by David Woods
“Oh yes. Was it interesting?”
“Very interesting.”
“I must say he does seem a very unlikely spy.”
Pokrovsky laughed. “Yes, very unlikely. It’s the girl who travelled with him we are interested in.”
“And I suppose he has told you all about her?”
He gulped down his vodka and she filled his glass again. He looked into her eyes as she handed him the drink. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you are protected.”
“But I only met him briefly.”
“I said, don’t worry.” They had both finished their drinks, and she rose to re-fill their glasses, her back turned when he asked “Can I look around your flat?”
“Yes of course. Help yourself.” She sat down heavily as he disappeared into the kitchen and sipped her drink, holding her pendant whilst she worried herself sick about what Brian might have revealed.
He returned ten minutes later, and glanced around the lounge before sitting down closer to her. He swallowed his drink and she started to get up, but he said, “Sit down Irina, my dear. Now tell me, do you like working for me?”
“Yes I do. You’re very kind to me.”
“You are good at your job, and I want us to stay a very happy team.”
“I’m sure we will.”
“And I will protect you if you’re nice to me.” He moved closer and folded his arm around her shoulder. She did not resist when he kissed her mouth and neck, but imagined Vasily was making love to her and closed her eyes as she pictured his body. Her response delighted the Colonel who gently caressed her breasts, and she stood up and pulled him to his feet. They walked into the bedroom in silence, she keeping her mind on making love with Vasily, but the Colonel contemplated a long exciting sexual session to be repeated on a regular basis. When she turned to face him, he pressed his eager body against hers and whispered, “Take your clothes off for me.” Still imagining that it was Vasily standing there watching as each item of clothing was removed, she did not look at Pokrovsky so as to preserve the illusion. He gasped with delight when she finally stood naked before him, and his hands were shaking as he clumsily tried to undress. She helped him and they were soon laying together on the bed with the light above shining down on them, so that he could explore her body. She lay with one hand under a pillow whilst his hands and tongue felt and tasted her body, keeping her eyes closed and concentrating on Vasily and his lovemaking. She was still deep in thought when he thrust himself inside her and exploded after a minute’s feverish activity.
“He finally collapsed beside her, his head resting on her shoulder until they were both relaxed and said. “Let’s get into bed.” She silently rolled away from him and they both climbed in, he cuddling and caressing her. She responded, thinking him a far better lover than she expected, and climbed on top of him. He reached up and held her breasts as she impaled herself on him, moving up and down until he had another orgasm. She was relieved when it was all over, and they dressed before going back to the lounge. He sat beside her and drank another vodka. “You are fantastic, Irina. I would like to make love to you every day.”
“You would soon get fed up with me.”
“Never. You are the best and most beautiful lover I’ve ever had.”
She smiled as she said. “I think you’re a very considerate and gentle lover.”
“Then you wouldn’t mind if I came back here on Sunday afternoon.”
Her expression changed. “Do I have any choice?”
“No, because I’ll be desperate for you by then.”
“But what about my boyfriend?” I can’t just abandon him.”
“Do you love him?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Well, you will learn to love me soon.”
“I don’t know if I can.”
“Get rid of this friend, and you will.”
“If I must, then I will.”
“Good, and I’ll promise you my protection. In return for three or four nights of good enthusiastic lovemaking each week.” She could not help looking downhearted and he said, “Cheer up, you’ll soon look forward to my visits. But now I must go.” She rose and walked to the door with him, and he turned around to hold her tight and kiss her mouth. She just stood still as his hands explored her body, but suddenly he released her and departed without a word.
She ran inside and gulped down two full glasses of vodka, feeling sick, disgusted and thoroughly used. I am no better than a prostitute to a man who pays by letting me live, she said to herself. The alcohol dulled her senses. She washed her body until it was pink and she felt clean before going to bed and experiencing a near sleepless night.
The next day was Saturday and she was very pleased not to have to face Pokrovsky, so she rested most of the morning, not having the energy to do much in the way of chores. She decided to go out shopping in the afternoon, spending a long time queuing and thinking of recent events and the future.
Brian was pulled out of his cage after a very bad night in which he was questioned twice by a bad tempered violent woman, who seemed determined to succeed where her male counterpart had failed, and was left standing in the cage with a bright light shining straight into his tired eyes. He held on to the bars to stop himself collapsing, and had to endure the woman’s shrill voice sometimes showering him with abuse and jeering at him, and other times imploring him to tell the truth about Jane Smith. He was overcome with despair, and his mind had reached the depths of depression.
Anna travelled to London on Friday morning to visit the Foreign Office. She was shown into a room with comfortable seats, and waited for an hour until a grey-haired middle-aged lady appeared and sat opposite her. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Mrs. Wilkins, but I’ve just been speaking to our embassy staff in Moscow.”
“Oh, yes. What news do they have about my husband?”
“They’ve tried many times to arrange a visit, but haven’t been successful so far.”
“But why not for heaven’s sake?”
