Purge (35 page)

On the basis of this testimony, many witnesses were questioned who confirmed that Hans PEKK had belonged to the above-mentioned organization. One witness, Anton TOOMINGAS, reported that a person resembling Hans PEKK participated in terrorist activities in 1945. TOOMINGAS said that he had heard that a man resembling Hans PEKK had been part of a bandit group that had assaulted members of the executive committee. During this struggle, an unidentified bandit shot and killed executive committee manager Jaani SIREL with a pistol. The same group may have participated in the theft of a truck from the Uue-Antsla butter factory in Vöru Province, in southeastern Estonia. There were no reports of anyone resembling Hans PEKK in Vöru Province, however.

In order to shed light on PEKK’s activities during the German occupation, an operations unit on the matter was established. Among its tasks was an investigation of his purported death and a search for witnesses who could provide information about his possible participation in the murder of Soviet citizens.

Ext. No. 2
Report on the activities of Agent “X,” Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.

According to the testimony of Agent “Jootti,” the activities of Agent “X” in the Victory Kolkhoz have been exemplary, and there is no reason to question his suitability for transfer from rehabilitation to recruitment status. Agent “X” has recruited two new agents—“Helmar” and “Gooseberry”—from the inner circle of underground nationalists—i.e., the Forest Brothers (a group which includes Jaan SOOP, among others). “Helmar” has a close relationship with Vambola LAURI, who has assisted with the underground nationalists’ food supply. LAURI has informed “Helmar” that he has weapons hidden in his garden but has not provided their exact location.

It is recommended that Agent “X” be provided with two hundred rubles to give to Agent “Helmar.” “Helmar” and “Gooseberry” do not know the

whereabouts of the inner circle of nationalists and have not yet visited the homes of their family members. “Helmar” speculates that he will be able to arrange a meeting with nationalist Jaan SOOP on the pretense of giving financial assistance.

Ext. No. 2
Report on the activities of Agent “X” in the liquidation of underground nationalists in the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.

PEKK, Ingel, daughter of Richard. Born 1920. Estonian. Married to criminal Hans PEKK, son of Eerik. TAMM, Aliide, daughter of Richard. Born 1925. Estonian. Sister of PEKK, Ingel, daughter of Richard.

According to the testimony of Agent “X,” Agent “Helmar” succeeded in meeting with underground nationalist Jaan SOOP in the forest. SOOP intends to move from the forest to the barn of Vambola LAURI to spend the winter. There is no information on the location of SOOP’s forest bunker. Agent “Helmar” reports, however, that he saw Hans PEKK, who was believed to be dead, on the trail. He is quite certain that it was PEKK. Upon meeting with SOOP, Agent “Helmar” asked him if he had brought a bodyguard with him. Nationalist SOOP denied that he had and expressed surprise. Agent “Helmar” told him that he had seen a man who looked just like Hans PEKK on the trail, to which the bandit SOOP expressed even greater surprise. SOOP said that PEKK was dead, and that he was sure of that fact. Agent “Helmar” did not believe him.

Ingel PEKK and Aliide TAMM, family members of Hans PEKK, will be presented for another round of interrogation. Previous interrogations did not produce results.

Ext. No. 2
Report on the interrogation of TAMM, Aliide, daughter of Richard.

Agents “X,” “Crow,” and “Fox” observed an

interrogation of Aliide TAMM following her arrest for providing food to the bandits. The subject denied committing this illegal act and maintained this position. She also stated that she believed that Hans PEKK had died in 1945. The subject did not provide any new information that would assist in the apprehension of nationalist Hans PEKK. Agents “X,” “Crow,” and “Fox” have known of the subject for a long time, but they were not certain if she was lying or not.

Ext. No. 2
Report on activities for the liquidation of nationalist PEKK, Hans, son of Eerik.

PEKK, Hans, son of Eerik, born 1913 in Lihula. Former member of the Omakaitse organization. Went underground in 1943. Collaborated in the German occupation. Reported dead in 1945.

