Chapter 17: Bygones Resurface

Istanbul, 5 March 1990 

The Swiss diplomatic compound once more bore witness to the scene of an interrogation between Maxine Remington and Canan Furat. Cemile Furat, Canan's sister, was also present, as per the deal she had made with Maxine: she would be involved in every interrogation of Canan. Officer Zafer and the Swiss embassy representative were also there, resuming their roles. 

"Canan," Maxine began, her voice measured yet direct, her gaze studying Canan for any sign of hesitation or evasion. "We have learned a lot from interrogating Isabelle. She told us about Bürküt's past, his ties to you, and how he was involved in the blackmail plot." 

Canan's eyes flickered, a shadow of recognition passing through them. "Isabelle spoke about Bürküt, did she?" 

Maxine nodded, acknowledging the confirmation. "Yes, she did. According to Isabelle, Bürküt reached out to you, asking you to be involved in the blackmail plot. Tell me about your history with him, Canan. Help us understand the depth of his involvement in this plot." 

Cemile added, "Tell us. I want to know too. You've kept much hidden from me." Even though she's fiercely protective of her younger sister Canan, Cemile, the mafia boss' wife, had been unaware about Canan's secretive dealings. 

Canan's gaze shifted between the two women, the weight of her past and present converging in the room. "Bürküt," she began. "We first met at one of the parties I held. You know who comes to my parties, sister. Istanbul's expats. After realizing that I was the hostess of the party, he began asking a lot of questions about my guests." 

"Canan," Maxine's voice remained steady, encouraging her to continue. "Please, share the details of your interactions with Bürküt. It's important for us to understand his motives." 

"Bürküt had an air of mystery about him," Canan's eyes were dreamy as she remembered him. "We spent hours talking at that party, and I found myself captivated by his stories. He seemed to know about various foreign cultures, histories, and political affairs. He made me feel like I was the only person in the room, the center of his attention." 

Cemile's brow furrowed as she listened, her concern for her sister evident. "Canan, you seem ... attracted to him." 

Maxine's gaze remained focused, probing for more insights. "Did he ever disclose anything about his own occupation, his work?" 

Canan's expression turned thoughtful. "He mentioned that he was involved in various business endeavors, but he never went into specifics. He was adept at changing the subject whenever I asked too directly. He often asked about the expats who attended my parties, their backgrounds, their connections. He was always seeking information, as if he was piecing together a puzzle." 

Cemile was skeptical. "Canan, did you never find it odd? A man who was so interested in others, but didn't reveal much about himself?" 

"I know it's strange," Canan said to Cemile. "But there's something about him that I can't resist. He makes me feel like I'm a part of something bigger than myself." 

----- 

Maxine leaned forward, her eyes holding a blend of determination and curiosity. "Canan, Isabelle mentioned that Bürküt taught you some things. Can you elaborate on what those things were?" 

Canan's brows furrowed as she recalled those moments. "Yes, he did teach me a few things. Bürküt had an extensive knowledge of languages, codes, and cryptography." As she spoke, her fingers unconsciously traced invisible patterns on the table, a reflection of the lessons she had absorbed. "He showed me how to create and decipher simple codes. He also taught me ways of understanding people's motivations, of reading between the lines. He showed me how to extract information without revealing too much of my own." 

Maxine's expression shifted. "Canan, you're talking about espionage tactics. Did he ever explain why he was teaching you these things?" 

Canan's expression turned pensive. "He said that information is power. He wanted me to be prepared for whatever might come. He made it clear that he saw potential in me, potential that could be harnessed for a purpose." 

Cemile's skepticism remained, her gaze fixed on Canan. "And you believed him?" 

Canan's response was a mixture of uncertainty and self-awareness. "I wanted to believe him, Cemile. There was a part of me that craved the excitement he brought." 

Cemile's voice grew sharper. " Canan, you've told me about some of the things he taught you, but this ... this is far beyond what I knew. I had no idea you were entangled with him to this extent." 

Canan looked at her sister, her eyes filled with guilt and vulnerability. "I know, Cemile," she said. "I'm sorry for not telling you everything. He had a way of making me feel special, of making me want to share everything with him." She hesitated, then continued, "I might have mentioned some things about our family to him." 

Cemile's eyes narrowed, a mixture of concern and frustration on her face. "Canan, you should have been more cautious. You've put us at risk by sharing even that much with him." 

Canan's shoulders sagged under the weight of her sister's disappointment. "I know, Cemile. Back then, I thought I could trust him." 

Maxine looked Canan in the eye, her voice serious. "Given what you've told us, it's possible that Bürküt saw an opportunity in your connections, especially after learning about your family's background," she said. She chose her words carefully, avoiding any direct mention of the mafia in front of Cemile. "Espionage often relies on exploiting such connections." 

