Read Someone Else's War: A Novel of Russia and America Page 95

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  The first thing Raduyev noticed as he entered Schwartz’s office was the man himself, sitting almost at attention behind his desk, phone to his ear, listening much, saying nothing except to indicate agreement or obedience to command. The second thing Raduyev noticed was the muffin on the desk, whole and uneaten, flattened as though by someone’s fist, crumbs radiating outward. Clearly, Raduyev realized, things were beginning to develop. Schwartz looked up, motioned to Raduyev to approach, then handed him Rebecca Taylor’s op-ed off the Washington Post website. Raduyev read. Schwartz finally put down the receiver.

  “What do you think of the article?” he asked Raduyev.

  “The American press appears to be taking an interest.”

  “Anything else?”

  “It’s a strange piece.”

  “Rebecca Taylor,” Schwartz muttered, “certainly knows how to write for Americans. Write about Russia, everybody yawns. Criticize America, suggest that they’re less than God’s grandest and final creation, watch people sit up and bark. This thing is printing out everywhere. Our leadership is less than happy. They want this resolved before a curiosity becomes a nuisance and a nuisance becomes a crisis. There will be a meeting this evening. Very senior. They want my final analysis and recommendation within three hours. They will have it, plus an item they did not request. We shall proceed as planned.”

  “Are you quite certain this is wise?”

  “No. But it may work. Have the corridor outside Doctor Tolchinskaya’s interrogation room sealed at both ends. Place one Boris at each end. No one enters after our party has arrived, except Colonel Zhuralev and the Getmanovs. Remove the room guards and replace them with the two other Borises. Are our Borises all adequate and willing to undertake this task?”

  “Oh, yes.”

  “Have Kristinich and Borodkin arrived?”

  “They are waiting in the officers’ canteen.”

  “Hugging and kissing, no doubt. Think what children they could have.”

  “Sir?”

  “Have them sent in. And the Getmanovs?”

  “In the senior officers’ dining room.”

  “Good. Colonel Zhuralev will bring them to the observation room as soon as Borodkin and Kristinich enter the interrogation room. Proceed.”