The Soviet authorities just say he’s being questioned in connection with unspecified illegal activities.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“It’s anyone’s guess, I’m afraid.”
“Do you think they would let me see him?”
“It’s most unlikely they’ll let anyone see him, until formal charges are made against him.”
“When do you think that will happen?”
“There’s absolutely no way of telling.”
“So there is no point in me going to Moscow on Monday?”
“I’m so very sorry, Mrs. Wilkins. I can only advise you to go home and wait for us to contact you.”
“I suppose you’re right. That’s all I can do.” Anna travelled home feeling deeply depressed, and dreading what the term illegal activities might mean.
Vasily called at Sally’s flat on Saturday night, and sat in the lounge looking very downhearted. Sally looked nervous and depressed. He noticed her strained expression. “I’m sorry to be such bad company, and sorry you’re obviously under pressure.”
“Not as sorry as I am.”
“So it’s as bad as we thought?”
“Worse, I’m afraid. Oh my God, I can’t stand it.”
“Neither can I. Let’s get out of here.”
“Good idea. The place has been polluted.”
They ate in a quiet café, both picking at their food, but when the other diners left they were able to talk. Sally said. “I’ve been instructed to stop seeing you.”
“I’m not surprised. He wants you for himself.”
“He wants to see me three or four times a week.”
“The evil swine. He probably has nothing on you yet. It’s all bluff I expect.”
“He won’t tell me if Brian’s talked.”
“Which means he hasn’t. I
can’t stand thought of him making love to you.”
“He doesn’t, he just fucks me.”
Vasily swallowed hard and sat in a silent rage, but after a while calmed down. “What time are you seeing him tomorrow?”
“I forgot to ask, but I suppose I’ll sit on a seat by the lake about eleven thirty.”
“I see, and see if he comes along for his lunch?”
“That’s right.” They sat in silence again until she said. “I’m sorry I know it’s just as bad for you.”
“But you’re the one I feel sorry for. Having to endure him.”
“But will you ever want to make love to me again?”
He looked into her sad eyes and whispered. “When it’s all over we’ll get together again.”
She sighed, “You’d better leave me outside the building tonight.”
“Yes, I’ve no intention of coming back to your flat until this is over. If it’s ever over.”
They parted as arranged, knowing they were being watched.
By Sunday morning Brian had lost all track of time, as his mind had become so muddled. He tried to work out if it was day or night, or what day it was, but soon gave up and concentrated on staring at the floor or at something which would keep his eyes open. His aches and pains became worse, the shivering bouts longer and the interrogator gave up after he stayed silent. He felt so ill he could not eat or drink, and after ten minutes was returned to his cell accompanied by a guard either side to prevent him falling over. The days passed with his mind in continual confusion, he tried to concentrate on his life in England, but it seemed so distant and far away, and he just could not help his thoughts reverting to torture and his imminent death. He realised his body and mind would not last much longer.
Sally prepared lunch, wrapping the sandwiches in two separate large squares of paper, and placing them in two bags, one for her and one for the Colonel. After putting them in her shopping basket along with a flask, she put on a thick overcoat and boots and ventured out into the cold wind. Arriving at the park bench during late morning, she sat watching a young family feeding the ducks, and did not notice a man approaching. She jumped as the seat moved and creaked when he sat down, and spun her head around nervously. “Hello Irina, I thought I’d find you here.”
“Good morning Sir, I didn’t know what time to meet you.”
“This is perfect. It just gives us time for a walk before eating.”
Pokrovsky chatted about the wildlife as they walked beside the lake, and after a while guided her to another lakeside bench where they sat in silence until he asked. “Have you seen your man friend?”
“Yes, last night.”
“And what did you say to him?”
“I told him that our relationship was over, and I didn’t want to see him again.”
“Good girl, well done. You won’t regret it.”
She fought back the tears as she said. “He was very upset.”
“Never mind, he will get over it.”
“I hope so.”
“I’ll come to see you on Tuesday night, and I’ll bring you a nice present.”
She managed a half hearted smile. “I’ll look forward to seeing you.”
“Now let’s eat this lunch you’ve very kindly prepared.”
“Oh can we walk a little further first, I don’t feel hungry yet.”
“Very well, another ten minutes then.” They walked beyond the lake and into parkland with trees spaced widely and lush grass underfoot. “We can’t eat here because there are no seats to sit on.”
Oh don’t worry there’s a fallen tree trunk over there, that will do.”
“Yes it will do.” He sat next to the hollow end and she sat with a gap between them. She poured the drinks and placed the cups so they could both reach them, then selected a bag of sandwiches and gave them to him. Silence prevailed whilst they both appreciated the beauty and tranquillity of their surroundings, and he eventually said. “These sandwiches are very nice, Irina, and the coffee is just the way I like it.”
“Good, I’m glad it pleases you.”
“I’ll look forward to doing this again soon.”
“It’s very enjoyable if the weather is good.”
He finished eating, rolled up the wrapping paper in a ball and looked around. “Why are there no litter bins around?”
