February 1st-22nd 1953

New Hampshire.

She saw the lake and the wooden house asthey came around the bend in the narrow private road. There was snow on themountains in the distance and the forested scenery below looked remarkably wildand beautiful, like a Russian landscape.

When Stanski halted the car, Masseyopened the door for her and took her suitcase. "Let's get you settled in,then I'll fill you in on what happens next."

Anna looked out at the water and theforest landscape and said to Stanski, "Jake said it was beautiful here,but I never expected it would look like a part of Russia."

Stanski smiled. "There used to beparts around here where Russian was spoken. Small communities of fur trappersand hunters mostly, who came over in the last century. I guess the scenery madethem feel at home."

He took them inside and showed Anna to asmall bedroom upstairs.

"This is your room. It's a bitbasic, I'm afraid, but it's warm and reasonably comfortable. When you'vefinished unpacking I'll be downstairs."

She noticed Stanski look at her, his eyesfaintly lingering on her face a moment, and then he left. There was a singlebed and a chair and the window overlooked the lake. Someone had left someflowers in a vase by the window and fresh towels beside an enamel water jug andbasin on a stand in the corner. When she had unpacked and washed she went backdownstairs and found Massey and Stanski sitting at the pinewood table drinkingcoffee.

Stanski said, "Sit down, Anna."

She sat and Stanski poured her coffee.She studied his face when he wasn't looking. It was neither handsome norunattractive, but there was a look in his eyes she had noticed when she firstmet him, a look like something wasn't right about the man, and there was afaint smile at the corners of his mouth that suggested he found life oddlyamusing.

Now he looked across at her and sat. Thesmile was gone from his face as he said, "First things first. You'recompletely sure you know what you're doing?"

"I wouldn't have come here if Iwasn't."

"Jake told you that you might haveto face dangers. But are you certain you're prepared to face them?"

She looked at Stanski steadily."Yes."

"Hear there are some ground rules Iwant you to understand that apply as long as you're here. About the mission,you don't talk to anyone you meet apart from us here. Did Jake explain aboutVassily?"

"Yes, briefly."

.,Although he's completely trustworthy,for the sake of security you don't discuss the mission with him. But don'tworry about that, he won't ask. We'll be doing some preparation together forthe journey but in ten days' time a man will arrive. His name's Popov. He'sgoing to put us through some pretty rigorous training, both in Soviet weaponsand self-defense. It's a precaution really, for your sake, so you'll know howto handle yourself if you get in a difficult situation. But on no account doyou talk to Popov about our intentions or discuss anything about our plans. Isthat understood?"

She looked briefly at Massey. He wasstaring at her. "Anna, while you're here Alex is in charge. You do as hesays."

She looked back at Stanski. "Verywell. I agree."

"Good. Another rule. You work @andand do your utmost to absorb everything you're going to learn. I want to besure of who I'm going in with. I want to be sure I can depend on you."

"You can."

Stanski stood up slowly. "OK.Concerning the mission itself, and just to let you know, when the time comeswe'll be going into Russia through one of the Baltic states, landing byparachute. Estonia to be precise. You've been to Estonia?"

Anna nodded. "My father served thereas a commander with the Red Army." Stanski said shortly, "Then let'sjust hope when we get there the Estonian resistance we're depending, on to helpus don't get to know about it. At all times during the mission, while it'snecessary, we'll behave as man and wife. If things go according to plan, we'llmake our way to Moscow using regular transport, tram@ and buses, via Leningrad.We'll have a predetermined route and enough contacts to help us as we need. Ifthings go against us for whatever reasons, then we'll just have to change ourplans to suit the situation. Once we reach Moscow-if'we reach Moscow-you'll bepassed on to another contact to be taken back to America."

How?"

Jake will tell you all that before we go.As well as everything else you need to know." Anna looked from Massey toStanski. "You make it sound easy. What about the rotiline checks ontravelers in the Soviet Union? What about the paperwork needed for thejourney'? What happens if we're separated or one or both of us arecaptured?"

"it won't be easy. In fact, it'sgoing to be damned difficult. Especially just after we parachute. Estonia iscrawling with Soviet troops. It's a garrison country and some of' the BalticFleet are based there. In many ways traveling in Estonia will be- moredifficult than Russia itself. As to your other questions, You'll get theanswers all in good time." Anna said, "I've never parachutedbefore."

Stanski shook his head. "Don'tworry, we'll sort that out too."

He checked his watch before saying toMassey, "I've got to pick up some supplies in town. You want to show Annaaround'? Vissily should be back soon. He's taken the boat out on the lake to dosome fishing."

Massey nodded. Stanski picked up somekeys from the table and crossed to the door and went out. Anna heard the jeepstart up moments later and drive off.

Massey looked at Stanski's face."What's wrong?"

"Something I saw in his eyes. Eitherhe doesn't like me or he doesn't trust me."

Massey smiled. "I wouldn't say that.If Alex is blunt, it's because he has your safety in mind. But he's alwaysblunt when it comes to tactical business. Granted, he's also a difficult man toget to know. But don't worry, you'll be fine."

"I'm not worried, Jake."

"Good." Massey smiled."Come on, let's see if we can find Vassilv. I think you're going to likehim."

As they reached the lake Minutes later asmall boat was coming in, its outboard motor rupturing the silence, soundinglike a metal wasp as it came into the shore.

The old man sat in the bow, and when hesaw Massey he waved. He wore a deerskin jacket and an old woollen deerstalkercap with the ear flaps pulled down. There was a big sheathed knife on a leatherbelt around his waist, and Anna recognized something familiar in the man'sfeatures as he climbed out of the boat and tied up. He studied her face brieflybefore he shook Massey's hand.

He spoke in English, his accent heavilybroken. "Massey. Welcome. Alexei told me you'd be coming."

"Vassily, I'd like you to meet Anna.Anna, this is Vassily."

Anna looked at the man again. Though farfrom handsome, there was something warm about his face, a kindness in his browneyes she found instantly endearing, and when she offered her hand and the oldman shook it, she said instinctively, "Zdr(i.ytvuti."

He smiled and replied in Russian."Welcome, Anna. Welcome to my house. Alexei never said you wereRussian."

"From Moscow. And you?"

Kuzomen.

Now she recognized the old man'sfeatures, the dark Laplander looks of those who inhabited Russia's northerntundra.

"You're a long way from home."

A big smile creased the man's brown face."A very long way and too far to go back. But this place is just like home.And we Russians are like good wine. We travel well." He looked at Massey."Where's Alexei?"

"Gone to town to pick upsupplies."