The colonel stepped forward and handedover the file. Beria flicked it open idly.

"I've been reading your background,Lukin. An interesting story, Of a once renowned officer who fell fromgrace." He grinned crookedly and glanced at Lukin's hand. "Were itnot for your little error in '44, doubtless you'd be a full colonel.by now andstill have your hand."

Lukin said uncomfortably, "I presumethere is a reason for my visit here, Comrade Beria?"

"I haven't finished. By all accountsyou were one of the best counter-intelligence officers we had during the war.You had a particular talent for hunting down enemy agents the Germans slippedinto our territory."

"That was a long time ago, Comrade Beria."

"Not that long ago, I think.Besides, some talents we are born with. Tell me, I heard all the best people inyour department, the ones who tracked down German enemy agents, were orphans.Is that true, Lukin?"

"I couldn't say, comrade.,'

"But an odd fact, I'm sure? No doubtthe psychologists might make something of it. A passion for seeking andfinding, as if such people had a thirst to discover their own truth. But you,Lukin, stood head and shoulders above them."

"Those days are behind me, Comrade Beria.The war's over and now I'm just a simple policeman. Such matters don't concernme.

"Don't demean your position, Lukin.You're far from simple and the KGB doesn't recruit fools."

"I meant ..."

"Forget what you meant," Beriasaid abruptly, and sat back. "What if I told you there was a threat to ourglorious Comrade Stalin's life? Would that concern you?"

Lukin stared at Beria, then at thecolonel opposite. When Lukin looked back he said, "I'm not sure Iunderstand."

Beria gestured to the KGB colonel. "Thisis Colonel Romulka, one of my personal staff. Tell Lukin the presentsituation."

Romulka stood with his hands behind hisback, his chest pouting.

"Two hours ago one of our Migfighters on patrol in the Gulf of Finland disappeared from radar control inTallinn. We believe the pilot had detected an intruder in Soviet airspace. Wesent three other Migs to the vectors where the aircraft disappeared. An hourago the wreckage of the missing Mig was spotted in the ice in the Baltic Sea.There also appears to be the wreckage of a light aircraft it collided with. Aspecial foot patrol is on its way across the ice to examine the crashsite."

Beria looked back at Lukin. "Notterribly interesting, you might say. However, according to our intelligencesources, the Americans intended infiltrating two agents, a man and a woman,into Moscow with the purpose of killing Comrade Stalin. We believe a parachutedrop of these people may already have taken place near Taflinn and the lightaircraft was their transport. Despite the errors in your past, certain seniorofficers still speak highly of your talents, Lukin. I want you to find the manand woman and bring them to me, preferably alive."

Lukin looked stunned. "I don'tunderstand."

"It's simple, Lukin. I'm going togive you a chance to redeem yourself. As of this moment you're in charge ofthis case, on my direct orders."

Beria handed a file across. "Takethat and study it. Inside you'll find everything we have on the woman and manwe believe the Americans have sent. The man in particular should prove aparticularly interesting quarry. Besides, I think you and he have certain, letus say, characteristics in common. Age, for one. And intelligence and ability,I imagine. You may both be suitably matched. Wasn't that a device your peoplesometimes used during the war? Pick a man with similar attributes to his enemyto hunt him down and kill him? Some quack psychologist's suggestion, no doubt,but surprisingly I believe it sometimes worked."

"This man and woman, who arethey?"

"It's all in the file, as much as weknow, including how we surmised the Americans' intentions. There arephotographs, which should be of some help. The man will prove a capableadversary, I believe, so be careful, Lukin. And another thing. You will have absoluteauthority to do as you see fit to apprehend these criminals."

Beria produced a letter from his pocketand handed it across with a flourish.

Lukin read the letter and Beria said,"Should anyone doubt your authority, that states you are working directlyfor me and all assistance demanded by you will be given without question. Youreport to me personally. Choose any personnel you need from among your ownstaff. Colonel Romulka here will act as my personal representative in the case.He's of superior rank but you will be in command. Needless to say, Romulka willgive you any assistance you require. You look shocked, Lukin."

"I don't know what to say,comrade."

"Then say nothing. A Mig is standingby at Vnukovo to fly you to Tallinn as soon as the weather clears. The localKGB and military have already mounted patrols to find the couple and will beexpecting you. Local commanders have been informed of the hunt for thesepeople, but obviously not their mission's intention, for now that remainsclassified. Colonel Romulka will join you later. If there are any furtherdevelopments, the duty officer will contact your office."

Beria snapped his fingers and Romulkacrossed to the projector and switched it on. Then Beria looked back, his eyesflashing dark and dangerous, as a threatening look clouded his features.

"These are high stakes, Lukin. Sodon't fail me. I'd hate to think of you up on this screen some day in front ofa firing squad. Find the man and woman. Find them and bring them to me. Themoment you do, Stalin himself has promised to make you a full colonel. Fail meand I will be unforgiving. You have your orders. You are excused."

Beria waved a hand dismissively andpoured himself more champagne. Moments later Romulka pressed a switch and theroom plunged into darkness, before the screen flickered to life seconds later.

Romulka came back and led Lukin out.

At the door, something made Lukin glanceback. The film on the screen was in black and white, with no sound, just the clickingof the projector reel as a series of disturbing, vivid images appeared. WhatLukin saw made his blood run cold.

A naked girl was tied down on a longmetal table. She was dark-haired and very young. Her arms and legs were splayedwide apart with leather straps and her eyes were wide open in horror. Frothspewed from her mouth, as if she were having a fit. She squirmed wildly,helplessly, her mouth open in a silent scream. Her head bounced off the metaltable as she tried in vain to free herself.

A man came into the picture. He wore athick rubber apron over his KGB uniform. His fingers probed roughly between thegirl's legs and then he began inserting a thick electric probe into her vagina,a long wire flex attached to the probe Lukin saw the look of pained horror onthe child's face and turned away in disbelief, in disgust, unable to bearwatching the film a second more, as Beria sat there, sipping his champagne,looking at the screen.

Romulka grinned as he pulled on a blackleather glove. "What's the matter, Lukin? Can't stand seeing a womantortured?" He flicked a look at Lukin's hand. "No wonder that Germanbitch disfigured you. I would have shot her between the eyes."

Romulka slapped the other leather gloveinto his hand and went out grinning. Lukin waited a moment, then followed,wanting to be sick.

Half an hour later Lukin Was Smoking acigarette and reading through the file Beria had given him when Pasha entered.

The Mongolian lieutenant brushed snowfrom his overcoat. "It's really coming down out there. So what the fuck'sup that you get me out of bed at one A.M.?" He stared over at Lukin."Hey, you look like you've seen a ghost."