Free Blackstone and the Endgame by Sally Spencer Page B

began.
    â€˜She’s half-Russian,’ Vladimir said, as if that was all the answer Blackstone needed.
    And, in fact, it was.

SEVEN
    V ladimir’s apartment continued the illusion of ordinariness that Mrs Collins had created on the doorstep. It was well furnished – though not extravagantly so – but had the slightly uncared-for feel with which many confirmed bachelors seem to imbue their residences.
    Blackstone wondered how the
real
Vladimir would have furnished his apartment – and then realized that, after years of spying, it was possible there
was
no real Vladimir any more.
    The Russian gestured that he should sit in the best armchair.
    â€˜Would you care for a glass of vodka, Sam?’ he asked.
    It was tempting, but after days of near starvation, Blackstone didn’t think he could risk it.
    â€˜No vodka, but I wouldn’t mind a cup of tea,’ he said, looking across at the large samovar – the only real hint of Russia in the room – which was sitting in the corner.
    â€˜Tea, it shall be,’ Vladimir agreed, immediately busying himself with the samovar.
    â€˜I’ve told you all about me,’ Blackstone said. ‘Now it’s your turn. What are you doing here in London?’
    â€˜I am just passing through,’ the Russian replied, far too casually. ‘I arrived two days ago, and by tomorrow evening I will be gone.’
    â€˜And what was the purpose of your short trip?’
    â€˜There were some people here who I needed to talk to.’
    Vladimir crossed the room, handed Blackstone a glass of tea, then sat down opposite him. The tea was hot and very sweet, and as he sipped at it, Blackstone started to feel a little better.
    â€˜And what was it you needed to talk to these people
about
?’ Blackstone asked.
    â€˜Naval movements, arms production – matters of that nature,’ Vladimir replied, squiggling in his chair to make himself comfortable. ‘I was doing what I have always done, Sam – I was spying.’
    â€˜On us?’
    â€˜Naturally, I am spying on
you
. Why else would I be in England at all?’
    â€˜But we’re your allies – we’re fighting Germany on the Western Front, and you’re fighting it in the east,’ Blackstone protested.
    Vladimir laughed. ‘Of course you’re our allies – that is precisely why I am here. You can always trust your enemies’ intentions, Sam. They have one aim, which is to destroy you. And so, in order to prevent that, you try to discover what their plans are – which divisions they will move to where, on which front they intend to concentrate their attack.’ He waved his hand expansively through the air. ‘These are purely mechanical matters, which any competent spy could deal with, and they hold no interest for me.’
    â€˜But spying on your friends
does
interest you?’ Blackstone suggested.
    â€˜It fascinates me,’ Vladimir admitted. ‘Your friends, you see, have part of their minds on the present conflict, and the other part on the future. If they lose the war, then half their effort will have been wasted. But what if they win? The old threat will have been vanquished, but there is a new threat – and that comes from those who were formerly your allies. Everyone has plans to be top dog, Sam, but, by the very nature of things, there can only be
one
top dog.’
    â€˜So you’re here to find out what Britain intends to do once the war is finally over?’
    â€˜That – and whether you have the
capacity
to do it.’
    â€˜And have you learned anything of interest?’
    â€˜I have learned more than any other man in my position would have done,’ Vladimir said. He grinned. ‘I am very good at my job, you know.’
    â€˜You haven’t answered my question,’ Blackstone pointed out.
    â€˜Indeed, I have not,’ Vladimir agreed.
    Blackstone lit up a cigarette from a packet that