivan was just thanking Maeve for a wonderful breakfast, and that was nice for her as she was a good cook and deserved platitudes, and she loved cooking for someone with a hearty appetite which Ivan had. He sat down joining them at the table and after Maeve poured him another coffee he told Ivan he had spoken to John and a visit had already been arranged to visit Olivia and that John was happy to take him and would pick him up at 9:30 am the following morning. He also told him that he had been in touch with Bernard Markham who would contact Roman later and would let them know the outcome later in the day.

Two hours later and just before they left for the cemetery Michael's cell phone vibrated in his pocket, removing it and accepting the call, Bernard Markham came through and said, "Michael this has to be quick, I have an appointment to keep with a client in five minutes. I have made contact with Roman and he has agreed to meet Ivan, but is wary and cautious and wants me to be present."

"Okay, in that case I will come in with Ivan."

"Fair enough Michael, can you make 3:00 pm tomorrow at my office?"

"Yes we can, and thank you Bernard."

Closing the call and turning to Ivan who had been standing around waiting to leave Michael said, "That was Bernard, Roman has agreed to meet you tomorrow but wants Bernard at the meeting, so I'm coming in with you."

"Thank you Michael...he has nothing to fear from me."

Two hours later, now close to 1:00 pm, Michael drove Ivan to the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery situated at 3620 Tilden Avenue, Brooklyn. When they arrived Ivan opened the car window and chose a bunch of flowers from the flower stand strategically placed out side the cemetery and then Michael drove through the open gates and found a convenient parking spot. He told Ivan he would stay in the car and that he was to take as long as he needed. As he stepped out of the warmth of the car Ivan was glad he had worn the warm jerkin he had brought with him, it was a sunny but cold afternoon. He pushed the collar up around his neck and with flowers in one hand the other in his jeans pocket he slowly walked along the pathway leading to his brother's grave, which was not far from where Michael was parked. So Michael had Ivan in full view the whole time, and was feeling sad for the man as he walked away, looking a lonely figure.

Reaching the grave, set into lawn and six feet in from the edge of the pathway Ivan placed the flowers at the base of the headstone, then taking a step back, and tough, strong man as he was physically, he was an emotional man and not ashamed to let the tears roll down his face as he read the inscription..

In Memory of

A dearly beloved brother and his family

Nikolai Vetrov, age 40 - wife Anna, age 36

Daughters Elena, age 5 and Maya age 3

Who tragically died together, from a violent act on March 7th, 2011

Rest in Peace Family...You will never be forgotten.

Then Ivan sat down on the edge of the stone base, and softly ran a finger over their names, and quietly said, "I loved you all, still love you and miss you, more than you can possibly know. I hope that wherever you are Nikolai you can hear me, because I want to tell you that your deaths have been avenged in full. Anton Kovaleski was convicted of your murders and died in prison recently. It took a while to bring Viktor Abramov to justice, his real name was Vadim Zalesky, but he slipped up later by committing murder in Miami and beating a woman near to death, but with the help of good people, who are now good friends, he was finally arrested and sentenced to death, but got into a fight in prison and died from his injuries. It's a long story how this all came about, but I want you to know that all the people involved wanted justice for you as well. They worked hard to bring this about Nikolai."

"I have fallen in love with Suzie who was the lady victim involved and we will be getting married at the end of February... please be happy for us Nikolai."

"I doubt I will return here and I hope you understand. New York is too painful for me now, too many bad memories. I live in Miami now, with a warm climate, and where I have a lovely circle of friends now. But you will never be forgotten brother, none of you will - your name, Anna's and the children's will live on if I'm lucky enough to become a father, because Suzie and I have decided to try for a baby and have in fact started trying already as time is getting on. If I have a son, Suzie has already agreed he will have your name, and if we have a daughter, she will have Elena, Maya and Anna's names."

Managing a smile Ivan added, "Good job they are all short names brother, otherwise a bit of a mouthful."

Then Ivan leant forward and buried his head in his hands as they rested on his knees and cried like he had never cried before, and not in anger now but tears of finally letting go. He knew there was nothing else he or anyone else could do. It was time to let go.

