Very impressive, Kurbsky said. An audacious plan. He turned to Svetlana. What do you think?
It would be wonderful if it gave you the chance to stay at the house, at least for a while, so that I could get close again, get to know you.
Lets analyze the situation. If the GRU thinks Im in London, theyll try and seek me out. On the other hand, the last thing theyd want to do is advertise the fact of my presence here. Theyd prefer to kidnap me or kill me in some unobtrusive way.
All that makes sense, Ferguson said.
So I dont think theyll bring in the heavy artillery. Theyll wait and watch. If I become wretched Henri Duval, the walking ghoul, dying of lung cancer, racked by the effects of chemotherapy, the odd-job man living over the garage at the house, itll be so different from what they expected to find that eventually theyll just move on. Of course, if it doesnt work and they sniff me out, I can always do a runner.
So youre up for it? Dillon said.
The sooner the better. To make such a fundamental change in me so quickly will vastly increase our chances of success.
Ferguson was excited. Thats it, then, people. He turned to Katya. When do you want to start?
As soon as possible. Ive brought my makeup box in the car, my hairdressing essentials, certain drugs I want him to take. I understand you keep a wardrobe of assorted clothing and footwear here as a backup for your operations.
We certainly do, and anything extra that you need, we can get.
Excellent. She kissed Svetlana on the cheeks. Go now, love, back to the apartment. Billy will take you. Hell make sure you get anything you need.
Gold room service, Billy said, gave her his arm, and took her to the door. She stopped him and turned, looking at Kurbsky. Im afraid, Alexander, that in finding you again, I will lose you.
He blew her a kiss. You will never lose me again, Babushka, I swear it.
They left. Katya said, Right, the stuff from my car, and you, Monica. She nodded. Yes, you can assist me. It will be good to have you there. She turned to Ferguson. But no one else. This must be understood.
She turned and walked out, with Kurbsky and Monica following.
LONDON
8
The wardrobe area at Holland Park was rather theatrical, when you considered it, filled with walk-in wardrobes containing a wide selection of clothes, even uniforms. There was a screen high up in the corner, and when Katya switched it on, it showed the final image she had frozen on the viewing theater set, the lost-looking hopeless creature in hospital scrubs.
She made Kurbsky undress and put on cotton pajama trousers, and he sat facing the mirrors, the hair wild, the beard tangled. You look like Sir Francis Drake getting ready to sail out against the Spanish Armada, doesnt he, Monica?
Is that so? Kurbsky said. Romantic tosh!
Shut up and take these. She opened a box and shook out two large pills. He examined them. What are they?
You dont need to know. She poured a glass of tap water. You will take two each day. You will notice a darkening under the eyes, which will look like bruising. This will help in the illusion that you are on chemotherapy. They work very quickly.
How do you know this?
Im in theater. Its my business to know.
He shrugged and washed the pills down. Now what?
A sheet about his shoulders, Monica. She turned to a selection of scissors. So now I shall be Delilah and you Samson, I think. The beard first.
SHE WAS VERY expert, and quickly reduced the beard to the point where she was able to go to work with an electric razor. The clear chin and mouth really made a difference to the appearance. Then she started hacking the long hair off in handfuls. He made no complaint, even when she obviously hurt him, and finally it was reduced to a stubble. Now she spread foam over the skull, massaging it into the face also, and went to work with the electric razor again.
Finally, she produced a cutthroat razor. Good God, not that as well?
Its necessary, believe me.
And she was right. It had changed his appearance totally. The skull, the cheekbones well pronounced over hollow cheeks. She applied some sort of cream, massaging it under the eyes and into the scalp. Its making things darker already. In a little while, it will be even darker, but the drug is more permanent in that way. It helps with the haunted look. She turned to Monica. What do you think?
I wouldnt have believed it if I hadnt seen it myself. Its just not the same person.
And we havent even started on dress. Lets see what weve got.
TH E WARDROBES WERE as big as small rooms, and the three of them explored. What am I supposed to look like?
A street person, someone on welfare, a struggling student. In all these personas, there is a constant. Youre on chemotherapy and you have lung cancer. Roper has inserted you into the Royal Marsden Hospital s cancer records. If anyone checks, youre there. He did the same at London University, where you took an English degree. Youve worked for the Daily Express and the Mail. It says so in their records. Born in Torquay in Devon to a French doctor and an English mother. You lived in Paris for ten years, then your father was killed in a car accident-again, thats all a matter of record-and your mother and you returned to England. You understandably have a tendency to a French accent.
