other-side-of-deception-victor-ostrovsky

106 / VICTOR OSTROVSKY"Thanks again." I took the brochures and headed out into therain, my hood pulled tightly over my head and my face to the ground.I was happy to be out. The fresh air was a blessing. After turning thecorner, I started a testing course. I wanted to see whether I was beingfollowed. You can never be too careful.I was very hungry. After realizing that no one was tailing me, Istopped at the Dupont Circle. I had my traditional hot dog andheaded back to the hotel. The subway station in Silver Spring wasalmost deserted. I stopped at the pay phones on the station wall, takingthe last one in the row and facing the empty hall. I dialed the operator,gave her the number, and asked for a collect call. Ephraim wason the line almost instantly."Well, what do you have to say?""I visited my uncle from the Old Country." I knew there was noneed for speaking in code since my line was picked at random andtherefore clean, even if I was being followed, and his was a secureline-he had to make sure of that. Still, it was a hard habit to kick."How did it go?""If there is no way for them to check at your end, I have no doubtI'm their next Philby."2"It went that well?""What did you expect?""So now we have to sit and see what happens next. I have a goodfeeling about this.""I'll get back to the hotel. I don't want them to call and not findme.""Well, you shouldn't sit there all the time. If you played it the waywe decided, they'll be expecting a playful person, not one who willpass up a good time in the city for his work. Go out and enjoy yourself.After all, you have a reputation to keep up. We have a series ofjobs for you after this one.""With the few dollars I have, it's not easy to play the playboy.""That's okay; you'll be getting money soon. Just use what youhave to build your image.""When will I see you?""Once this little episode is finished, I'll come over.""What will you do if you find what we're looking for?""That's a problem in itself. I can't just waltz in and accuse someone.I'll have to manipulate someone I know in the Shaback and putITHE OTHER SIDE OF DECEPTIOX / 107them on the trail without letting out much. But don't you worry aboutthat. If he's there, I'll nail him, and we'll chalk one up for you.""Yeah," I replied. "A lot of good that will do me, that chalkmark.""It will mean a hell of a lot when you come in from the cold."There was silence on the line. I could feel myself choking up. I hadfigured that I would do whatever I had to do, and then I would fadeinto oblivion, living with Bella and the kids somewhere in Canada,doing something or other. Coming in from the cold had not been inthe cards for me, not until he said it over the phone as if it were agiven, something he'd always thought would happen. "You never saidanything about coming back.""What did you think?""I don't know. To be honest with you, I didn't think about it.""Do your job, my boy, and we'll talk about it later. This call is gettingtoo long for my system. I'll call you if anything happens. You callme if there's anything new too."The line went dead. I stood for several minutes, receiver in hand,trying to comprehend what I had just heard. There was a way backinto the life; suddenly things were not as black as I had believed theywere.I was in a very good mood when I left the station. I decided tohave a good time that night. It was part of the job, as Ephraim hadsaid.2. Philby: Kim Philby, a Soviet mole in British intelligence.