April is the cruelest month, - T.S. Eliot, "The Waste Land"
In London, April is a spring month, whereas in St. Petersburg we're freezing our butts off! - Jack Wade, C.I.A.
April started with such promise; an evening in a casino, a beautiful woman.
The stolen helicopter was a setback, but not insurmountable. The destruction of Severnaya was another piece of a familiar puzzle.
Until Alec stepped out of the past.
Betrayed, James couldn't be 007 any more. Couldn't be just a weapon in England's arsenal. He smiled as he let Alec fall. Listened to his scream, and the explosion that obliterated the man who'd once been a friend.
Natalya ended more quietly. They kissed good-bye and said they'd keep in touch, and she walked away into the cool April evening.