Love in E Flat (13 page)

Lou leaned forward. “It never sounded good, John,” she said angrily. John shrank and turned around.

“Well, let me assure you I am not a Russian agent, and I am not stealing any documents. Although,” she said with a grin, “I do like the idea of hiding it on sheet music.” She looked around again. “None of you have any Christmas shopping to do?”

“Plenty,” Edie said with a dejected sigh. “Madam Karetnikov, I am so sorry. I—”

“Please, I understand. And after all this, I think you can call me Agata.”

“You’re too kind. Really,” Edie said. “Please call me Edie, and this is my husband, John.”

John struggled and tried to reach his hand, the size of a ham, out to Agata. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Agata. I’m…I’m sorry too.” He blushed furiously and avoided Lou’s glare. “We got a little carried away.”

Agata leaned forward and shook his hand. “I understand.”

“You’re very gracious.” John glanced at Lou with an expression that Lou could only guess meant “holy shit, she’s gorgeous.”

“Well, I am not sure of that, but I do not want to cause an international incident.” She glanced at her wristwatch. “Nick, if you don’t mind, I have an appointment at the children’s center that had been changed…”

“Of course,” Nick said. “The address?”

“You can drop us off first, Nick,” Lou said before Agata gave the address. “I think we’ve intruded enough.”

“No,” Agata said. “I would like you to see this. If you would like. All of you.”

“If you’re sure,” Lou said for all of them.

“I am sure.” Agata smiled and looked out the window. “But you are correct about the intruding part.”

Lou, et al, smiled sheepishly and remained silent for the duration of the drive.

Chapter 10

Nick pulled his cab in front of the two-story brownstone just off Lake Shore Drive on Foster Avenue. It was in a quiet section of the North Side neighborhood. “Here we go,” he said. “Want me t’wait?”

“I am not sure how long this will be,” Agata said.

“Okay. Gimme a call when you’re ready. I got nothing so far. I’ll stay close if I can.”

“Thank you, Nick.”

Nick opened the door for Agata. “Hope whatever it is turns out okay for ya, Agata.”

“Thank you. Say a prayer.”

Nick winked. “Already did.”

“You are a gentleman and a good soul.”

Nick actually blushed as Lou rolled her eyes. “Oh, I dunno ’bout that. Talk to my wife. But thanks.”

For a moment, no one moved or spoke. Agata laughed. “You all look so guilty. Come with me, please.”

“So what’s the deal with the children’s center?” Lou asked as they followed Agata.

Agata stopped before she opened the door. “I set up a meeting with the Russian consulate, who is here from Washington, and your local representative.”

Lou exchanged curious glances with Edie and John.

“There is no time right now to explain. Once you see, you will have idea what I am doing.”
 

Lou saw the hesitation in Agata’s demeanor and cocked her head. Agata let out a short breath. “I do not know if this is right, but I need to trust all of you not to say or write about what you will see.”

Edie stepped up. “I give you my word, whatever happens here stays between us. Madam Karetnikov—”

Agata smiled. “Agata, please.”

“Agata, if you will feel more at ease, we can wait for you at your hotel or see you tomorrow. We don’t have to be a part of whatever this is.”

Agata seemed to gauge what Edie offered. She finally shook her head. “No, I have been alone in this too long.” She glanced at Lou and smiled, reaching for her hand, which Lou took.

“I agree with Edie, Aggie. You don’t have to do this.” She squeezed Agata’s hand tighter. “But I will go along with her on this. It’s all off the record. Whatever happens from here on out will never be printed.” She saw the look of relief on Agata’s face.

“Thank you. I will tell you afterward. If it does not go well, it will not matter.”

Now Lou was completely intrigued and worried. She had no idea what was going on. “Okay,” Lou said slowly.

They watched as Nick honked and pulled away.

“He is a good soul.” Agata turned to Lou. “Does he know why you do not drive car?”

“If he’s done research on my folks, then I’m sure he’s found out or has a good idea. I don’t know why he hasn’t asked.”

“He does not want to intrude on your life.” Agata grinned. “Unlike you.”

Lou grunted as John reached for the door. “Madam Buttinski,” he said to Lou.

Agata let out a loud laugh and put her hand to her mouth. Lou laughed along. Edie held on to John’s arm. “Nice going, husband.”

“What? We did. Butting into Agata’s life.” He looked at Agata. “We are sorry.”

“I know. But things happen for a reason. So let us forget it.”

John opened the door and allowed them in first. Lou was the last. She glared at John, who laughed. “What? We did…”

“Shut up,” Lou said, pushing him ahead of her.

Lou nearly ran into Agata, who put a hand on her arm. “Please, don’t say anything.”

The warmth of Agata’s hand spread through Lou’s. She nodded and patted Agata’s hand. The first thing Lou heard was children’s laughter, and in the distance, she heard music playing. As they walked in, a portly woman immediately greeted them with a wide smile that seemed to fill her face.

She held out her hand. “You must be Madam Karetnikov. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

“Mrs. Penkov,” Agata said warmly. “It is also good to meet you. I feel I know you for years.”

The older woman laughed and looked beyond Agata. “And who are you?”

Lou offered her hand. “Lou Preston. I’m a…”

“A friend of mine, Mrs. Penkov. Lou was nice enough to show me around Chicago while I am here. And this is Edie and John Trent. They are friends.”

Lou saw a moment of hesitation on Mrs. Penkov’s face, but a smile quickly replaced it. “You do look familiar,” she said, searching Lou’s face.

Lou felt very uncomfortable as if she were caught in a lie, which if one wanted to be technical, she was. She considered telling this woman when two men walked out of the office behind them. The older gentleman definitely had a European look about him. What that meant exactly, Lou didn’t know; it was just his look. The other, Lou thought, had to be the government man—dark suit, matching tie, starched shirt to match his expression.

