“No, no,” said Victor. “It was a friend, and I really don’t want to talk to the press any more. You are the third today.”
The reporter was persistent and insisted that he just wanted to check a few facts if Victor could spare him a few minutes. Victor reluctantly invited him into the house. He explained that after the brief court appearance by the Russian, his editor wanted him to discover more background details about Marina and her family. Victor could not resist and began to describe how his parents had emigrated from Russia in the 1930s to search for a better life in England; how they had been helped at first by other Russians living in East London; how they had started their own business; how they had become British citizens in 1945; and how their two sons had then expanded their small shop in South London into the Peters Brothers business which now supplied fabrics to some of the best couturiers and designers in London.
The reporter began to warm to this story, with the Russian family angle fitting well as a follow up to the story of the forthcoming trial appearance of Nikolai Aldanov. For his questions about Marina, he found Victor to be more reluctant to answer. He quickly suspected that the police or MI5 had told him not to pass on any information and asked, “Is Marina in custody? Has she been charged with anything?”
“I really can’t tell you anything more,” said Victor. “As far as I know, she is the main witness in the case they are bringing against the Russian, and they don’t want her to talk about it before the trial. I spoke to her earlier today, and she is fine, and I think she is going away to stay with a friend for a few days.”
“Any idea where she is?”
“No, she thought it would be better if I didn’t know, so that’s all I can say today.”
They said their farewells, and the reporter drove off, quite happy with the story he had now gleaned about Marina’s family links with Russia. This would become another exclusive feature for the Daily Star the next day.
21.
IT’S DISNEYWORLD
Marina’s flight landed in sunny Florida in the late afternoon, local time. She had been able to unwind a little at last and enjoy the business class service – but she cautiously limited herself to just one glass of white wine. During the eight-hour flight, she managed to get some sleep as well as watching a movie in a futile attempt to calm her anxieties about what lay ahead. She had no real idea about what to expect next as she walked down the ramp with the rest of the passengers and into the international arrivals area of the terminal. All the signs around the building were welcoming her to the World of Disney, reminding her that she had arrived in the land of Mickey Mouse. Her new passport and immigration documents were checked without question. With only carry-on luggage, she was quickly through the customs formalities and wondered what welcome awaited Mary McMasters.
She did not have long to wait. As she emerged through the doors into the arrivals hall, she spotted a large card bearing her new name. There were two men waiting for her. One of them was ready to take her luggage and was somewhat surprised to find she did not have any – just her carry-on bag. They introduced themselves as Joe and Don and led her to a waiting car, a large SUV with blackened rear windows, parked right at the door of the terminal building, with the driver poised to open the trunk and car door. There was no requirement for luggage in the trunk, so they climbed in, with Joe accompanying her in the back seats.
“How was the flight, Miss McMasters?” he asked as they drove off.
“Just fine, thanks,” replied Marina, adjusting to her new name. “Thank you for meeting me. Can you tell me where we are going now?”
“OK,” replied Joe. “Here’s the plan. We are taking you to the Ritz Carlton hotel in town, about a 30-minute drive, and we will introduce you to one of our Deputy Directors who will be waiting there – she’s Sally-Ann Waters, and she will be taking care of you during your visit. I will also stick around for a while in case there is anything you need. I am calling her now to give her our ETA.”
As they drove, Marina was overwhelmed by the huge signboards and neon displays along the highway, advertising all the attractions of the Disney empire. It was certainly another world she had just stepped into. When they arrived, the hotel entrance and reception area were also mind-blowing, with their bright lights and luxurious décor. Joe took her through to a relatively quiet bar area to meet Sally-Ann.
“It’s so good to see you, Mary,” she said with outstretched arms. “Welcome to the Colonies. I’ve heard so much about you. You’re looking great, but I guess you’re a bit tired after that long flight.”
Somehow, Sally-Ann was exactly what Marina had expected from her limited knowledge of American businesswomen in films and on TV – slim, smart, blonde and confident. Then, with a crisp and clear accent, she asked Joe: “Where’s Ms. McMasters’ luggage? Take it to her room.”
“This is it,” replied Marina, pointing to her carry-on. “I left in such a hurry this morning that I only have my overnight bag. I was told to buy everything I need when I get here.”
“OK, we can handle that,” said a rather surprised Sally-Ann. “Joe, go and get Ms. McMasters checked in and bring back her room key.” Then turning to Marina, she continued: “Let’s have a quick chat here, then maybe you would prefer to get to your room and order something to eat from room service before catching up on some sleep. We have a nice programme worked out for you over the next two or three weeks – nothing too strenuous, so don’t worry – and we can go over it tomorrow morning at the office. There are some decent shops here in the hotel where you can probably find anything you need, either tonight or tomorrow.”
“This all sounds wonderful,” said Marina. “What do I need in the way of clothes? How warm is it here, and will I need office-type things or is it more casual?”
“We are not too formal in the CIA,” said Sally-Ann. “Tee-shirts and pants are normal for most of us, and you may need a light sweater or jacket in the air-conditioning. Outside, it is pretty warm by your standards – maybe around 25 degrees during the day.”
“Did you just say the CIA?” interrupted Marina. “I recognise that name. I didn’t realise that I was going to be looked after by the CIA – that sounds a bit serious. Is this all very hush-hush?”
“Don’t worry, Mary – it is just that we are the American cousins of the folk who you were working with in the UK.”
“OK, I think I understand. What will be happening next?”
“Joe will come by at around 8.30 in the morning, and he’ll drive you to our offices to meet everyone and to go through your programme. Then everything will be clear, I hope. We’ve had a full briefing from your folks in London, so we know what is going on there and what your needs are. There’s nothing to worry about. Here’s Joe now with your room details – sleep well and see you tomorrow.”
Joe took Marina with her overnight bag to the lift, handed over her key, told her to go to the 8th floor and find room 808 – “and see you tomorrow.”
The room was not difficult to find, but Marina was wide-eyed as she entered it. It was spacious and luxurious, with a huge king-size bed and a bathroom twice the size of any she had ever seen. All the facilities were new and shiny, the furnishings were modern, with a 3-seater settee in front of an enormous TV, a fully-stocked minibar and a small kitchenette with all the necessaries for making hot drinks. It was almost too much to take in.
It was still only 6 pm in Orlando, but it had been a long day, and Marina decided that any shopping could wait for the morning when she would probably be awake early, anyway.