Katia slipped out of one of the guest rooms in the house and padded gently down the hall before knocking on one of the bedroom doors at the end of the hall, then poking her head in the room. “Vasily?” she asked. Vasily looked up; he was chunkier than what was often recommended, and wore the tank top and button up tee shirt he seemed prone to.
“My friend down there,” she said, gesturing to the guest rooms, “he wants to help with finding uncle Vladimir. But he needs to know a few things first.”
“Things you’ve found. Basic stuff: what he looks like, last known whereabouts, et cetera. Probably should bring your computer.”
Vasily considered her. “Is he KGB?” He said the letters as if they rhymed and flowed together. Katia shook her head. “Nyet. He’s...he’s like me.” Vasily considered her some more, and then nodded and folded his laptop closed for transport. They walked back down the hall to the guest rooms, Katia gently resting a hand between Vasily’s shoulders until they reached the door and Katia knocked and slipped them inside.
“Phil,” she said, with some conscious effort. “This is Vasily.”