Free The Longest Pleasure by Christopher Nicole Page B

Colonel.'
    'They demanded the withdrawal of all Soviet troops from Hungarian soil. Truly, one wonders if liberating these people and rebuilding their country was worth all the effort. But the Central Committee were wise to permit the demonstration, after all. Let them get it off their chests. Now they will all go home to bed like good little boys and girls and we will be able to resume living civilised lives. Where can I drop you?'
    'The next corner, thank you very much, Comrade Colonel.'
    'You have a mistress in Buda, eh, Alexander Petrovich? Ah, you young officers, with your medals and your good looks, are always the lucky ones. Me, now, I have to make do with Madam Csank's. And my favourite whore has been ill recently. It disturbs the rhythm.' He leaned forward to tap his driver on the shoulder, peered through the windshield into the dusk. 'What is that noise?'
    'It is a crowd of people, Comrade Colonel. They seem to be gathered outside the radio building.'
    'Stop the car.' Colonel Evenssohn rolled down the window to peer at the end of the street, which was entirely blocked by people. The radio building itself was out of sight round the corner, but someone seemed to be addressing the crowd through the l oudspeaker system, not entirely with success, for every few words he was interrupted by boos and catcalls.
    'A relic of the demonstration, Comrade Colonel?' Galitsin suggested.
    'Maybe, Alexander Petrovich. But there are not only students over there. Do you suppose there could be trouble?'
    'Not from a spontaneous demonstration, Comrade Colonel, surely.'
    'Don't you believe it, Alexander. These people are being whipped up by fascist agents. Oh, yes, we know about these things. We will return to camp and wait for orders.' He glanced at the young captain, smiled. 'You are disappointed?'
    Galitsin shrugged. 'If you wish to return .. .'
    'It is my duty to be with the regiment should there be trouble. And I would not wish it to be otherwise. But at the same time I must have accurate information as to what is going on in Buda. Do you think you could obtain such information for me?'
    'Of course, Comrade Colonel.' Galitsin opened the door.
    Colonel Evenssohn winked. 'Now, I wish you to be very careful, Alexander. Mobs are dangerous things, eh? Do not go into the midst of them, if you can avoid it. I would prefer you to interview one Magyar thoroughly than a dozen superficially. And do not attempt to return to the barracks tonight. Find a bed somewhere in town, and I will send a car to pick you up in the morning. On the corner over there.'
    Galitsin stepped on to the pavement. 'Good night to you, Comrade Colonel. And thank you.' 'Take care, Alexander Petrovich.'
    Galitsin saluted, watched the car drive into the distance. Colonel Evenssohn liked him. Because he was Red Army Chess Champion. This was a distinction for any regiment. And because he wore the Order of Glory, which was also distinction for the unit. And because he was a good officer.
    A. P. Galitsin was a valuable man to have in your command, the sort of officer the ranks respected and would obey. Even in an unhappy situation like sitting heavily on this supposedly allied and supposedly friendly country, enjoying special shops and special whores. So Galitsin enjoyed all the perquisites of being the best officer in the regiment. Because no one, not even Evenssohn, knew about the night he had Iain on the cobbles with urine runnning down his legs. That episode had never got into his record. Captain Ascherin was dead, and Tigran Dus, for some reason of his own, had kept it quiet. He supposed he was the world's luckiest man, to be given two whole existences. One had ended that night, and the other had begun with a bang the very next day. A very loud bang.
    He glanced at his watch. It was just after seven and Irena did not expect him until eight. He could cease to be a sham for an hour. He walked down the street, and the noise seethed around him, as if he were in the centre of a