Chapter 7

Bernard came out of his office smiling and holding the door ajar said, "Please come into my office, Roman is here, he arrived just a couple of minutes ago."

As they entered the office, Roman who had been staring out of the window moved towards them and politely shook hands with them in turn as Bernard introduced them. Then Bernard sat down behind his desk and indicated they should sit down and make themselves comfortable. Michael and Ivan sat in chairs in front of the desk, and Roman in one to the side, then Bernard talking to Roman started the meeting by saying, "As I informed you yesterday, Ivan wanted an opportunity to meet you hence this meeting was arranged quickly as he goes back to Miami tomorrow. And he has assured Michael that he has no ill feelings towards you, and is not here with intent to give you grief."

At this point Roman gave Ivan a wary look and said, "I do not understand right now why you would want to see me Ivan; because if I was you, I would be the last person on this earth you would want to meet."

"So why are you really here? And why have a lawyer present?"

"I could ask you the same question," said Michael before Ivan had a chance to reply. "Ivan is not here to give you any trouble, as I told Bernard yesterday, and he has just confirmed what I said. But when we knew you had asked Bernard to be here, I decided I should be here for Ivan...this works both ways Roman."

Although he had not met him prior to today Roman had heard a lot about Michael Hayes from his lawyer and knew he had to be careful and replied, "Just being cautious Mister Hayes. I had nothing personal to do with any of my cousins crimes here in New York or Miami, and learning about them I did not condone them for one second, and I am not prepared to listen to any accusatory comments directed my way because of those crimes."

Michael responded, "Roman, I repeat Ivan is not here to cause trouble, so why the defensive attitude?"

Ivan glaring at Roman now, spoke up. "I went through hell as a result of your cousin, but I came here bearing you no ill will, I know none of what happened was your fault. And not for one minute have I come here to accuse you of anything. I have been in New York a few days to tidy up a few things one of which was to say a final farewell to my brother and his family and to let them know their deaths have been avenged, and thought while here I would take the opportunity to meet the man that though he had no obligation whatsoever to do so was very generous with his monetary compensation gifts to myself and Suzie. By no stretch of the imagination did we expect that. Michael Hayes and your own lawyer trusted me and put themselves out to arrange this meeting, but do you know what Roman...I'm off. I can do without the attitude you just showed Mr Hayes, and thus myself. You're actually accusing us of being accusatory, without the slightest evidence this is what we are here for."

Michael bent his head to hide a smile. Ivan was leaning some legal terms.

Then paying attention again he listened to Ivan saying "Before I leave however, I will say thank you for the cheque you sent Suzie which I advised her to accept as she lost absolutely everything, a place to live and all her personal possessions she had nothing left, and because she had taken such a beating from your bastard cousin, and was close to death, she damned well deserved atonement for that."Then reaching inside his jerkin inside pocket he pulled a cheque out and placing it on Bernard's desk said, "I don't want this, never banked it - nothing is going to bring my family back."

Bernard looked at Roman and said, "I wondered why that cheque had not cleared your account. I was about to chase that up, what a coincidence."

Then looking at Michael, Ivan stood up and said, "Sorry Michael, I have had enough, let's go."

Michael made a move to stand up when Roman said, "Please sit down Ivan."

"I'm sorry, I have had many demons of my own, and just when I thought I was finally starting to let them go, Bernard told me you wanted to see me and it freaked me out. I really could not see why you would want to, but I have listened to you carefully and I apologise for mistrusting you, clearly a serious mistake on my part."

"But Ivan I want you to please accept this cheque, it is not quite six months out of date so you still have time to bank it or perhaps we should write out a new one Bernard?"

"I think a new one now Roman, this one is too close to being out of date if Ivan is late getting to his bank, or as he is here perhaps he can give us his details to enable a credit transfer direct to his bank...what would you prefer Ivan?"

"Well I would rather a cheque as it happens. I was going to ask Roman for his approval to give the money to Mrs Belinsky." Both Roman and Bernard looked at him in surprise, but not Michael, he already knew this was on the cards if Roman agreed, but was in his mind thinking this is just what the unselfish kind hearted Russian would want to do.

"And just why would I want to approve that Ivan?" Then before Ivan could reply Roman added, "Bernard informed me you wanted to ask me something...is this it?"

"Yes – Aaron Belinsky is serving an 18 year prison sentence for abetting your cousin in murdering Malcolm Trent, and thus leaving his wife and three children to suffer the consequences. And I do feel a bit guilty about that as had I not left to fill the van up with gas that evening I would have been there to stop what happened."

Roman asked, "You reckon you could have?"

"Hell yes, and I also reckon Malcolm Trent could have handled him had the cowards not held his arms while your cousin slashed him to bits. Malcolm was as well built as I am and a strong man. According to Suzie Malcolm tried hard to free himself but was losing strength each time he was cut, and even she tried to help him, but he told her to stop and look after herself, then she got the beating of her life. Belinsky and Pascal Veselov made a bad choice that night, but they were scared, and Belinsky had his family in mind. He needed to stay alive for them. Vadim had been seriously deranged that night and it was all over by the time I got back."

