The Man From U.N.C.L.E: The Thief From Moscow

Chapter 24: A Friendly Visit

"Miss Kosygin!"

Salnekov exclaimed and opened the front door wide enough for Lyudmila to be able to step through. She gave a curt nod in his direction and smiled.

"Sergei, it's been a while."

"I don't think you ever came here without your father." He raised an eyebrow and led her to the couch in the middle of the room. "Drink?"

"Yes, please."

He got out a flask of whiskey and poured out the contents into two small glasses. "I'm afraid the vodka has already been drank. I had the council in here an hour ago."

"I'm sorry my father missed it..."

He looked down at the glasses shaking in their place. He finally looked back up at Lyudmila before sitting down in front of her. "I heard about your father, Miss Kosygin..."

"I know you two were good friends, Sergei, and I know that he will be sorely missed in the council."

Salnekov refrained from taking a sip of the drink, and instead stared into Lyumdila's eyes. "Yes, all good and said. But your father and I..." he paused, putting down the glass, "had some differences, Miss Kosygin."

"As all politicians do, right?"

"Yes," he nodded his head and smiled to himself, "I suppose you're right. We did end on a bad note though, I must admit..."

Lyudmila's grip on the glass tightened, turning the tips of her fingers white. "Pardon?"

"We had a row yesterday, if you don't mind me admitting."

She stopped herself from frowning, and instead smiled politely. "Not that, Sergei, not that. It's the way you're speaking..." she hurriedly put down the glass, "it sounds like you're suggesting he's dead!"

Salnekov's eyes widened apologetically. "Miss Kosygin, please forgive me. I did not mean to imply such a vulgar thought. It just seems a little bleak. I'm sure you could agree..."

"I would rather like to refrain from talking about it now."

"Of course..."

"In fact," she got up from the couch, "I think it's time for me to leave." She bit her lip to stop the tears from tumbling down her cheeks.

Salnekov quickly got up to lead out his guest. "Of course, Miss Kosygin, if that's what you desire. All my best luck in finding your father and I will do my best to fill his place, although I feel his shows are too big to fill." As he lead her to the door, he pulled out his wallet. "I have something to give you if you don't mind..."

"Sergei, I don't need money..."

"No, it's not that." He pulled out a letter with her name on it. "This was from your father. He gave it to me years ago in case something similar to this happened."

Lyudmila had acknowledged the letter and had taken it from his grasp, but she couldn't help but notice something else in his wallet. He had a picture of himself in a smiling picture. Why would he have a picture of himself in his wallet? Lyudmila frowned, ignoring Salnekov and drawing his attention to wear her gaze led.

"Oh," Salnekov pulled out the photo. "I haven't seen this in a while. It's of my identical twin brother, Albert."

"I didn't know you had a twin."

"We don't speak of him. He doesn't agree with my political views and such and therefore he's been led a bit astray..."

Lyudmila suddenly realised what he meant. "You mean... he's become a sort of rebel against the council?"

"I dare say."