was Holley’s original passport, in very good condition, along with another in the name of Daniel Grimshaw, plus a driver’s license.
“I must say, the forgeries are excellent,” Holley told him.
“You don’t have a credit card.”
“I’ll take care of that myself.”
“And you’re not going to tell me how.”
“Of course not.”
“Nor where you’re going to stay.”
“That’s correct. Now, go tell your boss that I’m ready to go.”
He went out. Holley found some plastic envelopes, tidied the desk, turned off the computer, and left the office. In his bedroom, he took the purchases he had made at GUM, laid them on the bed neatly, then put his Holley passport in one of the plastic envelopes, zipped it up, and put it in the inside left pocket of the jacket of the black suit. The Grimshaw passport he put in the right inside pocket. He laid out a white shirt and underwear, socks, a pair of shoes, then packed everything else into the suitcase.
Careful and meticulous, as always, but he liked things to be right, and it meant that he was ready to go and everything else was in his head.
He went downstairs and found Lermov in the bar with Chekhov. As usual, they were drinking vodka. “Everything in order?” Lermov inquired.
“I think you could say that.” Holly waved to the barman. “A large scotch over here.”
Ivanov came in with an envelope in his hand. “As you ordered, Colonel.”
The barman brought the scotch, Lermov opened the envelope and took out an airline ticket. He examined it, then pushed it over. “Ten o’clock in the morning, Daniel, business class, British Airways to London, just as you wanted.”
Holley examined it. “Excellent. The only thing missing is a few euros for expenses and a taxi from Heathrow to downtown at the other end. A thousand should do it.”
“I would have thought five hundred would be ample.” He smiled at Holley. “After all, as I understand it, you have your own banking arrangements in place. Meantime, the Prime Minister has asked me to join his party in New York—he’s giving a speech to the UN on Friday. I’ll fly to London after that. Captain Ivanov will leave in the Embassy mail plane tomorrow and assist Major Chelek.” His slight, weary smile was for all of them. “I think we know where we are with this business, gentlemen.”
Chekhov tried to look eager. “The ‘game’s afoot,’ isn’t that what the English say? That writer, Conan Doyle?”
“Shakespeare, actually,” Daniel told him. “But we’ll only have a game at all if Caitlin Daly decides to join us.”
“Well, let’s travel hopefully,” Lermov said, and got up. “I need you in my office, Peter, we have much to do.”
“Before you go, let’s get one thing straight,” Holley said. “As they say in the theater, it’s ‘my gig’ over there, and what I say goes. Max takes his orders from me.”
Ivanov was going to say something, but Lermov shut him up. “Of course, Daniel.”
They went out. Daniel knocked back his scotch, and Chekhov said, “Let me get you another.”
“Why not? But just the one.” Chekhov called to the barman, and Daniel said, “Your staff at Belov International in New York, are they mostly Russian?”
“No. The New York branch was an American firm when Belov took it over years ago. But we do have many Russians there. And as you must know, the Moscow Mafia extends not only to London but also New York.”
“And you employ such people?”
“On the security side of things. They can be very useful. Our head of security at the Belov building is one such man. Mikhail Potanin.”
“Who is, I suppose, capable of most things?”
“Let’s say he’s very reliable. One has to be practical. Sometimes in business, people must be persuaded to see reason.”
“That must be very reassuring for poor put-upon businessmen like yourself.” Holley got up to go.
Chekhov said, “So it will be just the voice on the phone over there. You will keep me informed, won’t you?”
“As much as I feel necessary. You’ve got to trust me, Max. After all, I’ve got to trust you. Lermov will want to know everything I say to you, so try juggling with that. But remember what we agreed. I’m in charge over there. You take your orders from me.”
“Of course.”
“I’m better for you in every way, Max, better than Lermov, believe me. So be sensible.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Max managed to sound indignant.
“Because you couldn’t have become a millionaire without being a devious bastard. Play straight with me.” Holly smiled. “Or I’ll kill you.”