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Page 233
"How was a militiaman able to use the Foreign Ministry wire?" Charlotte was puzzled, wary.
Olga's face showed her distress at Charlotte's reservations. "Foreign Ministry communications person send message. All persons who know and admire Ambassador Abramov. Some are members of his old discussion group from even before perestroika. Some former students. Is truth. Even among police can find democrats," she said proudly.
She opened her purse and produced her precious burden, the envelope she had previously dropped. It was closed with red wax seals. "Ambassador Abramov entrusted me with this. He said, 'Give this to Ambassador Conroy in event of arrest, Olga.' Please accept, madame."
Charlotte accepted.
Once relieved of the envelope, Olga sagged back against the cushions, weary beyond belief. Only her affection and respect for Nathan Abramov had driven her to carry out such a dark and probably dangerous task. She was afraid that the days ahead would be just as stressful. And she would have no one to protect her, now that Ambassador Abramov had been arrested. Who knew what questions might be asked of her? But she would never tell anyone of the last task she had performed for the ambassador.
Charlotte looked at her with sympathy mixed with sadness. "Have you slept at all tonight, Olga?" the older woman asked.
"No, Madame Ambassador."
"What will you do now? Would you like to stay here with me? Or will you return to the Mission?"
Real fear flared in Olga's pale eyes. But she said firmly, "Yes, of course I return, Madame Ambassador. It is where I belong."
Charlotte put three teaspoons of sugar in Olga's glass of tea and handed it to her. "Drink it, my dear," she said. "You need something hot and sweet." As she watched Olga sip the beverage, Charlotte Conroy thought ruefully that Diet Pepsi would be more her style than sugared tea in the style of her

 
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