Tatyana nodded. “If it’s as bad as you say, then they need to have a chance to defend themselves.”

“I agree,” Sofia said. She felt a sense of relief knowing that someone other than Yevchenko and his cronies knew about the virus. If the Americans knew, they would be formulating a response. They would be coming up with a plan to get the virus out of the GRU’s hands. To destroy it. They had to.

Tatyana cleared her throat. “Regarding the bacillus,” she said, “I know you’re not going to believe me, but we’re on the same side.”

Sofia looked out the window to where the soldiers were gearing up for a full-scale containment operation.

“I’m sorry, but I highly doubt that,” she said.

“I can’t do anything about the military response,” Tatyana said, following her gaze.

“They’re going to kill people,” Sofia said.

“People are already dying.”

“Because of them. Because of their ineptitude.”

Tatyana shook her head. “I’m not here to argue with you, doctor.”

“Well,” Sofia said, “maybe you could tell me why you are here.”

“I’m here to warn you.”

“Warn me about what?”

“They’re getting suspicious, Sofia. Why do you think they took production out of your hands?”

“Because I would have insisted on doing it safely.”

“They see the world differently than you do,” Tatyana said.

“You can say that again.”

“I’m just saying, be careful. For your own sake. For your team’s sake.”

“It’s a bit late for that, wouldn’t you say?”

Tatyana sighed.

Sofia looked at her. She didn’t want to argue.

“I also need your assessment of the outbreak,” Tatyana said.

“Outbreak?”

“Or whatever you want to call it.”

“I’d prefer to call it a leak.”

“All right,” Tatyana said. “In here, just you and me, you can call it whatever you like.”

“They won’t be able to hide the truth,” Sofia said.

“Sofia, that’s exactly what they’re going to do.”

“Everyone knows about Biopreparat here,” Sofia said. “They’ve grown up with the stories. There have been leaks in the past.”

“I’m aware,” Tatyana said.

“Then you know that if the government simply admitted what was happening instead of orchestrating a cover-up, a lot of lives would have been spared.”

Tatyana nodded. “If you’re looking for openness today, I’m sorry to be the one to disappoint you.”

There was a knock on the door. Tatyana opened it and a soldier came in with a military parka.

“Thank you,” Tatyana said and handed it to Sofia.

Sofia put it on.

They waited for the soldier to leave.

There was a seat and Tatyana indicated for Sofia to take it. Tatyana sat across from her.

Sofia liked to think of herself as a good judge of character, but when she looked at Tatyana she wasn’t sure what she saw.