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Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of the Spy who ad free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app. January 3, 1978 South Kensington, London Vaclav Yelinek plods through freezing fog and and pavements slippy with snow slush. The street lights cast an eerily amber glow, but Jelenak is in no mood to appreciate the scene. He's just finished a long shift waiting tables at the Hilton Hotel. All he wants is a hot bath and his bed. He turns a corner and stops. Sharply ahead is a woman in her mid-50s with short, wavy gray hair and wearing a long cream coat. She hasn't seen him. She seems lost in her own thoughts, but he recognizes her instantly from the photo she sent him. It is Joanna Van Hallem, his supposed biological mother. Jelinek's Czechoslovakian spymasters have discovered that Joanna has been tirelessly searching for her son, Erwin. She gave him up for adoption when he was just three months old. Now she thinks she's found her long lost child. She has no idea Erwin's identity is being used by Jelenik as cover for his spying in the uk to maintain his cover as Owen, Yellinek's spymasters have decided he must meet with Johanna and pretend to be her son. But nothing can be allowed to endanger his cover. If Joanna becomes suspicious or is unconvinced, then he needs to get rid of her by any means necessary. Jellynek flexes his knuckles. He's not scheduled to meet Joanna until tomorrow evening. Perhaps this is fortuitous if he needs to dispose of her body. There is poor visibility on the streets and he's close to his apartment. He approaches Johanna. Excuse me, but are you Mrs. Van Halen? Johanna whirls around. I'm Erwin, your son. Johanna gasps in surprise as she stares at him. Yellowneck tenses ready to strike. Alison, Matt here from British Scandal. Matt, some news for you. British Scandal is going to Broadway. What? Sorry, not literally. I just mean we're taking it to the stage. Is this your festival? Crossed Wires, where all the UK's biggest podcasts do live shows across iconic venues in Sheffield between the 2nd and 5th of July. That was a beautiful read. Matt and I cordially invite you to our British Scandal Live show on Sunday, July 5th. And if we're doing the story I think we are, it is potentially one of the most ridiculous scandals we've ever told. So grab a ticket at Crossed Wires Live. That's C R O S S E D Wires. I'm Amelia Fox and this is the Spy who? An audible original. In the last episode, Vaclav Jelinek was trained as an elite illegal spy for the Czechoslovakian intelligence service, the stb. He was given a new identity, one that had formerly belonged to a boy who was later adopted. Now Jelinek has been tracked down by the boy's biological mother. If he cannot convince her he is her long lost son, he must eliminate her so she doesn't blow his cover. You're listening to the Spy who Stole a Son. This is episode two, A Dangerous Reunion. January 3, 1978 South Kensington, London Johanna gasps in surprise at the handsome man who has just introduced himself as her long lost son Erwin. He leans in and gives her the three kiss Dutch greeting. Hello, Mother. Hearing him call her mother triggers a flood of emotion. She throws her arms around him, holding him close. Erwin. At last, she feels tension leave his body and realizes he must have been as nervous as she was about this meeting. He smiles. My flat is close by. Should we talk there in the warmth? He offers his arm. For a moment, Johanna hesitates, worried about her other son, Hans. He is the teenage child from her failing marriage. She wanted him to meet his new half brother, but he's back in their hotel room, sleeping. She takes Irwin's arm and nods. Perhaps it is better this first meeting is just the two of them. As they enter his flat, he moves to put the kettle on while she walks around looking for family photos and mementos. There are none. The only picture on the wall is a calendar of naked girls. Do you have a girlfriend? No. Tea or coffee? Coffee, please. Do you have any family photos I could see? I'd love to see them. I think I have some of me as a child somewhere. Let me check. Jellynek finishes making the coffees, then scrabbles about in a cupboard. Here we go. The top one is my first day of school. Oh, look at you. So sweet. I wish I could have been there. Johannes eyes mist over as she flicks through the photos, but there are none with his adoptive parents. What were they like, your adoptive parents? Did they treat you well? Were you happy? These are questions that have consumed Joanna every day since she gave her son up. She has nightmares that she handed him over to abuse or trauma. I was fine. They were nice. She waits for more detail, but it doesn't come. She feels anxious. Is he hiding something? He seems to sense her unease. He abandons the photos and instead finds and hands over a