“Why are we stopping?” Wayne asked.

“The car theft has finally been reported,” said Ishihara. “We must decide what to do now.”

Wayne grabbed the door handle. “Well, let’s get going! Come on!”

“Immediate flight is not necessary,” said Ishihara calmly. “The description of the car and the plate number have been announced to agents at large over the NKVD radio band, but so far no one has actually reported sighting us.”

“Let’s keep it that way,” said Wayne, grinning nervously. “I mean, why stay in this car until they do?”

“I am not suggesting we should. However, I judge that we have some time left to us. The NKVD does not seem to have reported the car theft to the regular city police.”

“Well-maybe they reported by phone. That’s why you didn’t hear it on their radio band.”

“I can monitor the city police band, as well. They still have not reported this theft.”

“Yeah, I see. What do you think-maybe the NKVD doesn’t want to admit it could happen to them?”

“I believe this is the case. They will want to maintain the image of the NKVD as all-powerful.”

“What do you suggest we do now?”

“Maybe we should approach a military installation-” Ishihara stopped suddenly.

“What’s wrong?”

Ishihara held up his hand for Wayne to wait.

Relieved that Ishihara had not malfunctioned in some way, Wayne waited, watching him.

Ishihara turned to him. “The NKVD has report ed a sighting of someone of MC 4’s description.” Ishihara pulled the car away from the curb and drove down the street.

“Oh, yeah! I forgot-Raskov and Konev are still looking for him, too. Where is he?”

“He was originally reported sleeping in a schoolhouse that had been used for housing displaced citizens. Everyone there is in a work brigade that digs ditches every day.”

“You know where?”

“Yes. I have the same directions that were just given to the other NKVD agents.”

“Raskov and Konev might be there. They’ll recognize us when we drive up.”

“As we approach, we can decide how to proceed. In the meantime, I shall continue to monitor the radio band. They will not be able to communicate over it without letting us hear the message, too.”

“We’re driving right into the lion’s den,” said Wayne. “But if that’s where MC 4 is, that’s where we have to go.”