Worlds Collide, page 32
“I made my choice. Eventually, they will learn what I did.” Artyom motioned to their room. “The embassy is sending some people over. If I’m able, I’ll go onto my balcony after they leave.”
Though his reluctance was evident on his face, Viktor unlocked his door and ushered Josef inside.
Their door clicked closed as the elevator dinged again. This time, Budimir emerged with two well-dressed men in their late fifties. Not guards. Diplomats.
Budimir motioned to Artyom. “Come with us.”
Artyom followed Budimir. They entered the spare hotel room that had been used as the breakfast area. As soon as the door closed behind them, Budimir said, “This is Nestor and Denis from the embassy.” He waved at Artyom. “Artyom Belsky is our director of figure skating.”
“And you are aware of tonight’s situation?”
“I know that some of our men were arrested and others are at the embassy.”
“Yes, and now Global Affairs Canada is making demands.” Nestor sat down.
“What sort of demands?” Artyom asked.
“They are threatening to reveal our country’s involvement in what they are calling an attempted kidnapping if we don’t grant Katerina Petrova access to her family.”
“They want us to allow them to defect?” Budimir’s hands lifted in an I-can’t-believe-this gesture. “We can’t allow this.”
“Not defect,” Denis said. “Simply the opportunity to visit.”
“A visit can lead to a defection,” Nestor countered. “We all know this.”
Artyom mustered his courage to speak. “If I may, I don’t think the Petrovs are interested in defecting. Viktor’s wife is still in Leningrad. It’s unlikely he would stay here and leave her behind.”
“What do you think?” Denis asked Budimir.
“The man appears devoted to his wife, but I don’t like this.”
“Nor do I, but if our men’s involvement comes to light, our athletes could be banned at the next Olympics,” Nestor said. “We can’t afford to have that happen.”
“Is this all they are asking for?” Artyom asked.
“No, but they have yet to submit their full demands,” Denis said.
“I don’t trust them,” Nestor added.
Budimir folded his arms. “Neither do I.”
Chapter Forty-Three
Katerina couldn’t contain her joy and relief when Amaliya walked into her suite with Tyler and Gordon.
“Congratulations!” Robert scooped Amaliya into a hug.
“Thanks, Papa.”
Robert released her, and Amaliya stepped into Katerina’s outstretched arms. “I’m so proud of you. And I’m so sorry we couldn’t be there.”
Amaliya held on for a long moment before stepping free from her embrace. “What happened?”
Katerina glanced at Robert, not sure how much they should share.
“She’s old enough to know the truth,” Robert said.
Robert was right. Katerina motioned to the couch. “Come sit down.”
Once they were all seated, Katerina and Robert explained the message they had received and the events of the night.
When they finished, Tyler let out a low whistle. “Thank goodness you’re okay.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell us what was going on,” Amaliya said, a touch of accusation in her voice.
“We didn’t want you to worry,” Robert said.
Tyler stretched his arm along the back of the couch, his hand resting on Amaliya’s shoulder. “What happens now?”
“We’re waiting to hear back from Nelson Thompson from Global Affairs Canada.” Katerina glanced at the phone. “I was hoping we would have heard from him by now.”
“Maybe now is a good time to share our news,” Tyler said.
Amaliya’s face lit up.
“What?” Katerina asked.
“Tyler and I decided tonight,” Amaliya said with a wide smile, “that we’re going to keep competing.”
“Really?” Katerina’s heart lifted. Her little girl was staying home. Granted, she would soon be her married little girl, but keeping her close by was what mattered.
“That’s assuming you’re both okay with us living in the apartment over the garage once we get married,” Tyler said.
Robert glanced at Katerina before he answered for both of them. “I think we can handle that.”
“I’m sorry we’ll still be invading your kitchen all the time,” Tyler added.
“It will be like when I was still living in Leningrad.” Katerina offered a wistful smile. “My brother and his wife moved in with my parents after they married.”
“I’m so glad they still live in the house where you grew up,” Amaliya said. “I love that Tyler and I were able to visit it.”
“Even though we practically froze while we were there.” Tyler gave a mock shudder.
“That’s true,” Amaliya said. “Visiting Viktor’s house when we were in Leningrad made me appreciate the little things, like having a working heater.”
“You’ll have heat,” Robert said. “You’ll also have a kitchen.”
“What?” Amaliya asked.
“I may have called a contractor last week to see about expanding the apartment,” Robert said. “I don’t have the plans yet, but I told him adding a kitchen is our top priority.”
“Really?” Amaliya stood and crossed to her father. She kissed his cheek. “Papa, that’s incredible.”
“Consider it an early wedding present.” Robert tilted his head toward Tyler. “Sorry, Tyler, but you’re about to live in a construction zone.”
“That’s okay.” Tyler’s expression vacillated between embarrassed and grateful. “I can’t believe you’re doing this.”
“It’s for us too,” Robert said. “If a bit of remodeling will keep Amaliya close by, it’s worth it.”
