Read Online Debut for a Spy by Harry Currie - Free Book Online Page B

this room were double French doors opening into a glassed conservatory. If all Soviet citizens are equal and this is an example of that equality, I thought, I wonder who milks the cows?
    Nalishkin poured our vodkas from an elegant crystal decanter, and, handing one to me, raised his glass.
    “ Za vash'eh zdorov'eh !” he toasted.
    “ Cheers!” I responded, and we drank.
    “ David, I am so glad that you have met Marijke Templaars. It was kind of you to drive her to the embassy. What do you think of her? Do you get along well?”
    “ Yes, we do. She's a charming lady.”
    “ That is indeed good. I am thinking of making her your liaison for your concert here. You would make all arrangements and details with her, if this is agreeable with you?”
    I smiled. “You won't hear any objections from me, Mr. Nalishkin. It'll be a pleasure to work with Marijke.”
    “ Then it is settled. But please, David, not 'Mr. Nalishkin'. I would prefer that you are calling me Vladimir, or the familiar, Volodya. Now, the reason I want to speak with you today. The Soviet government is considering to begin a cruise ship service, operating out of Odessa in the Black Sea. To test out the feasibility, we have leased a ship from Canadian Pacific Steamships – the Empress of Britain. We have had a crew on board for the past month learning about the ship from the Canadian crew – how would you call it – familiarization? Is that correct?”
    “ That's the right word, Volodya.”
    “ Good. The ship is scheduled to leave Montreal in two days time with the Soviet crew replacing the Canadian crew. We have flown a group of dignitaries from Russia to Montreal to make the cruise back to Odessa. It is these people we must convince to begin our own service in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Now, to get to the point – the ship will dock in Southampton next Tuesday, and then proceed on through the Mediterranean to the Black Sea. We would be very honored if you would come aboard and perform a concert for us as we continue our journey to Odessa.”
    I was speechless. On the one hand I didn't want to offend the Soviets, yet I shouldn't be away from London with the show rehearsals imminent. Still, I could use a break before the going got tough. Nalishkin read my silence and carried on.
    “I understand why you hesitate, David, with your new show coming. Why don't you consider this a holiday? We ask only one performance of you, and I am authorized to offer you one thousand pounds for your services.”
    A thousand pounds sterling, I thought. Wow! I'd never been offered that much for a single performance yet, and I knew that the publicity and prestige could only be good for my career. And, sure enough, why not treat it as a well-paid holiday?
    “When would I be back in London, Volodya?”
    “ Only one week after the ship sails from Southampton. Two weeks from today. We fly you here from Moscow. And I promise you, you will be very well looked after. Marijke Templaars will see to that, I am convinced.” He laughed loudly.
    “ Will she be going, too?” I asked, trying not to appear too interested.
    “ Of course, of course,” he chortled. “If she is your liaison that will be for on the high seas as well as on land. You do not object?”
    “ Not at all, in fact, I think I will enjoy it very much.”
    “ Splendid, splendid! I leave you to work out the details with Marijke. Anything you need you must simply ask her.”
    There was a tap at the door, and Marijke entered with a radiance that lit the room.
    “I don't interrupt?”
    “ No, no, Marijke. David has just accepted our invitation to sail to Odessa next week. Is that not wonderful?” He was beaming.
    “ I am happy for me, David, for if you don't agree then I don't go either, and I very much want this. I must thank you to make it possible.”
    Her smile was warm and sincere.
    *
    We took our leave from Vladimir Nalishkin and the Soviet Embassy, but nothing at all was said until we had turned