Background[]
John Boothby was the owner of a Mary Cassatt painting, Two Children on a Beach, which Gabriel Allon copied and sold to Elena Kharkov as a trap for Elena's husband Ivan Kharkov.
Appearance[]
Boothby was supposed to play a passive role when Elena arrived to see the forged painting. Everyone was surprised when Elena was accompanied by her husband Ivan Kharkov. Boothby stepped into the breach and distracted Ivan with a walking tour of the estate while while Sarah Bancroft approached Elena.
Note[]
John Boothby was the son of Basil Boothby, who was featured prominently in Silva's The Unlikely Spy.