Snow Wolf

February 1st-22nd 1953

New Hampshire.

She saw the lake and the wooden house asthey came around the bend in the narrow private road. There was snow on themountains in the distance and the forested scenery below looked remarkably wildand beautiful, like a Russian landscape.

When Stanski halted the car, Masseyopened the door for her and took her suitcase. "Let's get you settled in,then I'll fill you in on what happens next."

A

Stanski smiled. "There used to beparts around here where Russian was spoken. Small communities of fur trappersand hunters mostly, who came over in the last century. I guess the scenery madethem feel at home."

He took them inside and showed A

"This is your room. It's a bitbasic, I'm afraid, but it's warm and reasonably comfortable. When you'vefinished unpacking I'll be downstairs."

She noticed Stanski look at her, his eyesfaintly lingering on her face a moment, and then he left. There was a singlebed and a chair and the window overlooked the lake. Someone had left someflowers in a vase by the window and fresh towels beside an enamel water jug andbasin on a stand in the corner. When she had unpacked and washed she went backdownstairs and found Massey and Stanski sitting at the pinewood table drinkingcoffee.

Stanski said, "Sit down, A

She sat and Stanski poured her coffee.She studied his face when he wasn't looking. It was neither handsome norunattractive, but there was a look in his eyes she had noticed when she firstmet him, a look like something wasn't right about the man, and there was afaint smile at the corners of his mouth that suggested he found life oddlyamusing.

Now he looked across at her and sat. Thesmile was gone from his face as he said, "First things first. You'recompletely sure you know what you're doing?"

"I wouldn't have come here if Iwasn't."

"Jake told you that you might haveto face dangers. But are you certain you're prepared to face them?"

She looked at Stanski steadily."Yes."

"Hear there are some ground rules Iwant you to understand that apply as long as you're here. About the mission,you don't talk to anyone you meet apart from us here. Did Jake explain aboutVassily?"

"Yes, briefly."

.,Although he's completely trustworthy,for the sake of security you don't discuss the mission with him. But don'tworry about that, he won't ask. We'll be doing some preparation together forthe journey but in ten days' time a man will arrive. His name's Popov. He'sgoing to put us through some pretty rigorous training, both in Soviet weaponsand self-defense. It's a precaution really, for your sake, so you'll know howto handle yourself if you get in a difficult situation. But on no account doyou talk to Popov about our intentions or discuss anything about our plans. Isthat understood?"

She looked briefly at Massey. He wasstaring at her. "A

She looked back at Stanski. "Verywell. I agree."

"Good. Another rule. You work @andand do your utmost to absorb everything you're going to learn. I want to besure of who I'm going in with. I want to be sure I can depend on you."

"You can."

Stanski stood up slowly. "OK.Concerning the mission itself, and just to let you know, when the time comeswe'll be going into Russia through one of the Baltic states, landing byparachute. Estonia to be precise. You've been to Estonia?"

A

How?"

Jake will tell you all that before we go.As well as everything else you need to know." A

"it won't be easy. In fact, it'sgoing to be damned difficult. Especially just after we parachute. Estonia iscrawling with Soviet troops. It's a garrison country and some of' the BalticFleet are based there. In many ways traveling in Estonia will be- moredifficult than Russia itself. As to your other questions, You'll get theanswers all in good time." A

Stanski shook his head. "Don'tworry, we'll sort that out too."

He checked his watch before saying toMassey, "I've got to pick up some supplies in town. You want to show A

Massey nodded. Stanski picked up somekeys from the table and crossed to the door and went out. A

Massey looked at Stanski's face."What's wrong?"

"Something I saw in his eyes. Eitherhe doesn't like me or he doesn't trust me."

Massey smiled. "I wouldn't say that.If Alex is blunt, it's because he has your safety in mind. But he's alwaysblunt when it comes to tactical business. Granted, he's also a difficult man toget to know. But don't worry, you'll be fine."

"I'm not worried, Jake."

"Good." Massey smiled."Come on, let's see if we can find Vassilv. I think you're going to likehim."

As they reached the lake Minutes later asmall boat was coming in, its outboard motor rupturing the silence, soundinglike a metal wasp as it came into the shore.

The old man sat in the bow, and when hesaw Massey he waved. He wore a deerskin jacket and an old woollen deerstalkercap with the ear flaps pulled down. There was a big sheathed knife on a leatherbelt around his waist, and A

He spoke in English, his accent heavilybroken. "Massey. Welcome. Alexei told me you'd be coming."

"Vassily, I'd like you to meet A

A

He smiled and replied in Russian."Welcome, A

"From Moscow. And you?"

Kuzomen.

Now she recognized the old man'sfeatures, the dark Laplander looks of those who inhabited Russia's northerntundra.

"You're a long way from home."

A big smile creased the man's brown face."A very long way and too far to go back. But this place is just like home.And we Russians are like good wine. We travel well." He looked at Massey."Where's Alexei?"

"Gone to town to pick upsupplies."