The sum of all fears - Tom Clancy [246]
"You're bucking a couple of major bureaucracies."
Ryan leaned against the doorframe. "My cause is just, isn't it?"
"You never learn, do you?" Murray shook his head and laughed.
"Those bastard Americans!" Narmonov raged.
"What's the problem now, Andrey Il'ych?"
"Oleg Kirilovich, have you any idea what it is like dealing with a suspicious foreign country?"
"Not yet." Kadishev answered. "I only deal with suspicious domestic elements." The effective abolition of the Politburo had perversely eliminated the apprenticeship period during which an up-and-coming Soviet political figure might learn the international version of statecraft. Now they were no better off than Americans were. And that, Kadishev reminded himself, was something to keep in mind. "What seems to be the problem?"
"This must be kept absolutely secret, my young friend."
"Understood."
"The Americans have circulated a memorandum around their embassies to make discreet inquiries concerning my political vulnerability."
"Indeed?" Kadishev did not allow himself to react beyond the single word. He was immediately struck by the dichotomy of the situation. His report had had the proper effect on the American government, but the fact that Narmonov knew of it made his discovery as an American agent possible. Wasn't that interesting? he asked himself in a moment of clear objectivity. His maneuvers were now a genuine gamble, with a downside as enormous as the upside. Such things were to be expected, weren't they? He was not gambling a month's wages. "How do we know this?" he asked, after a moment's reflection.
"That I cannot reveal."
"I understand." Damn! Well, he is confiding in me though that might be a clever ploy on Andrey H'ych's part, mightn't it "But we are sure of it?"
"Quite sure."
"How can I help?"
"I need your help, Oleg. Again, I ask for it."
"This business with the Americans concerns you greatly, then?"
"Of course it does!"
"I can understand that it is something to be considered, but what real interest do they have in our domestic politics?"
"You know the answer to that."
"True."
"I need your help," Narmonov repeated.
"I must discuss this with my colleagues."
"Quickly, if you please."
"Yes." Kadishev took his leave and walked out to his car. He drove himself, which was unusual for a senior Soviet politician. Times had changed. Such officials now had to be men of the people, and that meant that the reserved center lanes of the broad Moscow streets were gone, along with most of the other traditional perks. That was too bad, Kadishev thought, but without the other changes that made it necessary, he'd still be a lonely voice in some distant oblast' instead of the leader of a major faction in the Congress of People's Deputies. So, he was willing to do without the dacha in the woods east of Moscow, and the luxury apartment, and the chauffeur-driven, hand-made limousine, and all the other things that had once attached to the rulers of this vast and unhappy country. He drove to his legislative office, where at least he had a reserved parking place. Once behind the closed door of his office, he composed a brief letter on his personal typewriter. This he folded into a pocket. There was work to do this day. He walked down the street to the immense lobby of the Congress, and checked his coat. The attendant was female. She took his coat and handed him a numbered token. He thanked her politely. As she took the coat to its numbered hook, the attendant removed the note from the inside pocket and tucked it into the pocket of her own jacket. Four hours later, it arrived in the American Embassy.
"Panic attack?" Fellows asked.
"You might call it that, gentlemen," Ryan said.
"Okay, tell us about the problem." Trent sipped at his tea.
"We've had more indications that our communications links may be penetrated."
"Again?" Trent rolled his eyes.
"Come on, Al, we've heard that song before," Fellows grumbled. "Details, Jack, details."
Ryan went through the data.
"And what's the White House think?"