Tatiana and Alexander: A Novel(165)

All her small paths of faith had led her to an alive Alexander.

And now what?

Upon her return Tatiana immediately called Sam, but he could not find out what had happened to the Soviet prisoners from Colditz. The Soviet military wasn't speaking, relations were icy, and though Sam had contacted two other privates who were with Markey at Colditz, they had not heard an English voice from the Soviet prisoners and Markey had not spoken to them about it.

"Contact Soviet Department of Defense and ask what happened to Soviet officers at Colditz."

"What should I say? Have you got that Alexander Barrington stowed away somewhere?"

"You're just joking. You know you can't mention him by name."

"Oh, that's right. I'm not allowed to actually make any inquiries on his behalf."

"Sam, call our Defense Department."

"Anyone in particular at the Defense Department? Maybe Lieutenant Tom Richter?"

"Yes, if he has answers. Ask him what happened to the Soviets at Colditz. If he doesn't know, ask what happened to Soviet officers in Germany."

"Tania, you know what happened to them!"

"I want to know where they were taken," she said. "And there is no need to shout."

"Even if I did find out, what are you supposed to do with that information?"

"Why you always worry about my part? Just do your part."

She didn't reschedule her plans with Edward.

A few days later, she called Sam again. He told her that a major general in Patton's army said that last Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

year the Soviets were rounding up all of what they called their nationals and keeping them in transit camps until they could transport them back to the Soviet Union.

"How many is everyone?"

"The major general did not say. He did not hazard a guess."

"Can you?"

"Even less than him."

"Where are these transit camps?"

"All over Germany."

Tatiana was thoughtful.

"Tania, for certain he is in the Soviet Union by now. Liberation of Colditz was nearly ten months ago. But regardless of where he is, the Soviets aren't givingtheir men back to us no matter how nicely we ask. They won't giveour men back to us! We have soldiers MIA on the Soviet side. They aren't giving us any information at all."

"Alexander is MIA," Tatiana said.

"No, he isn't! The Soviets know precisely where he is!" And quieter, Sam said, "Tania, haven't you heard the death statistics for the Soviet POWs? They're staggering."

"Yes," she said. "I'm still holding death certificate you placed so much faith in. You told me he was most certainly in lake."

"This is worse."

"How is this worse? We just have to find where he is."

"He is in the Soviet Union!"

"Then find him in Soviet Union, Sam. He is American citizen. You have responsibility to him."

"Oh, Tatiana! How many times do I have to tell you? He lost his citizenship in 1936."

"No, he did not. Sam, I have to go. I have patients. I will talk to you tomorrow."

"Of course you will."

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

The Nuremberg Trials, February 1946 Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

"COME ON, LET'S GOout," Vikki said petulantly. "What are you listening to that for? Let's go to a movie, or a coffee bar, or for a walk." She pounded the kitchen table. "I'm so tired of it. We've been listening to it for months. We're never getting a television, I just want you to know that."

Tatiana had her ear to the radio as she was listening to the audio transcript of the Nuremberg trials.

"I'm not listening just for sake of something to do," said Tatiana, turning up the radio. "I'm listening because it's riveting."

"Do you see me riveted? The war is over, they're all guilty, they're all to be hanged, when is enough enough? It's been going on for months. The generals have all been convicted. These are just the lackeys. I can't take much more."

"Can you go for walk?" Tatiana said without turning her head. "Go now, and stay out for two hours."

"You'll be sorry if I leave for good."

"Yes. But not if you leave for two hours."

Vikki, with a harrumph, sat in the chair next to her. "No, no. I want to hear."

"They're talking about my Leningrad," said Tatiana. "Listen."

In the criminal plans of the Fascist conspirators, the devastation of the capitals of the Soviet Union occupied a particular place. Among these plans the destruction of Moscow and Leningrad received special attention.

Intoxicated by their first military successes, the Hitlerites elaborated insane plans for the destruction of the greatest cultural and industrial centres dear to the Soviet people. For this purpose they prepared special Sonderkommandos. They even advertised their "decision" in advance.

It is necessary to note that such expressions as "raze to the ground" or "wipe from the face of the earth" were used quite frequently by the Hitlerite conspirators. These were not only threats but criminal acts as well.