document. Look. I've kept this always because it had your handwriting on. Is the adoption paper she Signed all those years ago in the Netherlands. Her face crumples. I never wanted to sign it. I was so young, with no money and a cruel father. Erwin, do you forgive me? He puts a reassuring arm around her. Of course. It must have been very hard for you. After a few moments, he pulls back and stands. Let's have some champagne. We shouldn't be sad tonight. We should celebrate. Yes. This is the happiest day of my life. To long lost family. To my handsome son. They clink glasses. But as Johannes smiles up into Irwin's face, she suddenly notices his eyes are brown. The baby she gave up for adoption had blue eyes just like herself and his father. She shakes off the doubt. She's heard a baby's eyes can change color. Auntie has the adoption certificate. This is without doubt her son. A few days later. Victoria Street, London Jelenek walks home lost in thought. Johanna and her son Hans have returned to the Netherlands. Their visit has made him miss his own family. He is beginning to realize the scale of the sacrifice he agreed to for this job. He idly stops outside a famous seafood restaurant wondering if an expensive dinner will improve his mood. A pretty girl stops beside him. She inspects the special's chalkboard which is advertising fresh oysters. He brightens. He may not be allowed a family, but but he is allowed liaisons with beautiful women. He smiles at her. Have you ever tasted fresh oysters? She looks surprised at a stranger addressing her, but she smiles back. No, never. Have you whole bucket loads. They're amazing. You must try them. It's a lie. Jelenk has never eaten oysters in his life, but he's heard they're an aphrodisiac and that's all that matters. Now. Would you join me for dinner? I would be honored to buy you your first oysters. She hesitates, but his well cut suit and handsome face seem to convince her. All right. Thank you. A waiter guides them to a table and Jelenek orders a dozen oysters for both of them and a bottle of expensive white wine. It doesn't take long for a huge silver platter to be placed in front of them. Your oysters. His date claps her hand joyfully. Oh, they look glorious. He has to agree. On a bed of crushed ice and decorated with lemon wedges is a huge pile of oysters, still in their elaborate shells. Yellinek picks up a shell and grabs a small round ceramic dish in front of him. He assumes it has been made specially for oyster eating. It holds the shell perfectly. He squeezes some lemon on it and gulks down the shellfish with the aid of a small fork. It's delicious. Even better. The girl is proving to be both witty and gorgeous. He soon forgets his earlier depression. But when the waiter leaves the bill on the table, his heart skips a beat. It's the most expensive meal he's ever eaten. Too late now. Hoping to impress his date, he nonchalantly places cash on top and signals the waiter to collect it. Keep the change. Thank you, sir. Also, do you have an ashtray? The waiter hesitates. He points towards the small round ceramic dish now filled with remnants of Yellinek's oysters. This is an ashtray. Sir was so good as to have eaten his oysters from it. Yellinek's cheeks burn with embarrassment. His date cannot keep a straight face. Eaten whole bucket loads of oysters. He brushes it off with practiced charm, but it conceals anxiety. He was caught out in a lie. It may not mean much tonight, but it's a reminder of how easily it can happen. Especially now he has an inquisitive and attached mother in his life, threatening to poke holes in his cover identity. Spring, 1978, the Netherlands. Jellinek approaches a small bungalow surrounded by a lush, orderly garden. He adjusts his gray suit nervously. Johanna has organized a party for all her extended family to meet her long morning lost son. It will be the biggest test yet of his cover identity. Johanna opens the door. Oh, you're finally here. Everyone, Erwin is here. She hugs him with difficulty as he is also carrying a large box of champagne bottles. I've brought a gift for everyone. I hope you like Moe. There's more in the club. Erwin, come and meet everyone. This is my sister Ree and her husband. And these are my brothers. Yelinek smiles and kisses the numerous cheeks of his newfound family. They examine him with curiosity. Goodness, doesn't he look like Steve? Yelinek relaxes a little. It's going well. He smiles at Johannes teenage son Hans, but gets a glowering look in return. After initially being overawed, Hans has become jealous of him. Jelenek smiles at the irony. If only Hans knew how alike they were in wishing Joanna would stop lavishing so much attention on her long lost eldest son. He sees Joanna heading towards him and tenses. Owen, I was thinking how much I would like to meet your adoptive parents. Yelena groans inside. He was not given enough information in his cover