"Yes, Maxine," Canan said. "I think you might be right. He did start behaving differently after he learned more about my family." 

Maxine shifted her attention, her gaze steady on Canan. "Isabelle also mentioned that Bürküt eventually left you. Is it true?" 

Canan's gaze dropped, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "Isabelle was right, Maxine. After a while, Bürküt did leave me. He vanished without a trace, without any explanation. I was left wondering what had changed, why he had abandoned me." 

Maxine's expression remained intent. "Isabelle also mentioned that Bürküt recently reappeared in your life and asked for your assistance in a blackmail plot. Can you confirm if that's true, Canan?" 

Canan looked Maxine in the eye. "Yes, Maxine, it's true. Bürküt did come back into my life and asked for my help in a blackmail scheme." 

Maxine nodded, her expression showing that she was already aware of the details from previous interrogations. "I understand. We've been piecing together the puzzle, Canan, with the information we gathered from you, Koray, and Isabelle." 

Canan's shoulders slumped. "I see. So you already know a lot." 

Maxine's tone was firm but not accusatory. "Canan," she said, "during our initial interrogations, you didn't tell us the whole truth. You minimized your connection to Isabelle, saying that you didn't know her well and that you weren't the one providing her services. Can you explain why you chose to be less than straightforward?" 

Canan looked Maxine in the eye and took a deep breath. "Maxine," she said, "I didn't tell you the whole truth during the initial interrogations because I didn't want to seem like I was heavily involved in certain aspects of the plot. From a practical standpoint, it seemed like a way to protect myself legally. And," she hesitated, glancing at her sister, Cemile, "given that my sister is here, there are certain ... methods and actions that she might not approve of." 

Canan kept her eyes on the table. "Methods that involve using women to trick men into compromising situations, Cemile," she said. "I knew you wouldn't approve of such tactics, and I didn't want to disappoint you." 

Cemile said nothing, her expression unreadable. 

Maxine interjected, "Honeypot or beauty trap operations, in which women are used to gather information through seduction, are a well-known tactic in espionage. The KGB, in particular, was notorious for employing such methods. Canan, this blackmail plot has all the hallmarks of a KGB operation." 

After that, Maxine shared something she deduced from Isabelle's hint: 'Cosaque' might be a French mispronunciation of 'Kazakh'. "Isabelle said that Bürküt is from the Soviet Union, and that he is specifically a Kazakh man. Can you confirm this?" 

Canan's expression remained composed, yet a flicker of unease betrayed her as Maxine's deductions drew closer to the truth. "Yes, Maxine," Canan admitted, her voice tinged with resignation. "Bürküt is indeed from Kazakhstan." 

Maxine continued, "Canan, we have evidence that you once received a call from a hotel in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan. Was that call from Bürküt, contacting you about the blackmail plot?" 

"Yes, Maxine," Canan acknowledged, her voice holding a hint of resignation. "The call I received from Alma-Ata was indeed from Bürküt. He contacted me about the blackmail plot and requested my assistance." 

Maxine's gaze remained unwavering, her focus sharpened. "Can you provide more details about the plot, Canan? We need to understand the full extent of Bürküt's plan and your role in it." 

Canan's voice sounded tired and resigned. "Bürküt outlined his plan—a scheme to extract information from Pyotr Rozagin through blackmail. As you said it, honeypot operation. He wanted me to use my connections to access the art exhibition Rozagin organized. He also told me to recruit people who would seduce Rozagin and get incriminating photographs of him." 

Maxine was determined to get to the bottom of the matter. She fixed her gaze on Canan, unyielding in her focus. "Can you elaborate on the specifics of how you recruited individuals for this operation?" she asked. 

Canan's shoulders seemed to carry the weight of her choices as she spoke. "I approached Koray, the photographer, because he owed a considerable debt to my family, and I knew he was desperate. I offered to help him clear his debt in exchange for his cooperation. He was skilled, and I saw an opportunity." 

Maxine's scrutiny continued, her voice unwavering. "And Isabelle?" 

Canan's eyes lowered briefly, acknowledging the truth she was about to reveal. "I approached Isabelle because I knew about her ... unique abilities. I had seen her work before, and I knew she was capable of handling situations that required finesse and manipulation." 

Maxine's understanding remained tempered with the urgency of the situation. "So, you used Koray's desperation and Isabelle's skills to assemble a team for the execution of the operation. Canan, do you have any information about how Bürküt planned to use the incriminating photographs of Pyotr Rozagin?" 

Canan's voice held a mixture of resignation and discomfort. "Bürküt intends to use those photographs to pressure Rozagin into providing confidential information related to his political affairs and affiliations." 