According to Agent “X,” the entire village seems to believe that the nationalist Hans PEKK was killed in 1945. Nationalist RISTLA, Hendrik, an eyewitness to the killing, was liquidated at the beginning of this year. There are no other eyewitnesses. According to RISTLA’s testimony, he and Hans PEKK, after years at the front, were traveling home by horse cart when they were attacked on the forest road. Hans PEKK was shot and killed, but RISTLA was only wounded and was able to escape. According to RISTLA, it was an attempted robbery. When men from the village went to the location the following day they found the emptied wagon, but there was no sign of PEKK’s body. The horse had also disappeared. RISTLA reported that he did not recognize the men who attacked them. Comparable crimes have occurred previously in the province, and for this reason the villagers did not consider the event improbable. RISTLA spoke openly of the occurrence and the story remained consistent over time.

RISTLA was interrogated previously, but not concerning the death of PEKK.

During the German occupation, RISTLA was active on behalf of the Germans and continued to commit a series of counterrevolutionary acts against his country following the occupation. Although we tried to prevent him from betraying his country, we did not succeed—RISTLA continued his illegal terrorist activities until his death.

The bandit Jaan SOOP was arrested on the basis of information provided by Agent “Helmar.” In his interrogation, SOOP confessed to being in contact with Hans PEKK when he was in hiding in the forest. SOOP said that PEKK had disseminated anti-Soviet opinions and stolen money and given it to the peasants. In addition, PEKK threatened to use his pistol to kill any and all Communists in cold blood if he ever had the opportunity. Our information indicates that Hans PEKK also has a rifle.

The bandit PEKK’s wife, Ingel PEKK, and his sister-in-law, Aliide TAMM, have been brought in for interrogation three times, but they have repeatedly denied any knowledge of PEKK’s activities and do not believe that he is alive. Linda PEKK, the daughter of Hans PEKK and Ingel PEKK, was also brought in for questioning, but the information provided by this subject did not differ from that given by Ingel PEKK and Aliide TAMM.

Agent “X” has not verified that the women were telling the truth, however. According to Agent “X,” Agent “Helmar” is certain that Ingel PEKK and Aliide TAMM have provided some support to the bandits. “Helmar” made the acquaintance of Peeter KUUM, who was in collaboration with Jaan SOOP, and told KUUM that he needed medical help for someone in the forest who was injured. Peeter KUUM encouraged him to go to Aliide TAMM’s house and told him he would also come away with his belly full.

Twenty-four-hour surveillance of the home of Ingel PEKK and Aliide TAMM is recommended. Any women visitors to the house should also be investigated. Some of the criminals in question come to the house dressed as women.

Ext. No. 2
Report on the activities of Agent “X” for the liquidation of underground nationalists in the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic.

Agent “X” has succeeded in forming a close bond with a family member of Hans PEKK—who is believed to be still alive—and has recommended her for agent recruitment. Recruitment was carried out by Agent “Hammer.” Agent “X” felt that he should not carry out the recruitment himself because of his close association with the subject, i.e., Agent “Fly.” Agent “X” will also be better able to observe the methods of Agent “Fly” if she is unaware of his assignment or the nature of his mission. Agent “Hammer” will serve as liaison for Agent “Fly.”

It is known that Agent “Fly” had close relations with the Germans during the occupation. German soldiers often visited her home. According to Agent “X,” however, she had no interest in collaborating with the Germans and did not attempt to keep in contact with them following the occupation. For this reason, she was, in the estimation of Agent “X,” an excellent choice for this operation because we are attempting to locate individuals who are in close collaboration with the Germans. Some of them have been recruited to serve as spies for the Germans. Because of the proximity of her house to the forest and her family connections, Agent “Fly” also has knowledge of the nationalists’ activities. Because of her job as a fee inspector, she also has active access to local homes and is thus in an excellent position to detect any suspicious activities.

Agent “Fly” has observed the lives of Ingel PEKK and Linda PEKK particularly closely, year-round, and she is sure that the bandit PEKK is dead, but she also reports that his wife, Ingel PEKK, has been storing nationalist material (an Estonian flag, newspapers, books) in her home and has assisted the bandits by providing food and by drying food for them to use in the forest. Linda PEKK has shown an interest in nationalist youth organizations. Ingel PEKK has carried on treasonous activities for many years. As a collaborator with nationalist criminals, it is recommended that Ingel PEKK be taken into custody.

