Goodbye California - Alistair [88]
‘Am I – am I in any kind of trouble?’
‘We hope not.’ Parker had a deep booming voice, one of those rare voices that could sound hearty, reassuring and ominous all at the same time. ‘We’re just looking for any information that will help us. We’re investigating allegations – they’re more than that, I’m afraid – of widespread and illegal bribery involving foreigners and several high-placed individuals in public services in this State. A year or two back the South Koreans were giving away millions, seemingly out of the goodness of their hearts.’ He sighed. ‘And now the Russians are at it. You will understand that I can’t be more specific’
‘Yes. Yes, I understand.’ Clearly she didn’t understand at all.
‘How long have you lived here?’ The hearty reassurance in his voice had gone all diminuendo.
‘Five months.’ The apprehension was still there but it had been joined by a certain wariness. ‘Why?’
‘Asking questions is my job.’ Parker looked around leisurely. ‘Very nice place you have here. What’s your job, Miss Ivanhoe?’
‘I’m a secretary.’
‘How long?’
‘Two years.’
‘Before that?’
‘School. San Diego.’
‘University of California?’ A nod. ‘You left?’ Another nod.
‘Why did you leave?’ She hesitated. ‘Don’t forget, we can check all this out. Failed grades?’
‘No. I couldn’t afford to –’
‘You couldn’t afford to?’ Parker looked around again. ‘Yet in two years, a secretary, a beginner, really, you can afford to live here? Your average secretary has to make do with a single room in the beginning. Or live with her parents.’ He tapped his forehead lightly. ‘Of course. Your parents. Must be very understanding folk. Not to say generous.’
‘My parents are dead.’
‘I am sorry.’ He didn’t sound sorry. ‘Then somebody must have been very generous.’
‘I haven’t been charged with anything.’ She compressed her lips and swung her feet to the floor. ‘I’ll not answer another question until I’ve talked to my lawyer.’
‘Judge LeWinter is not answering the phone today. He’s got lumbago.’ This got to her. She sunk back against the cushions, looking oddly vulnerable and defenceless. She could have been acting but probably was not. If Parker felt a twinge of pity he didn’t show it. ‘You’re Russian, aren’t you?’
‘No. No. No.’
‘Yes, yes, yes. Where were you born?’
‘Vladivostok.’ She’d given up.
‘Where are your parents buried?’
‘They’re alive. They went back to Moscow.’
‘When?’
‘Four years ago.’
‘Why?’
‘I think they were called back.’
‘They were naturalized?’
‘Yes. A long time.’
‘Where did your father work?’
‘Burbank.’
‘Lockheed, I suppose?’
‘Yes.’
‘How did you get your job?’
‘Box number ad. For an American secretary who could speak Russian and Chinese.’
‘There wouldn’t be many of those around?’
‘Only me.’
‘Judge LeWinter has private clients, then?’
‘Yes.’
‘Including Russian and Chinese?’
‘Yes. Sometimes they need a translator in court.’
‘Does he require any translation done for him out of court?’
She hesitated. ‘Sometimes.’
‘Military stuff. Russian, of course. In code.’
Her voice was low now, barely above a whisper. ‘Yes.’
‘Anything about weather at any time?’
Her eyes were wide. ‘How do you know –’
‘Don’t you know it’s wrong? Don’t you know it’s treason? Don’t you know the penalty for treason?’
She put her forearm on the side of the couch and laid her blonde head on it. She made no reply.
Ryder said: ‘You like LeWinter?’ His voice didn’t seem to register with her as the one she’d heard the previous night.
‘I hate him! I hate him! I hate him!’ The voice was shaking but the vehemence left no room for disbelief.
Ryder stood and jerked his head to the door. Parker said: ‘We’re going to the car to call the station. Back in a minute or two.’ The three men went outside.
Ryder