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Page 232
piewhite desk, close to the door. She held her handbag, a bulky satchel of imitation leather, with both hands across her lap. She cast a sweeping glance around the room, appreciative of the beauty and luxury surrounding her. She was trying to remember Ambassador Abramov's exact words. Her lips moved soundlessly.
When Charlotte returned with the tea tray containing a silver teapot and two silver-handled glasses, Olga half-rose from her chair. In so doing, she dropped her handbag, out of which spilled a bulky envelope. She stooped swiftly to retrieve it. Charlotte placed the tea service on the coffee table in front of the sofa and beckoned Olga to join her. She poured the tea, giving the nervous girl time to recover herself, fearful of what she would have to say.
Olga sank down uneasily on the sofa and picked up the glass with a shaking hand, then put it down again. "I am clumsy, Madame Ambassador"
"Be at ease, Olga Vetsayeva," Charlotte said in Russian.
The sound of her own language had a firming effect on Olga. She took a deep breath and said, "Before he left, Ambassador Abramov said I was to come to you."
"Yes. He told me of the arrangement."
The girl's face crumpled. "He has been arrested," she said in a desolate voice. "The moment aircraft reached Moscow, he was arrested." She caught her breath with difficulty and rushed on. "And Minister Milstein, his closest friendhe has been killed in hunting accident."
Charlotte suppressed her shock and fear, asking evenly, "How do you know this?"
Olga lifted her square chin proudly. "In my country, Madame Conroy, many truly believe in freedom. We have been promised democracy. Officer of militia witnessed arrest of ambassador at Sheremeteyvo and used Ministry of Foreign Affairs wire to send message here to Mission. Official announcement about Minister Milstein was in intelligence bulletin." She spoke agitatedly, articles and pronouns vanishing.

 
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