happened, according to Investigator Renko, was that some of the older riders got off the train earlier than they had intended and, as a result, found themselves stranded with a blizzard above and no more trains below.”
The reporter would not be shaken off.
“Which Metro station?”
“That’s irrelevant.”
“Are you investigating further, Prosecutor Zurin?”
“Not to chase phantoms. Not while there are real criminals on the street.”
“One last question, how did this rumor about Stalin get started? Do you or your investigator think it’s a hoax? A political statement?”
Zurin composed himself. “We think no conclusions need be drawn. Stalin is a figure of undeniable historical significance, who continues to draw positive and negative reactions, but there is no reason to make him responsible for every mistake we make.”
“Even getting off the train at the wrong stop?”
“Just so.”
Arkady sat, stunned, dimly aware that the next news item was on the trial of a war veteran who had shot and killed a pizza deliveryman who resembled a Chechen. Other vets were lending moral support to their brother in arms.
Eva turned off the set. “You are ‘familiar with Stalin’? What did Zurin mean by that?”
“You’ve got me.”
The phone rang and this time Arkady picked up.
“Ah,” Zurin said. “No more games. Now you answer. Did you see the news? Wasn’t it interesting?”
“There should have been no publicity.”
“I agree with you but, apparently, someone spoke to the press. I had to deal with reporters because the investigator assigned to the case was incommunicado. Renko, the next time I call you, whether it’s your weekend or your deathbed, you will jump to the phone.”
“‘Familiar with Stalin’?” Eva repeated. “Ask him what he means.”
Zurin said, “Explain to your lady friend that she is in a vulnerable position. Today I decided to review her papers. Doctor Eva Kazka is a divorced Ukrainian national with a Moscow residency permit based on her employment at a city polyclinic. Previous employment, a medical clinic in the Chernobyl Zone of Exclusion. A negative word, even a phone call from my office, and she would lose her present employment and her permit and go back to playing doctor for two-headed babies in Ukraine. Do you understand? Just say yes.”
“Completely.” Arkady watched Eva pull the sheet tight around herself.
“And that’s why you will answer every time I call and why you will handle this investigation exactly as I say. Do you agree?”
Eva said, “Whatever it is, say no.”
Arkady said, “What investigation? You told the reporter there wouldn’t be one.”
“What else could I say? That we were going to conduct a ghost hunt in the middle of Moscow? There will be an investigation but it will be confidential.”
“Don’t you think people will wonder why I’m asking questions if I’m not on a case?”
“You will have a case. You will investigate the claims of a citizen who says he has received threats against his life.”
“Then he wants a bodyguard, not me.”
Zurin said, “We don’t take it seriously. He’s reported death threats for twenty years. He’s paranoid. He also happens to be an expert on Stalin. You’ll be doing an investigation within an investigation. In fact, I’ve arranged it so you start tonight. The expert has agreed to meet you at the Park Kultury Metro and take the last train of the night for Chistye Prudy station. You will ride in the last car, since that seems to be where the sighting was.”
“Who is this expert?” Arkady asked, but Zurin had hung up.
“You weren’t going to do this,” Eva said.
Arkady filled her glass and then his.
“Well, you changed your mind and now I’ve changed my mind. Cheers.”
Eva left her glass where it was. “I have to go to work. The last thing I need is to tend sick children with vodka on my breath. You are ‘familiar with Stalin issues’? What did Zurin mean by
The reporter would not be shaken off.
“Which Metro station?”
“That’s irrelevant.”
“Are you investigating further, Prosecutor Zurin?”
“Not to chase phantoms. Not while there are real criminals on the street.”
“One last question, how did this rumor about Stalin get started? Do you or your investigator think it’s a hoax? A political statement?”
Zurin composed himself. “We think no conclusions need be drawn. Stalin is a figure of undeniable historical significance, who continues to draw positive and negative reactions, but there is no reason to make him responsible for every mistake we make.”
“Even getting off the train at the wrong stop?”
“Just so.”
Arkady sat, stunned, dimly aware that the next news item was on the trial of a war veteran who had shot and killed a pizza deliveryman who resembled a Chechen. Other vets were lending moral support to their brother in arms.
Eva turned off the set. “You are ‘familiar with Stalin’? What did Zurin mean by that?”
“You’ve got me.”
The phone rang and this time Arkady picked up.
“Ah,” Zurin said. “No more games. Now you answer. Did you see the news? Wasn’t it interesting?”
“There should have been no publicity.”
“I agree with you but, apparently, someone spoke to the press. I had to deal with reporters because the investigator assigned to the case was incommunicado. Renko, the next time I call you, whether it’s your weekend or your deathbed, you will jump to the phone.”
“‘Familiar with Stalin’?” Eva repeated. “Ask him what he means.”
Zurin said, “Explain to your lady friend that she is in a vulnerable position. Today I decided to review her papers. Doctor Eva Kazka is a divorced Ukrainian national with a Moscow residency permit based on her employment at a city polyclinic. Previous employment, a medical clinic in the Chernobyl Zone of Exclusion. A negative word, even a phone call from my office, and she would lose her present employment and her permit and go back to playing doctor for two-headed babies in Ukraine. Do you understand? Just say yes.”
“Completely.” Arkady watched Eva pull the sheet tight around herself.
“And that’s why you will answer every time I call and why you will handle this investigation exactly as I say. Do you agree?”
Eva said, “Whatever it is, say no.”
Arkady said, “What investigation? You told the reporter there wouldn’t be one.”
“What else could I say? That we were going to conduct a ghost hunt in the middle of Moscow? There will be an investigation but it will be confidential.”
“Don’t you think people will wonder why I’m asking questions if I’m not on a case?”
“You will have a case. You will investigate the claims of a citizen who says he has received threats against his life.”
“Then he wants a bodyguard, not me.”
Zurin said, “We don’t take it seriously. He’s reported death threats for twenty years. He’s paranoid. He also happens to be an expert on Stalin. You’ll be doing an investigation within an investigation. In fact, I’ve arranged it so you start tonight. The expert has agreed to meet you at the Park Kultury Metro and take the last train of the night for Chistye Prudy station. You will ride in the last car, since that seems to be where the sighting was.”
“Who is this expert?” Arkady asked, but Zurin had hung up.
“You weren’t going to do this,” Eva said.
Arkady filled her glass and then his.
“Well, you changed your mind and now I’ve changed my mind. Cheers.”
Eva left her glass where it was. “I have to go to work. The last thing I need is to tend sick children with vodka on my breath. You are ‘familiar with Stalin issues’? What did Zurin mean by
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