– Tomorrow.
Her condescending tone, heavy with the implication that she was reasonable and he was not, infuriated Leo.
– Why not now?
– I’m sorry, that’s not possible.
The woman’s apologies were flat and insincere. Leo was still clutching the phone, holding it out towards the woman as if he expected her to bring it back to life.
– I need to speak to my wife.
– She’s on her way to the dress rehearsal. You can talk tomorrow.
The lie increased Leo’s unease. For her to have the authority to lie meant that she was an agent. He shook his head.
– She’s not on her way anywhere. She’ll be doing exactly the same as I’m doing right now, holding the phone, asking to speak to me.
– If you want to leave a message I can try to arrange that she will receive it tonight.
– Connect us, please, now.
The agent shook her head:
– I’m sorry.
Leo refused to let go of the telephone.
– Let me speak to someone here.
– Who do you wish to speak to?
– The person in charge.
– In charge of what?
– In charge of whatever is going on in New York!
– Your wife is in charge of the New York trip. And she’s now on her way to the dress rehearl. You can speak to her tomorrow to find out how it went.
Leo imagined the agents in nearby offices; agents who’d listened to his telephone call and who were now listening to this exchange. He imagined the discussion they were having. They’d established one vital point: he didn’t know what was happening in New York and neither did his wife. There was no chance he’d be allowed to speak to Raisa until she was home, no matter what scene he made, no matter how hard he pressed his demands. She was on her own.
Manhattan Hotel Grand Metropolitan 44th Street
Same Day
Raisa was still holding the receiver, demanding Mikael Ivanov reconnect her with Leo. Mikael shook his head, as though he personally controlled the telephone exchange. His smug sense of authority was utterly infuriating. Sounding reasonable and measured, he said:
– The dress rehearsal starts in less than an hour. The students have finished lunch. We need to leave. You’re behaving irrationally. You’re here to ensure the smooth running of this concert. That is your priority.
Raisa was taken aback by the intensity of her hatred for this man.
– One minute more isn’t going to make a difference.
– If you didn’t think you could manage your duties without your husband perhaps he should have led this trip rather than you. It’s disappointing to see you so incapable.
It was a shrewd attack; any further request to speak to Leo was a humiliating confirmation of the allegation that she was weak. She would not be allowed a second conversation. She would not beg.
Raisa hung up the phone, remaining by the cabinet, running Leo’s advice through her mind.
– Where’s my daughter?
– As I said, the students finished lunch. They’re in their rooms. They’re waiting to assemble on the coach. We’re all waiting for you.
Raisa noted that he didn’t ask which daughter: he knew she was referring to Elena. How did he know? He’d listened to the call, or perhaps he was also involved, but involved with what?
Without another word, she strode out of the room, past Ivanov, fully aware that he was going to follow her.
– Raisa Demidova!
She reached the end of the corridor, knocking on the door to Elena’s room. Ivanov was running to catch up:
– What are you going to do?
Elena opened the door. As Raisa entered, she turned to Ivanov.
– Get the other students in the coach. I’ll be down in a few minutes. My family is none of your concern.
She didn’t wait for a reply, shutting the door in his face.
Zoya and Elena stood side by side, in the clothes they would be wearing tonight – ready to leave for the dress rehearsal. Raisa said:
– Elena, I want you to stay here. If tonight goes well, you can attend tomorrow’s concert.
After a fractional pause, stunned by the news, Elena sprang forward, flush with indignation.
– What are you talking about? How can I not attend the performance?
– I’ve made a decision. There’s nothing more to be said.
Elena’s face reddened. Her eyes glistened with tears.
– I’ve flown from Moscow only to be told I must stay in my room!
– Something is wrong!
– What is wrong?
– I don’t know. But I’ve spoken to Leo and he agrees As soon as she mentioned Leo’s name Raisa regretted it. Elena jumped on the idea that Leo was behind this.
– Leo! He’s been against this trip from the beginning. What has he been saying? He’s paranoid. He sees intrigue and deceit and treachery everywhere. He’s sick. Truly, he’s sick to his soul. Nothing bad is going on. I promise you. There is no reason to keep me in my room just because a bitter former agent has forgotten that not everything in the world is twisted and sinister.
Elena referred to Leo as a former secret agent, rather than her father. Raisa had undermined Leo’s relationship with the girls. Elena began to cry.
– Am I the only student to be locked in their room? For no reason? While all the other students perform? I’m going to sit here? My real mother would never have behaved like this. A real mother would understand the humiliation…
Zoya reached out and touched her sister’s arm, in a reversal of their usual roles, trying to rein her anger back.
– Elena…
Elena pulled her arm free, staring at Raisa.
– No, I will not be told how I should feel. I will not be told how to behave. I’m not a child any more! You can stop me from going to the concert. You have that power. If you do, I will never forgive Leo.
Same Day
Yates struggled to understand the translator’s thick Russian accent. She’d lived in this country for over forty years, was employed in an Ivy League university as a professor of linguistics, yet she couldn’t even speak English properly. He asked:
– The mother gave in?
– The daughter is coming to the concert. She’s been allowed to attend.
– Did the girl mention any plans? Say anything else?
– She denied there was anything sinister about to happen.
– You’re sure?