Introductions were made all around as they stood in the foyer. Mrs. Penkov was the first to suggest they move to her office. When she did, she gave Lou a guarded look. “Ms. Preston, would you and your friends mind waiting for a moment?”

“Of course not.” She looked at Agata’s grateful smile. “We’ll be right here.” She watched as they retreated to Mrs. Penkov’s office.

Lou looked around, still hearing the muffled laughter of children, and decided to find out where it came from.

“Where are you going?” Edie asked as Lou started to walk down the hallway.

“I’m just checking the place out,” Lou insisted.

They followed Lou as she turned the corner and poked her head in a room. There were a dozen or so kids from toddler age to about preteen. This was where some of the laughter originated as they played games. There was one teacher, a young man, who caught her eye and waved. He motioned as if to ask Lou if she needed help. She shook her head and waved him off; he looked relieved as he went back to his students.

As Lou leaned against the doorjamb, she had the distinct feeling of being watched. She looked to her left, and two sets of big blue eyes stared up at her. Two children, a boy about eleven or so, and a young girl, Lou guessed, about six. From the resemblance, they looked like they might be siblings, as both had black hair and big blue eyes. But as Lou watched them watching her, she noticed a faraway look they had as they stood very close to each other and watched the other children play; the boy absently pushed his black glasses up on the bridge of his nose. The action had Lou grinning for some reason.

She heard Edie gasp. “That’s the boy from the concert,” she whispered in Lou’s ear.

It was then Lou realized Edie was right—it was the savant pianist. The wheels started turning in Lou’s head.

“Hi,” John said.

The girl looked way up at John and held her brown teddy bear close to her, but she smiled.

The boy put a protective arm around her. “Hello,” he said in voice that was far too serious for a kid. Lou heard the slight accent, as well.

Lou and Edie said nothing as John took over. “How come you’re not playing with the rest of the kids?”

The boy looked at the children, then back to John. “It looks ridiculous.”

John laughed then and wiped his hand across his mouth. “I suppose it does. But it’s just playing.”

“Demmi doesn’t play,” the girl whispered; she grinned and held the bear to her face as if to hide behind it.

“Shush, Ana,” Demmi said.

Lou and Edie looked down into her blue eyes. Ana watched John with what Lou thought was pure fascination. He crouched down to be face to face with the girl. “Hi, Ana, I’m John. And this is my wife, Edie, and our friend Lou.”

Ana frowned then and looked at Lou. “That’s a boy’s name.”

Lou chuckled. “I can’t argue with that. But my name is Louisa. My friends call me Lou.”

John offered his hand, and Demmi immediately pulled his sister back. Ana struggled against him and stuck out her hand, in complete defiance of Demmi. John took the little hand and gave it a gentle shake. He stood and offered his hand to the boy, who looked suspiciously from John’s hand to his face. “Hello, Demmi,” John said.

Ana giggled as Demmi frowned.

“I am Dmitry,” he said as if throwing down the gauntlet, daring John to pick it up.

Lou liked this kid; he was protective of his sister and very proud and mature for his age.

“Dmitry, it’s nice to meet you,” John said. “Is Ana your sister?”

“Yes.” He pushed the black glasses up on his nose once again.

“Well, she’s very lucky to have a big brother to protect her.” John grinned. “And her bear.”

Dmitry looked as though he wanted to laugh; a tiny smile tugged at his lips. Ana presented the worn stuffed animal.

“And what’s his name?” Edie asked as she knelt down.

“Brown Bear,” Ana answered as if there were no other plausible answer.

Lou nodded and shook the bear’s hand. “Well, Mr. Bear…”

“Just Brown Bear,” she whispered seriously. “And she’s a girl.”

Dmitry snorted. “Today...”

Ana snapped her head toward her brother. “Brown Bear is a girl.”

“Yesterday, he was a boy,” Dmitry insisted, pushing his glasses farther up on his nose. “Make up your mind.”

“Oh, shush, Demmi,” Ana said and turned back to Edie.

“Well, I think she looks fine,” Edie said with a smile.

Ana thrust the bear at Edie. “Kiss her…”

Edie chuckled and gently held the stuffed animal like an infant and kissed its forehead. “Well, hello, Brown Bear. My you have pretty brown eyes.” She glanced at Ana, who looked perplexed, as if she didn’t think Edie would play along. “What’s that?” Edie placed her ear to the bear’s mouth. “Oh, I see.”

Ana frowned. “What did she say?”

Dmitry raised an eyebrow and shook his head. Ana glared at him. “She can talk, Demmi.”

“I know,” he said, sounding like a psychiatrist. He looked up at John, who shrugged. Dmitry grinned.

Lou watched as Edie and Ana ignored both men. She noticed Dmitry inch closer to John; he seemed to relax. He no longer stood ramrod straight.

“She said she loves you and thanks you for taking such good care of her,” Edie whispered.

Ana’s eyes lit up. “I do take care of him. I love him.”

“Her,” Dmitry chimed in, rolling his eyes at John.

Edie gently handed the stuffed animal back to Ana. “Brown Bear can be whatever you want, sweetie.”

It was then Mrs. Penkov entered from the far door. She beckoned to Dmitry and Ana, while giving Lou, Edie, and John a guarded look. What gives? Lou thought. Dmitry put his arm around Ana’s shoulder in a protective manner and followed Mrs. Penkov out of the playroom but not before Ana turned back to them. She smiled and waved with Brown Bear in her hand. They chuckled and did the same.

“I wonder what’s going on,” John said as he watched them leave.

“I don’t know,” Lou said.

“They have to have something to do with Agata. It can’t be coincidental. Right?”

“I’d say yes, but who knows.” Lou scratched her head as if to prove her point.