Maxine's gaze held a blend of acknowledgment and irony as she listened to Canan's account. "Thank you for finally providing us with complete information, Canan," she said, her tone carrying a hint of wry appreciation. "It's clear that certain details were held back during our initial interrogations. It's fortunate that we've managed to uncover the truth now. However, I must emphasize the importance of transparency moving forward." 

With her focus unwavering, Maxine shifted her inquiry to a crucial aspect of the operation. "Canan, you've mentioned the incriminating photographs of Pyotr Rozagin. These photographs hold significant value in Bürküt's scheme. Can you tell us more about their current whereabouts? After you sent Koray to Moscow to deliver the photographs, who possesses them now?" 

Canan's gaze held a mixture of resignation and discomfort as she answered, "After I sent Koray to Moscow, he was supposed to deliver the photographs to a contact there. I don't know the exact details of who possesses them now, but I imagine they are in the hands of Bürküt's associates or allies." 

Maxine's focus remained sharp as she continued to piece together the puzzle. "Canan," she began, "we have information from wiretaps that you once made a call to a bookstore in Moscow. During the first interrogation, you admitted to speaking to a woman at that bookstore. Koray also mentioned encountering a woman there. Do you have any knowledge of the details surrounding this call and the person you spoke to? Remember, Canan…. Transparency." 

Canan's gaze remained steady, a blend of contemplation and unease in her eyes as she considered Maxine's question. After a moment, she let out a sigh, as if coming to a decision amidst the weight of her circumstances. 

"Maxine," Canan began, her voice carrying a sense of resignation, "there's something I need to tell you. The woman I spoke to at the bookstore in Moscow, the one I mentioned during the first interrogation ... her name is Sofya Vedenina." 

Maxine's reaction was not what Canan had anticipated. A flicker of surprise passed across Maxine's face, momentarily breaking her composed demeanor. She leaned forward slightly, her expression a mix of shock and intrigue. 

"Sofya Vedenina?" Maxine repeated, her tone edged with a tinge of disbelief. "Are you certain about this, Canan?" 

Canan nodded. "Yes, Maxine. That's the name Bürküt gave me as the contact in Moscow. What's the matter?" 

Maxine's focus locked onto Canan, her mind clearly racing as she processed the information. "Sofya Vedenina," she mused, almost to herself. "This changes everything." 

Maxine's demeanor underwent another shift, her features sharpening into a determined focus. She abruptly stood up, signaling the end of the interrogation session. 

"Thank you, Canan, and thank you, Cemile," Maxine said, her tone brisk yet appreciative. "We have a lot to work through now. I'll be in touch soon with our next steps. Stay ready." 

With those words, Maxine strode out of the room, leaving Canan and Cemile to process the whirlwind of revelations that had unfolded during their conversation. 

----- 

As the heavy door to the interrogation room closed behind her, Maxine found herself alone in the corridor. The gravity of Canan's disclosures hung in the air like a palpable presence, prompting Maxine's mind to race in order to absorb the ramifications of what she had just absorbed. 

The past materialized vividly within Maxine's mind, transporting her back to a mission that had served as a turning point in her career—a mission that had acquainted her with her formidable adversary, Sofya Vedenina. 

1988. The mission appeared straightforward— facilitate the escape of Dr. Julian Woitke, an East German nuclear physicist, to the safety of West Germany. His defection had been a threat to the Eastern bloc's carefully guarded secrets, and Maxine's task was to facilitate his escape to safety. However, the reality that unfolded had been far more treacherous than Maxine could have anticipated. There were attempts to prevent Dr. Woitke from leaving East Germany. 

Maxine faced ambushes, close calls, and moments of heart-pounding suspense as she fought to keep Dr. Woitke out of the clutches of those who would do anything to silence him. She managed to discover the source of their troubles—a Russian woman by the name of Sofya Vedenina, a KGB agent of unparalleled skill in combat and psychology. 

The climax of the mission had occurred in a seemingly ordinary safehouse near the town of Schoenburg, close to the northernmost part of the border separating East and West Germany. The safehouse, offered by a contact meant to be an ally, was meant to be their refuge—or so they believed. Unbeknownst to Maxine, the safehouse was a trap, the contact being a member of the Marxist group RAF, Rote Armee Fraktion, allies of Sofya Vedenina. 

The moment of betrayal had been shrouded in chaos and smoke. The RAF detonated a bomb concealed in the safehouse. The walls crumbled, debris filled the air, and in that maelstrom of violence, Maxine watched in horror as Dr. Woitke perished in the flames. Maxine's survival had been a matter of inches, luck, and skill. The explosion had nearly claimed her life as well, leaving her battered and broken but alive. 