Whats happened to her?
Breast cancer four years ago.
I feel as if I should take it personally. He started working his way through clothing. He finally settled on a drab-olive-green T-shirt and pulled it on. Next he discovered some baggy olive-green trousers with big patch pockets.
Ah, the military look, Monica said.
Katya said, Not really. The kind of people Im talking about wear stuff like this all the time. Its extremely cheap. The sort of thing you can pick up in surplus shops.
He found a pair of French paratrooper boots next, which fitted well, and a large three-quarter-length combat jacket of some sort, once again with capacious pockets.
I may not have much, but even on the street Ill need a bag of some sort. Katya, rummaging on a high shelf, had the answer. Also olive green, it was a good size and had grab handles or a cross-body strap if preferred. She passed it to him, and he examined it. The interior base had an inside zip, providing, in effect, a secret compartment.
This will do me.
Change of underwear, extra T-shirt, socks? Katya said.
Now youre spoiling me. He slung the bag by the body strap across his chest and worked his way along the shelves. He found a black woolen hat and pulled it over his skull. Will I do? he asked Monica.
I suppose so, if you want a job on a building site.
He continued to search, found a reasonable pair of leather gloves, and put them in the bag. His back was turned, and as he rummaged further, he found a couple of black knitted ski masks staring up at him with empty eyes and wide mouths. He hesitated, then stuffed them in the bag too, along with a couple of British Army Field Service wound packs from a stack he found on the shelf.
Katya said, Is that it?
I think so. He walked out into the bathroom and looked at the stranger in the mirror, standing there in drab olive green, the bag hanging at his left side. You were right about the haunted look. He took the woolen hat from the bag and pulled it on. God in heaven, I look worse.
Walk slowly, take your time. Speak in a low sort of measured way. You dont smile because you cant smile.
I get the point. Im permanently weary.
Youve got it exactly, Monica said. I must say you dont look like you at all. Youve done a fabulous job, Katya. Lets go and show the others.
KATYA AND MONICA found Svetlana in the safe-house apartment where Katya had left her. Whats happening, my dear? Svetlana asked.
General Ferguson and the others are meeting. Hed like us to join them.
And what about Alexander?
Hell be there.
She gave Svetlana her arm and they went out, Monica following. When they went down the corridor, the doors of the viewing theater were open and Kurbsky was standing there in all his glory. He stared at them then, pulled off his woolen hat, and scratched his head.
Svetlana barely looked at him and said, Where are we going? Where is Alexander?
The computer room, Katya said. They carried on, and Kurbsky called, No, he isnt, you made your point. Im here, Babushka. They paused and turned. Svetlana gazed at him, puzzled.
Im here, he said again, and opened his arms.
She screamed and cowered against Katya. What is he saying? Where is Alexander?
She really was terribly upset, and the others came running from the computer room, Ferguson calling, What the hell is going on?
They stopped dead, all staring, and then Roper arrived in his wheelchair. My God, Id never have believed it.
And neither can she. Katya hugged her tight. It is Alexander, my darling. Its just that Ive changed him.
Its me, Babushka. He reached to kiss her on the forehead. It really is me.
Can you change back?
Not for the moment.
She shuddered. Such a fright. I need a drink. Ive never been so shocked in my life.
Ferguson gave her his arm. Coming right up. Well all go to the bar and celebrate.
Celebrate what?
Well, if you cant recognize him, its doubtful anyone else will.
SITTING THERE in the corner all together, Katya said, Ive got another idea. Could be rather clever. Not far from us in Belsize Park is an old-fashioned corner shop. We buy many things there. When Marek worked for us, he often shopped there.
What are you getting at? Kurbsky asked.
I think you should turn up there in the morning. Youre trying to find our house, but youre not sure where it is. Youll have a letter with you-which Ill write before we leave. It will be an offer of employment to you saying that Marek recommended you to us. Itll also say that we are aware of your medical condition and will allow you to come and go according to the requirements of your treatment.
I get the point, Dillon said. If anyone makes inquiries at the local shop about Duval, theyll get an acceptable answer.
I get the point, Dillon said. If anyone makes inquiries at the local shop about Duval, theyll get an acceptable answer.
Ill go and type the letter now-if I may use your office, General?
Monica said, So youll stay here tonight?
Move into Chamber Court tomorrow, thats the general idea.
Dillon said, Take it easy, take time to settle in.
I intend to. Look, Sean, I was a paratrooper, then special forces, and a final year with GRU.