Roman winced as he remembered the pictures Lieutenant Caine had shown him when he had been pulled in for questioning.

"I could, of course, have just banked the cheque and drawn one in her favour and handed it over. But I put it on the back burner in my mind while Suzie and I dealt with our demons. But knowing I was going to be here this week it came to the forefront again and seemed a good time to try and meet you and get your approval, as truthfully I simply did not feel that it was my right to pass it on, without your say so, as you had sent that to me in good faith."

Roman responded, "No Ivan that it is your money...look this is what I will do...Because that cheque you just returned is close to being out of date I will write a new one, I absolutely insist you keep that for yourself. Help me out here Ivan, I also have had my demons to deal with, and I need you to accept it. But, I will also write one out for Mrs Belinsky, for a quarter of the amount I am giving you."

"Thank you Roman, but if you are making payment to Mrs Belinsky, I don't need a cheque."

Michael stepped in and said, "As your lawyer I advise you to accept Ivan. Roman clearly needs to do this in atonement and you surely deserve it for all the pain and suffering you have endured."

Roman immediately said, "Thank you Mr Hayes."

Ivan climbed down and said, "In that case, I accept Roman, with heartfelt thanks from myself, and on behalf of Mrs Belinsky."

"Okay, that's good," said Roman as he withdrew hic cheque book from his inside jacket pocket and immediately wrote a cheque for Ivan for $300,000 and then one for $75,000 for Mrs Belinsky after asking for her full name which Ivan confirmed was Helena Belinsky, and then he handed them over to Ivan.

At this point the receptionist came in with a tray of coffees, and as they sat there more relaxed now Roman asked, "How are Suzie and Madison faring now Ivan?"

"They are both well, took Suzie a while to recover and we will be getting married at the end of next month and I will be adopting Madison."

"That's nice news for a change...Congratulations."

"I met both of them a couple of times and they seemed so nice, Vadim was a stupid fool. It seemed so surreal that Lieutenant Caine turned out to be Madison's uncle. Sometimes this world is unbelievably small. You know if it wasn't for him I would be dead. I was a raving lunatic after Vadim died in prison and blamed him and tried to kill him, but he was so calm and slowly talked me down, and for that I will always be beholden to him. He was in total control not only of himself but of his officers itching to shoot me, and on reflection who could blame them?"

"Yes, I heard all about it. But he is a Captain now Roman, coincidentally he had just been promoted in the morning of the day you tried to kill him."

"He's a good man...I know from Bernard here that it was because he made no charges himself that I got off with no sentence imposed on me."

"The Captain brought me to my senses that day and seemed to understand where my mind was. I came back here and have spent the last few weeks tidying up Vadim's affairs with Bernard's assistance, and we are almost finished now. I just have to sell his luxury apartment, which I am living in temporarily; I don't want it, much too big and luxurious for me. But I will be holding on to his Condo in Miami...I liked it down there, very much, and am thinking of settling down there when finished here."

"Do you think it would cause any problems down there if I do?"

"No, why would it? No one is blaming you for anything, and certainly not me or Suzie."

"Thank you Ivan. Have you found peace now? I can't quite seem to get there, I almost think I have and then something like you wanting to see me freaked me out."

"Yes I have Roman, finally, just yesterday. After I said good bye to my brother and family at the cemetery I had a sudden need to go to church, though I had lost faith in God. Michael here kindly took me to St Agnes's Church last night. It is a lovely church, and I sat there with my thoughts for some time and then after praying I suddenly realised I could believe again, and Father Downey the priest is very understanding. You should go; maybe it will help you as well."

Roman smiled and said, "Maybe I will...I think I need some divine help."

Then they finished their coffees and called it a day, and as Ivan made a move to leave Roman speaking in his Russian language said, "Иван, когда я приеду в Майами, ты когда-нибудь приедешь выпить."

Ivan smiled and replied," Да, он был бы рад Роману."

As Bernard showed them out he said, "Michael thanks for asking for this meeting on Ivan's behalf, because I think it has also done Roman some good which I hoped for and they finished on a friendly note."

"Well you may understand Russian Bernard, but I have no idea what they just said to each other."

Ivan chuckled, but was surprised that Bernard got it spot on in telling Michael that Roman had said "Ivan when I come to Miami would you come for a drink with me sometime? " Then Ivan replied,"Yes, I would be happy to Roman."

Seeing Ivan nod his head indicating Bernard had interpreted right Michael chuckled and said, "Well I am impressed Bernard."

Five minutes later they were on the road back to Michael's.

That evening Ivan had wanted to take Michael and Maeve out for a meal somewhere as a thank you for their hospitality and help, but they would not hear of it telling him that it wasn't necessary they were both just pleased they had been able to help. So, after Maeve served up another excellent meal, this time grilled salmon and trimmings, they had a nice relaxing evening together and when they retired for the night Ivan lay on his bed at peace with himself. The trip had been totally successful; he had achieved everything he set out to do due to everyone being so nice and helpful. He would have a lot to tell Suzie when he got home. He had phoned her a couple of times to make sure she was okay, but had just told her all was going well his end thinking it best he told her the whole story in one go on his return.

TBC