Lisa glanced at Alevy, then at Hollis. No one spoke, then Lisa said with emotion in her voice, “That’s not fair. Not fair, Charles.”
Banks ignored this and added, “As you may know, since you both work here, Soviet-American relations are on the mend. Sino-American relations are deteriorating as a result. The Chinese are now making overtures toward the Soviets. There is a new world alignment in the wind, and our government is anxious not to be left standing alone.”
Lisa remarked sarcastically, “I didn’t mean to upset the world balance of power. And I don’t think Sam did either. Did you, Sam?”
Hollis pretended he didn’t hear. Alevy stifled a smile. Banks cleared his throat and leaned forward in his chair. “The balance of world power, Ms. Rhodes, is not a joking matter.”
Lisa retorted sharply, “I’m not a bubble brain, Charles. Neither do I intend to alter my reality or compromise my principles to suit my government’s momentary needs. Murder is murder. And there is an American POW who is in trouble out there. If I can’t do anything about it, and you won’t, then I will have to offer my resignation and go public with this.”
Charles Banks replied frostily, “Thank you for your thoughts, Ms. Rhodes. Please understand that State isn’t kicking you out. The Soviet Foreign Ministry is. We don’t require your cooperation or resignation or anything from you. We only require that you pack and leave as requested. And you will not go public.”
Lisa turned away and seemed disinterested in Banks.
Charles Banks said to Hollis, “There will be nothing derogatory in your file or that of Ms. Rhodes. We will issue a bene decessit—a statement that your leaving was not due to misconduct as we define it. Is that satisfactory, Colonel?”
“General.”
“Excuse me?”
“That’s what I want, Mr. Banks.”
“Oh… I see. Yes, I’ll take that up with… the appropriate people. If you have time in service, time in grade, and other—”
“I don’t, but you’ll tell the commander in chief to waive that.”
Banks eyed Hollis a moment, then continued, “You will both be given thirty days’ home leave. You will also be given new assignments that will be beneficial to your respective careers.”
Lisa said, “We want to be reassigned together.”
Banks glanced at Alevy, then back to Lisa. “That’s not possible.”
“Why not?”
“For security reasons.”
“What does that mean?”
Banks looked pointedly at his watch. “I must go upstairs. Mr. Alevy will give you your departure briefing at this time.” Banks added in a softer tone, “Personally, I’m sorry to see you both go. Everyone here considers you very valuable assets to our mission. Your fluency in Russian is unexcelled. Sam, Lisa, good luck to you.” Banks left.
Alevy went to the sideboard and poured a vodka and chilled orange juice. There were trays of pastry as well. “Help yourselves. Charles laid on some nice things to make you feel better.”
Lisa stood and drew hot water for tea from a silver urn. She said to Hollis, “Sam, can I get you something?”
“Coffee, please.”
She brought him his coffee and sat in the chair beside him. Alevy placed a tray on the table, heaped with red and black caviar, sour cream, toast, and butter. Lisa commented, “When they give you the shaft here, they at least smear it with maslo.”
Alevy chewed on a pastry. “That’s crude, Lisa.” Alevy wiped his fingers with a linen napkin. “I will now read you certain provisions of the National Security Act and instruct you on your duties and obligations regarding not disclosing anything you have seen, heard, or read while posted here.” Alevy proceeded to do so, then asked them to sign standard statements of acknowledgment, which they did.
Alevy sat opposite them and put his drink on the table. He spread sour cream and caviar on a triangle of toast and said to them, “It’s better this way.”
Hollis replied, “I think it’s better with butter.”
Alevy chewed on his toast and regarded Hollis coolly. “I mean it’s better that they’re booting you. If they weren’t booting you, that would mean the KGB has convinced the Politboro to give them another shot at you. Apparently the Politboro, acting as game warden, has told the KGB they had their chance and the season is closed for Lisas and Sams.”
Hollis finished his coffee. “That about it, Seth?”
“No. I’m advising both of you to stay within the embassy grounds for the rest of your days here.”
Lisa said, “I intend to buy some Russian folkcraft before I leave, take some photos, that sort of thing.”
Alevy shrugged. “That’s only sensible advice. What is an order is that you are not to go outside the gates alone and never after sundown.”
Hollis observed, “I thought we were off-season.”
Alevy stood and made himself another drink. “Where there are game wardens, there are poachers.” He added, “If it makes you feel any better, our government has booted their air attaché and press officer out of D.C. It’s in tomorrow’s papers.”
Lisa asked, “Am I relieved of my duties?”
“Oh, yes. Both of you. Interdean, the West German movers, will pack you up. You need the time to supervise.”
Hollis asked, “Who’s going to meet Ace on Sunday?”
“You have to do that. Tell him that someone else will be handling him. Work out the details. Don’t lose him.”
“Are we getting him out?”
“If he has what you asked for.”
Lisa asked Alevy, “Why aren’t they booting you? You’re the one who pulled a gun on Burov.”
“Well,” Alevy replied, “it’s the KGB who wants me around, on the theory that it’s better to deal with the devil you know. Also if the Soviets booted me, then we’d boot their top rezident in Washington as happened in ’86. Then one boot leads to the other. Nobody wants that again. The score is tied, two — two.”
Lisa observed, “Diplomacy has a certain immutable illogic to it that becomes a logic of its own.”
“I’ll get that framed and hung in the ambassador’s safe room.” Alevy smiled at Lisa and looked at her for some time, then asked with a forced lightness in his tone, “So, Lady Lisa, where will you spend your home leave?”
“I don’t know… this is unexpected. New York, I guess….”
Alevy looked at Hollis. “You?”
“Not real sure. London, I suppose, to take care of that business. Then maybe Japan to see the old folks practice Zen. Then New York to see my brother who won’t leave his time zone.” He added, “I might pay a condolence visit on the Fishers in New Canaan.”
Lisa nodded. “Me too.”
Alevy said sharply, “Don’t you dare. You two are going to be well taken care of if you cooperate. You can each pick any assignment in the world outside the Curtain. That’s what they’re offering.”
Lisa added, “As long as we’re not together. Is that your idea?”
Alevy replied, “I won’t dignify that question with an answer.”
Hollis stood. “Well, I’ll discuss this whole matter with my people.”
“My company has the primary responsibility for handling these matters.”
“Are we finished?”
“No. I would like you to tell me now about your side trip to Borodino.”
“There’s not much to tell,” Hollis replied. “However, I did kill two KGB Border Guards.”
Alevy stood. “Jesus Christ! Are you serious?”