The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2003

a bad experience with police authorities in his own coun- try, only to have to face them once again in Geneva. I could hear the policeman’s voice as he began his ques- tioning anew. “Although we never met, I understand Mr. Fleet was a very difficult personality,” Tordorov’s calm, measured tones now came from inside Lauer’s office. “But I will go over again what happened if you think that will help.” The captain’s reply was inaudible. I got up and slowly walked down the corridor. I had another committee meeting that afternoon and was behind in my paperwork. People make fun of bureaucrats, but the truth is we work hard and accomplish a lot. When Tordorov had expressed his hope to do some good in his role, he had put into words what many of us feel deep down. Yet as I headed back to my office, something kept nig- gling at the back of my mind — something that didn’t quite fit. I slowed my pace, then stopped for a moment in the middle of the hallway to try and catch the thought. Nothing. I turned around and walked back to Captain Lauer’s office. Poking my head in the doorway, I coughed slightly at the cigarette smoke. The captain looked up from his table. “Dr. Tordorov?” Captain Lauer’s eyes narrowed at the interruption. “I finished questioning him, Mademoiselle. He is free to go wherever he wishes — just as you are.” Most likely he’d be in his office. Not bothering to say anything more, I went back into the hall and up two flights. Dr. Tordorov’s office was halfway down the cor- F O C U S J U LY- A U G U S T 2 0 0 3 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 25 Within minutes Captain Lauer had me telling him everything I knew about Eric Fleet — not that I could tell the police anything of interest.