Page 35 of Grizzly Sleuth
“Because the café I chose was right across from it.”
“What?” Svetlana exploded. “What were you thinking, returning there?”
“Bah. It’s not like they’d recognize me in flesh and clothes.”
“How did you get there? You left the car keys behind.” Idris had noticed them on the dresser where Yuri dropped them.
“Walked. We’re actually not far from the hotel.”
“Should we relocate?” Svetlana suddenly chewed her lower lip. “I don’t like being that close to all those agents.”
“We should be fine here for now.”
“You can’t know that for sure,” she argued.
“Despite all the supposed tips they’ve received, the KGB have no idea where we are, and with your new bird’s-nest hairdo, you look nothing like the picture they’ve been posting.”
“You sound awfully sure.”
“I might have eavesdropped while I was having my coffees and pastries.”
Svetlana’s gaze narrowed. “Eavesdropped on who?”
A good question, although Idris also wondered if Yuri brought back any of the coffee and pastries. His tummy had a rumble.
“The KGB and police. They kept popping in and out for refreshment.”
Before Svetlana could throttle her brother, Idris cleared his throat. “What else did you hear?” Because while his sister might be peeved at Yuri placing himself in a vulnerable and dangerous situation, Idris appreciated the fact Yuri had succeeded ingetting some intel. It drove him a little crazy to be cooped up in a room instead of acting.
“The KGB are obviously eager to find Svetlana and punish her while, at the same time, being impressed you trained two savage bears to defend you.”
“Might be one before the days ends,” was her ominous promise.
Yuri ignored her and kept talking. “There is some good news. Those investigating are split on whether or not you killed Ivan. Apparently, he owed a great deal of money due to gambling. It’s thought he might have been killed for not paying his debt.”
“How is this good news?” his scowling sister asked.
“One less murder you’re being accused of.”
“One less won’t make me any less arrested or dead. They still think I sicced the bears on the others.” Svetlana flopped onto the bed and threw an arm over her face.
“And set fire to Boris’ house after killing him,” Yuri added.
“Not helpful.”
“Anything else of interest?” Idris asked.
“I did find out the doctor is staying on the fifth floor.”
“Which is less than ideal.”
“I thought you wanted to know where to find him,” Yuri exclaimed.
“I do, but Levy’s current location is shit. You said it yourself. Cops and KGB are swarming the place, which means there’s no way for me to get inside without getting caught.”
Yuri’s lips turned down. “I guess it might be a tad difficult.”
“Tad?” Svetlana snorted. “Try impossible.”