Two people walking by who he did not see looked at him with compassion and Michel realising what was happening got out of his car and wandered over to the grave, sat down next to him and placed a comforting arm along Ivan's shoulders not saying a word just letting him know he was there for him.

Thirty minutes later, on the way back to Michaels, Ivan now in control of himself said, "Thank you for your support today Michael, I have to admit that was tough. You have already done so much for me, but I am wondering if there is a church in your area that I could attend for a few minutes. I haven't been to church in a long while, but right now I feel the need to go and pray."

"Yes I know a good one - St Agnes's, a short drive from home and the priest, Jerry...Father Downey, is a good friend of mine and of Horatio, John Kelly and our wives...he knows us all well. We have known him for years."

"But how about we go home first and give you a chance to warm up, and relax for a while, and have something to eat. It is only 4:30 pm and Mauve told me she would aim to have dinner, for 6.00. Then I will run you to the church around 7:00 – 7:30 pm: Jerry keeps the doors open for a couple of hours in the evening just for people like you who want to go and sit privately with their own thoughts for a while."

"I would like that very much Michael...thank you."

Three hours later they arrived at St Agnes's, Michael parking close by. They entered the church, walked down the aisle and were met by Jerry at the far end. Michael introduced Ivan to him and they discreetly moved away, while Ivan went to the table in front of the altar and lit five candles; one for each of his family, and one for Andre Ivanov (Malcolm Trent) and stood there just gazing at them for a few moments and then stepped away and sat down in the second pew on the right side of the aisle. He leant back in the pew and cast his eyes around the church for a few minutes and then feeling calm, he leaned forward, placed his head on his arms that were resting on the back of the pew in front of him, shut his eyes and prayed for his lost family, and the loss of Andre Ivanov; he would always think of him by that name rather than Malcolm Trent, and he prayed in thanks for Suzie coming through her ordeal so well.

Fifteen minutes later he sat up straight and sat there trance like for a minute before he realised Jerry had just silently sat down next to him.

"Sorry Father I was miles away."

"Ivan, I hope you have found the peace in here tonight you have been searching for and that you deserve. I know your story; people have been concerned about you."

Ivan smiling replied, "If it wasn't for Horatio, Michael and their colleagues and friends here in New York and Miami - my family would never have received justice, because of them they have and I am so thankful for all them for being there and for understanding."

"Do you know when Horatio interrogated me back in Miami, I felt the first ray of hope, and felt so much empathy coming from him that I am sure he has known suffering in his life."

"He has Ivan, but I can't tell you anything, except to say he knows first hand exactly what you have been going through."

Then standing up Ivan said, "Better be going now, Michael has been so good to me and I am taking up too much of his time."

As he was speaking Michael came across from the vestry doorway, where he had been standing while Jerry spoke to Ivan and hearing the last comment said, "No you're not Ivan, my time is yours while you are here, and Maeve understands that."

"Thank you Michael, but I have been here long enough and turning to Jerry said, "The answer to your question is yes, I have found final peace here in your church this evening Father Downey. I lost faith in God for a while, but he must still have been around in my brain somewhere as after my visit to the grave this afternoon I wanted to visit a church and pray."

"Well I believe God was most certainly with you this afternoon and guided you back to church to find final peace...he cares about us all Ivan."

"Now you have found the peace that you have so needed return to Miami and enjoy the future journey you will be taking with your bride to be. I wish you both a very happy future."

"Ivan giving Jerry a warm smile, said, "I will - I am so glad Michael brought me here this evening. I need to attend church more often. Thank you for your kindness Father Downey."

"You're welcome Ivan, and if we meet again, as we may well do sometime in the future because you have become a member of my circle of close friends, please call me Jerry."

After shaking hands with Ivan, and as he watched him walking away from the church with Michael, Jerry was thinking that Ivan was a lot like Horatio, in that he had found it unbearably hard to let guilt feelings give him any peace. He should never have felt guilty about anything, but decent people often took this burden on themselves and Ivan Vetrov had been one of them. But he had peace now, as Horatio had found it almost three years ago, and he was happy the man had found the church again.

TBC