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Page 230
hoping that the voice on the other end would be that of Nathan Abramov; that he had changed his mind about returning to Moscow. She was overcome with a feeling of apprehension.
The voice of Otis Washington, the security guard at the lobby desk, was apologetic. "Sorry to wake you, Dr. Conroy, but there's a foreign woman here who says she must see you. I told her I couldn't disturb you at this time of night, but she insists. I remember what you told me when I first came to work here, Doctor: 'First say no, then listen hard.' So I thought I had better wake you. She says she's from the Russian Mission. Here, Dr. Conroy, she wants to talk to you herself."
Charlotte Conroy disliked the impersonality of the official ambassadorial apartment in the Waldorf Towers, and so she spent what she called "private time" at her own co-op apartment close to Central Park. It was within earshot of Fifth Avenue, but the morning was as nearly silent as early mornings ever were in New York. Sleety rain fell on the terrace outside her bedroom, and Charlotte could hear the hiss of tires on wet pavement as New York's night people drove by the building.
A woman's voice came on the line, heavily accented, one that Charlotte recognized from the brief meeting they'd had earlier, when Nathan's letter had been hand delivered. "Madame Ambassador, here speaks Olga Vetsayeva, personal assistant to Ambassador Abramov. Please forgive intrusion, but is only time I can get away."
Charlotte Conroy's pulse raced. "Do not apologize. I understand, Miss Vetsayeva. Put the security gentleman on again, please." When Washington's deep voice answered, Charlotte said, "Bring her up at once, Otis."
"Right away, Doctor."
Charlotte rose and walked into the dressing room, her mind spinning with speculation. She splashed cold water on her face, brushed her hair into its usual silvery cap, and put on some lipstick. She put on a lace-trimmed satin robe and slippers and headed for the tiny kitchen. Her live-in maid, Rosa Gonzales, heard the commotion and opened the door of her

 
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