Read Someone Else's War: A Novel of Russia and America Page 84
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Raduyev rejoined Olivia in the interrogation booth. “How are you feeling?”
“OK.”
“You’ll be going back to your cell soon for some time. I’m going to assume that you are not a potential suicide. For now. You will be monitored but I will not have the items in your cell removed. For now.”
“I understand.”
“For the next period, you will spend many hours each day in this room. I will visit from time to time. Four of my men will continue the process. You will not be harmed or abused. For now. If you grow violent, you will be restrained but not punished. We will begin sometime later today, so you have a while to think things over. If there is anything else, you would do well to tell me now.”
“There is nothing.”
“May I ask you something personal?”
Olivia looked at him warily. “Not too personal, I hope.”
“Did you ever expect to care for us so much?”
“Colonel,” she said quietly, “I did not come to Russia looking for love or, as they call it in America, meaningful relationships. I was not looking for a new family or a new country. But I have grown to care about Russia in many ways. And I will tell you one thing.” She stood to him. “Whatever Russia learns about me, Russia will also be learning about Russia. Whatever Russia does to me, Russia will also be doing to Russia.”
Colonel Raduyev rose to her and inclined his head. “Then let us hope for the best.”