“He’s an idiot.”
“I think he’s really gone on her. Wants to marry her as soon as she’s of age.”
“What else was there? The second problem.”
“A man came with a packet for you. He said to hand it to you personally. He said if you’ve got any more he’ll buy them but he’d prefer smaller ones.” She paused. “I was worried and I opened the packet. I hope you’re not cross.”
“What was in it?”
“Money. A lot of money. I didn’t count it but it was in tens and twenties. It must have been at least a thousand dollars.”
“Where’d you put it?”
“In your box under our bed.”
“That’s OK. Don’t worry.”
“What is it for, Andrei, the money?”
“The Party gave me some diamonds that I could sell for Party funds. They don’t take up as much space as actual money. And they’re more portable. And they’ve got a value whatever country you’re in. Just forget about it. It’s not a problem. What about the stock for the shop?”
“The Polish girl at the main library has been a great help. Given me names and addresses where I can buy cheap and good stuff—classics mainly. She’ll go with me on her time off. She thinks the shop’s just what the district needs.”
“Do you feel settled here now?”
“As long as I’ve got you I’m OK anywhere.”
“You’ve got me for always, my love.” He smiled. “What did that French priest say—‘Meilleur ou pire.’ For better or worse.”
Andrei was helping them place the books on the extra shelves that Ivan had constructed. Most of the books were second-hand but in good condition and there wasn’t time to put them in categories or even to sort them by language. There was only one row of books in English, mainly histories of Europe and the biographies of Americans. And there were dictionaries of every European language and Russian, Latvian and Estonian. All the classic Russian writers were well-represented along with two shelves of romances.
Andrei was sorting out a cardboard box of rejects from the Brooklyn Library when he looked up and saw the man on the other side of the counter.
He smiled. “I’m afraid we don’t open until tomorrow.” He waved at the stacks of books on the counter. “We’re still in a bit of a mess …” And then he realised who the man was. He’d carried his canvas bag for him to the station in Moscow after the training course and he was returning to Paris. Lensky had said he was Gene Spassky.
Spassky was dressed like a seaman in a dark blue roll-neck sweater, grey flannel trousers and well-worn boots. He smiled as he saw recognition dawn on Andrei’s face. He held out his hand.
“Dobry djehn, tovarich.”
“Dobry djehn … kahk djela.”
“Spasebo kharasho,” and then he said quietly, “Where can we talk?”
“Upstairs. Follow me.”
Andrei took Spassky into the bedroom. There were no chairs so they sat side by side on the edge of the double bed.
“I can’t stay long, Aarons. I’ve got to get back to New York to my ship. But Lensky wanted to warn you in advance of something that’s going to happen.”
“What is it?”
“We heard in Moscow that you made a good case for that wretched pact with the Nazis.” He smiled. “Another good mark, comrade. But there’s worse to come I’m afraid.”
“What?”
“The Germans are going to attack Poland in a matter of days.”
“Well at least that lets us out from the Pact.”
“I’m afraid not. On the third day of the Nazi invasion we announce that we have to defend our borders and we go in from the east and take over about a third of Poland.”
Andrei was silent for several minutes and then he looked at Spassky. “The world will say it was planned from the start. The Germans go in and then we play jackals to the Nazis.”
“And the world will be right, my friend.” Spassky paused. “How are you going to defend that little scenario?”
“Tell me why Moscow needed to do it?”
“It won’t help you. You’ll understand, but outsiders won’t.”
“Tell me all the same.”
“Put crudely, Moscow’s buying time. When Hitler’s finished with Europe he’ll be ready to attack us. Every month will give us more time to be ready for them.”
“Are we so weak that we need the time? And how much time?”
“The answer to the first question is yes. We need every day we can get. We reckon that it will take Hitler about a year before he’s conquered Europe. A few months longer if the British hold out.”
“And what do they want me to do?”
“First of all do your best to stop an internal split in the Party here in the USA and then hand-pick members who can put over our point of view. Not Party hacks but the intellectuals. People who can influence public opinion. If you need help or funds or anything, go to our embassies in either Mexico City or Toronto. Not Washington. I’ve brought Soviet passports and US passports for all your family. Use them with discretion. The US passports are in the name of Levin. Moscow have arranged to fund six bank accounts in that name. Two here in New York. One in Washington. One in Los Angeles, one in Mexico City and one in Toronto.” He reached under his sweater and handed over a packet. “All the stuff is in here. Including addresses of banks and account numbers.” He shrugged. “Moscow said that money is no object. Spend as freely as you need.” He stood up and held out his hand. “They won’t forget the good work you’ve done for the Party. A lot of people know your name.” He shrugged. “I must get on my way.”
“Do you want a meal or anything?”
“No. I’ll eat on board.”
Three days later the Germans invaded Poland. Friday the 1st of September, 1939. On the 3rd of September the British and the French declared war on the Germans. On the 17th, a Sunday, Russian troops swept in from the
