Branigan leaned in closer. "Youbroke the rules, Massey. And it mattered all right. You want to know howmuch?" Branigan explained about the Stalin file found on Braun's body, andthe suspicion that a Soviet team had visited the cabin.

Massey was deathly silent, then he said,"Stanski thought the file was destroyed in the fire."

"Well, it wasn't. And if your twofriends landed safely my guess is they've walked into big trouble. Kislov andhis pals in Moscow are going to put two and two together. And they're going tohope that we go ahead with our plans, because that way they just might catchyour friend Stanski and the woman when they land. That's why they didn't removethe file. That Mig we think bumped into Saarinen's plane, it wasn't acoincidence. Within two hours of Kislov landing in Moscow every damned Sovietborder post, naval and air base were put on alert-including the one outsideHelsinki, at Porkkula. Kislov's people in Moscow may not know when or which wayStanski is coming, but they'll figure out the likely bets, the ways we've usedbefore, and they'll hedge them."

Branigan saw the shock on Massey's faceand sat down.

"And you know what's going to happenif Moscow captures them alive?

Shit, there's enough meat in this pie tostart World War Three. First, you'd have a show trial, and when the evidencecame out in court, every country in the world is going to point an accusingfinger at Uncle Sam. After that, Moscow can do pretty much as it wants, and doit self-righteously, because we're knee-deep in our own dirty washing-we sentin an assassin to kill a world leader and that's a naughty thing to do by anystandards."

"Stanski would never let himself betaken alive."

"You can't guarantee that, Massey.No one can. It's aces wild right now, and anything could happen. And the factis, Moscow's probably already on his tail, and that ain't good. That's whywe've got to stop this thing before it gets out of hand. That's why I want toknow exactly how this plan of yours works and how you planned to get them intoMoscow. I want names and safe houses and routes. Every last detail. I wantanswers and I want them fast. Because sure as hell, old buddy, we're going toabort this mission, no matter what it takes."

Branigan stared into Massey's troubledface.

"I think you'd better talk, Jake,and talk fast. Before it's too late for all of us."

Tallinn.

The two KGB officers were already seatedin the dining room when Stanski and Anna came down to breakfast the nextmorning. Both stood up politely when they saw Anna enter the room, their eyesred from a late night and too much alcohol.

The older of the two was middle-aged witha ruddy face, a large stomach and bushy mustache. He had a cheerful gleam inhis eye and he introduced himself as Colonel Zinov.

The second man was a boyish-lookingcaptain. His eyes took in Anna's body as he offered his hand.

"Captain Bukar-in at your service,madam." He smiled amiably. "Your uncle just told us about yourarrival. This must be your husband." He shook Stanski's hand and then itwas the colonel's turn.

"Pleasure to meet you both. Youchose a bad time coming to Tallinn in winter, but I do hope your honeymoon willbe pleasant. Will you be staying long?"

"A couple of days, just enough timeto visit relatives and see the old town," Stanski replied.

The captain smiled over at Anna."Perhaps you'd both care to join us for drinks tonight?"

"I'm afraid we already made plans,but thank you for the offer.

Bukarin smiled charmingly and clicked hisheels. "Of course. Another time, perhaps. Enjoy your breakfast."

Breakfast was more thick slices of fattymeat and chunks of goat's cheese and another plateful of oily fish, but therewas fresh white bread and butter. When Stanski led Anna to a table by thewindow he noticed she was pale. As they sat, he whispered, "What's thematter?"

"The way those two looked at me mademe shiver."

Stanski touched her arm and smiled."I'd say they both have an eye for the ladies. Relax. And remember, theythink we're on our honeymoon. So cheer up."

Beyond the window the sky was clear andblue. On the cobbled square outside there seemed to be some kind of marketgoing on, groups of countrymen in cloth caps standing around examining horses.

Gorev came in moments later carrying twojugs of steaming tea and coffee. He chatted with the two officers a momentbefore they finished their breakfast and left the room.

He came over. "Looks like you bothpassed with flying colors." He winked at Anna. "And the young one,Bukarin, has definitely taken a fancy to you, I can see that."

"I'm supposed to be a marriedwoman."

"That hasn't stopped either of thembefore."

Stanski stood up and went to the window.Horses' hooves clattered on cobblestone and the square was crowding withpeople. "What's happening outside?"

"Horse market day," said Gorev."The horseflesh dealers meet here every month."

An Emka was parked outside and momentslater they heard heavy footsteps in the hallway and the sound of a dooropening; then the two officers stepped into the car before it rattled offnoisily over the cobbles, leaving upset horses and dealers in their wake.

Stanski said, "Where have your twoguests gone?" Gorev poured coffee and said scornfully, "Off to pickup their girlfriends for more drinking and carousing. The bastards even had memake them up a picnic. I hope it kills them." When Gorev fell silent,Stanski said, "What's the matter?"

Gorev wiped his hands anxiously on hisapron. '@It may be nothing important, but one of the delivery men who came thismorning, he said there were plain-clothes militia at the railway station,checking papers. They seemed quite thorough. But what stuck him as odd was thatthey were checking both men and women."

"What's odd about that?"

Gorev tugged at his beard. "Moreusually the militia are in uniform when they're at the station, and trying tocatch army deserters. Only this time they seemed to be paying as much attentionto the women. I'll have to contact Erik and ask him to find out what'shappening, but it may take a couple of hours. In the meantime, I suggest youremain here at the inn."

Stanski came back from the window andfinished his coffee. He looked at Anna. "I don't know about you, but Ineed some air." Anna looked at Gorev, who shrugged. "Personally, Iwould prefer it if you both waited until I hear from Erik. Who knows?

There may be trouble."

"What sort of trouble?"

"That's God's guess. But if there'sa lot of militia about, you can be sure something's up and it may be unwise totempt your luck."

Stanski produced his wallet and examinedhis papers and food coupons. "Maybe now is our chance to see if our papersstand up to the test. I'd say it's as good a time as any." He smiled overat Anna. "What do you say?"

"Maybe Toomas is right. Perhaps itwould be safer to stay here. But if you think we should ... ?"

Stanski grinned. "You're playing thecompliant wife. Leaving the decisions to your husband."

"Then let's just hope, my darlinghusband, that it's the right one."

Stanski put away his wallet and saw theworried look on Gorev's face. "Don't fret, we'll be back before you knowit. You have a map of the town?"

Gorev wiped his hands nervously on hisapron. "In the back room. But I hope you're doing the right thing. And ifyou must go out, an hour, no more. Otherwise I'll start to worry."

Lukin came awake a little after eight,his head aching and his mouth dry. He had slept for only three hours and therewere dark shadows under his eyes.