Ext. No. 2
Progress report on the mission to liquidate nationalist PEKK, Hans, son of Eerik.

After the arrest of Ingel PEKK—the wife or widow of Hans PEKK—and her daughter, Linda PEKK, no further signals concerning Hans PEKK have been received. Agent “Fly” has studied the moods and the attitudes of PEKK’s relatives, but there is no indication that anyone has heard from him. However, Agent “Fly” has been monitoring Asta KALVET, who collaborated with Linda PEKK to organize the nationalist youth. This group is unusual in that the youths in question are girls. In our experience, similar treasonous activities have generally been encountered only among politically unreliable boys. More research is needed to determine if this is a growing area for concern or simply an exceptional case. Asta KALVET will be brought in for questioning.

We had hoped that once Ingel PEKK and Linda PEKK were no longer able to arrange food or other assistance for Hans PEKK—whom we presume is still alive—he would wish to rehabilitate or would participate in visible acts of terrorism, robbery, etc. This has not occurred, however.

Ext. No. 2
Progress report on the mission to liquidate nationalist PEKK, Hans, son of Eerik.

Agent “Fly” has collected evidence of local nationalist activity. We have carefully investigated the evidence and striven to monitor subjects who have been disseminating anti-Soviet views. Agent “Fly” has also provided an outline of individuals to whom Hans PEKK could turn for assistance. There have, however, been no signs that Hans PEKK has done so. We have also been in contact with relatives and family members of Hans PEKK, invited them to our offices, and told them that if Hans PEKK does get in touch with them, they should immediately inform us of the matter. They have also been told that Hans PEKK may be eligible for rehabilitation, but they received this suggestion with suspicion.

Ext. No. 2
Report on the termination of the mission for the liquidation of nationalist PEKK, Hans, son of Eerik.

According to information received by Agent “Fly,” we have captured nationalists Vello ARRO and Raimond HEIMAN. Termination of the mission to find Hans PEKK is recommended. We have not received any new evidence that would indicate that Hans PEKK is alive and continuing his underground activities. Agent “X” will be transferred to other operations directed at uncovering anti-Soviet activities. Agent “Fly” will continue to collect evidence of nationalism.

Just one more night here. I’ve been talking with Ingel about searching for Linda. Together we’ll find her, no matter how long it takes. Although I’m not free yet, I will be soon, and my heart is as light as a swallow’s.

Soon the three of us will be together.

Hans Pekk, son of Eerik, Estonian peasant
A GROVE PRESS READING GROUP GUIDE

Sofi Oksanen

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

We hope that these discussion questions will enhance your reading group’s exploration of Sofi Oksanen’s
Purge
. They are meant to stimulate discussion, offer new viewpoints and enrich your enjoyment of the book.

More reading group guides and additional information, including summaries, author tours and author sites for other fine Grove Press titles may be found on our Web site, www.groveatlantic.com.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. What is Aliide’s state of mind when she discovers Zara in her yard? What clues does she use to try to determine who the girl is and whether she poses a threat? What is Aliide afraid of, and why?

2. Zara learns to fear black Volgas from an early age. What does the vehicle come to represent in Soviet Russia, and why? Does Oksanka’s visit fit this profile?

3. Without much freedom of movement, geography became destiny for Soviet citizens. What does Vladivostok symbolize to an Estonian like Aliide? What about to a “Russian” like Zara? What are each woman’s perceptions of Tallinn and of Finland?

4. Why do Zara’s mother and grandmother keep packed suitcases in the closet? What does the luggage contain, and why does grandmother check them at night?

5. “Those who poke around in the past will get a stick in the eye,” Aliide thinks to herself after Volli’s visit (p. 93). Why does she begin to burn Martin’s books? What does she find in Martin’s tobacco pouch, and why does it upset her?

6. How does Aliide react when Zara shows her the picture she has brought from Vladivostok? How does Aliide explain her sister’s crime? What does it take to be a “good communist”?