Rudi stood dumbly for several minutes before realizing he had to run. He couldn’t go home. His father must know he had stolen the watches and the gems. He couldn’t stay in St. Petersburg. Someone in the conspiracy, angered that he hadn’t been captured, was sure to give his name. He had to leave Russia.
So he left the city without food or clothing, just a fortune in gems and rhodium, and walked and walked until he collapsed in a ditch outside of Telz, Lithuania.
Isak sat back in the chair with a sigh and absentmindedly jiggled the complaining baby. Rudi lay back on the pile of blankets, exhausted from telling and reliving the story. He kept eyes on Isak but nudged the leather pouch toward the edge of the bed. Isak watched impassively.
“And now what is next for you, Rudi Popov?”
“What should I do? They will be searching for me.”
Isak shook his head. “I don’t think they know about you. We get news here. The conspirators are all dead. One of them turned on the rest and gave names. Nikolai Rysakov. You knew him?”
“No. Sophia spoke of him. I wonder if she never told him about me?”
“That is possible. He was also hanged for his pains of betraying his fellows. But I doubt they are looking for anyone named Rudi Popov.” He looked at the boy from under shaggy eyebrows and Rudi hung his head.
“I am not Rudi Popov. To share my name is to bring shame on my father’s name. But he would be wrong to give these treasures to Alexander’s son. Alexander III is not good. I will not kill, but I don’t want to support the butcher. He steps on the poor and betrays his friends. I won’t give him the watches.”
“What about your father? Will he bear the blame for the theft?”
“No! You don’t know Mr. Faberge. He is a good man. A fair man. He understands I am not a good boy or a good son and will hold my father blameless.”
Rudi stayed for months as he gained strength and pondered what to do with the treasures. In Mr. Faberge’s shop, he had developed skill as a jeweler and worked willingly with Isak. Telz swallowed its curiosity and absorbed him with few questions. Questions these days were dangerous.
News trickled in. The feared pogrom would be coming to Telz. Once again the Jews were blamed for all the troubles in the land. The mutters grew to a roar.
Rudi approached Isak one day. “It is time for you to go.”
“Go where? I have little money and a large family. I ask you again. Go where?”
“To America. I’ve been thinking. Take your family and emigrate. I shall live in Vilnius. I can work quietly, give my watch to the church, and ask that the priest pray for my soul.”
“Watch? You mean watches.”
“No.” Rudi handed the leather pouch to Isak. “Take the uncut stones and the other watch. They will provide plenty of money for you to get to America. Plenty. You know how to find purchasers. Pardon me for saying so, but no one will be surprised that you have gems to sell. Many think Jews sleep on pillows made of gold and eat of dishes crusted in diamonds.”
Isak sat, silent, but his mind moved to the future. Two stones. That was all they needed to reach America.
About the Author
Romantic suspense is Anita Klumpers’s favorite genre, especially when a bit of humor is interjected. In an attempt to make the world a tidier, more civil place, she blogs as The Prude. Anita lives with her husband and mutt in south central Wisconsin. Spare time is spent meddling in her grown children's lives, spoiling grandbabies, teaching drama class and acting in an independently produced movie.
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