Welcome to Moscow

About the Book

At a construction site in suburban Moscow Tim Lockwood, an American developer, oversees the erection of the first building in his large apartment project (a joint venture with a Russian partner) finally underway after a difficult and frustrating two year effort.  Observing the operation from a hidden location nearby, Vladimir Petrov, Lockwood’s presumed loyal assistant, and Yuri Zakharov, a captain in the Russian Mafia, realize their plans for a hostile takeover of the project will now come to fruition.

By coincidence, a Russian military helicopter hovers momentarily to give Gen. Georgi Cherkin, Chief of Russian Special Forces Counter-Intelligence, and his aide, Major Danilov, a view of the construction .  Danilov surmises that the project must be a western one because of the unusual prefabricated modules being assembled.  Gen. Cherkin comments that Russia, having finally emerged from the dark days of the USSR, should be using similar advanced technology to build housing for its citizens instead of building new powerful more compact nuclear weapons.  They resume their flight from a secret military base where they were briefed on the capabilities of these new, still secret S-10 nuclear weapons.

Leaving the site, Lockwood marvels that the first building modules have actually arrived and construction of Landsdowne Project finally begun after nearly two years of frustration and delays.  He vividly remembers his first flight to Moscow, grim and forbidding Sheremetevyo Airport, surly officials, filthy rest room, utter weariness and, finally, the Hotel Rossiya, the world’s largest and ugliest.  In a busy week at a US/USSR Trade Exhibition Lockwood selects a site for his project, meets Vladimir Petrov, soon to become his indispensable assistant, and is encouraged by the positive response from American and European companies anxious to find suitable housing for their key employees.

On his  return to the U.S., Lockwood reviews the trip with his brother, Andrew, and they decide to pursue vigorously getting the necessary Russian approvals for the project.  For the next several months he learns about the Russian bureaucracy as he becomes a virtual commuter to Moscow.  His memories also include meeting and hiring the beautiful Natasha Kovalev as his interpreter with whom he falls deeply in love.  Unknown to either Petrov, who recommended Natasha, or Lockwood, is her role as an undercover agent for Gen. Cherkin’s counter intelligence bureau.

During this period David Levine, experienced TV foreign correspondent, returns to Moscow to find corruption, crime, economic and political chaos worse than on his previous stay when he was ousted for reporting official corruption.

Only later does Lockwood learn that his trusted assistant, Petrov, is now also deeply involved with Yuri Zakharov, Russian Mafia captain and manager of the Sunset Casino.  Petrov tells Lockwood that Zakharov might help with his continuous problems at the  

project for a fee.  Lockwood reluctantly agrees and tells Petrov to report back.  Meanwhile, Natasha is falling in love with Lockwood.

Levine and Lockwood become fast friends and Levine is intrigued with Lockwood’s project, yet worried about who Petrov really works for.  Petrov is Introduced to Levon Kaminsky, “Chief of the Chiefs” of the Russian Mafia.  The meeting is arranged by Yuri Zakharov, Kaminsky’s loyal deputy.  During the meeting Kaminsky discusses acquiring Lockwood’s Landsdowne project and his hope that Petrov will join his organization.

Lockwood’s problems increase culminating in an ultimatum from his joint venture partner threatening to dissolve the joint venture.  Later Natasha eavesdrops on a conversation between Petrov and Kaminsky, reinforcing her suspicion that a sinister plan was unfolding that would involve them all.  She reports the overheard conversation to Major

About the Author

Born in 1924 in Ohio, became a World War II paratrooper in the Pacific Theater. Lifelong career in construction, took a leave of absence 1961-63 to work for nuclear disarmament. Resumed and expanded his construction business to include projects in the eastern U.S. and Russia. Now retired in Connecticut.