29

Wednesday, June 16, cont.

Kropotkin answered the door on the second knock. “Come in quickly!” he hissed. “What if they see you?”

Herr Grüber smiled. “They may be policemen, but they are also public servants. Your shadows are home for the evening. There are three of them, two men and the lad. Interestingly, they all live in the same apartment building. I suspect one of the older men is the father of the young man who caught Katarina’s eye. That was cleverer than I would give them credit for, though Katarina played her part well.”

The Russian conducted his guest into his study and closed the door before answering. Shaking his head, he said, “She enjoyed her part rather more than I’d like. I daren’t tell her to throw away the crude sketch the young man made of her. I suspect she has already perfumed it and placed it within her jewelry box.” He shrugged. “Are all girls her age such hopeless romantics?”

Grüber chuckled. “Being a confirmed bachelor, I have no expertise in the matter. But she deserves her trophies, and now that we can speak unobserved, we can conclude our business.”

“Yes, by all means. Why were you so desperate to see me? A dead drop usually suffices.”

“I didn’t have time. Or rather, we don’t have time. I have set something in motion that requires you to leave England for a short while, quite possibly much longer. You need to have an absolute alibi for the next week.”

“The next week? What happens . . . Oh.” Understanding came over Kropotkin’s face.

“Yes. I have a plan in motion. The man is very skilled and highly motivated. I am confident enough in him that I am moving some pieces off the board and out of danger.”

Kropotkin looked over his glasses. “So, this is just a game to you?”

“Yes, but with the highest of stakes. Freedom.” Grüber pointed to an ivory and teak chess set on a sideboard. “I see you play chess.”

The Russian snorted, “Who from my country does not?”

“Then you are aware of the Queen’s Gambit?”

“Of course. The queen’s pawn is advanced two spaces to begin the game.”

“And what is the purpose of the move?”

“To gain control of the center.”

“Exactly. But, to succeed, what must happen next?”

“The pawn is sacrificed.”

“And with this queen’s death, we will control the center. I have already chosen my pawn. I need you safe, to press our advantage afterward. How soon can you leave?”

Kropotkin stood, walked to the window in his study and looked out into the darkness. “That depends on where I’m going.”

“Geneva. I have requested a conference to be held there on the twenty-third of June. Nothing of consequence will be discussed, but it will draw our leaders into one place to protect them from charges of involvement in this matter.”

“What exactly do you hope to accomplish by the murder of an old woman? I’m not squeamish regarding her death, mind you, but the condemnation our cause will suffer should have some redeeming feature.”

“My goal is a war that topples the old order forever.”

“And how will the queen’s assassination accomplish that?”

“Once the British learn it was a German who pulled the trigger, nothing less than war will satisfy the mobs.”

“And how will the mobs learn his nationality? What if he escapes?”

“If he is not immediately apprehended or killed on the spot, he’ll seek our comrades in Southampton. They’ll see to it he is found.”

“But won’t he implicate you and our network?”

Grüber spoke as though they were discussing the weather. “Not as long as his son is within my reach.”

Grüber went to stand beside his host as they both contemplated the formless dark outside. “Only you will know the real reason you’ve been summoned. Please keep that to yourself, though it would be wise to plan for what comes after the queen’s death. Do not take a large amount of baggage with you, but be aware it may be a year or more before you can return.”

Kropotkin increased the distance between them slightly. “I pray you never find me as useful as this pawn you’ve chosen.”

“Never fear, mein Kamerad. He is useful. You are indispensable.” The Russian looked back at his chess set. “Killing her will be extremely difficult. If he is unable to act and escapes, you’ll have lost your chance. Have you considered that your objective may be achieved just as effectively if he is caught with proof of his intent?”

“I see that I am in the presence of a chess master. What do you suggest?”

“Surely you have more than one pawn in your box? The right words whispered into the ear of a known British informant should guarantee your man’s apprehension. The news could not be suppressed, and the papers would be demanding war against your country for the affront.” Grüber rubbed his chin as he considered the Russian’s words. “An excellent idea. I have just the man in mind, but please go to Geneva anyway. If the reaction is as strong as you predict, we will have much to discuss.”

The two men stood silent as they peered into the blackness of night, each deep in their own thoughts.

“It is easy to destroy, Herr Grüber. But once the old order is shattered, what will we build in its place?”

Grüber rested his hand on the Russian’s shoulder. “A world where the people finally control their own destiny, my friend, though I expect that men of vision such as you and I will have a role in guiding it. Whatever form that new order takes, it can only be better.”

Once Grüber returned to his hotel room, he considered his options. Luigi had been helpful in the past, but given his sentimentality could not be trusted to inform on Herman, and might well warn him of Grüber’s planned betrayal if he learned of it. He pulled some foolscap out of the writing desk and began his letter. He’d post it first thing in the morning, and it should arrive at its destination by the afternoon of the same day.

To Special Branch, Scotland Yard

From a concerned citizen ...