Russian Police

I want him dead. Ashot’s voice is underwhelming with malice but real with intent. It’s at times like these I realise living and working at this level in Russia is exceptionally intense with vulnerability. The client’s representative Vadim or known to us as the Worm (червяк), is withholding Ashot’s money. Ashot is owed over 400k Euros for contracted work at Zarechye 4. The Worm, on orders of the client, is refusing to release the money. Just another power play.  

​

Ashot is a dangerous player, Armenian, rich, powerful and non-forgiving. He wants the Worm dead, and it’s now a matter of respect Ashot is not willing to relent on. Oleg is here to resolve the matter, one way or the other, I’m here because Oleg wants me to see how life works and what maybe could save or kill me. Oleg persuades Ashot to give the Worm one more week to release the money thereafter the Worm’s future will be fated.

​

A week later in my office on site Oleg pops in and invites me to lunch at the Sushi Bar nearby. I tell him I’m too busy but with a response I work too much and as per usual Oleg delves into a long-drawn-out explanation involving Russian anecdotes. Sushi for lunch.

  

The Sushi Bar is part of the eatery in a shopping centre for the Russian elite. It has everything from the latest Ducati motorcycles, Siberian snow machines to Rolex and Gucci luxuries.   

​

Sat at a small round table Victor soon joins us. Victor an exceptionally polite man and a former Russian Olympic powerlifter who used his fame to build a wealthy construction empire. I shake his hand, it’s embarrassing, my hand can barely grip his mammoth appendages. Fiodorich, Ashot’s righthand man is not far behind and sits at our table. This is no longer just a sushi lunch. Fiodorich has always been cold with me, and I’m not sure why. He tells Oleg not to speak English today and stares back at me.

​

There he is, Oleg announces, raising his arm to attract the attention of a sombre looking guy just coming off the escalator. This guy has menace written all over him. Oleg presents him as Alexander, Police Captain Rublyovka Region Moscow.

​

Oleg introduces Victor, Fiodorich and then somewhat theatrically reveals me as his English business associate. The Police Captain tilts back in his chair with alarm. Fiodorich cuts in and says I’m trusted. The Captain immediately relaxes and launches his statement. Can’t believe it was Fiodorich backing me up.

​

This is how it’s going to go down, the Captains voice precise and melancholy. Vadim will be apprehended as he’s driving out the main gate for his work site at Zarechye. In the vehicle my officers will find a large quantity of Heroin. The client when he finds out will want nothing to do with drugs and will want him gone. We will take everything off him if he wants to stay out of jail, his apartment, summerhouse and bank accounts. You have the details off the offshore accounts, yes? Oleg tells him that will not be a problem, he after all helped Vadim set them up.  Understand, we agree this today it will happen regardless, once arranged my officers are involved it doesn’t stop. What do you want from this?   

​

Oleg tells the Captain they want nothing, but to put the Worm back into the same position before he became their associate, with absolutely nothing. Fiodorich flinches at the prospect of losing out on some easy riches but nods to Oleg.  Agreed, everyone relaxes. Victor passes a small Nike sports back to Oleg. Opening it I see bundles of cash filling half the bag. The Captain sees it and questions what it’s for. My brother has business in Novosibirsk, it’s for him. The talk then turns to police life at the moment and how pissed off the Captain is with the Izmailovskaya mafia who are beheading too many victims and expect the police to keep cleaning up their mess. Bastards.

When the Captain leaves and out of sight Fiodorich spits out pizdets menti! Bastard cops. Don’t like none of them.

​

Author Nick Stride