story for this. He needs to give as little detail as possible so he doesn't get tripped up later. I'm afraid they're dead. You never told me that. I didn't think you'd be interested. Johanna looks frustrated and upset. He knows she thinks he is hiding an unhappy childhood from her, and it's triggering her own guilt and trauma. He's unmoved by the knowledge. Better that than endangering his cover. Johannes shakes off her upset and grabs a camera. Let's get a family photo of you with everyone. Oh, and I must have one of you and Hans together. Jelenik nods reluctantly. He's supposed to avoid photos, but it would look suspicious not to. His cover identity is rapidly going from useful protection to his biggest threat. Say cheese. A few months later Prague Jelenack sits in an STB safehouse and folds his arms sulkily. He's been unexpectedly recalled to Czechoslovakia and is now being harangued by two senior officers over his lavish spending. You're not producing much useful intelligence despite all the money we send you. That's because my mission is totally unrealistic, as I have already told you. A younger officer, only just senior in rank to yellowneck, sifts through his expenses, claims, what could you possibly need two cases of expensive champagne for? You want me to pretend to be this woman's son? Well, people ask fewer questions when you're spending money on them. Or perhaps you were too used to the decadent Western lifestyle. Maybe you have forgotten what you are fighting for. Yellinek swallows his anger with difficulty. For falling out with his bosses won't do him any favors. I have sacrificed my very identity for the cause of real socialism. My commitment has never wavered. Am I allowed to visit my parents while I am here? No, but we will keep you updated by the usual channels. With a sour expression, the younger officer slides a briefing folder across the table to Yellinek. Since you seem unable to infiltrate the royal family, perhaps you will do better with this new mission. Jelenik flicks through the briefing document. Refuseniks. Traitorous Jews who want to leave the Soviet Union to go to Israel. They are engaging in dissident activity, trying to force the Soviets to give them visas. Many are a significant security risk. Our comrades in Moscow want our help in dealing with them. Yellow Neck leaps through the file and the first officer leans forward. You will infiltrate the Jewish organizations in the UK that are trying to help the refuseniks. The KGB needs to know who they're helping and how. Jelenek's excited. He doesn't yet know how he's going to infiltrate them, but he already knows it will be easier than planting bugs IN the inside Buckingham palace. Several months later 1979 Golders Green, North London, on a busy high street. Yellowneck eyes the disused laundrette in front of him. There's a musty smell escaping the boarded up windows and the whole building needs repair. He knocks on the door at the side. It's soon opened by a tall woman with a fashionable hairstyle and tinted glasses. Can I help you? I'm Erwin Van Halem. I phoned about your advert. The one looking for volunteer Russian speakers. Oh, Oh, I remember. I'm Rita Acre. Pleased to meet you. Come on up. Follows her up the narrow stairs to a floor littered with half opened boxes, desks and filing cabinets crammed into any space that can fit them. Everywhere women are typing on the phone or filing. Acha grins at his expression. Excuse the message. We're only here temporarily. I know it doesn't look like much, but you'd be surprised at the contacts and influence we have. What do you know about us? You're the Women's campaign for Soviet Jewelry. And I think you were the chairwoman. I am. Most people call us the 35s, though. Oh. Because all of us who founded it were 35 at the time. Weird, huh? It's certainly a memorable name. If it's memorable, all the better for highlighting the plight of Soviet Jews. They aren't dissidents. They simply want to practice their faith. For that they're thrown in prison or psychiatric units. I agree it's inhuman. I'm not Jewish myself, but I want to help if I can. Yelenak can see acharous, instantly more wary, knowing he's not Jewish. So how come you speak Russian? I grew up in Czechoslovakia. Really? But your name. It sounds Dutch. Well, it's actually an interesting story. My birth mother is part Jewish and Dutch. Jelenek launches into the tragic story of Johanna and how she was forced to put him into an orphanage in Czechoslovakia. He finishes with their emotional reunion a year ago. By then, Eka has tears in her eyes. That is extraordinary. Girls, come hear this. The other women eagerly crowd round him to hear him retell the story. Watching their rapt expressions, Yellowneck knows all sorts of suspicion of him has faded. Johanna might be a problem for his spy mission, but today she just became his key to infiltrating Soviet refus. A few months later