Chapter 39

We all waited in the house in Chevy Chase that Grandfather used whenever he was working at State.

Gregor and Alyona were in the kitchen, preparing food they knew we’d only pick at, but it gave them something to keep their minds occupied.

Grandfather closed himself in his study, where he stayed in constant contact with Bryan, who was running the retrieval, and Tony, who aided wherever he could.

Mother paced the long corridor that ran from the front door to the back of the house.

Grandmother sat alone in the small parlor and stared out the window that overlooked the tiny backyard, at the flowerbeds with the last of the autumn flowers. I glanced from my grandmother to my mother, and Mother caught my gaze. She gave a discreet nod toward Grandmother, and then resumed her pacing.