The Charm School

laughed again.
    They all got back into the Volga. Sasha said, “You have almost two hours left for what you paid.”
    “I think we’ve had enough,” Hollis said.
    “Good. Me too. I invite you to my flat for food. My wife always wanted to meet Americans. I told her someday I’d bring some home. You’re the first I’ve met who speak our language. Also, I like you.”
    Lisa looked at Hollis and nodded. Hollis said to Sasha, “Thank you, but we can’t.”
    “I know who you are. I saw both your pictures on television last night. But we have
glasnost
now. It doesn’t matter.”
    Hollis wondered how Soviet TV had gotten their pictures. Hollis replied, “I’m afraid this is beyond
glasnost
, and it does matter. For you, not for us.”
    Sasha pulled the car away and chuckled. “Maybe they’ll kick me out too.”
    “Do you know where the American embassy is?”
    “Who doesn’t?”
    “We’ll go there now.”
    The Volga came down from the Lenin Hills, crossed the Moskva, and headed toward the embassy along the embankment road.
    Lisa put her head on Hollis’ shoulder. “Busy tonight?”
    “Meeting until about nine.”
    “With whom?”
    “Spies.”
    “Do you want to come over afterward?”
    “I’d love to.”
    “Stay the night?”
    “Stay the rest of the week, if you want.”
    She smiled. “Good. Move in. Shake up the diplomats and their stuffy wives.”
    “Hang my underwear from your clothesline.”
    “I don’t have a clothesline, but I’ll put your name on my buzzer.”
    The Volga slid along the misty embankment road following the loop of the Moskva. The red brick chancery building appeared all alight through the river fog. Lisa said, “I thought you were relieved of your duties.”
    “I’m just briefing and being debriefed.”
    “Kay won’t even let me in my office. I guess this really is serious business. Are we in more trouble than we know?”
    “Not at the moment. But we will be if we don’t keep our mouths shut.”
    “You’re still on the case, aren’t you? You’re still working with Seth.”
    Hollis didn’t reply immediately, then said, “Discharges don’t come so easily in this war.”
    He leaned over the front seat and said to Sasha, “Don’t slow down until you’re at the gate, then stop quickly, as close to the gate as you can.”
    Sasha glanced at him. “I can’t cross the militiamen on the sidewalk.”
    “No, but get
close
. We’ll be leaving the car quickly, so I’ll say good-bye now.”
    “
Da svedahnya
,” Sasha replied.
    “Someday we’ll have that dinner.”
    “Someday.”
    Hollis pulled his hat down and slid back low in his seat.
    Lisa slid down beside him. “Is this necessary?”
    “No, it’s my idea of fun.”
    Sasha maintained his speed, then suddenly pulled over to the curb and hit his brakes. Hollis opened the curbside door, and he and Lisa jumped out. He took Lisa’s arm and moved her quickly past the militia guards just as they stepped out of their booth. “
Stoi! Pasport!
”
    Hollis called out to the Marine guard. “Hit it, son.” The electric gates began to part as Hollis heard running boots behind him. He pushed Lisa through the opening, then followed, returning the guard’s salute. Hollis looked over his shoulder at the two militiamen glaring at him through the gate. Beyond them he saw that Sasha now had two embassy watchers in his Volga and was looking rather uncomfortable.
    Lisa remarked, “I think I’ve had enough cloak and dagger for the day. I think what I’ll do is have a drink, then I’ll move your things over while you’re at your meeting. Maybe I can have someone from housekeeping help me. I’ll call the Kellums.”
    “No, I’d rather you and I did it later. Okay?”
    “Okay.”
    They walked into the chancery building, and Hollis said, “I’m going up to my office awhile, then to my meeting.”
    “Will Seth be there?”
    “I guess. Why?”
    She hesitated, then said, “You’re jealous that we were involved… . I’m jealous of his relationship with you.”
    Hollis didn’t think it was quite the same thing but didn’t reply.
    Lisa added, “Be careful of him, Sam.”
    Hollis glanced at his watch. “Well, see you later.”
    “Thank you for today.”
    Hollis walked to the elevator as Lisa walked out the back toward the residences. As Hollis rode up to meet Alevy, it occurred to him that two of the great puzzles in life were women and espionage and that he was up to his eyeballs in both.

 
24
    Hollis