Summary

In the chapter “1954: Applause and Acclaim,” Sofia had been invited to Paris to perform thanks to the All-Union Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries. Emile, Andrey, and the Count were discussing this opportunity when the Bishop came into the kitchen to attend the daily meeting of the Boyarsky’s staff.

After the meeting was finished and the other members of the staff had cleared from the room, the Count snuck back into the dining area to look at the reservation book. He finally found a meeting of the Presidium and the Council of Ministers that would fit what he needed. He had resolved to take action when Katerina had visited him six months prior but it was with the news of the goodwill tour that he was able to put his plan into action.

In the bar that evening...