Fourteen
The city was slowly coming to life as we walked along. Deliveries were being made, and here and there people were on their way to work. No one paid any attention to us. Irina reached over and took my hand.
We walked seven or eight blocks before I finally spotted a taxi. We were in luck. The driver spoke a little English and was willing to accept American money for his fare. I told him to take us to the American Embassy.
It didn’t look like anyone was up yet, but I didn’t want to wait around until the normal routine had started. I put my finger on the button beside the door and held it there for a time.
The door finally opened and a man stood blinking at us. He was dressed, but obviously not fully awake. He was probably a servant.
“I am an American citizen,” I began before he
