Boris Pavlikovsky and Myriam

Boris Pavlikovsky and Myriam are business partners whose relationship is defined by mutual trust, professional competence, and a shared understanding of the criminal underworld. Myriam serves as Boris's right-hand operative, handling logistics, intelligence, and security for his high-stakes operations, including the recovery of the stolen Fabritius painting. Their partnership is characterized by efficiency, loyalty, and a tacit code of silence, with Myriam's judgment often proving decisive in navigating dangerous situations.

Introduction and First Meeting

Theo Decker first encounters Myriam when he runs into Boris on St. Mark's Place in New York City. After a brief, charged reunion, a "lean steely-eyed woman" with "long limp hair and a long, elegant black-clad body like a python" slides up to Boris's side. She introduces herself to Theo, saying, "The famous Potter. Pleasure. I've heard all about you." Her hand is cold, and Theo notices a blue pentagram tattooed on the inside of her wrist. When Boris is called away, Myriam takes charge, slipping her arm through Theo's and directing him to a bar where Boris will meet him later. She points and says, "There. Go down that way, four-five blocks. There's a bar, off Second. Old Polack place. He'll meet you." This initial encounter establishes Myriam as a capable, commanding presence who operates with quiet authority.

Role and Competence

Myriam is described by Boris as his "right-hand man," a woman who is "better than any man you'll find." He declares, "What a woman, my God. Not many like her, I'll tell you. Worth her weight in gold." Her role is multifaceted: she handles logistics, intelligence, and security for Boris's operations. When Boris plans the Amsterdam trip to recover the painting, it is Myriam who books the flights, arranging for Theo and Boris to travel on different planes to avoid detection. She also devises the crucial plan to tip off the art police by having an associate plant a doctored folder containing photos of the painting and a Frankfurt address. Boris credits her, saying, "All this is Myriam's idea, she deserves the credit, you should buy Myriam big drink when you get back home." Her strategic thinking is consistently praised as sound and effective.

Partnership and Trust

Boris and Myriam share a deep, unspoken trust that allows them to operate effectively in high-risk situations. When Boris and Theo are in Amsterdam, Myriam is the one who suggests they talk to Horst, an old friend of hers, to gather information about the painting's whereabouts. Boris notes, "Myriam suggested might not hurt to talk to him again? and I think maybe she is right about that." Her judgment is valued, and Boris often defers to her instincts. The partnership is also marked by a clear division of labor: Boris handles the front-end negotiations and personal connections, while Myriam manages the behind-the-scenes logistics and security. This dynamic is evident when Boris, after the shootout, tells Theo that he did not even tell Myriam the purpose of their trip, indicating a need for operational secrecy even within the trusted circle.

Significance and Narrative Role

Myriam's presence in the narrative underscores the professional, organized nature of Boris's criminal enterprise. She is not a romantic interest or a casual associate but a key operative whose competence is essential to the success of their most critical mission. Her ability to devise the police tip-off plan, which leads to the recovery of the painting and the arrest of Sascha, demonstrates her strategic acumen. The relationship between Boris and Myriam is a model of efficient, trust-based partnership in a world where betrayal is a constant threat. Her character also serves to highlight the contrast between Boris's chaotic personal life and his disciplined professional operations, reinforcing the theme of dual identities that runs throughout the novel.