No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

              No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Suzanne Marsh

Mitchell Cameron, watched carefully, waiting patiently for the courier to make his regular drop. Moscow, 2022 was just as dangerous as it had been fifty years ago. Mitch had been with the CIA longer than most of his constituents, retirement was another six months away. Nikolai Burbov, also watched carefully; he had waited almost thirty years for the day he would capture Mitchell Cameron. The men eyed each other knowing one of them would one day see the inside of Lubyanka Prison. Mitch looked up from his newspaper, something did not feel right. He rose, headed toward the street. A GAZ-31013 pulled toward Mitch as he began to run. Two men jumped out of the GAZ, grabbed Mitch, pushing him into the car. There was no doubt that Mitch had now fallen into the hands of the FSB. Escape was impossible. The GAZ pulled up in front of Lubyanka prison. Mitch felt fear for the first time in his career as a CIA agent. His only hope of getting out of Russia was to be exchanged for a Soviet agent. He was pushed and prodded toward the door that led into an older part of the prison. He could hear moans and screams as he walked down a long gray corridor.

Ivan Dubarov waited patiently to finally meet Mitchell Cameron in person. The cat and mouse game had finally come to an abrupt end. Mitch, his blindfold removed waited for eyes to focus; the gray-haired man in the black suit also waited:

“Ah, we finally meet Mr. Cameron. I have watched you over the years waiting for the

opportunity to meet you personally. I am Ivan Dubarov, you can save yourself a great

deal of anguish if you will tell me who your handler here in Russia is.”

“You know, Dubarov, I can’t do that; let me amend that I won’t do that.”

“Very well, I will get the information from you at any cost; including your life.”

Before Mitch could form an answer, he was hauled off to a small ice-cold cell in the depths of Lubyanka. Mitch was pushed into the cell, only a very dim light bulb beckoned him. Mitch also knew that since his was a deep cover operation; the CIA would not bargain for his release.

Nikolai Borbarev, hated his job, to torture men and women until he extracted all the information that they had. The Lubyanka guards, despised him, his bosses thought of him as ruthless. The guards dragged Mitch screaming and yelling toward Nikolai; he continued to struggle until a simple injection of phenobarbital stopped him. Nikolai quietly went about his job.

“Mitch, can you hear me?”

“Who is your handler?”

“I don’t know, I have never met him or her.”

Nikolai, was surprised, then he thought: ‘this is a larger ring than we first anticipated.’ He continued to probe: “Was this your first drop?”

Mitch, knew he was playing a very dangerous game, but he had to play for time:

“No, I have done others.”

Nikolai, appeared to be pleased with that answer:

“Who told you where to make the drop?”

“It was always left under a brick in front of my apartment.”

Nikolai, decided to hasten things along, he began to water board Mitch until his superior Ivan Barbov, entered the room. Mitch’s face was already swollen, his lip burst open and several fingernails missing.

Barbov, took one look at Mitch:

“Nikolai, I told you to go easy; we need him alive if we are to get back Barishnokov. We need

need to be able to trade Cameron, in one piece not battered and bruised. I have told you before

to be careful of physical torture.”

Barbov, turned to the guards:

“Get him out of here, put some cold compresses on his face. Why must I deal with such idiots?”

Barbov, had been part of the surveillance team that kept a very close eye on Mitch Cameron; now that they had him in their custody, he would make an excellent bargain chip with the United States. Finally, the FSB had gotten a break, in their quest to break up the international spy ring that had plagued the USSR, then Russia. It could not get any better, for the Russians.

Time was running out for Mitch Cameron; either the United States exchanged him for the well-known Russian Mafia boss Sergei Lushko or he would be executed. That was the final demand. Mitch knew this would not end well. He wished now he had retired two years ago but that had not been in the cards. He began to reminisce with Ivan Dubarov, whom he had encountered throughout his career:

“Ivan, you were very good back in the day, why are you here now?”

“Very simply Mitch, I am like you I have done my duty to Russia, been replaced by

someone much younger.”

“Ivan, have you heard anything about what they intend to do with me?”

“No, not really. They are talking of exchanging you for the Russian Sergei Lusko, but

talks have been stalled because no one can agree. The chief negotiator, is not a friend

of either of us. Do you remember a man by the name of Vasley Blokhin?”

“Yes, vaguely, why?”

“He is one of the most dangerous men in Russia today. When he does not get what he

requires, he executes the prisoners.”

“Ivan, I have two months to retirement.”

“Mitch, I have no say but I do have a brother who I believe will help us. He is First

Deputy Director, they are talking about making him head of FSB. I will talk to him

there is no how you say? No love loss, between Blokhin and himself,’ it could be to

your advantage. Sh, I hear footsteps.”

Ivan, gave Mitch a slight right punch, as Blokhin entered the room:

“Ah, Mr. Cameron, are you comfortable?”

“No, but I am sure you already know that.”

“Do not be so belligerent, I want to exchange you. At the moment you are at my mercy.

Do you understand me?”

“Yes, I understand you.”

“Very good. Ivan, prepare him for trial.”

Ivan and Mitch felt as if they had both been gut punched. Ivan knew he would have to act immediately, or Mitch would be murdered before he could leave Russia. Ivan had a great deal of respect for Mitch, they had been adversaries but friends in a rather odd way. Later that evening Ivan, phoned his brother Igor:

“Igor, there is a prisoner whose life I have great fear for. Blokhin, wishes to exchange him for

hoodlum Lushko. Somehow, I think Blokhin and Lushko are working together for their

mutual benefit.”

“Ivan, want is it you wish me to do?”

“Get Mitch Cameron out of Russia before he is executed. I have been the opposite of this

man for many years. He once saved my life; I owe him his.”

“I understand. Blokhin, and Lushko are you sure of this Ivan?”

“Da, I am sure. If this exchange takes place, yes, Mitch Cameron will live but Blokhin and

Lushko working together could be detrimental to our country’s growth as a nation.

Lushko is Russian Mafia boss.”

“Ivan, I will write the proper papers, send them to you by courier as soon as possible.”

“Thank you, Igor. I hoped you would do this if not for me for Russia.”

Mitch Cameron was released from Lubyanka the following day. Ivan came to find him:

“Mitch, this is goodbye. I hope your flight home to US is good one.”

Mitch, shook Ivan’s hand:

“Is your brother Igor Dubarov?”

“Da, he is. I spoke to him, when he realized the danger that Lushko has become to Russia,

he signed your release before Blokhin could finish negotiations.”

“Ivan, I don’t know your brother, but would you tell him an old-time spook said thank you.”