Therefore, your certificate of residency and work permit for the United States are hereby canceled, and you are ordered to depart the United States within thirty days of this date. When you leave the country you must depart from Los Angeles International Airport on a flight whose nonstop destination is Moscow.

You have the right to file an appeal of this order with a federal court during your thirty-day grace period.

The letter was signed by the director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The FBI agent shoved another document across the table, along with a pen. “Sign this, indicating your receipt and understanding of the letter.”

“But I don’t understand it,” Tirov said.

“The letter is clear and straightforward,” the agent said. “Sign here. If you refuse to sign, you will be detained and shipped out on the next nonstop flight to Moscow.”

Tirov signed the document. “My attorney is going to hear about this,” he said.

The man returned the document to his briefcase. “You must also understand that, since you no longer have a valid work permit, you may not be employed or work in the United States, nor may you accept payment for any previous work in this country.” He shoved another document across the table. “This is a list of your known financial accounts in the United States. Read it, and tell me if it is complete.”

Tirov read the document, which contained the names and account numbers of a dozen of his personal and business bank and investment accounts. “Yes, it is complete.”

“You have no other financial accounts in this country other than these?”

“I do not.”

“Sign here.”

Tirov signed.

“You may now continue to U.S. Customs, where your luggage and that of your two companions will be thoroughly examined. Any funds or financial documents found will be seized and held until your departure from this country.” He handed Tirov a business card. “You must notify this office of your intended departure date and flight number twenty-four hours before departure. Good day.” The man got up, unlocked the outer door, and held it open until Tirov could retrieve his jacket and briefcase.

Outside, his two companions awaited, in the custody of two uniformed officers, along with two large carts containing his luggage. They were marched into the customs hall, where four officers proceeded to open and search every piece of his luggage. The process took nearly four hours.

Tirov got into his limousine exhausted and livid. He called his attorney from the car.

29

Stone and Gala woke at the usual time, and their breakfast was brought to the master suite, along with the daily papers. Stone read the London Times first, while Gala read the International New York Times.