The Outlaws (Presidential Agent 6)

“A service, sir. Your help in righting a great wrong.”

“Specifically?”

Solomatin turned to the chauffeur, who was still holding Solomatin’s diplomatic passport and the envelope. He reached for the envelope.

“May I?” he asked.

Gustav looked to Kocian for guidance. Kocian nodded, and Gustav allowed Solomatin to take the envelope.

Solomatin removed a letter from the envelope and extended them to Kocian.

“I am asking that you get this to Colonel Berezovsky. Or Lieutenant Colonel Alekseeva.”

Kocian read the letter:

Sluzhba Vneshney Razvedki

1 February 2007

Yasenevo 11, Kolpachny

Moscow 0101000

Tel: Moscow 923 6213

Second Directorate

Colonel V. N. Solomatin

My Dear Cousin Dmitri:

God’s blessings and the warmest greetings to you, Lora, Sof’ya and Svetlana!!

I am very happy to be able to tell you that the committee has finally reached the only conclusions that they could in the circumstances:

1. That the charges of embezzlement of state funds laid against you and Svetlana were without any basis in fact.

2. That the late Colonel Evgeny Evgenyvich Alekseev, who laid the charges against you both, was at the time bereft of his senses, more than likely suffering from paranoia and had been so suffering for a considerable period of time, possibly as much as a year or even longer.

3. That while it was clearly the responsibility of the both of you to bring your suspicions regarding Colonel Alekseev’s instability to the attention of General Yakov Sirinov, your failure to do so in the circumstances, and your vacating your posts without authority, was understandable.

Other points made during the committee hearing by General Sirinov put to rest once and for all the allegation that you defected. “If they intended to defect,” the general said, “they would not have left with only the clothing on their backs and what cash they had in their pockets. And if they had wound up in the hands of MI6 or the CIA, even involuntarily, you know our people would have told us.”

At the conclusion of the committee hearing, General Sirinov was ordered to do whatever was necessary to locate you, make you aware of what has happened, and to bring you home.

He has delegated that responsibility to me, telling the committee that if he were you or Svetlana, the only person he would trust would be me. I have been given the authority to take any steps I consider necessary.

Embassies of the Russian Federation worldwide have been directed to provide you with whatever you need, including funds, and to facilitate your return to the Motherland.

In this connection, when I suggested to General Sirinov that, considering what injustices had occurred, you and Svetlana might question even my motives, he said he would have no objection to your leaving Lora and Sof’ya wherever they may be for the time being, and directed me to provide funds for their support.

They can join you here when you are satisfied that you have been welcomed home as loyal Russians.

I really hope to see all of you here together soon.

May God protect you both on your return journey!

Your loving cousin,