And then, amidst the chaos, came a chilling presence. Sofya Vedenina herself arrived at the scene to inspect her handiwork. Maxine's heart raced as she watched from the shadows, knowing that she was in the presence of the adversary who had sabotaged her mission. Vedenina's ice-blue eyes had held a chilling intensity, her presence commanding even in the midst of chaos. 

But Maxine's determination had burned brighter than the rubble that surrounded her. Through sheer willpower and the instinct for survival, Maxine had managed to escape Vedenina's clutches, the odds of fate momentarily tilting in her favor. Yet, as she had fled, Maxine had felt the weight of Sofya's gaze—the ice-blue eyes that had locked onto her, promising future confrontations and unspoken vendettas. 

The memory receded, leaving Maxine standing alone in the present, her heart pounding in rhythm with the echoes of the past. Sofya Vedenina—a name that had etched itself into the annals of her history—had reemerged, entwining her destiny once again with Maxine's. The photographs that held the key to Rozagin's blackmail were likely in Vedenina's grasp. 

Maxine's mind raced, connecting the dots—the shocking encounter between Rozagin and a mysterious figure in Moscow. Vedenina had clearly begun to exercise her leverage over Rozagin, a chess move that had ignited the countdown to a perilous endgame. To thwart this nefarious scheme, Maxine realized that she might have to venture into the heart of danger itself—Vedenina's domain in Moscow. 

----- 

After Canan's second interrogation, Maxine brought her team together in their HQ. Everyone waited for Maxine to share her analysis of the situation. 

"We're dealing with more than just a blackmail plot," she began, her tone serious and focused. "Sofya Vedenina is involved. She's the one who has the photographs. I know Vedenina from the past—she's a formidable KGB agent, and she's not to be underestimated. It's possible that Bürküt, too, has KGB affiliations. He may have been grooming Canan to be his ally all along." 

Xavier, his nose bandaged from Isabelle's kick, leaned forward with a serious expression. "So, this means that Pyotr Rozagin is a target of the KGB. KGB chairman Vladimir Kryuchkov is known for his opposition to Gorbachev's reforms. If Rozagin's blackmail involves the KGB, then it's highly likely Rozagin's secrets will be used to undermine Gorbachev's rule." 

Val, the tech expert, warned, "Going after a KGB agent in Moscow won't be easy. We'll be in enemy territory, and they'll have the advantage." 

Maxine looked each of them in the eye, her resolve clear. "You're right," she said. "Confronting Sofya in Moscow won't be easy. But we can't let those photos stay in her possession. They're the key to Rozagin's reputation and safety, which our superiors believe is important enough to send us on this mission." 

Maxine paused, her gaze intense as she concluded, "And I think my best bet would be to become Fredrika Juvanen again. I still have my Soviet visa. My prior connection with Rozagin and his wife Dita can serve as our entry point. I'll contact Rozagin, explain the situation, and if he's willing, we might be able to leverage his cooperation." 

As Maxine finished outlining her plan, Lloyd spoke. "But Maxine, revealing your identity as a CIA agent to Rozagin and Dita—it's a risky move. Once they know who you truly are, we won't be able to take that back. We'll be exposed to a degree we can't undo." Following his remarks, Lloyd winced, his left arm confined in a sling. It had been injured when he tumbled down the stairs at Rumeli after Isabelle's forceful takedown. 

"You're right," Maxine said. "It's a risk we have to carefully consider. Revealing my true identity to Rozagin and Dita could have significant implications. But it might also be our best chance at gaining their cooperation and assistance. They know the danger they're in." 

Lloyd nodded in agreement. "And if we're going to approach Rozagin and Dita, we need to do it soon." 

Maxine looked at her team members. "Exactly. The longer we wait, the tighter Sofya's grip on Rozagin becomes. We need to act swiftly." 

Ashur said to Maxine, "If you go to Moscow as Fredrika Juvanen, that means you'll be the only one who can get close to Rozagin and potentially retrieve the photos. You're the only one with a Soviet visa, and I don't have time to get documents for the rest of us." 

Maxine nodded. "You're right. If I go there, I'll be the one on the front lines. But I won't be alone. You'll all be there to support me from a distance, with communications, logistics, and anything else I need." 

Xavier spoke up once again. "Maxine, we trust your judgment. If this is the best course of action, then we're with you. We just want to make sure you're fully aware of the risks." 

Maxine's gratitude for her team was clear in her eyes as she nodded. "I appreciate your honesty and dedication. We're in this together. Now, can you help me book a flight to Moscow?" 

As the team continued to discuss the nuances of the plan, Maxine's mind was focused on the path ahead. The stakes were higher than ever, and the decisions made in these moments could shape the outcome of their mission. She was prepared to embrace the risks and confront the challenges that lay ahead, all in the pursuit of securing Rozagin's reputation, safety, and the vital photographs that held the key to it all. 

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