Chapter 26
News of the two murders spreads quickly. The reporters at the scene contact all the networks and provide the assassination story, along with video footage of the initial heated exchange. The world population may have been unaware of the nuclear leaders gathering, but they’re all too aware now. Even while Smirnov’s violent death appalls the world, the budding partnership between Russia and the United States rivets them and offers a glimmer of hope.
All of which Ivan had assumed would happen. And, of course, his mother had heard of her husband’s death. When he makes the call home, gratitude toward Margaret fills him. Just as she’d said, his mother needed to hear from him. Mrs. Smirnov breaks into heart-broken sobs as soon as she hears her son’s voice. “Did he suffer?” she asks.
