Tatiana and Alexander: A Novel(188)

"I'm not hungry. How on this God's earth did you find me?"

"You will eat your food because you need to be strong," she said, bringing the spoonful of sausage and potatoes to his mouth. "And you left a short trail of yourself in this world."

Contrary to his words, he ate ravenously. She didn't speak while she watched his great hunger.

"Shura...we have seconds, are you listening?"

"Why is this suddenly so familiar?" he said. "Tell me another one of your plans, Tatiasha. How is our boy?"

"Our boy is great. He's a great, smart, beautiful boy."

"Where are you living?"

"New York. We have no time. Are you listening?"

He was chewing the bread and could only nod. "What was the name of the man who assaulted you?" Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

"I'm not telling you."

"You are telling me. What was his name?"

"No."

"Tania! What was his name?"

"Grammer Kerault. He is Austrian."

"I know him." Alexander's eyes were cold. "He's always in here. Dying of stomach cancer, doesn't care what he does." Then they warmed as he turned his gaze on her. "How are you going to get me out of here?" he whispered.

She bent over him. They kissed desperately. "Honey," she whispered. "Honey, I know you're afraid."

"I don't want food, I don't want drink, or even a smoke. Just...just sit by me for two seconds, Tania. Press yourself to me for two seconds to let me know I am real."

She pressed herself to him.

"Where are our wedding rings?"

She pulled the rope out from her tunic. "Until we can wear them again," she whispered--and suddenly heaved herself away.

Perdov stepped into the doorway. "Are you all right, Nurse? You've been here a while. Do you need me to help you?"

"No, that won't be necessary, Corporal, thank you," Tatiana said, tucking the rings back into her tunic and giving Alexander the last bit of potato. "I'm almost finished. I'll be just another minute."

"Give a holler if you need me." He smiled and disappeared.

"Are you here with a convoy?" Alexander asked.

"There are three of us in one Red Cross jeep. Me, another nurse, and a doctor. We have to get you on that jeep."

"Tomorrow Stalin is coming for me to take me back to the Soviet Union."

"Stalin, my love, is late," said Tatiana. "I'm here for you today. We are leaving at eight p.m. sharp. I'm coming for you promptly at seven. I'm coming with Karolich, so please be ready. I'm bringing you dinner, and you will eat it in front of him, slowly. We need twenty minutes for the secobarbital to work on Perdov."

Alexander was silent. "You better give him a large amount of secobarbital."

"An unconscionable amount." Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

Alexander stopped chewing his food as he stared at her. "What are you thinking? That you'll just put me in your little truck and drive me to Berlin?"

"Something like that," she whispered.

He stared at her for a longish moment and then shook his head. "You're underestimating the Soviets. How far to Berlin?"

"About twenty-two miles--I mean, thirty-five kilometers."

Alexander allowed himself a small smile. "You don't have to convert for me, Tania."

And she allowed herself a small smile back.

"Any checkpoints?"

"Yes, five."

"What about your two colleagues?"

"What about them? In one hour, we're all in the American sector and safe. There is no problem."

Alexander stared at her incredulously and grimly. "Well, let me tell you, your Red Cross truck will be stopped after twenty minutes. You'll be lucky to get out of Oranienburg before they'll come for me, and for you, and for the rest of your gallant crew." He shook his head. "I'm not doing it."

"What are you talking about?" she gasped. "How will they know? They won't know for at least a few hours. And by that time, we'll be in Berlin."

Alexander shook his head. "Tania, you have no idea."

"Then we'll get off earlier, if you want," she said. "We'll get off...wherever you want."

"They'll find me before we leave. The guards will inspect the truck."

"They won't. You're going to walk out as Karolich, and drive out of the gate with me, and then you will hide in the crutch and litter compartment in the back. They don't know there is a compartment in the back."

"Where are the crutches and litters?"

"Back in Hamburg. We'll get off, and Martin and Penny will drive on to Berlin, knowing nothing."

Perdov stood outside the door, swaying. He held on to the door. "Nurse? That's enough now."

"I'm coming." She stood up. Someone called for him, and Perdov staggered down the corridor.

They had a myriad details to go over, but there was no time. From her nurse's bag she retrieved the Colt 1911 and two extra clips. "Muchmuch more in the truck," she said, hiding the gun underneath him in the straw. "When we're on our way for a bit, I'll knock twice, and you make a distraction for me to stop the truck." Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html