Hollis studied Alevy’s face a moment. “Okay. Was the microfilm good stuff?”
“The jackpot. But I don’t know how the FBI is going to proceed with it.”
“That’s their problem, not ours.”
“Well, it’s everyone’s problem. I’d like to see us just go public with the photos — TV and newspapers, movie theaters, shopping malls. That would blow every one of those Russian agents whether they’re White House janitors, defense workers, or congressional aides.” Alevy added, “However, I think the government wants the FBI to try to round them up quietly.”
“But you’d like it public. That would finish the summit and arms talks once and for all.”
“All that nonsense deserves to be dead and buried. What benefit is there to us to talk peace and trade, when the Soviets have massive economic problems and social unrest? As our mutual hero, Napoleon Bonaparte, said, ‘Never interrupt an enemy while he’s making a mistake.’”
Hollis smiled. “You are a manipulative son of a bitch.”
“Thank you. Speaking of manipulators, do you know who Charlie Banks works for?”
“Probably State Department Intelligence.”
“Right. You’re sharper than you look.” Alevy moved toward a group of Japanese businessmen who were talking loudly and animatedly, providing good sound cover from directional microphones. Hollis followed him. Alevy said, “State Department Intelligence here in Moscow spend most of their time spying on people like you and me. They think we’re trying to sabotage their diplomatic initiatives.”
“Where would they get an idea like that?”
“Beats me. Anyway, SDI would be harmless except that they’re an arm of the venerable and powerful Department of State. And in the matter of the Charm School, Charles Banks is watching the situation very closely and reporting, I believe, directly to the President.”
“He’s watching you very closely. What I don’t understand is how anyone is going to resolve the problem of the Charm School without all hell breaking loose.”
“There are ways to resolve it quietly. As long as Dodson doesn’t show up.”
“What if he does show up?”
Alevy replied, “I doubt if he’d make it over the wall. The militia and KGB have orders to shoot on sight. But if he did, by some miracle, get inside the embassy or get to a Western reporter in Moscow, then Banks, the Secretary of State, and the President will be singing my company song.”
Hollis said, “I keep thinking that if Dodson did get over the wall, he might not be home free. Is that an insane thought?”
“Yes, but it’s a good thought. I think old affable Charlie Banks is under orders to have Dodson killed to shut him up.” Alevy added, “And you think I’m nuts and immoral? Our government is ready to write off three hundred American airmen for some abstraction they call détente. Hell, I can’t even pronounce it, and the fucking Russians don’t even have a word for it.”
“Seth, I’ll try to separate the white hats from the black hats on the plane. Meet me in D.C., and we’ll talk to some of my people in the Pentagon. I won’t get involved in conspiracies, but we can talk about ways to bring those men home and not make them pawns in everyone’s power game.”
“All right. I’ll meet you in D.C.”
Hollis asked, “By the way, what did you think of General Surikov?”
“I spoke to him in the basement of the antique shop for half an hour. I don’t think he liked me.”
“He doesn’t have to like you. You’re not going to be his control officer. He’s leaving.”
“Well, that’s the other thing. I agree with you that he’s a legitimate defector. But I don’t think he’s going to make it in the West.”
“A lot of people who already live in the West aren’t making it. That’s not your concern. Just get him there.”
“I’m telling you, Sam, he’ll die when he leaves mother Russia. I know the type.”
“He has religion.”
“I’d love to keep him here in his job. He would be the highest-ranking agent we’ve ever had in the Soviet military. I’d turn him over to Bert Mills and—”
“Don’t give me that crap about him not surviving in the West. If you had an ounce of human compassion left in you, you’d see the man was suffering. If we ever do beat this system, it will be because we hold out an honest light to the decent people here. I never understood Surikov’s motives because I wasn’t thinking of the most obvious motive — the man wants to be free, whatever that means to him. He delivered, now you deliver.”
“All right… it was a thought—”
“Take a leave, Seth. You need it.”
“Oh, I know. By the way, I scanned that microfilm and found a picture of our custodian, Mr. Kellum, born Anatoli Vladimirovich Kulagin, in Kursk, USSR.”
Hollis nodded. “So we bagged the first one. How about Mrs. Kellum?”
“Didn’t come across her yet. Lots of work to do on that. She may be a real American, and she may or may not know who her husband is.”
“What are you going to do with the Kellums?”
“I’ll debrief them in the cellar for a few months. Dick, we know, is guilty, and as far as I’m concerned Ann is guilty by association. However, we can’t get them back to stand trial. And I can’t keep them locked up here forever. Also, they’re no good as trading cards because the Soviets will never claim them. So…” Alevy scratched his head. “I don’t know. Any ideas? What should I do with Dick and Ann, Sam?”
“Why don’t you shoot them in the head and drop them in the Moskva?”
“Excellent idea. Why didn’t I think of that?”
Hollis said, “I have to go.”
Alevy put his hand on Hollis’ arm. “When I was a young college liberal, I used to wonder how American airmen could drop bombs on the Vietnamese. Now I’m all grown up, contemplating cold-blooded murder for my country, and an airman is looking down his nose at me. Can’t win.”
“You’ve made your point. I apologize. Do what you have to do.”
“Thank you. I will. Well, so much for bad business. The good news is that the microfilm was an incredible counter-intelligence coup. Three thousand agents. My God, Sam, that’s the biggest single catch in history. And now with those Russian Americans in our hip pocket, we can tackle the problem of the Charm School itself.”
“A trade?”
Alevy nodded. “Three thousand of theirs for three hundred of ours. It’s a possibility. And we have you to thank for that. You did it, Sam. I think you got your people home.”
“But I thought there were people in Washington who didn’t want them home.”
“We’ll work on that. You have some clout yourself now. When you get to D.C., you’re going to be treated like a conquering hero. No parades, of course. Very quiet. But the top CIA people and your people in the Pentagon are going to present you with some awards. Real awards. And, you’re going to have an interview with the President, and don’t be surprised if he pins a general’s star on you. I just got that over the wire. I’d like to be there if you don’t mind.”
“Fine.”
“You outdid me this time, Sam.”
“Surikov just fell into my lap, Seth. You know that as well as I do.”
“Don’t be modest. Well… a personal note… on the subject of Lisa, all I can say is that I’m glad it was you and not some Foreign Service wimp.”
Hollis didn’t reply.
“Good luck. I wish you both happiness.”
“Thank you.” Hollis put out his hand. “And thanks for showing me around.”
Alevy took his hand. “We’ll meet again, in a better place than this.”
Hollis turned and walked toward the diplomatic wing. He said to himself, “That would be just about anyplace, Seth.”