‘You’re not missing a thing, chairman. It’s just that you can’t expect to replace Communism with capitalism overnight simply by exchanging a boiler suit for a Brooks Brothers tuxedo. The Soviet Union may have some of the finest universities in the world if you want to study philosophy, even Sanskrit, but very few offer a serious business course.’
‘Surely any major Russian bank would lend you the money if you can guarantee those sort of returns,’ said Alex, looking intently at his fellow countryman.
‘The truth is,’ said Pushkin, ‘the banks are just as much out of their depth as everyone else. But they’re still not going to lend twenty-five million dollars to someone who earns the equivalent of five thousand dollars a year, and has less than a thousand dollars in his savings account.’
‘How long have you got before I need to make a decision?’ asked Alex.
‘The deadline for the deal is 31 October. After that, it’s open to anyone who can put up the money.’
‘But that’s only a month away,’ said Alex as Miss Robbins entered the room prepared to escort Mr Pushkin to the elevator.
‘Which suits the KGB, who I know already have their eyes on it.’
‘Cancel my lunch, Pamela, and then contact every senior member of the management and investment team and tell them to drop everything and report to my office immediately.’
‘Certainly, chairman,’ said Miss Robbins, as if there was nothing unusual about the request.
‘I’ll also need half a dozen pizzas for delivery at one o’clock. And before you ask, that’s a decision my mother can make.’
Miss Robbins didn’t enter the chairman’s office again until the meeting had finally broken up some five hours later.
‘You missed your afternoon gym session again, chairman.’
‘I know. The meeting overran.’
‘Will you still be taking your wife to dinner?’ asked Miss Robbins, placing the anniversary gift on his desk.
‘Damn,’ said Alex. ‘Tell Jake that I won’t be able to join him and Mr Pushkin for dinner after all. Explain to them that something even more important has come up.’
39
ALEX
Boston
Evelyn picked up the phone to hear a familiar voice, which she hadn’t spoken to for some time.
‘I need to see you.’
‘Why would I want to see you?’ she asked.
‘Because you know damn well I didn’t steal the Warhol,’ said Ackroyd.
‘Is this conversation being taped?’
‘No, because I certainly wouldn’t want anyone else to hear what I’m about to tell you.’
‘I’m listening.’
‘I didn’t waste my time when I was in prison, and I’ve come up with a way for you to make half a billion dollars, and embarrass Karpenko at the same time.’
There was a brief pause before Evelyn said, ‘What would I have to do?’
‘Just confirm that I’ll get ten per cent of the deal if we pull it off.’
‘I’m still listening.’
‘I’m not saying another word, Evelyn, until I have your signature on the bottom line. I haven’t forgotten that the last time we made a deal, I ended up in jail.’
‘In which case, Douglas, you’ll have to fly down to the south of France, and bring the contract with you.’
*
Alex arrived at Marliave ten minutes early, and was making some calculations on the back of his menu when Anna arrived.
‘Happy anniversary, darling,’ he said as he rose to kiss her.
‘Thank you. And here’s your trick question,’ said Anna, sitting down at their favourite corner table. ‘How many years have we been married, or was that what you were trying to work out on the back of your menu?’ Fortunately Miss Robbins had reminded him just before he left.
‘Thirteen, but it would have been fourteen if Lawrence hadn’t left me his fifty per cent of the bank.’
‘You live to fight another year. What’s this?’ Anna asked coyly.
‘Open it and you’ll find out.’
‘I suspect it will be more of a surprise for you than me.’
Alex laughed. ‘I’ll pretend I’ve seen it before.’
Anna slowly removed the red ribbon, unwrapped the parcel, and lifted the lid to reveal a small, elegant light grey Chloé bag that was both practical and stylish.
‘It’s so you, I thought, the moment I saw it,’ said Alex.
‘Which was just now,’ said Anna, leaning across and kissing him again. ‘Perhaps you could remember to thank Pamela for me,’ she added as the ma?tre d’ appeared by their side.
‘I know exactly what I want, Fran?ois,’ she said. ‘Salade ni?oise and the Dover sole.’
‘I’ll have the same,’ said Alex. ‘I’ve made quite enough decisions for one day.’
‘Dare I ask?’
‘I can’t say too much at the moment, because it could turn out to be either a complete waste of time or the biggest deal that’s ever crossed my desk.’
‘When will you know which?’
‘By this time next week, would be my bet. By which time I should be back from Leningrad.’
‘But haven’t you always said you’d never go back to Russia in any circumstances, and Leningrad in particular?’
‘It’s a calculated risk,’ said Alex. ‘However, I think it’s safe to assume that after all these years, Polyakov will have retired.’
‘Your mother once told me that KGB officers never retire, so what does she think?’
‘She won’t relax until she’s attended his funeral. But when I promised to see her brother Kolya, find out how the rest of the family are, and visit my father’s grave, she reluctantly came round.’
‘I don’t want you to go,’ said Anna quietly. ‘Let Jake Coleman take your place. He’s just as good a deal maker as you are.’
‘Maybe, but the Russians always expect to deal with the chairman. By the way, there’s a spare seat on the plane if you’d like to come.’
‘No, thank you. Not least because I’ve got an opening on Wednesday.’
‘Anyone I know?’ asked Alex, pleased to change the subject.
‘Robert Indiana.’
‘Oh yes, I like his work. I’ll be sorry to miss the opening.’
‘The show will still be on when you get back. If you get back.’
‘It’s not that bad, my darling. So am I allowed to know what my anniversary gift is?’ asked Alex, hoping to lighten the mood. ‘Because I don’t see a package.’
‘It was too big to bring with me,’ said Anna. ‘It’s a six-foot-square bronze by Indiana called LOVE.’ She drew an image on the back of the menu.
L O
V E
‘How much is that going to cost me?’
‘With the usual discount, around sixty thousand. And if you were to gift it to Konstantin, he can avoid estate tax.’
‘So let me try and understand this, one I love,’ said Alex. ‘My anniversary present is going to cost me sixty thousand dollars, but it’s Konstantin who will actually own it?’
‘Yes, my darling. I think you’ve grasped the idea. But the good news is, there’s now an outside chance you’ll go to heaven.’ Anna paused. ‘Not that you’ll enjoy it.’
‘Why not?’ demanded Alex.
‘Because you won’t know anyone,’ she said as the waiter returned with their first course.
‘So what do I get?’
‘To look at it for the rest of your life.’
‘Thanks,’ said Alex. ‘And can I ask where the beneficiary is?’
‘He’s staying overnight with his grandmother.’
‘Does that mean my mother has taken a night off?’ Alex asked in mock disbelief.
‘Half a night. Konstantin likes Elena’s margheritas better than anything I ever cook for him,’ Anna said as she finished her salad. ‘And don’t give me that me too look. So what else have you been up to today?’
‘Sheldon Woods came to see me this morning to ask if I’d be interested in standing for the Senate.’
‘How long did it take you to turn down that attractive offer?’ asked Anna as the waiter whisked away their empty plates.
‘I thought long and hard about it for twenty seconds.’
‘I can remember the time, not so long ago, when you were fascinated by politics,’ said Anna. ‘The only thing you ever wanted to be was the first elected president of an independent Russia.’
‘And I confess that would be far more tempting than the Senate,’ said Alex. ‘But that all changed the day Lawrence died,’ he added as the waiter reappeared and presented them with two Dover soles.
‘On or off the bone, madam?’
‘Off please, Fran?ois, for both of us. My husband isn’t making any important decisions tonight.’