Alice checked the Kincaids out of the motel while Frank loaded the car. They were on the road by 11:00 AM. Fresh coffee from the motel and lunch from McDonald’s would hold them for several hours. The wagon’s large gas tank was full. Frank figured they were getting 17 mpg on the highway. Once on the super highway, it was a straight shot to Pittsburgh. The radio carried frequent weather updates due to impending storm conditions. They passed several plows and salt trucks in position along the throughway to keep traffic flowing. The storm was coming from the southwest at 40 mph. The leading edge of the broad storm front was behind them but the easternmost part of the front would catch them before they passed Cleveland. From there on, the travel would be hazardous.

The east and south bound turnpikes would bring them to Pittsburgh. An eight-or nine-hour drive in good weather. Frank thought, America is a huge country. Not as large as the USSR but the roads here are magnificent. Even better, the windshield wipers on the front and back, along with the heater and defroster, keep the windows clear of ice and snow.

Alice had a good mind and Frank told her about his plan and asked her for her thoughts. “You know you’re risking all our lives for the money in the Pittsburgh bank.”

“Yes, that’s true,” Frank admitted. “It is a short-term risk for our long-term safety.”

“If we’re all dead in the short term, your long term is not so attractive. Tell me the risks you see in taking the contents of the safety deposit box in the Mellon Bank.”

“The KGB could have a few people waiting for us in Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. Not many. We could probably win a short, quick gunfight, but then the police, as well as the KGB would be after us. The box could be empty but still a surveillance team could be waiting for us. Big no-win for us. No more money and hot pursuit. Not a good thing. Best case, I’m counting on my Cleveland ploy to buy us time and force them to scramble to get enough people in Cleveland during a winter storm to capture us. The KGB has limitations in operating here. Personnel from their big bases in D.C. and New York just can’t pick up and go to Cleveland.

“They need U.S. government approval and would be followed by the FBI. They have few people like us they can use in this kind of a situation. They also may believe the CIA is helping us now or soon will be. Their greatest fear is that we’ll defect to the CIA. That means that they will try to avoid any open violence. Any Russian caught in an act of violence in America will be declared persona non-gratis. For a KGB officer who has trained for years to work in America, it is not a good career move to be sent back to the USSR or cause someone to be sent back. You see the odds are not all on their side.”

“How much money is in the Mellon Bank safety deposit box?” Alice asked.

“The last time I counted the currency, there was two million mostly in large bills. Hundred dollar bills were the smallest. I can’t estimate the value of the gold and diamonds. But the whole thing is larger than both boxes I’ve emptied so far.”

“Can we do this?”

“Remember a few months ago when you signed a few bank cards in that strange name?”

“Yes.”

“Well that gave you access to the deposit box in the Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh and the Riggs Bank in Washington, D.C. The plan I like the best is for you to go in the Mellon Bank carrying Christina and ask the person at the desk controlling access to the safety deposit boxes to please get the box for you. When she or he does, simply empty everything in the box into the briefcase you will carry in. There are two bricks wrapped in a towel in the briefcase, put them into the box and have the attendant put it back. The attendant will return your key and you walk out of the bank and out to the car.

“I’ll go inside the bank before you with Jack. If you see me use my handkerchief to wipe my face, it is clear for you to go empty the box. If you do not get the go-ahead signal, go up to one of the tellers and cash a hundred dollar bill and go back to the car. In either case, I’ll be close. Do not hesitate. Walk without hurrying to the car. It should be snowing hard enough to give us some cover. If anyone wants us, they will have to get close and I’ll be ready. Don’t worry, we have plenty of time to go over the plan in detail. You will know the inside of the bank exactly. I have a sketch for you. Okay?”

“Yes. Of course I can handle that. I would feel better if I were armed. The KGB will never take me or the children alive. You know, I’m quite good with a handgun. Give me the Browning 9mm.”

“It’s yours. I’ll use the silenced Hi Standard .22. A perfect weapon for close work.

“It’s 460 miles from Chicago to Pittsburgh. Should take us eight to ten hours depending on traffic and the weather. Our entire route is on what are called turnpikes here, most are toll roads. I’ll need you to drive if I get too sleepy. Just don’t speed. Move with traffic. Five miles over the speed limit seems safe. Ten miles over can attract the attention of the highway patrol. Our identities might not hold up if the police do a thorough check. I don’t want to kill or injure a cop for any reason. Having the KGB searching for us is enough.”

Alice turned from looking out the window to the southwest and remarked, “Have you noticed how dark the clouds are behind us to the south?”

“Yes, I’ve been watching them constantly. Once we pass the exits to Cleveland and turn south to Pittsburgh we will be driving right into the storm. I’ll stop for gasoline soon after we pass Cleveland. You’ll have time to take care of the children. I’ll help as soon as the car is ready to go. We can get food to go, and you can try to get some sleep. The journey will get much harder when we run into the storm front. They’re predicting upwards of a foot of snow, drifted areas would be much deeper. The farther we get from the Great Lakes region, the better. Snowfall is always heaviest near the big lakes.”