The Charm School

“looked and talked like an American. He was, in fact, a Russian, a KGB man working in the First Chief Directorate, probably the Service A section. He was a graduate of the Institute of Canadian and American Studies in Moscow, among other schools.”
    Burov stared at Hollis.
    Hollis continued, “The guy was perfect, Burov, so don’t fire him. But he was too perfect. Better than your schools usually put out. I knew he didn’t belong in that room, so I concluded he was one of yours. But at first I figured he was a real American working for you. Then I got to thinking about Mrs. Ivanova’s Charm School and Major Jack Dodson and such. And I started coming to some mind-blowing conclusions.” Hollis poured wine in Burov’s glass. “You look like you need a drink, Colonel.”
    Burov cleared his throat and said stiffly, “I would like you both to accompany me so we can continue this talk in private.”
    Hollis said, “I think we’ll finish our dinner. Good evening.”
    “Come. A short walk to my office.”
    “Go to hell.”
    Burov said tauntingly, “Are you frightened? There are two ways to go to Lefortovo. One is voluntary.”
    Hollis glanced around the dining room and saw several men rise. Some of the seated men were smiling.
    Lisa said, “Our embassy knows where we are tonight.”
    “No, Miss Rhodes. They knew where you were headed. Do they know if you arrived?” Burov stood. “Come with me. Stand.”
    Hollis put his napkin on the table, stood, and took Lisa’s arm. They followed Burov to the door. Three KGB men fell in behind them. They retrieved their coats in the foyer and stepped out into the cold. Burov said, “To the left.”
    Hollis replied, “I think we’ll say good-bye here.” He took Lisa by the arm and turned away.
    Burov motioned to the three men, one of whom was Viktor. Viktor shoved Hollis, sending him slamming into a parked car.
    Lisa shouted, “You bastard!” She kicked Viktor in the groin.
    One of the other KGB men slapped Lisa across the face and pulled her to the ground by her hair.
    Hollis spun around and caught Burov’s jaw with his fist, then went for the man who still had Lisa by the hair. The man drew a pistol and barked, “
Stoi!
”
    Hollis stopped.
    Burov got to his feet, and Viktor, somewhat recovered from the kick to the groin, drew his pistol. Burov dabbed at his bleeding jaw with a handkerchief and said calmly, “You are both under arrest.”
    Hollis helped Lisa to her feet. “Are you all right?”
    “Yes…”
    Burov snapped, “Start walking. You know where you’re going.”
    Lisa and Hollis walked down the dark, quiet street toward Lefortovo prison, Burov and the three KGB men behind them. Burov said to the men in Russian, “Viktor got kicked in the balls, so he gets to search her.”
    They all laughed.
    About a hundred meters from the prison a car turned into the street and put on its bright lights. Another car came from the opposite direction. Hollis identified the cars as medium-sized Volgas. They drew close and stopped. The doors opened, and four men in black ski jackets and ski masks got out.
    Seth Alevy, not wearing a ski mask, stepped onto the sidewalk, passed by Hollis and Lisa, and went directly to Burov. “Good evening. Colonel Burov, I presume.”
    Burov looked at the black-clad men who had deployed around him.
    Alevy said, “They’re all carrying silenced automatics. I wanted you to know that.”
    Burov’s eyes came to rest on Alevy. “You’re under arrest.”
    Alevy added, “I’d like to kill your three friends and kidnap you right here, in front of Lefortovo. However, if you want to be reasonable, we’ll call this one a draw and part company until we meet again. Don’t dawdle. Yes or no?”
    Burov nodded.
    “Tell them to put their guns away. Now.”
    Burov told them.
    Alevy stared at Burov’s face as though committing each feature to memory. Alevy said, “Do you know who I am?”
    “Oh, yes. You’re the dirty little Jew who is the CIA station chief here.”
    “Well, we won’t quibble about definitions. I just want you to know that you’re having a serious career crisis. You understand the idiom?”
    “Fuck you.”
    Hollis joined Alevy and said to Burov, “I still expect a call from you tomorrow regarding Dodson.” Hollis and Alevy ushered Lisa into the backseat of one of the Volgas. The other security men piled into the cars, and they all headed back toward the center of the city.
    Lisa said, “I
need
a