Page 75 of Resistance
Maude started the engine. ‘I’m surprised that Uncle Konki took it so well, you know, kept calm. Hugh was responsible for the death of his brother and I can’t imagine that even after all this time Konki would be able to forgive or forget that, I know I wouldn’t.’
Dottie was trying to undo the tape from around a tin of sweets, picking at an invisible line with her nails. ‘Oh I assure you Konstantin will do neither and I wouldn’t want to be Hugh once we’ve decided what to do, that’s for sure. He’s got it coming. Ah, got the little beggar… why do they make things so fiddly? Ooh look, there’s Francine, give her a pip as we pass.’
They both waved enthusiastically as they passed, receiving a two-handed wave from Francine as she waited on tables inside Café des Amis.
‘Gran, what do you mean? I thought you were just going to expose him and basically ruin his life and reputation, what do you have to decide? It sounds like you’re plotting to pop him off! Please don’t go getting carried away because this is NOT the war and I don’t want you to end up in prison, okay?’ Maude sometimes felt it necessary to state the obvious with her gran in order to curb her enthusiasm or in this case, dramatic tendencies.
Dottie laughed as she searched through the tin of sweets for a pink one. ‘But don’t forget, Maude, that all the things I have done were for a reason; self-defence, self-preservation and mercy.’
‘And what reason do you have this time, for what you are going to do?’ As soon as the words were out of her mouth Maude knew exactly what her gran was going to say.
Dottie held a pink sweet between her fingers and answered before popping it in her mouth.
‘Revenge, my darling Maude, revenge.’
44
Dottie, Konstantin and Hugh
London, 2005
The interior of the black limousine was warm, unlike outside where heavy rain splattered the windows and the streets of London, forcing sodden commuters to hurry and seek shelter or pull up their collars and tough it out. It was a dreary late-December day, dull and oppressively gloomy and even though it was only 4pm the light was beginning to fade. They had purposely chosen this time of day in order to give their target little time to react to Dottie’s unscheduled arrival. And once she left, they’d have all evening to worry. A sleepless night would no doubt be on the cards for the recipient of a very special gift.
From the back seat of the car they could see the lights were on and according to Konstantin’s associates, the person Dottie was going to pay a surprise visit was in residence. Turning in her seat she saw that Konstantin was watching the house intently, huddled against the door, his thoughts she could only imagine. The glass partition that separated them from the driver afforded privacy while they spoke.
‘I think it’s time. This weather isn’t going to stop, and I don’t want to be here all night.’ Dottie checked her coat was buttoned up tightly, her woollen scarf tucked inside. The matching cloche hat she pulled a bit further down, covering her ears, knowing she was going to get soaked.
‘Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you? I would like to look him in the eyes one more time and see him squirm.’ Konstantin’s voice was level, he rarely showed anger.
Dottie shook her head. ‘No, I prefer to do this myself and anyway what makes you think he will squirm? Maybe he will brazen it out like he has for the past sixty years.’
Konstantin ignored her remark while his eyes never left the house. ‘Remember to keep your gloves on and bring the box back.’
Dottie followed the line of Konstantin’s glare. ‘I’ll remember, don’t worry. Do you think he’ll do it or run?’
There was a pause and then a reply. ‘Either way I do not care. He deserves to die, and he deserves to be shamed. I would like him to know the latter before the former occurs, but we can at least give him the option. Anyway, it would be interesting to see how strong his spine is and where he goes if he runs, like the coward I know him to be.’
‘Will you definitely follow him, if he runs? We can’t let him get away with it, Konstantin, not after all this time. He has to pay one way or another.’ Dottie felt a swell of anger that was calmed by the touch of a hand when Konstantin reached over and patted hers.
‘Have no fear, Zaya. This fox is too old to go chasing after a traitor, but I have plenty of willing young cubs who are eager and very capable, so leave it to me. Now, go. The rain has slowed. I will wait here.’
‘You will be on camera? They are probably everywhere on this road look, and the houses too.’
A wicked smile lit Konstantin’s face. ‘We have discussed this, Zaya, so do not worry. What harm is there in one good friend giving another a lift to see their old comrade. It isn’t against the law that I am, in many ways, above. It will be fine; we will be fine. I promise.’
Dottie sighed. ‘I’m glad that it’s us, you and me together, two old soldiers on our last mission. And of all the ones I took part in, out of everything I ever did, this is the most important one of all. I’ll see you soon, keep warm.’
Not another word was spoken as Dottie opened the door and stepped onto the pavement. Closing it firmly behind her, she imagined Konstantin giving her a farewell nod from behind the blackened windows before she headed towards the home of Hugh Grosvenor-Townshend, traitor and enemy of the state.
While Dottie waited for the butler to inform Lord Grosvenor that he had an unexpected guest, she kept her eyes trained on the door, aware that she may be being observed by hidden cameras, or not, depending on how comfortable Hugh had become in his life and lie. Konstantin had assured her that while the anterior rooms and corridors were likely to have surveillance it was unlikely that Hugh’s study would be the same. Whatever he discussed in person and via the telephone would probably remain private. Dottie would be able to determine the accuracy of Konstantin’s summation during her conversation with Hugh.
The interior of his lavish home was as she remembered it: an affluent example of Georgian architecture more than likely furnished in the main by deceased relatives and the more recent assistance of an interior designer, or maybe blood money. Nothing would surprise her now.
Dottie felt not a tremor of nerves thanks mainly to a deep sense of calm that had pervaded her entire body, leaving her in what she could only describe as a serene state. To have control of one’s emotions was essential at times like these, and her current mood reminded her somewhat of Konstantin’s reaction when she returned from France and told him everything she had learned about Hugh. As he dissembled the information, she had noticed the pallor of his skin change as his whole face tensed. The eyes that twinkled with kindness and shone when his wicked sense of humour made them both roar with laughter, had hardened like ice.
They had been thwarted in their intent to confront him sooner by Hugh’s month-long stay in the Bahamas on a luxury island owned by one of his billionaire friends. Then Konstantin had business to attend to in Mother Russia so in the meantime, Dottie had waited patiently and collated all the information that would be handed over to the press. Hugh’s file of shame.
Snapped from her thoughts by the click of polished shoes on black-and-white marble, Dottie watched the butler as he approached.
