The Parsifal Mosaic by Robert Ludlum Read Free Book Online Page A

proceed to hold the KGB responsible for her death by claiming she was one of us. The result of this manipulation is the neutering of the woman’s constant companion, her lover, a deep-cover, multilingual field agent of exceptional talent. Disillusion and disgust overwhelm him; he takes himself out. We are amazed; we search the dossier vaults, including the most inaccessible. She is
nowhere
. Jenna Karas—Karasova—was never a part of us.” Rostov paused, his eyes conveying his awareness: Michael Havelock was a dangerously provoked panther about to spring, about to strike. The Russian continued, his voice flat: “We are grateful; we profit by your elimination, but we ask ourselves Why? Why was this done? Is it a trick? If so, for what purpose? Who gains? On the surface we do, but again, why?
How?”
    “Ask the VKR!” shouted Michael contemptuously. “They didn’t plan it this way, but that’s the way it happened. I’m the bonus! Ask
them!”
    “We did,” said the Russian. “A section director, saner than most, who, because of his relative sanity, is frightened of his peers. He told us that he personally was not familiar with the Karas woman or the specifics at Costa Brava, but since the field personnel raised no questions, he assumed no questions
should
be raised. As he pointed out, the results were favorable: two condors shot down, both talented, one exceptional. The Voennaya was pleased to take credit.”
    “Why shouldn’t they? I was out, and she could be Justified. A sacrifice by any name is still the same. It’s expendable for a purpose. He said it; he acknowledged it.”
    “He did not acknowledge it and he was saying something quite different. I told you, he’s a frightened man. Only my rank persuaded him to go as far as he did.”
    “You’re reaching.”
    “I listened. As you listened to me a few moments ago. He was telling us that he hadn’t the vaguest idea what had happened or why.”
    “He
personally
didn’t know,” said Havelock angrily. “The people in the field knew.
She
knew!”
    “A tenuous rationalization. His office is responsible for all activities in the southwest Mediterranean sector. The territory includes the Costa Brava. An emergency rendezvous—especially one ostensibly involving the Baader-Meinhof—would certainly be cleared by him.” Rostov paused briefly, then added quietly, “Under normal circumstances.”
    “A not so tenuous rationalization?” asked Michael.
    “I leave myself the narrowest margin for error. An extremely remote possibility.”
    “It’s the one I accept!” Havelock shouted again, suddenly disturbed at his own outburst.
    “You want to accept it. Perhaps you have to.”
    “The VKR more often than not gets its orders directly from the policy rooms of the Kremlin. It’s no secret. If you’re not lying, you were passed over.”
    “To be sure, and the thought frightens me more than I can tell you. But as much as I’m forced to acknowledge your professional accomplishments,
priyatel
, I do not think the policy makers in the Kremlin are concerned with the likes of you and me. They have more weighty matters, global matters. And, to the point, they have no expertise where we’re concerned.”
    “They do with Baader-Meinhof!
And
the PLO,
and
the Brigate Rosse,
and
a couple of dozen ‘red armies’ blowing things up all over the goddamn place!
That’s
policy!”
    “Only for maniacs.”
    “Which is exactly what we’re talking about! Maniacs!”Michael paused, the obvious striking him. “We broke the VKR codes. They were authentic; I’ve seen too many variations not to know.
I
set up the contact. She
responded
. I sent the final transmission to the men in the boat offshore.
They
responded! Explain that!”
    “I can’t.”
    “Then get
out
!
”
    The KGB officer looked at his watch. “I must, in any event. Time is up.”
    “Yes, it is.”
    “We’re at an impasse,” said the Russian.
    “I’m not.”
    “No, I don’t think you are, and