Someone knocked on the door. Robert checked through the peephole before answering it.
Tyler’s parents and the Donnellys walked in, all of them grinning.
Miles looked past Robert and spotted Amaliya. “I heard there are some gold medalists in here somewhere.”
“I still can’t believe it.” Amaliya embraced Miles and Linda in turn, before hugging Tyler’s parents. “Thanks so much for being here. It means so much to us.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” Linda glanced at Katerina. “Have you two decided what comes next for you?”
Amaliya’s smile was instant. “We’re going to keep competing.”
“Well, I am thrilled to hear that.” Nancy said.
“Me too.” Linda reached into her purse and retrieved an envelope. “And now that you’ve made your choice, this is for you.”
Amaliya took it from her. “What is it?”
“It’s a little contribution from my family to help cover your living costs.”
Amaliya opened the envelope and skimmed the document she pulled out. Her jaw dropped.
“Amaliya?” Tyler stepped closer and read over Amaliya’s shoulder. His gaze whipped up to focus on Linda. “You’re giving us an apartment?”
“You have a choice of living in an apartment in one of my father’s buildings in Virginia, or you can have a monetary stipend equal to it.” Linda glanced at Katerina before adding, “If you decide to live with the Marcells, the stipend will be enough to cover the rest of your living expenses until you decide you’re ready to retire from competition.”
“They’re going to stay in the apartment over the garage,” Robert said quickly. “Right?”
Amaliya turned to Tyler. “If Papa really remodels the apartment, it would be the best of both worlds.”
“I agree,” Tyler said, “but Linda, I don’t understand how this is possible. This much money each month adds up to a lot, especially if we go all the way to the ’88 Olympics.”
“Yes, but my family can afford it,” Linda said. “My father’s company has been very successful over the years, and he’s come to be a big supporter of the arts. It didn’t take much convincing for him to see you two as promising artists who could use a little help.”
“Thank you, Linda.” Amaliya reached out and hugged her.
“You’re welcome.” Linda turned to Katerina. “Any word yet on your brother?”
“Nothing yet.” The phone rang, and Katerina snatched up the receiver on the table beside her. “Hello?”
“Mrs. Marcell, this is Nelson Thompson. I have some news.”
“Good news, I hope?”
“I believe so,” Nelson said. “I’ve been negotiating with the embassy personnel at the Soviet embassy.”
“And?” Katerina asked.
“They have agreed to allow your family to meet with you.”
Hope and fear both rose within her. “Are you sure it isn’t a trap?”
“You will be meeting them before the ladies’ long program tomorrow night, and we will have police present to ensure that no one tries to take you anywhere you don’t want to go.”
Hope took flight. “Thank you so much.”
“I should warn you that the Soviets will also have some of their security personnel to ensure that your brother doesn’t try to defect.”
“But the police will be there.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“In that case, I want to try.”
“That’s what I needed to know,” Nelson said. “We’ll work out the final details tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” Katerina hung up, her emotions rising as tears filled her eyes. Finally. She was finally going to see Viktor. She could finally apologize for leaving him behind.
“Well?” Robert asked.
“Tomorrow.” Katerina sniffled. “Tomorrow, I get to see my brother.”
Viktor hovered by his balcony door, watching for any sign of movement from the room beside him. Nothing. Over an hour had passed since he and Josef had returned, yet not even a flicker of light had come from Artyom’s room.
Viktor’s own light was also off, a concession to the lights-out rule given by the security forces. Viktor should have retired to bed some time ago, but the possibility of news regarding Katerina had his mind racing.
Behind him, Josef paced the room as though trying to keep himself awake. Midnight had already come and gone, and Josef had been on his feet for hours, translating for the skaters and the coaches during the competition.
Viktor fought against his disappointment in Josef’s involvement with the KGB and motioned to him. Josef crossed the room to stand at Viktor’s side.
Viktor lowered his voice to a whisper. “You should sleep. You have work tomorrow.”
“So do you.”
It was true. In a matter of hours, both he and Josef would need to be up serving breakfast before leaving for the rink with Sonya.
Despite his turmoil of emotions regarding Josef’s earlier actions, his paternal instinct rose within him. “You can’t afford to make any more mistakes while we’re here.”
“Helping your sister wasn’t a mistake.”
A piece of the wall between them chipped away. Josef may have been naive, but when it had mattered most, his values had shown through.
“You’re right.”
Knuckles rapped against wood. Was that someone knocking at their door? Viktor and Josef exchanged a confused glance. The sound repeated.
Viktor moved to the door and looked through the peephole. Artyom. Why would he be coming to their door instead of their joined balcony?
With some trepidation, Viktor opened the door. “Is everything okay?”
“Arrangements have been made. You will see your sister tomorrow.”
Viktor grabbed the edge of the door. Had the impossible really happened?
“A meeting has been approved,” Artyom continued.
“With permission?” Viktor asked.
“With permission.” Artyom nodded. “It will happen tomorrow before the ladies’ long program.”
