She was standing near Brian’s table, letting him take her hand, hair pinned up, the palm of sequins glittering on the front of her dress, the whole room quiet, looking at her. In the startled second that followed, Jake saw everything in a rush, a jerky loop of film-Brian kissing her hand, offering a drink, the Russians getting up, Lena shaking her head politely, then finally her face coming toward him, bold and determined, flushed with its own daring, the same face that had jumped off the sailboat into the Havel. He felt himself rise, the room skidding around him, but in the panic of everything going wrong what struck him, and wouldn’t let go, was the sequins, that she had dressed for Emil.
“Frau Brandt,” Sikorsky said, moving a chair. “An opportune visit. You’ve come to see your husband?”
“Yes.”
“Good. He’ll be pleased. Mr. Geismar here has refused our invitation. But you, I think, may feel differently.”
“Refused?” she said to Jake.
“The general isn’t interested in a meeting. They’re taking Emil east tomorrow,” Jake said evenly.
“East? But then-” She halted, stopped by his glance.
“Yes,” Sikorsky said. “So you see, opportune. Of course, you would be welcome too. An honored guest of the state.”
“You mean he’s leaving?” She turned to Jake, glaring. “Did you know this?”
“A little surprise from the general. We were just discussing a different arrangement. A later departure date.”
“Oh,” she said, looking down, finally aware. “A later date.”
“Unnecessary now,” Sikorsky said.
“I thought he wouldn’t believe you,” she said weakly, still looking down at the table.
“You were correct. My apologies,” Sikorsky said to Jake. He poured some vodka and moved the glass to Lena. “A drink?”
She shook her head, biting her lower lip. “Leaving. So I won’t see him.”
“No, no. Dear lady, you can see him now. That’s what I’m telling you.” He turned to Jake, enjoying himself. “That is what you wanted, isn’t it?” he said smoothly.
Lena answered for him. “Yes. I want to see him. You can arrange that?”
Sikorsky nodded. “Come with me.”
“Nobody’s going anywhere,” Jake said, moving his hand to cover hers. “You think I’m going to let her walk out of here with you?”
Sikorsky rolled his eyes. “Your friend is suspicious. Like a Russian,” he said, playing. “Calm yourself. We don’t go far. Upstairs. Then I’ll bring Frau Brandt back to you and we can finish our talk. An interesting conversation,” he said to Lena. “Mr. Geismar still has things to tell me.” He looked at Jake. “You’ll be the guarantee for her return.”
“Upstairs?” Jake said. “You mean he’s here?”
“I thought it better to keep him close. For his safety. And you see how convenient.”
“Had it all figured out, didn’t you?”
“Well, I did not expect Frau Brandt. Sometimes-”
“Then figure again. She doesn’t go. Not like this.”
Sikorsky sighed. “A pity. But it’s of no importance.”
Lena looked at Jake, then slipped her hand out from under his. “Yes, I’ll do it.”
“No, you won’t.”
“It’s my choice,” she said to him.
“As you say, Frau Brandt,” Sikorsky said. “Your choice. Have a drink, Mr. Geismar. We won’t be long.”
Jake looked from one to the other, cornered. Sikorsky moved his chair back.
“If she goes, I go with her.”
“You don’t think your presence would be intrusive?” Sikorsky said, amused.
“I won’t be watching them, just you. Try one move-”
Sikorsky waved his hand, brushing this away.
“All right,” Jake said, “then sit here nice and quiet while I tell Brian where we’re going. If we’re not back down in fifteen minutes, he’ll-”
“What? Bring in reinforcements? But you came alone.”
“You sure?” Jake said, standing.
“Oh yes,” Sikorsky said easily. “My men had instructions to inform me if you were followed. At the checkpoint.”
Jake stopped for a minute, taking this in. All figured out. And what else?
Sikorsky nodded toward the other table, where Brian was laughing. “A poor choice of hero.”
“Good enough to pull an alarm. I don’t intend to disappear without a trace. And you don’t want to make that kind of noise. Not you.”
“As you wish. And give him your gun.” He smiled. “Or did you intend to use it upstairs?” He wagged his forefinger. “A little trust, Mr. Geismar. Please.” He pointed to the gun, holding his gaze until Jake took it out and put it on the table.
Lena sat up, rigid, as if it were something alive, waiting to strike, there all along under the words. Jake watched her as he moved to the other table to speak to Brian. Her shoulders were straight and tense, and he saw that she was finally frightened, but as he came back, leaving an open-mouthed Brian, she got up without a word. When Sikorsky led them out of the room, even the waiters stopped to watch, caught by the flash of sequins.
The walk down the hall felt like a forced march, quiet and plodding. When they started up the stairs, Lena grabbed his arm, as if she were about to trip.
“I didn’t know,” she said, almost whispering. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I’ve ruined everything.”
