âYou got any reason for thinking that?â
âThe early recall, like I said. Thatâs always the most obvious indication. And I havenât been assigned anything but routine for at least the past three months. You know that.â
âFrozen out?â said Proctor, more to himself than to the other man.
âThatâs what I think.â
âWhen are you supposed to go back?â
âTwo weeks.â
âThatâs quick, too,â said the man, in growing acceptance.
âToo quick. Iâm frightened, David. I need help.â
âDonât worry,â placated the American. âItâll be all right.â
âYou any idea how the KGB treat people they believe to be traitors? Remember Penkovsky, who told your CIA about the Cuban missiles so that Kennedy could confront Krushchev? They fed him alive â slowly â into a furnace!
Weâre shown a warning film at training schools. He melts!â
âEasy, Yevgennie. Easy.â
âI want to come across,â insisted Levin. Thereâs a lot I could offer. Structure at the UN. Training. Some of the agent set-up throughout the United States â¦â
Again the American gave a startled reaction. âYou got that sort of detail ⦠names ⦠places â¦!â
âSome.â
âYou never told me.â
âMy insurance, David: my very necessary insurance.â
The barman approached inquiringly and both nodded agreement to fresh drinks. They paid separately, as strangers would have done.
Proctor said: âYour wife and kids, too?â
Levin did not immediately respond, gazing down into his glass. Then he said: âNatalia is still in Moscow: I told you about the operation on her eyes. Sheâs not due back for a month.â
Proctor paused. Then he said: âThatâs a bitch.â
âI think Iâve persuaded Galina but Iâm not sure: she still might refuse.â
âNo chance of getting the girl back sooner?â
âWhat reason would there be now? Itâs logical for her to remain in Russia until we return: to start trying to get her back here would set off every alarm bell in Moscow.â
âIâm sorry, Yevgennie. Really sorry.â
âIâm hoping theyâll let her out, eventually. I know it wouldnât be for a long time. But eventually,â said Levin.
Proctor hesitated again. Finally he said âSureâ in a voice from which he didnât try to keep the doubt.
âHow quickly can you get me out?â demanded Levin.
âA day or two. Three at the outside.â
âHow?â
âWeâll use the book displacement, like before. But the American edition. Check every afternoon: itâll mean weâll be ready, that night.â
âWhere?â
âHow freely can you move?â
âDolya has agreed to my taking Galina out in the evenings,â said Levin. âIt shouldnât be difficult.â
âYou know the Plaza Hotel?â
âYes.â
âThere are two entrances, one directly from Central Park South, with the main doors fronting on to Fifth Avenue,â set out Proctor. âWhen you get the signal enter from the park, as if youâre going to Trader Vicâs or the Oak Room. Iâll pick you up in the lobby: weâll go straight around and exit by the main door. Weâll have cars waiting: the parking area is convenient. Howâs that sound?â
âAlmost too simple.â
âThe simple way is always the best way.â
âWhat time?â
âItâs got to seem like a dinner outing, right? Letâs say seven: but weâll build in contingency time. Donât want to screw up over something as innocent as a traffic block, crossing town.â
âHow long?â
âThirty minutes,â said the American. âIâll definitely be there at seven â earlier, in fact â and Iâll wait until seven