Snow Wolf

Massey looked at her. He thought he sawtears in the corners of her eyes. She was struggling hard to fight heremotions, then she bit her lip and looked away. She didn't look back at himwhen she spoke.

"May I ask you a question,Massey?"

:"Sure."

"Where did you learn yourRussian?"

He knew her question was a way ofdeflecting her pain and he looked at her and smiled.

:"My parents came from St.Petersburg."

"But Massey isn't a Russia

"Polish. It used to be Masensky. Myfather's people originally came from Warsaw; my mother's were pureRussian."

"But you don't like Russians?"

"What makes you say that?"

"The day you first came to see me atthe hospital. The way you looked at me. There was distrust in your eyes, even dislike."

Massey shook his head. "That's nottrue, A

She looked at him and Massey saw the fearin her eyes. "Talk about what?"

He explained what Ca

She hesitated. "If you want me to.When?"

"This afternoon. After that, theAmerican Ambassador will make his decision on your case. The Russian official,his name is Romulka. Don't be afraid, I'll be with you all the time. Romulka'snot entitled to ask you questions about the crimes you allegedly committed, buthe will ask you to return to face trial, and he will promise you leniency. ButI guess you know that would hardly be the case."

"The doctor asked me a question thismorning. He asked if I regretted killing the men. The camp officer and theguard at the border."

"What did you tell him?"

"I said that I could feel for theirwives and children, if they had any. But I didn't regret killing them. I wantedto escape. What was done to me was wrong. I remember Ivan telling me somethingonce. Something he had read. That those to whom evil is done, do evil inreturn. I only returned the evil that was done to me. It was me or them."

"Then I guess that answers it."

As Massey and A

The older of the two was in his earlyforties, and looked like a powerhouse of energy, tall and broad, his muscledbody straining under his suit.

A pair of cold blue eyes were set in abrutal-looking face that was pockmarked with acne scars, and part of the man'sleft ear was missing. He carried a briefcase and curtly introduced himself asNikita Romulka, a senior official from Moscow.

The second Russian, a young embassy aide,sat beside him and handed him a file.

Romulka flicked it open and said,"You are A

The man barely looked at her as he spoke.

Massey nodded to A

When the man looked up he stared at hercoldly.

"Under the terms of theSoviet-Fi

A

The cold eyes stared over at Massey, andRomulka's voice was full of scorn. "The question was addressed to thewoman, not YOU."

"Then make it simple so sheunderstands the situation perfectly."

Romulka glared at Massey, then smiledcoldly and sat back.

"Basically this-if she agrees toreturn to Moscow there will be a retrial for her past deeds. If the courtsdecide she was harshly treated or wrongly accused, then her recent crimes,shooting the border guards and escaping from a prison camp, will be judged inthat light. Can I put it any simpler, even for an obviously simple man such asyourself"

Massey ignored the remark and looked atA

"I don't want to go back."Romulka said firmly, "Diplomatic efforts will be made to ensure you do.But I'm giving you the opportunity to return of your own free will and haveyour case reviewed. If I were you I would give such a proposal seriousthought."

"I told you. I don't want to goback. I was imprisoned for no wrong, I committed no crime before I was sent tothe Gulag. And it's not me who ought to be tried, but the people who sent me toa prison camp."

Romulka's face suddenly twisted in anger."Listen to me, you stupid bitch. Imagine how unpleasant we could makethings for your child. Come back and face the courts and you may see her again.Don't, and I swear to you the rest of her life in that orphanage could be madevery unpleasant indeed. Do you understand me?"

Massey tried hard to control the urge tohit the man, and then he saw the emotion welling in A

"No! You won't hurt my daughter likethat ... You won't!"

As Massey fought to restrain her, Romulkawent to grab her hair.

"You bitch!"

Massey and the aide stepped in betweenthem, before the policeman appeared at the door and Massey quickly ushered A

As Romulka removed a handkerchief fromhis pocket and dabbed blood from his face, he glared at Massey. "Youhaven't heard the last of this! Your embassy will learn of this outrage!"

Massey stared angrily at the Russian."Tell who you goddamned like, you piece of shit. But she's made herdecision and we'll make ours." Massey jabbed a finger hard in Romulka'schest. "Now get the hell out of here before I hit you myself."

For a moment it seemed as if Romulkawould rise to the threat as he glared back at Massey, a fierce rage in hiseyes, but suddenly he snapped up his briefcase and stormed out of the room.

Romulka's aide lit a cigarette and lookedover at Massey. "Not a very sensible thing the woman just did, consideringour embassy will most likely succeed in getting her back. And besides, Romulkais a dangerous man to cross."

"So am i, buddy."

Massey arrived at the hospital thatevening and they walked down to the lake. They sat on one of the benches andA

She looked at Massey uncertainly but hesmiled. "After he heard about Romulka's threat he agreed to grant youasylum. We're going to help you start a new life in America, A

Massey saw her close her eyes, then openthem again slowly. There was a look of relief on her face.