The cold dry air seemed to have alleviated all the symptoms of his cold, and with his restored sense of taste he explored the many restaurants of the city. When Sven-2 had first mentioned the possibility of the phone number in St. Moritz, Brian had, as a simple precaution, downloaded a German dictionary and language course. He accessed this now and with the days of constant practice was speaking fair German by week’s end.
He also had the leisure to plan for the future, to think about it calmly, to weigh the various options that were open to him. In this Dr. Bociort was his confidant, a wise man and a cultured European. On the last day of his stay Brian walked, as he usually did, the three kilometers to Bociort’s home, and rang the bell. Dimitrie led him to Bociort’s study.
“Brian, come in. I want you to admire Sven’s new traveling persona.”
The MI was not in sight — but a handsome, brassbound leather trunk stood in the middle of the room.
“Good morning, Brian,” the trunk said. “This is a most agreeable arrangement. Specially fitted for comfort, optic pickups on every side for maximum visibility…”
“Microphone and loudspeaker connections as well. You’re looking good, Sven.”
Dr. Bociort shifted in his chair and smiled happily at them. “I cannot begin to tell you what pleasure these few days have given me. To see the simple AI that I worked on raised to this power of perfection is an intellectual banquet that I am sure you both will understand. In addition, my dear Brian — at the risk of appearing an emotional old man — I have enjoyed your companionship.”
Brian did not answer, shifted uneasily and ran his fingers along the edge of the trunk.
“Be kinder to yourself,” Bociort said, reaching out and touching Brian lightly on the knee: pretending not to notice the shiver and quick movement away. “The intellectual life is a good one, to use one’s brain, to uncover the secrets of reality, that is a gift granted to very few. But to enjoy one’s humanity is an equal pleasure—”
“I don’t wish to have this discussion.”
“Nor do I. It is only because of the trust, the understanding, that has grown between us, that I permit myself such a breach of tact. You have been hurt badly and you have grown bitter. Understandable. I ask for no response, I just request you to be kinder to yourself, to find some way to enjoy the physical and emotional pleasures that life can bring.”
The silence lengthened. Dr. Bociort shrugged, so slightly that it might not have been a shrug at all, turned and lifted his hand.
“For you, a few small gifts as tokens of appreciation. If you please, Dimitrie.”
The servant brought in a silver tray with a glistening leather wallet on it.
“Yours, Brian,” the old man said. “It contains a first-class ticket on this afternoon’s flight to Sweden. Your hotel reservations are there, as is the passport I spoke to you about. A perfectly legitimate Rumanian one. I still have close friends in my homeland — in high places. It is not a forgery but is quite authentic and issued by the government. I am sure that you won’t mind being Ioan Ghica for a few days — it is a proud name to bear. And this as well for the Baltic winter.”
The fur hat was mink and fitted perfectly.
“Many thanks, Dr. Bociort. I don’t really…”
“We will speak no more of it, my boy. If you have checked out of your hotel, Dimitrie will fetch your bags.”
“All done.”
“Good. Then if you will share a last glass of wine with me until he returns I will be greatly honored.”
With Sven loaded into the trunk of the big Mercedes, after last good-byes and a frail embrace from the old man, Dimitrie drove Brian to the tiny local airport. The VTOL plane lifted up from the snow-covered runway for the short hop to Zurich airport to connect with the SAS flight. The service, the seat — food and drink — were an immense improvement on the transatlantic Aeroflot flight.
Arlanda airport was clean, modern and efficient. After sober inspection his new passport was stamped and handed back. His bags were waiting for him — as were a porter and the limo driver. A drifting of snow was settling through the trees beside the highway; afternoon darkness descended before they reached Stockholm. The Lady Hamilton hotel was small and picturesque, filled to overflowing with portraits and memorabilia of the Lady and her Admiral escort.
“Welcome to Stockholm, Mr. Ghica,” the tall, blond receptionist said. “This is your key, room 32 on the third floor. The lift is to the rear and the porter will bring your bags up. I hope you will enjoy your stay in Stockholm.”
“I know that I will.”
This was indeed the truth. He was now in the city where he was going to stop running, stop hiding. When he left Sweden he was going to be himself again, a free self for the first time since the shooting.
“Come on out, Sven,” he said. The trunk unlocked and opened. “Close the trunk and keep it as a souvenir.”
“I would appreciate an explanation,” the MI said as it flowed out onto the rug.
“Freedom for me means the same for you. This is a democratic and liberal country with just laws. I am sure that all of its inhabitants will welcome the sight of you enjoying the freedom of their city. Sweden belongs to no military blocs. Which means that the minions of the evil General Schorcht can’t get at me here. And we are going to stay here until I am absolutely positive that particular danger is removed. Now the phone call that gets the ball rolling.”
He picked up the telephone and punched in the number.
“You are calling Benicoff,” Sven said. “I presume that you have thought through all of the possible results of this action?’’
“I have thought of very little else for the last week…”
“Benicoff here. Tell me.”
“Good morning, Ben. I hope that you are keeping well.”
“Brian! Are you all right? And what the hell are you doing in Stockholm?” His phone would of course have displayed the identity of the calling number.
“Enjoying freedom, Ben. And yes, I’m feeling fine. No, don’t talk, please listen. Can you get me a valid American passport and bring it to me here?”
“Yes, I guess so, even on New Year’s Eve, but—”
“That’s it. No buts and no questions. Hand me the passport and I’ll tell you everything that has happened. Enjoy the flight.” He hung up the phone, which rang loudly a moment later.
“That is Benicoff calling back,” Sven said.
“Then there is no point in answering it, is there? Did you notice that little bar, off to the right in the lobby, when we came in?”
“I did.”
“Will you join me there while I try my first Swedish beer? And don’t bother dressing for the occasion.”
“You have no intention of telling me what you are planning, do you?”
“I’ll reveal it all in the bar. Coming?”
“It will be my great pleasure to accompany you. I am rather looking forward to the experience.”
The elevator was empty, but an elderly Swede was in the lobby waiting for it when the door opened.
“Godafton,” Sven said as it stepped out.
“Godafton,” the man replied, moving aside. But his eyes opened wide and he turned to watch them walk by.
“Sweden is a very courteous country,” Sven said. “With a name like mine I thought it only right to do a little linguistic research when you told me our destination.”
The receptionist, like all receptionists worldwide, had seen everything and only smiled at them — as though three-eyed machines walked into the lobby every day.
“If you are going into the bar I will get someone to serve you.”
The uniformed barmaid was not as cool. She would not come out from behind the counter to take the order. If she spoke English she seemed to have forgotten every word of it when Brian asked for a beer.