Tatiana and Alexander: A Novel(206)

"My brother is dead," said Tatiana, holding on to the back of a chair.

"Bottom line is, Nurse Barrington, they want you both extradited into their hands here in Berlin. So when you ask about a passport, you have no idea what you're talking about. Now I really have to run, look, it's six fifteen!"

Tatiana sat down in the chair in front of Ravenstock's desk.

"I asked you not to sit!"

"Mr. Ravenstock," she said calmly. "We have a small son in United States. I am U.S. citizen now. My husband is a U.S. citizen, he came to Russia with his parents when he was a small boy, he could not help that he had to register for compulsory draft, he could not help that his parents were shot and killed by the NKVD. Do you want me to read you the regulations on citizenship?"

"No, thank you. I know them by heart."

"He is an American citizen. He wants to come back home."

"I understand that's what hewants , but do you understand that he has been convicted by the Soviet authorities under the laws of their country for desertion and treason? And just to make matters more complicated, not only has he escaped, which is a crime in itself, escaping just punishment, or so they tell me--and you colluded to help him, which is also a crime--but you and he cut a swathe through sixty of their men! They arescreaming for your blood!" He glanced at his watch, ripping off his bow tie in frustration. "Oh, no. Oh, no. I can't tell you how late you are making me." Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

"Sir," said Tatiana. "We desperately need your help."

"Of course you do. But you should have thought of what you were doing before you embarked on this lunatic mission."

"I came back to Europe to find my husband. He never meant to be Soviet. Not like me. I was Soviet-born, and Soviet-raised." She swallowed. "But it doesn't matter. I don't matter in this, the only one who matters is my husband. If you talk to him you will find out he served on the side of the Allies honorably, you will see he was a great soldier who deserves to go back home. The U.S. Army would be proud to commission a man like my husband." Tatiana's voice did not tremble. "I was Soviet citizen. I did not kill those men on the Finnish border, but I did escape, they are right about that. You have every right, to turn me over to the Soviet authorities. I will willingly go, as long as I know my husband returns home where he belongs."

She realized even as she was saying it how absurd it was, how ridiculous! As if Alexander would allow any scenario in which Tatiana would be handed over to the Soviets while he moseyed off safely home. She lowered her head, but couldn't let Ravenstock know of her bluff. She raised her eyes.

Ravenstock sat on the edge of his desk and watched her. His body stopped fidgeting for a short spell until it remembered again it needed to be someplace else. He started fumbling with his torn-off tie. "Look, we are not in the business of judging our allies." He fell quiet. "But the Soviets are proving themselves to be a determined and vicious force in the occupation of Europe. It's true they do not want to make any concessions to the Allies. But you both did break a number of their laws. This is not in dispute."

Tatiana remained mute, her intense gaze on Ravenstock.

The consul tapped nervously at his watch. "Nurse Barrington, I wouldlove to sit here with you and discuss the merits and demerits of the Soviet Union, but you are making meimpossibly late. I have to, I simply must resolve this matter, but I have to resolve it tomorrow."

"Please telegraph Sam Gulotta," she said. "He will give you all information on Alexander Barrington you need."

Ravenstock lifted a heavy file off his desk. "A copy of that information is already in my hands. Tomorrow morning at eight sharp we will speak to your husband."

"Who is we?" she breathed out.

"Myself, the ambassador, the military governor, and the three inspector generals of the armed forces here in Berlin. After he is questioned by our military, we will decide what to do. Be aware, though, that the army is very strict on military matters, be they pertaining to soldiers of our own army or someone else's. Desertion, treason, these are grave charges. There is nothing graver."

"What about me? Are you going to questionme ?"

Ravenstock rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I don't think that will be necessary, Nurse Barrington. I've spoken to you plenty. Now, will you please stand up from my chair and go tend to your husband?"

They opened the door to his office. Alexander was sitting in the reception area, smoking. Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

Ravenstock came up to Alexander. "You will be questioned tomorrow, um--what is your rank now, anyway?" he said in English.

"Captain," Alexander replied in English.

Ravenstock shook his head. "You say captain, they told us major, your wife says they took away your rank. I understand nothing. Tomorrow at eight, Captain Belov." He looked him over. "You may eat in the embassy canteen, or..."

"Brought up to the room will be fine," said Alexander.

"A military man indeed." Ravenstock mulled Alexander's shredded, muddied, bloodied clothes. "Do you have anything else to wear?"

"No."

"Tomorrow at seven, I will have housekeeping bring you a spare captain's uniform from headquarters. Please be ready to be escorted to the conference room at seven fifty-five."