“Never mind, just put it inside the tree trunk.”
He bent over the end of the tree trunk and pushed it inside, whilst Sally put the flask and cups away in her bag, together with her wrapping paper. He began to fidget. “We ought to walk that off now.”
“In a minute, we must let the meal go down first.”
He relaxed again and watched as two uniformed men suddenly appeared from behind a clump of trees. As they walked towards the couple he spoke in a low voice. “I wonder who these men are?”
Sally remained silent. The men were only ten yards away when Pokrovsky leapt to his feet. “What are you doing here Major Anichkova?”
Vasily pointed a gun at him as he said. “I’m arresting you on suspicion of treason.”
“This is an outrage. I’ll have you court marshalled.”
Vasily held a camera with a long lens in his other hand. “The evidence is in this camera, and in the end of that tree trunk.”
“What do you mean, evidence?”
Vasily’s colleague extracted the paper from the tree trunk and opened it, separating the top layer from the bottom. In between a Soviet document was hidden and labelled top secret. Pokrovsky immediately went bright red and nearly exploded. “This is an evil trick devised by you and this woman.”
Vasily answered sternly. “You are a traitor, and you will be shot for this.”
“Rubbish. I will prove that you and this evil woman conspired to blackmail me.”
“So you admit to a liaison with this woman?”
“Of course I don’t. She’s just a junior in my department.”
Vasily reached inside his coat and pulled out a photograph of Sally and Pokrovsky laying naked together on a bed. The colour suddenly left the Colonel’s face and he sat down heavily on the tree trunk. As his uniformed colleague led Sally away he said “if you try to implicate Irina in your treachery, I will produce this piece of evidence.” Vasily towered over Pokrovsky and watched as the older man sat white-faced and totally dejected. Irina and the other man were standing about a hundred yards away talking and Vasily said. “There is a solution to your problem.”
“I will not be blackmailed,” he replied gruffly.
“No blackmail is required, just justice.”
“What do you mean?”
Firstly, you will not, under any circumstances, touch Irina again. You blackmailed her into having sex with you, and it must stop.”
“What else do you want?” He said irritably.
“You must immediately release the Englishman you’re holding.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s innocent. Don’t forget I was in East Germany when that girl disappeared, and he had nothing to do with it.”
“Oh, I see. I’ll arrange for his release. And what else?”
“Just keep your filthy hands off Irina, and make sure she’s treated very well at work.”
“I agree with your conditions, but what about him?” He nodded towards the man talking to Irina.
“I’ll guarantee his silence.”
Pokrovsky nodded. “But what about the evidence?”
“I’ll keep that to make sure you don’t renege on the deal.” The Colonel stood up, thrust his hands into his coat pockets and walked away.
Vasily walked over to his colleague and shook hands. “Thank you very much for your help. I’m glad you’ve met Irina at last. This is my brother, Ivan.”
She smiled. “He’s already introduced himself.” They walke
d together through the park and parted by the lake, Sally and Vasily walking in the direction of her flat.
Brian was hauled out of his cell during the early hours of Monday morning to sit before an increasingly desperate male interrogator, who at first gently implored him to tell the truth, and then threatened him. The session continued for an hour and Brian had reached the stage when he was ready to confess to anything, but his questioner suddenly gave up and he was returned, shivering and shaking, to his cell. He collapsed on the stone floor, wishing he was dead, and remained in the same position until the morning, when two guards entered and pulled him roughly to his feet. After being dragged before a woman questioner he looked up wearily, knowing he could not take any more. She sneered at him, “I can see you’re ready to confess.”
“What do you want me to say?”
She pulled a piece of paper out of a drawer. “You tell me what happened and I will write it down for you to sign.”
“Those two men in East Germany were….. He ceased talking when a man entered. Before he knew what had happened he was bundled back into his cell, and twenty minutes later the door opened and the woman interrogator threw his clothes at him.
“Get dressed” was all she said and left him with the cell door open.
He was so weak it took half an hour to dress, his clothes fitting very loosely due to his considerable weight loss, and the effort wore him out. His spirits lifted when he had finally dressed and could feel the comfort of his own clothes, and he summoned all his strength to walk unsteadily out. The interrogator greeted him. “Sit down and listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Brian wondered what was coming next. “You are being released, but if you ever tell your newspapers what happened here in this room or, describe your imprisonment, we’ll send this to your wife.”
A photograph of Brian kissing Irina was shown to him. “I have no intention of willingly re-living the inhuman treatment I’ve received here, so I’ll remain silent.”
“Good. Now you will be taken back to your hotel.”
He was driven the short distance and reached his bedroom exhausted. He sat down for ten minutes while his freedom sank in, and then ran a hot bath. The hot water made him feel warm for the first time since his arrest and he lay back immediately relieved, knowing that at last he would be able to sleep. He nearly dropped off twice before getting out and drying himself, but then thought about Anna. No lines were available when he tried to ring England, so he collapsed into bed and slept for eighteen hours.