General Valery Kalenin was an ambitious man who recognized the nearness of success and knew, without conceit, that he deserved it. For almost thirty years he had served the KGB faithfully, heading four of the five main directorates and leaving each better than when he had arrived. Latterly it had been the clandestine section responsible for overseas activities, and objectively he considered that branch of the Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti more highly organized than at any time since its formation.

It was because of that pride that he instinctively opposed the assassination idea, when it was proposed by Boris Kastanazy. As an operation it was futile, a pinprick irritation disposing of men who would be immediately replaced. It was only after Kastanazy, anxious to reinforce his failing influence within the Politburo, had forced the decision through that Kalenin realized the possible advantage.

In a society of indirect conversations and sideways manoeuvring, it had been a positive gamble for Kalenin openly to oppose the scheme, arguing the danger of the Rome detection. There had been moments, in the initial weeks, when he’d regretted the outspokenness. But not any more. The purge had begun and, because of the stance he had taken, he was absolved from it. Kastanazy could be the only sufferer. Which meant a KGB vacancy on the Politburo.

Kalenin prepared himself carefully for the forthcoming encounter, knowing it was probably one of the most important of his career. He was a small man and aware of it, just as he would have been aware of the disadvantage of a speech impediment. To gain the impression of stature, he chose to wear his uniform and debated wearing the Order of Lenin and the Hero of the Soviet Union, eventually rejecting the medals as ostentatious. Ribbons would be sufficient reminder of the honours his ability had earned him in the past.

The driver’s knock came precisely on time. Although he was ready, Kalenin delayed his response, unwilling to give any indication of anxiety: the man had other functions beyond driving, and Kalenin did not want any account of over-eagerness relayed. It was not until the third knock that he answered the door.