Child 44 and The Secret Speech: Digital Omnibus Edition (Leo Demidov) by Smith Tom Rob
Author:Smith, Tom Rob [Smith, Tom Rob]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781455518890
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2012-01-05T00:00:00+00:00
RAISA WAS WAITING OUTSIDE, staring up at the statue of Dzerzhinsky. Leo exited the building and took her hand, a brazen display of affection no doubt scrutinized by those staring out of the Lubyanka. He didnât care. They were safe, at least for the time being. That was long enough; that was as long as anyone could possibly hope for. He glanced up at Dzerzhinskyâs statue and realized that he couldnât remember a single thing the man had ever said.
ONE
WEEK
LATER
MOSCOW
25 JULY
LEO AND RAISA WERE SEATED in the directorâs office of Orphanage 12, located not far from the zoo. Leo glanced at his wife and asked:
âWhatâs taking so long?
âI donât know.
âSomethingâs wrong.
Raisa shook her head:
âI donât think so.
âThe director didnât like us very much.
âHe seemed okay to me.
âBut what did he think of us?
âI donât know.
âDo you think he liked us?
âIt doesnât really matter what he thinks. It matters what they think.
Leo stood up, restless, saying:
âHe has to sign off on it.
âHeâll sign the papers. Thatâs not the issue.
Leo sat down again, nodding:
âYouâre right. Iâm nervous.
âSo am I.
âHow do I look?
âYou look fine.
âNot too formal?
âRelax, Leo.
The door opened. The director, a man in his forties, entered the room:
âIâve found them.
Leo wondered if that was just a turn of phrase or whether heâd literally searched the building. The man stepped aside. Standing behind him were two young girlsâZoya and Elenaâthe daughters of Mikhail Zinoviev. It had been several months since theyâd witnessed their parentsâ execution in the snow outside their home. In that time the physical change was dramatic. Theyâd lost weight, their skin had lost color. The younger girl, Elena, only four years old, had a shaved head. The eldest, Zoya, ten years old, had her hair cropped short. Theyâd almost inevitably been infested with lice.
Leo stood up, Raisa beside him. He turned to the director:
âCould we have a moment alone?
The director didnât like the request. But he obliged and retired, shutting the door. Both girls positioned themselves with their backs against the door, as far away from them as possible.
âZoya, Elena, my name is Leo. Do you remember me?
No response, no change in their expression. Their eyes were alert, waiting for danger. Zoya took hold of her little sisterâs hand.
âThis is my wife, Raisa. Sheâs a teacher.
âHello, Zoya. Hello, Elena. Why donât you both take a seat? Itâs much more comfortable sitting down.
Leo picked up the chairs, putting them down near the girls. Although reluctant to move from the door, they sat down, still holding hands, still saying nothing.
Leo and Raisa crouched so that they were below the childrenâs eye level, still keeping their distance. The girlsâ fingernails were blackâperfect lines of grimeâbut their hands were otherwise clean. It was obvious that theyâd been hastily tidied up before the meeting. Leo began:
âMy wife and I want to offer you a home, our home.
âLeo has explained to me the reason youâre here. Iâm sorry if this is upsetting to talk about, but itâs important we say these things now.
âAlthough I tried to stop the murder of your mother and your father, I failed.
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