While I loved the treats, I knew he also did it because he couldn’t eat these things himself. He was vicariously living through my stomach. When Rolan turned sixty, his doctor had diagnosed him with high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. By sixty-two, he changed his diet and become a muscle man. He no longer had diabetes. His biceps had even outranked Kazimir. Due to that new body, he continued to be a ladies man. Bald head and a gray goatee, most women still had no idea how old he was.
The phone rang again.
I sighed.
Of course you will call me over and over, until I pick up.
I answered. “Yes?”
“You can’t ignore your batya.”
Humor hit my voice. “Apparently.”
“I’m in Prague. Where are you?” Rolan asked.
“I’ll be there soon.”
“When is soon?”
“I’m still working on those details.”
“Interesting. And did someone in Prague tell you that your father’s body is missing?”
I held my cursing in and closed my eyes.
“Mikhail?”
Opening my eyes, I turned away from Maxwell and Mrs. Jones. “What do you mean it’s missing?”
He ignored me. “Where are you?”
“I’m in St. Petersburg.”
“I’ve arrived for the ceremonies. Nothing looks prepared.”
I frowned. “We’re not doing ceremonies right now.”
“Mikhail, what do you mean—”
“Wait, batya. Where is my father’s body? Why would someone steal a corpse?”
“You’re asking me? His followers are strange. And I have just arrived. I have sweets for you.”
“What?”
“Fairy bread from Melbourne, Australia. It’s bread, but for fairies.”
My frown deepened.
Rolan knew me well and returned to seriousness. “Don’t worry, little one. I’ll find your father’s corpse. Although we do not need it. The funeral will still go on.”
“We don’t need the body? We still should find out—”
“You need to finish the arrangements. I’ve seen that you started them on the night he passed, but you must be here to oversee it all.”
“You are there.”
“Aww. I will do my best, but in the end, you are the king of the castle now.”
I let out a long breath. “Thank you, batya.”
That same humor returned. “For the fairy bread?”
“No. Not the fairy bread. Thank you for finding the body and working on the funeral. Whoever took the corpse should be put in the castle’s jail, until I get there.” I turned back to Maxwell and Mrs. Jones.
Both held shock on their faces.
Clearly, they’d been following the conversation.
Why are we speaking in English.
I shifted to Russian. “Is there anything else?”
Rolan continued in English. “Celina was here. Your father’s American mistress.”
I gritted my teeth. “I was aware of that. She was there, when we were at the party. What is wrong with that?”
“I don’t trust her. They said she’s been digging down in your father’s secret chambers. The maids swear she’s taken stuff.”
“Check on that, please.”
“So much to do. And what are you doing?” he asked.
I checked Ava’s grandmother. She still held a shocked expression, but now terror crept into her eyes. “I’m working on a very important mission.”
“So, this deals with your ballerina?”
I groaned.
Rolan continued, “Kazimir is looking for you.”
“I talked to him. He said he’s having a party of all things.”
“You are expected to talk to him in Moscow at some point. My advice is to come to Prague and bury your father. Kazimir will be there. Talk to him in Prague.”
“There’s nothing to discuss with Kazimir. I know what he wants. I’m not interested.”
“Your cousin will need you by his side now. He will be lost without Igor.”
“Why can’t you be by his side? You would serve him well.”
“Kazimir and his antics will raise my blood pressure. My doctor won’t be pleased.”
My phone buzzed.
What the fuck else!?
I checked the screen and spotted my helper Naveen’s number. “I must go. I’ll call you this evening.”
Rolan sounded upset. “Be sure you do or no fairy bread for you.”
“Oh, I must not miss out on the fairy bread.”
“I hear your sarcasm. Don’t forget that I can still talk with my fists.”
“Bye, batya.” I switched my phone to Naveen, regretting anything he would have to say. “What?”
Naveen came on with a rushed tone. “Hey, I have a layover in London. We have a bigger problem than the ballerina’s grandmother.”
“I’m sure we have a problem. Today is nothing but problems.”
“Our men have been tracking the brotherhood’s big weapons as usual,” Naveen said.
Not having the patience, I gritted my teeth. “Get on with it.”
“Some of Kazimir’s babies have been moving.”
Pain exploded at my temples.
Breathe. Breathe. It will be fine.
I took my time with the question, accidentally slipping into English. “Are you referring to the codes to Kazimir’s nuclear weapons?”
A tiny screech came from Mrs. Jones.
Damn it. Stop speaking in English.
“Yes.” Naveen’s voice sounded shaky. “The set of codes that were placed with your father have begun to move.”
No. This is not happening right now.
Naveen added, “We believe they’re in the air. Someone must have them on a plane.”
“Where the hell are they heading?”