From where he sat on the edge of the bed, toweling off his hair, Merkurii smiled, shaking his head.

He reached for the receiver of the phone beside the Major's bed and lifted it with a click.

"You don't need to hold it for me," he said into the the mouthpiece.

Khartov snorted in good natured mock offense.

"Suit yourself," he replied, and hung up without preamble.

Barshai heard open silence on the other end of the line.

"Is that you, Major?" he asked. "Or..."