offices of the 35s gold as green London Night, Erwin. Night. As the clock on the wall ticks past 9pm Jellinek is now alone in the offices of the 35s. The women here trust him now and he's used his work at the hotel and long commute from West London as a reason for doing his volunteer work at odd hours. Now he's got the chance he's been waiting for. He opens up some of the large filing cabinets and starts rifling through them. He grins as he does so. Eaker was right. The 35s are well connected. There are details for MPs, Lords, American politicians and Canadian activists. But the most valuable find are long lists of refuseniks in the Soviet Union, complete with names, addresses and their letters. Pleading for help. He takes out his sub miniature spy camera and starts snapping photos. Information he's sure will delight his bosses and help the KGB root out the dissidents. Five years later 1984 Silver Birch Close Fryan Barnett, North London Johanna Van Hallam and her son Irwin sit at a small table eating dinner. She looks around proudly. He's now the Hilton Hotel's purchasing manager and has bought this new two bedroom flat. It's a lovely flat but you still haven't put any family photos up. Irwin rolls his eyes. Mother, I am 40 years old and a man. I don't need to be surrounded by family photos. For the last six years Johanna has visited Jelenik twice a year and phoned him every week. She loves him dearly, but there have also been many arguments. She can't understand why he's always so closed with her. She feels like she knows little more about him or his life than when they first met. Why did you never try to find me? Jelenik looks surprised at her abrupt question. He fiddles with his fork for a moment. I knew my father was a Nazi and you had given me up for adoption. I didn't want to go there. Tears fill her eyes. She tries to blink them away. Look, I'm sorry. I thought you'd abandoned me. He clears their plates and starts washing up. To distract herself, Johanna takes a dish towel and starts drying the dishes. They work for a few minutes in silence until she attempts to put some glasses away in a cupboard. Don't do that. What? I've told you before, I don't need help and you're never to open any of my cupboards. She shrinks back in the face of his threatening expression. It fades quickly. I'm sorry. It's been a stressful week. Go put your feet up. Let me look after you while you're here. Johanna puts the dish towel down, feeling the tears threatening again, and retreats to the sitting room. She wonders why she can't stop Asking questions when she knows it upsets him so much. But it's a compulsion. She has to know the truth. As she sits on the sofa, she wonders if there is a way to find find out without asking him. Perhaps a trip to Prague to see the places he lived as a child will help her understand him better. September 1985 a year later Enfield, North London Yellownick is in the house of Dr. Michael Kami, a GP and supporter of the 35s. Around them are suitcases filled with clothes and Hebrew prayer books. Dr. Kami is planning a covert trip to Moscow to visit Rafuseniks, and he's asked Jellinek to accompany him as his translator. Another supporter who's been to Russia before hands Jellinek a magic slate toy. It's a piece of rigid cardboard covered in wax and topped with a translucent glass plastic sheet. Children can write messages on the slate, but when they lift up the plastic sheet, the writing magically disappears. The KGB will have you under surveillance. Assume everywhere is bugged. If you need to say anything related to the mission, then write it on these. Jellinek nods soberly but is secretly enjoying the irony of being instructed on trade crafts by this amateur. Dr. Kami enters the room. He's middle aged with a long beard and sympathetic eyes behind his glasses. In his hands are three large plastic bags bulging with prescription drugs. Yellownick France. What are those for? We're taking medicines with us that are scarce or not allowed in the ussr. We cannot possibly claim that much. Charges for personal use will be arrested. Dr. Kami grins at Yellownik. Relax. I'll brief you on the many medical conditions you have. And if we're arrested, we'll create an international incident. It will bring some much needed publicity to our cause. Jellinek is worried. The last thing he needs is the world's media focused on on himself. He's also under strict orders to maintain his cover at all times, even if that means getting arrested and sent to a Moscow prison. His golden spying opportunity is fast losing its shine. October 1985 Sheremetyeva Airport, Moscow Yelenick and Dr. Kami stand in the long passport queue in the dark. Their plane arrived late at night and the only lights that are on are directly above the passport booths. Electricity is scarce in the USSR. YellowNick whispers to his companion. Remember, don't make eye contact or initiate conversation