Tatiana and Alexander: A Novel(63)

"Of course."

"Major Belov, how do you explain the actions of your wife? Does it seem at all peculiar to you that she would leave you here while escaping--"

"Wait, if I may, General. My wife was not escaping. She had come to Morozovo with Dr. Sayers at his request and with the permission of the Grechesky hospital administrator. She was under his supervision."

"I think that even under his supervision, your wife was not allowed to leave the Soviet Union," said Mekhlis.

"I'm not entirely convinced she has. I have been hearing much conflicting information."

"Has she been in touch with you?"

"No, sir."

"That doesn't trouble you?"

Blink. "No, sir."

"Your pregnant wife has disappeared, has not contacted you and that doesn't trouble you?" Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

"No, sir."

"The patrol units who checked the accompanying nurse's identification all adamantly deny that she had Soviet papers. While they cannot remember her name, they're sure her documents were with the American Red Cross. This does not bode well for you or your wife."

Alexander wanted to point out that it boded better for his wife, but kept silent. "My wife is not on trial here, is she?" he asked.

"She would be if she were here."

"But she is not on trial here," Alexander repeated. "You asked me if I was Alexander Barrington, the American, and I told you I was not. I don't know what my wife's whereabouts have to do with the accusations against me."

"Where is your wife?"

"I do not know."

"How long have you been married?"

"A year this June."

"I hope, Major, you keep track of the men under your command better than you have kept track of your wife."

Blink.

The generals studied Alexander. Stepanov's eyes never left him.

Mekhlis said, "Major, let me ask you something. Why would anyone accuse you of being an American if it weren't true? The facts that Private Chernenko provided us with were too detailed to be made up."

"I'm not saying he made them up. I'm saying that he is confusing me with another man."

"Who?"

"I don't know."

"But why would he point the finger atyou , Major?"

"I don't know, sir. Dimitri Chernenko and I have had a difficult relationship over the years. Sometimes I thought he was jealous of me, angry at me for succeeding so far beyond him in the Red Army. Perhaps he wanted to hurt me, to sabotage my progress. He also may have had unrequited feelings for my wife. I'm fairly certain of it. Our friendship had cooled considerably in the years before his death."

"Major, you are exasperating the high command of the 67th Army."

"I'm sorry for that. But all I have is my record and my good name. I don't want both dishonored by a dead coward." Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

"Major, what do you think will happen to you if you tell us the truth? If you are Alexander Barrington we will confer with the proper authorities in the United States. We may be able to arrange a transfer for you back to America."

Alexander laughed softly. "Sir, with all due respect, I'm here on charges of treason and sabotage. The only transfer that will be arranged for me will be to another world."

"You're wrong, Major. We are reasonable men."

"Surely, if all it took was for me to say I am from America, or England, or France in order to be transferred back to the country of my choice, what would stop any of us?"

"Mother Russia, that's what!" exclaimed Mekhlis. "Your allegiance to your country."

"It is that allegiance, sir, that is stopping me from telling you I am an American."

Mekhlis took off his pince-nez and looked Alexander over. "Come closer to the table, Major Belov. Let me take a good look at you."

Alexander stepped forward until he was at the edge of the tall desk. He didn't need to straighten up. He was already straightened. Unwaveringly he stared into Mekhlis's face. Mekhlis stared silently back and finally said, "Major, I will ask you one more time, but before you hastily reply as you have been doing, I am going to give you thirty minutes to think about your answer. You will be taken outside, and then brought back here and asked one last time. These are the questions I am putting before you. Are you Alexander Barrington, son of Jane and Harold Barrington of the United States? Were you arrested for crimes against the Motherland in 1936 and did you escape while en route to your final destination in Vladivostok? Did you, under the false name of Alexander Belov, infiltrate the officer ranks of the Red Army in 1937 after graduating from secondary school? Did you attempt to desert the Red Army and escape through Karelia during the war with Finland in 1940, only to be stopped by Dimitri Chernenko? Have you been a double agent during your seven years in the Red Army? No, no, don't answer. You have thirty minutes."

Alexander was led out of the room and outside, outside! He sat on the bench while two guards stood either side of him, while the breezy warm May wind blew around him. He realized he would soon be turning twenty-four. He sat while the sun shone and the sky was blue and the air smelled of distant lilacs and blooming jasmine and lake water.