Chapter 47
Chapter 47:
Before and after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, its economy displayed surprising resilience.
The Soviet Union tightly controlled foreign exchange, and the state determined the exchange rates. In the early 1970s, the official exchange rate between rubles and dollars stood at 1 ruble to 1.6 dollars, yet on the black market, it was already 1 dollar to 6 rubles.
By 1987, the Soviet Union's economy remained relatively stable, with an exchange rate of approximately 1 US dollar to 15 rubles. However, in 1988, domestic turmoil gripped the nation, and the ruble began a sharp depreciation. A stark illustration of this depreciation was Gorbachev's pension in 1991, amounting to a mere 4,000 rubles, equivalent to about 60 US dollars—a far cry from its previous value.
Despite these economic challenges, Tang Dao couldn't help but feel a sense of opportunity. He feigned dissatisfaction with Joseph's offer of 100 million rubles for the Il-76, remarking, "100 million rubles? Mr. Joseph, are you joking? That price is quite steep."
Joseph, acknowledging the awkwardness of this situation, agreed to meet Tang Dao personally. He inquired about Tang Dao's location and promised to send a car to pick him up.
Tang Dao, seizing the moment, leaned towards Robert and whispered, "Find someone to take care of that Rovsk scoundrel. I want this pest eradicated."
Robert, catching the intensity in his boss's eyes, understood the gravity of the situation. He responded, "Understood. I'll ensure it's done cleanly."
Tang Dao flicked a match, igniting his cigar, and let the flame consume it. He had a deep aversion to trouble.
In Kyiv Hospital, Nurse Polikova was exhausted from back-to-back night shifts. She longed for a couple of days of rest. However, fate had other plans for her.
As she walked through the hospital, Polikova was startled by a familiar voice calling her name. She turned to find a disreputable-looking man beckoning her from a corner near the restroom.
Polikova's face contorted with displeasure, and she tried to leave. But the man rushed toward her, gripping her arm, a lecherous grin on his face. He mocked her for trying to cut ties, reminding her of their three-year history.
Polikova retorted, "I must have been blind!" She attempted to free herself from his grasp, but he persisted, suggesting they could still have occasional encounters.
The man offered her an enticing proposition—twenty thousand dollars. He claimed to know about her mother's illness and offered the money in exchange for a favor. Polikova hesitated, her thoughts torn between financial desperation and moral integrity.
The man revealed a vial of crystal-like substance, instructing her to inject it into a member of the Rovsk family who had been brutally beaten. Polikova was shocked. He was asking her to kill someone. She understood the potential consequences, both legally and morally.
Polikova protested, but the man threatened her by insinuating that her mother might die in the hospital without the money. Trapped between her duty as a nurse and her love for her mother, Polikova reluctantly accepted the vial of potassium chloride.
As the man left, Polikova was left in turmoil, the battle between her conscience and selfishness weighing heavily on her.
She proceeded to the injection room, prepared the lethal injection, and approached Peter Rovsk's ward. Inside, Peter was fuming over the losses incurred during the bar brawl, unaware of the impending danger.
Beside him sat an elderly man with silver hair, Tesla St. Rovsk, the patriarch of the Rovsk family. Tesla inquired if Peter had offended someone, sensing ominous undertones in the situation.
Just then, Polikova entered the room, her lips trembling as she declared, "I've prepared the injection." She stuttered under the weight of her decision.
Tesla offered his assistance, but Polikova declined, wanting to bear the burden alone. She focused on the task at hand, examining Peter's veins and injecting the deadly substance.
Meanwhile, Tang Dao received a call from Joseph, who had arranged to meet him at the Kyiv police station.
"Mr. Nicholas, I'm sorry for the inconvenience," Joseph began as Tang Dao arrived at the Air Force barracks.
Tang Dao listened as Joseph explained the challenges they faced with the Il-76 and expressed his desire to meet with Comrade Gobanov to ensure their cooperation continued smoothly. Joseph even hinted at celebrating their friendship with some fine wine.
Intrigued by the mention of Lviv and good wine, Tang Dao contemplated the opportunities that lay ahead.