with the border guards. They will use the smoke. Smallest reason to take you away for questioning. Don't worry, I know what to do. They reach the front of the queue. Jellinek has His Dutch passport stamped and waved through without incident. Once through, he waits for Dr. Kami. The doctor is beaming jovially at the passport officer. Good evening, Comrade. Yellownick watches with growing fear as the passport official questions Dr. Kami. There's nothing he can do except wait. But if Dr. Kami gets arrested now, it'll be prison for both of them. October 1985. Moscow. Jellinek and Dr. Kami walk into a small pharmacy and join the long queue of customers. They got through border control without incident. Now he and Jellinek are meeting the head of the Jewish Pharmacists underground network to hand over the smuggle drugs that will only be offered to Jewish patients. Jellinek notices the pharmacist often shakes his head regretfully and most customers leave empty handed. On seeing them and Dr. Kami's briefcase, the pharmacist nods to a woman in the back office. She instantly moves to the door and stops anyone else entering the shop. When the last customer has left, she locks the door. The pharmacist in his long white coat smiles at them. Welcome. I am so pleased to finally meet you. Dr. Kami hands over the briefcase with a list of the drugs that are inside. The pharmacist stows it in a concealed spot beneath his counter and then ushers them upstairs into his flat. Over tea, he tells them the network is expanding, that he's being watched, so it's difficult for him to recruit others. Dr. Kami reveals that part of his mission while in the Soviet Union is to recruit more doctors into the network and that he has a list of people to approach. Jellinek makes a mental note to get hold of that list. He's got a secret meeting with the KGB tonight and they will want to know every name on it. Two nights later Chernivtsi, the Soviet Union. Jelenik walks beside Dr. Kami through Misty rain, pleased to stretch his legs after spending a day and two nights on a train. Where are we going? We're visiting Mark Grauer. He is a refusenik we've lost contact with. He lives in that tall gray building. You need to knock on the door of apartment number 16. Me? You're not coming? Dr. Kami's usual joviality gives way to an anxious frown. You look less Jewish than me. You'll attract less suspicion, Yellen. During this trip, he has been surprised at the level of anti Semitism they've experienced. Jews in the USSR are expected to abandon all outward signs of their faith and integrate into an atheist society. Otherwise, they lose their jobs and are abused by neighbors, Crosses the road, enters the apartment building and climbs the stairs to the top floor. There's no answer, and the bell doesn't seem to work either. Across the hallway, a door creaks open and a tiny old woman in a black dress and headscarf scowls at Jelenik. They took him away. Why? For spying. He was a Jew and an enemy. She folds her arms and peers more closely at Jelenik, as if trying to memorize his features. Jelenik instantly turns his back on her and leaves. As he returns to the street, Dr. Kami is alarmed at seeing him hurry back. What is it? We need to go now. Jellinek tries to pull Dr. Kami away, but the older man flings off his hand. What happened? Shh. He's been taken. This place is probably being watched. We need to find out what happened to him. We need to raise his case back home. Jellinek grinds his teeth at the doctor's stubbornness. He cannot afford to be arrested by some KGB officers who doesn't know he's on their side. He grabs Dr. Kami by his shoulders. Listen to me. If you're not careful, we will be joining him in his cell in the Lubyanka. The Lubyanka is the KGB's headquarters and where all suspected dissidents are taken for interrogation and often torture. Dr. Kami looks frightened. He finally nods and they hurry back to the train station. Five months later, 22 March 1986. Stiroli, a small village near Prague. In a luxurious safe house, Jellik admires the original artwork on the walls. His recent trip to Moscow proved a major success and exposed the Jewish refusenik network in the ussr. One of his Czech bosses watches him. Is this the kind of thing you'll sell in your new business? In the wake of his success, his spymasters at the STB have agreed. Jellinek can leave his busy job at the Hilton Hotel and start an antique art dealership. Not only will it give him more time for spying, but is an ideal way to launder his spy pay and expenses. Jellinek has taken an art course in preparation and hopes. He sounds more confident than he feels. No, it's out of my league. It's an original spaller. The conversation is interrupted by the arrival of a black car. Jellinek is amazed to see the director of the kgb, Viktor Chebrikov, get out of the car. On entering, Chebrikov smiles and holds out his hand to Yelenik. Ah, our