Maid of Baikal: A Novel of the Russian Civil War

A few moments later, Corinne joined them and Ned introduced her to Ivashov and Natalia. The four lifted their glasses together in a toast to newlyweds. Natalia’s English proved to be excellent and very soon the two women launched a conversation of their own, whereupon Ivashov gave Ned a look that indicated he wanted to talk privately. The two men stepped aside and huddled under one of the vaulted arches a few steps away.

“I would like you to call on me tomorrow at the War Ministry,” Ivashov began. “I have been given responsibility for certain aspects of our foreign arms procurement. As you may know, we have been buying most of our ships, aircraft and heavy arms from Great Britain and France, owing to certain past obligations, which I am sure you understand. However, given the increased threats from Germany and Japan, our government intends to greatly increase our arms purchases and, at the same time, to diversify our sources of supply. Given that DuPont and its Remington Arms Division already supply some armaments to Russia, might you be willing to expand those sales?”

“I expect we’d be delighted,” Ned answered, suppressing an urge to laugh at how providence had dropped in his lap the very opportunity that his superiors had sent him to pursue.

“It has come to our attention,” Ivashov continued, “that your General Motors Division recently began converting certain of its factories in Britain and Germany to military production. Might your American plants be capable of supplying Russia with trucks and tanks and other armored vehicles? We are concerned that, if war breaks out in Europe, deliveries from England and France may no longer be forthcoming.”

“GM has all the capacity you’ll ever need,” Ned assured him. “It’s simply a question of getting the export permits from Washington. And that needs to be resolved at the political level.”

“But you would be willing to make, shall we say, discreet inquiries with your government?” Ivashov pressed, looking to either side to find out whether anyone was listening. “The Chief of Staff hopes to avoid upsetting our British and French friends, if at all possible, until the matter progresses further.”

“I’d be more than happy to do anything I can,” Ned answered. He raised his glass. “To business,” he said, and downed the rest of his champagne.

“To strength,” Ivashov answered, and did the same.

The two men then left their secluded spot to rejoin their wives. As they went, they talked of old friends and Ned asked whether Ivashov had seen Father Timofey Ryumin since the war.

“Not at all,” the officer replied. “But friends have told me that he returned to Transbaikalia and spends the summers operating mines in the Lena gold fields northeast of Irkutsk. They say he has become a very wealthy man, with a lavish house in Irkutsk. But it is also rumored that the S-Rs still consider him an enemy for spying against them in 1919, which may be why he fled to the Far East.”

“And young Boris Viktorovich, Zhanna’s standard bearer? What has become of him?” Ned inquired.

“He returned to Irkutsk and entered his father’s grain business,” Ivashov said in a low voice, close to Ned’s ear. “Soon after, he wrote a popular memoir recounting his exploits fighting with the Maid. In it, he accused her political enemies of having betrayed her. Earlier this year, poor Boris was murdered outside his home. No suspects have been found.”

“And you think…”

“I think of Savinkov—dead. And Pepelyayev, Rozanov, and Krasilnikov—executed. And of Zhanna, of course.”

“But Zhelezin was nowhere near Kazan when we were ambushed. And if our movements were known to the S-Rs there, who could have tipped them off?”

But before Ivashov could answer, Ned spotted the hulking figure of the former Chief of Staff, Dimitry Antonovich Lebedev, approaching them from the lobby. Ivashov must have seen him, as well, for at that moment he laid a hand on Ned’s shoulder.

“I will find you again at dinner,” Ivashov said quickly, looking away, and strode off rapidly in the direction opposite that of Lebedev.

Lebedev caught up to Ned just as he rejoined Corinne and Natalia at the buffet. Though Ned had not spoken to the former Chief of Staff since leaving Russia, he was aware that Lebedev now worked as the Moscow representative of a leading British munitions company that competed with DuPont. He had most definitely not intended to invite the man to his reception. Given their competition in business, and bearing in mind the former general’s high-handed treatment of the Maid while he was Chief of Staff, it seemed the height of impertinence for him to appear at Ned’s private event. But far worse was what Ned noticed when Lebedev came closer. For his companion was none other than Yulia Yushnevskaya, looking elegant in a dusky pink crepe V-neck dress with matching capelet, and wearing a stunning diamond ring on her left hand. Though her blonde hair was streaked with gray and her slender figure had filled out noticeably, she looked as striking as ever.