MacBride reaches out for the cup again. Maria Alekseevna slaps his hand.
PAVEL (CONTD)
(to Angela)
Lets go over things you know and see if theres a pattern.
MacBride turns his attention from the cup to the conversation.
MACBRIDE (CONTD)
(to Pavel and Angela)
Why dont we start with various players?
PAVEL
Players?
MACBRIDE
Like in a game.
ANGELA
Im not sure if I understand.
MACBRIDE
Look, someone tails me in a Benz S500 to the Ritz. Then, at the Ritz, I meet this elderly man
ANGELA
(to MacBride)
It can be just a figment of your imagination.
MACBRIDE
What is?
ANGELA
The tailing.
Maria Alekseevna puts a plate of chocolate candies and a china teapot on the table.
MacBride switches his attention to studying the flower design on the plump sides of the teapot.
Angela reaches for the plate with chocolates.
Pavel helps himself to tea.
PAVEL (CONTD)
(to Angela)
Do you think the shot was a warning?
ANGELA
I cant really say.
PAVEL
(slurping his tea)
I think the warning is more likely.
ANGELA
(rustling out a chocolate)
What makes you think so?
PAVEL
From my experience of working in the Special Police Unit, I can say that professionals dont miss.
ANGELA
You think it was a professional?
PAVEL
Yeah. He was probably in a half-built building across the street.
ANGELA
How do you know?
PAVEL
It seems like an obvious place to hide. From there the shooter had a clear view of the street.
ANGELA
I see.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. MOSCOW NIGHT
A piercing wind drives clouds of swirling snow along the street. An endless procession of cars crawls along it.
A snow-grimed taxi pulls over and stops by the curb.
MacBride gets out and, struggling through the snow, walks down the street.
His mobile BUZZES.
MacBride takes the phone out and glances at the screen.
INSERT
a local number.
BACK TO SCENE
MacBride answers the call, his breath fogging the night air.
MACBRIDE
(into the phone)
Yes?
THE GENTLEMAN (V.O.)
Monsieur MacBride, this is Jacques Moreaux.
MACBRIDE
(into the phone)
Ah, Monsieur Moreaux. Bonjour, or what do you say up there?
THE GENTLEMAN (V.O.)
Bonsoir. How is Mademoiselle Angela?
MacBride shields his eyes from the swirling snow.
MACBRIDE (CONTD)
(into the phone)
Mademoiselle Angela is very well as far as I can see.
THE GENTLEMAN (V.O.)
Im glad to hear that.
MACBRIDE
(into the phone)
Except that there seems to be a little misunderstanding.
THE GENTLEMAN (V.O.)
Which one, Monsieur MacBride?
MACBRIDE
(into the phone)
Apparently, the note you gave me wasnt from her.
THE GENTLEMAN (V.O.)
Thats right, Monsieur MacBride.
MACBRIDE
(into the phone)
But why did you say it was?
THE GENTLEMAN (V.O.)
How else do you think Id persuade you to go to her flat?
MACBRIDE
(into the phone)
Is this some sort of freaking game?
THE GENTLEMAN (V.O.)
I think you can call it life, Monsieur MacBride.
MACBRIDE
(into the phone)
Yeah, maybe, but whats in this game for you, Monsieur Moreaux?
THE GENTLEMAN (V.O.)
The security of Mademoiselle Angela.
MACBRIDE
(into the phone)
Well, then why havent you protected her?
THE GENTLEMAN (V.O.)
What makes you think I havent?
MACBRIDE
(into the phone)
If you had, she wouldnt have ended up in hospital.
THE GENTLEMAN (V.O.)
Perhaps, she might have ended up in a much worse place than that.
MACBRIDE
(into the phone)
I see, though it doesnt make sense to me.
INT. RESIDENTIAL BUILDING (MOSCOW) NIGHT
Faded blue walls display patches of peeled off paint. The worn-out terracotta tiles of the floor bear traces of dark grey slush.
MacBride enters, adding a fresh trail of slushed foot prints.
THE GENTLEMAN (V.O.) (CONTD)
Monsieur MacBride, I would very much appreciate your further co-operation.
MACBRIDE
(into the phone)
My further co-operation in what?
MacBride shakes snow off his coat. The mobile slips out of his hand and HITS the floor.
The line goes QUIET.
MacBride picks his mobile up and walks into
THE LIFT
He presses the third-floor button. As the lift goes up, the light flickers.
His mobile RINGS. MacBride hits answer.
MACBRIDE (CONTD)
(into the phone)
Yeah?
PAVEL (V.O.)
Hi Mac, its Pavel.
MACBRIDE
(into the phone)
Hey man, whats up?
PAVEL (V.O.)
I did some checking around.
MACBRIDE
(into the phone)
Yeah, what about?
PAVEL (V.O.)
(into the phone)
Kazimir Stankevitch.
MACBRIDE
(into the phone)
Oh yeah. And?
PAVEL (V.O.)
He owns a hunting lodge in Finland.
MACBRIDE
(into the phone)
Lucky dude.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. KAZIMIRS OFFICE (MOSCOW) NIGHT
In the middle of the room a glass desk stands. Kazimir sits at it, facing the floor-to-ceiling windows. A cigar smoulders between his fingers. The wall behind him is covered with gilded icons.