Viktor gripped Artyom’s hand. “Thank you.”
An intense emotion flashed in Artyom’s eyes. Was that regret? “You’re welcome.” Artyom stepped back and moved to his room. He glanced at Viktor for a moment before disappearing inside.
Viktor closed his door and slid the chain back in place. Though there was no reason to assume Artyom would have more to tell him, he moved back to the balcony window and picked up his coat from where he had left it on the back of a chair.
Only a few seconds passed before the faint noise of a sliding door opening carried to him. Viktor slipped on his coat and quietly opened his door. Josef followed.
Artyom already waited beside the narrow railing separating their two balconies.
“What didn’t you tell us?” Viktor asked.
“Global Affairs Canada is negotiating with the embassy. Your meeting with your sister will be supervised by the KGB and the local police to ensure everyone’s safety.”
“It’s not a trap?” Josef asked.
“No.”
“What about Josef? What will happen to him when we return home?”
“That was discussed tonight. I made the argument that Josef was acting instinctively to protect a family member, that he was unaware of the plan to return Katerina to the Soviet Union.”
“Was that enough to protect him?” Viktor asked.
Vulnerability flashed on Josef’s face. “I don’t want to go to jail.”
“Neither do I,” Artyom said. “There is little hope for me, but if you have the chance, I recommend you ask Global Affairs Canada to ensure your safety as one of the negotiating points in exchange for their silence.”
“Why would you go to jail?” Josef asked.
“Because he helped Katerina.” Viktor studied the man before him in a new light.
“Yes.” A quiet resignation hit Artyom’s voice. “The KGB already suspects someone leaked their plans to the police. I’m one of the few who knew of them besides the KGB. Eventually, the truth will come out.”
“What of your family? Are they at risk too?”
“I have no family.”
“Then you have nothing to go home to.” Viktor glanced from Artyom to Josef and back again. His sister’s defection had taken years to recover from, and the stigma still followed his family. Was it possible he could reclaim his family pride while also helping Artyom?
“Tell me exactly where we are meeting tomorrow. I have an idea that could help both you and Josef.”
“What kind of idea?” Artyom asked.
“The one that turns you into a defector and Josef into a hero.”
A spark lighted Artyom’s eyes. “You have my attention.”
Chapter Forty-Four
Katerina laced her fingers as she gripped her hands together in her lap. The large practice room was lined with mirrors on two walls, a thick mat covering the floor. A handful of chairs had been set up in the corner of the room opposite the room’s single entrance. She sat in the center with Robert on one side and Amaliya and Tyler on the other. Two policemen stood beside the door, and Nelson had assured her that two others would be positioned outside in addition to one of the arena’s security guards.
Beyond the guards, Miles and Linda also stood nearby, both of them holding cameras. Linda had taken control of the Polaroid, ready to snap photos for her when Viktor arrived, while Miles held the Nikon she typically used when capturing family memories.
Time stretched out, every second passing by as though it were several minutes.
Finally, the door opened, and a KGB agent walked in.
Katerina stiffened. Robert’s hand reached over to rest on top of hers. Another man entered, but this one didn’t have the hardened look of someone in security. He stepped aside to make room for the two men who followed. Josef. She recognized him from the night of her attempted kidnapping. Beside him was the older version of her brother. Viktor. He was here.
Katerina shot to her feet, her emotions churning uncomfortably. Did he hate her? Could he ever forgive her for what she had done?
Questions were still circling through her head when Viktor rushed forward, his arms open. Katerina reacted in kind. She rushed into her brother’s welcoming embrace, her eyes watering, her heart full. She breathed him in, the scent of hotel soap and the underlying scent that was uniquely his.
A knot formed in her throat, blocking any words she might have offered. Tears spilled over.
Viktor held her tight for a long moment before he stepped back to look at her with damp eyes.
“I’m so sorry,” Katerina managed. “I wouldn’t have defected if there had been another way.”
Viktor looked past her to where Robert stood. “This is your husband?”
Katerina nodded. She reached out a hand to Robert, and he stepped forward. “Viktor, this is Robert.” She switched from Russian to French. “Robert, this is my brother.”
Robert extended his hand. For an instant, Katerina worried Viktor wouldn’t take it, but he stepped forward and reached out to shake hands.
“It’s good to meet you,” Robert said.
Viktor offered a similar sentiment in Russian.
Viktor motioned his son forward. “This is Josef. I hope you will meet Sonya later.”
“I would like that.” The question that had hummed through Katerina for weeks spilled out. “What happened to the other child? The one Ursula was carrying when I left?”
“A miscarriage.” As though reading her thoughts, Viktor squeezed her hand. “It wasn’t your fault.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“We have been blessed with two wonderful children. They make us proud.”
Katerina shifted her focus to Josef. “Thank you for everything you did.”
Josef glanced at the guard behind him before opting to answer in French instead of Russian. “I was partially at fault for what happened. I am sorry.”
