"My father says that Comrade Stalinbelieves the eminent doctors are involved in a plot to poison half the Kremlin,and has suspected them for some time."

Lukin blew smoke out into the freezingcab. Vukashin's father was a senior Party official with friends in the Kremlin.Lukin said dismissively, "Your father ought to keep his opinions tohimself, at least until the courts have done their work. One mad physician witha grudge I can understand. But nine?

It beggars belief."

Lukin rolled down the window and a blastof freezing air stabbed at his face. As he flicked out the remains of thecigarette and rolled up the window again, Vukashin said frostily, "May Ibe permitted an observation, Major Lukin?"

"If you must."

"I think your comment was dismissiveand insulting to Comrade Stalin. My father was simply repeating what Stalinbelieves to be true."

Before Lukin could reply, Pasha flickedhim an irritated look. "How come we always get the assholes assigned tous?" Vukashin said to Lukin angrily, "Really, Major. This man makes amockery of my rank. You ought to report him. And if you don't, I will."

"The man's a Mongol. Allowance mustbe made for that. Do you know anything about the Mongolian race, Vukashin?

Apart from the fact that they were thebest fighters the Red Army ever had, they're impossible to discipline."

"I know this one needs to be taught alesson."

Pasha turned around and glared back atVukashin. "Why don't you shut the fuck up? You're getting so far up mynose I can feel your fucking boots on my chin."

"That's enough, Lieutenant,"Lukin intervened.

The Mongolian was an excellent policeman,a good friend, and totally without fear, but Lukin knew he was wildlyundisciplined and quite capable of stopping the car and hauling the captainfrom the back seat and beating him half to death, despite their difference inrank. Besides, carrying out arrests in the early hours of the morning wasalways a tense and irritable time, and Vukashin's arrogance didn't help.

Lukin swung around in his seat. "Andwith respect, Vukashin, I'm in charge here. And my comment was an observation,not a criticism. So why don't you do yourself a favor and just sit back andenjoy the ride."

He turned back and saw Pasha smilefaintly.

"Wipe that grin off your face,Lieutenant. Take the next left. We're almost there."

The first address was on the left bank ofthe Moscow River. It was one of the big old houses from the Tsar's time,converted into apartments, and one of the better areas in Moscow. Street lampsblazed onto the frosty snow and the river was frozen solid.

The cavalcade came to a halt and Lukinclimbed out of the Emka. As he lit a cigarette he looked over as Vukashin wentto assemble the men. The captain's face looked white with rage.

Lukin had been wrong not to takeVukashin's side but his type irritated him. Arrogant, all polished boots anddiscipline, and everything done by the book. Lukin saw the men jump down fromthe backs of the big, sharp-nosed Zil trucks as Pasha came over, rubbing hisgloved hands to keep out the cold.

The Mongolian lieutenant snorted."That bastard's been getting on my nerves all week, Yuri. Can't you gethim transferred back to wherever he came from?"

"Impossible for now, I'm afraid. Hisfather arranged his posting. So a word of warning-from now on watch yourselfand keep your mouth shut. Are the men ready?"

"Sure."

"OK, let's get this over with."

Lukin crossed to the front door of theapartment block and rang the bell of number eighteen. He saw a light go onbehind the frosted glass.

The approach often favored by the KGB wasto break down the door of the person being arrested. It immediately put thevictim in a state of unease and softened him up for any interrogation. Lukin,however, preferred the civilized approach. See the accused and read him thecharge to his face. The first name on the list was Dr. Yakob Rapaport, apathologist.

A middle-aged woman wearing a dressinggown finally opened the door and peered out. Her hair was covered in a net,curlers underneath. "Yes?"

"My apologies, madam. Is Dr.Rapaport at home?"

Before the woman could reply, Lukin hearda voice in the hallway behind her. "What's wrong, Sarah'@ Who's calling atthis unearthly hour?"

The man who appeared had an overcoatthrown loosely over his shoulders. He wore pajamas and his white beard gave hima distinguished look. He put on his glasses and peered out at the trucks andmen in the street, then at Lukin.

"Who are you? What is this?"

"Dr. Rapaport?"

"Yes."

"My name is Major Lukin. It is myduty to have to inform you that you are under arrest on the orders of KGB 2ndDirectorate. I would be grateful if you would kindly get dressed and come withme. And dress warmly, it's cold outside."

The doctor's face turned chalk white."There must be some mistake. I have committed no crime. I don'tunderstand."

"Neither do I, Doctor. But I have myorders. So please be so kind as to do as I ask."

The doctor hesitated, and suddenly hiswife put a hand to her mouth and her face was a mask of fear as she stared backat Lukin.

"Please ..." the woman pleaded.

"Forgive me, madam," Lukin saidas reassuringly as he Could. "Hopefully this is all a misunderstanding.But it's best if your husband comes now."

The doctor put his arm around his wife'sshoulder and nodded shakily to Lukin.

"Come inside, Major, and I'll getdressed."

It was almost six when the arrests hadbeen completed.

Most of the physicians on the list hadcome resignedly, but all in shock and some in protest. One had to be draggedforcibly to the back of a truck. None of the doctors seemed to believe that itwas happening to them.

. At the last address in the Nagatinodistrict there was an incident, and it was recorded in the KGB arrest reportfor that morning. The doctor in question was a widower in his late fifties, andlived alone on the third floor of the apartment block.

Lukin rang the bell several times butafter a minute there had been no reply and he saw a curtain flicker in one ofthe upstairs windows. In exasperation he rang another apartment, and when thewoman tenant appeared and saw the KGB men and vehicles outside she was rootedto the spot and started to shake, but Lukin went in past her, followed byVukashin.

Lukin reached the third floor and poundedon the door of the doctor's apartment. When Vukashin finally kicked it in, theyfound the man hiding in the bathroom. The doctor had obviously seen the mencome to arrest him and was in a state of shock.

Lukin's orders had been to carry out thearrests discreetly and with no fuss, but before he could get to the doctor,Vukashin had crossed to the cowering man and started to lash out with hisfists.

"Get up, you Jewish filth! Getup!"

Lukin came up smartly behind Vukashin andhit him hard across the back of the neck, a blow that sent the captain crashinginto the wall.

As Vukashin slid down, blood on his face,Pasha came rushing up the stairs to investigate, his pistol drawn.

Lukin barked, "Get the doctordownstairs. Now!"

Pasha did as he was ordered and Lukindragged the captain to his feet and stared angrily into his face.

"Understand something, Vukashin. Youdon't ever hit a prisoner while I'm in charge of an arrest. These are peopleyou're dealing with, not animals. Have you got that?" Vukashin glared atLukin arrogantly but said nothing. A trickle of blood dribbled from his mouth.Pasha came back up the stairs, and as he came into the room Lukin shovedVukashin aside. "Get this idiot out of my sight before I throw up."