man of the moment, Comrade Yellenik. Chebrikov nods to one of his colleagues who steps forward with an embossed and gilt edged presentation box. Inside is a medal featuring a red enameled star, a shield and crossed swords. Chabrikov pins it to Yellenik's chest with a smile. For your outstanding service in strengthening our brotherhood in arms. Jelenik blinks, unable to speak but bursting with pride. This is what all that sacrifice was for. Later, over a lavish lunch, Cheprikov reveals that Yellownik's intelligence has been used at the highest level. Not only is it helping stamp out dissident activity, but it has given us a useful bargaining chip with the British and Americans. How so? The Rafuse Nik organizations have many influential friends in US And British politics. Their lobbying is so successful that their politicians are willing to scale back weapon production in return for the release of high profile refusenik prisoners. It's no lie to say your work has kept us all safer. Cheprikov stands, holding a crystal glass tumbler of plum brandy. The others at the lunch table follow suit. A toast to Comrade Yellenik. Comrade Yellen. Yellenik. Basket. In the warm glow of praise and attention after the Soviet delegation leaves, he even feels emboldened to ask his Czech spymaster a question that has been on his mind for some time. When will my posting in England finish? It's been 11 years now. I'd like to settle down and start a family. His boss raises a disbelieving eyebrow. Come home? Don't be ridiculous. Didn't you hear Comrade Chebrikov? You're far too valuable to us over there. Now. Jelenik feels his warm glow evaporate. First he wasn't doing well enough. Now he's paying a price for doing too well. A few weeks later Hampstead heath, north London. Two MI5 surveillance officers park their car in a residential street with a clear view of the old Bullen Bush pub. Using small binoculars, One of the MI5 officers watches their target. He's a Soviet diplomat, but after watching him for several months, MI5 is now convinced he's out actually an undercover Russian intelligence officer. Their target circles the pub car park perimeter, then leans casually against a brick wall to smoke a cigarette. He's definitely up to something. After a few minutes, the Soviet diplomat abandons his wall pose and enters the pub. The MI5 officers watch and wait. Thirty minutes later, a slim, good looking man in a pinstriped suit drives into the car park. But instead of entering the pub, he also wanders around outside. He stops near the brick wall. The Soviet leaned against and appears to search for something. The MI5 officer watches him, frowning. Seems like he's someone we should know. Yes, but he's not on the Soviet watch list. Could be an agent, maybe. After a few minutes of searching, the mystery man also enters the pub. Charlie 9 to base. Go ahead Charlie 9. We have an unknown male, mid-30s, well dressed. We believe he is linked to our target. Please advise. Receive Charlie 9. Follow the unknown. We need a home address and car registration number. Message received. An hour later, the surveillance officers watch the pinstripe man come out of the pub and get into his car. They tail his car through the leaf leafy streets of Hampstead and north into the suburban streets of Fryan Barnett. Finally, the suspected spy parks in Silver Birch Close. As his colleague takes photos, the MI5 officer peers through his binoculars and watches the man enter a small block of new build apartments, number 35. His companion makes a note of the address and car registration. Then they head back to MI5 headquarters. Now they need to find out who this mystery spy is and what he's doing. Follow the Spy who on the Audible app or wherever you get your podcasts, you can listen to all episodes of the Spy who ad free by joining Audible. You have been listening to the Spy who, an Audible original. Have you got a spy story you'd like us to tell? Email your ideas to thespywhoaudible.com A quick note about our dialogue we can't know everything that was said or done behind closed doors, particularly far back in history, but our scenes are written using the best available sources. So even if a scene or conversation has been recreated for dramatic effect, it's still based on biographical research. We used many sources in our research for this season, including the Czech Spy by Yaroslav Kmenta and A Spy in the Family by Paul Henderson and David Gardner. The Spy who is hosted by me, Amelia Fox. It's a Yellow Ant production. This episode was written by Judy Cooper and researched by Louise Byrne, with thanks to Jaroslav Svelk and Ine Brus. The senior producer was Jay Priest. The sound designer was Joshua Morales. Music supervision by Scott Velasquez. For Frisson Sync for Yellowant the story editor and executive producer was Tristan Donovan. For Audible, the executive producers were Estelle Doyle and Theodora Leludis.