“That actually seems pretty plausible. I’m okay with it if you are.”
Curial took a deep breath and punched in another code.
L – E – N – I – N
The red light blinked, a beep came out and again nothing happened.
“Didn’t work.”
“Crap,” replied Maurice. “It’s possible we have two more chances at this. More likely, only one.”
“And what happens if we don’t get it right?”
“The keypad resets and no one can enter the door for twenty four hours,” said Maurice.
And that just wouldn’t do. Curial was supposed to be smart enough to do this. He looked at the letters again. He had run out of chances—he had to get it right this time. Think, Curial. Think.
“Curial, chances are the key code is going to be special to Ardankin, so he can remember it easily. What is special to Valery Ardankin?
Curial looked at the letters again.
“Maurice, you’re a genius.”
He typed D-I-N-A into the keypad and pressed enter.
A green light blinked on, three short beeps came out of the keypad and a click came from the door.
“That sounded different, please tell me that sounded different,” said Maurice.
“It worked,” said Curial.
“Oh thank God.”
Curial released a sigh then pushed the door open slowly and stepped into darkness. He slid his hand along the wall, found the switch, and flipped it upward. The lights turned on. And a bedroom, a boy’s bedroom came into view.
Along the wall near the switch was a dresser. In the middle of the room was an old bed. At the foot of the bed was a wooden trunk. On the walls were shelves filled with toys. Old toys. And then Curial looked to the far wall. There was a wooden desk and on the wooden desk was a glass case. And inside that glass case….were dolls.
The Romanov Dolls.
Curial stumbled forward. “Maurice, they’re here, they’re really here!”
Then Curial picked up static in his ear, and a muffled sound of someone…well, shouting.
“Maurice, did you hear me?”
Just then the door behind Curial swung open. He spun around to see Professor Valery Ardankin walk into the room. His hands were in the air and his face was colorless. He was followed by Victor Koralenko. He held a pistol which he turned from the head of Valery Ardankin and now held at the face of Curial.
“Ahhh, young Mr. Diggs, so nice to meet again. You may have heard this before but, I have a gun and I most certainly know how to use it.”
Chapter Thirty – Beautiful Dolls
“I’ve made it clear to Professor Ardankin that I can put a bullet through his head faster than he can scream. And I assure you Mr. Diggs, the same is true for you.”
Curial was looking from Koralenko to Ardankin.
“Confused?” said Koralenko as he waved the nose of his gun a bit. “I thought so. Oh, and don’t even think about your two other friends, Maurice and Miss Ardankin won’t be helping you. My men are rounding them up as we speak.”
“I don’t understand,” said Curial.
“I know, I know. It has been so fun to watch you piece it all together. And to think, before you visited me in Moscow I didn’t dream there was any chance of ever finding the Romanov Dolls. You see, I’ve gotten where I’ve gotten in life by being a man of opportunity. And when you walked into my life, I saw an opportunity. So my men planted a very tiny transmitter on your phone. You’d never notice it, especially when you’re being kidnapped at gunpoint riding in a bumpy van.” Koralenko smiled. “And since then, I’ve been tracking you and listening to you. Now granted, I can’t hear everything. But I’ve heard enough, and to watch you solve this mystery has been extraordinary.”
“How did you figure it out?” Professor Ardankin asked Curial directly.
Koralenko waved his gun. “Ahh yes, do tell Mr. Diggs, it’s all quite fascinating.”
Curial clenched his fists. “You can’t do this. You know who my father is.”
“Yes, I do and back in Moscow it wasn’t worth the trouble. But now?” Koralenko looked past Curial to the other side of the bed. “Now, I have the Romanov Dolls within my grasp. And the Romanov Dolls are worth whatever mess we create tonight. So please, don’t embarrass yourself by trying to scare an old KGB man like myself. Instead, do me the honor and tell us how you figured it all out.”
Professor Ardankin looked scared. He knew Koralenko better than Curial did, and there was fear all over his face. That made Curial scared. It was time to play along. And stall. He turned towards Professor Ardankin.
“We figured out the symbol on the bottom of the dolls was from an old secret police group ran by Koralenko’s father.”
“Which my people on the street heard about, so of course I brought the children in,” said Koralenko.
“More like he kidnapped us.”
Ardankin’s expression changed. “You kidnapped my granddaughter?”
“Now, now, Valery, calm down. Didn’t touch a hair on her beautiful head.”
Curial continued. “When Koralenko was convinced we weren’t spies, he let us go but not before he told us something we’d never heard about the dolls. He said they were created at Abramtsevo.”
Koralenko waved the gun again, then tilted his head. “To be honest, Abramtsevo didn’t mean much to me. My father said it once, but to a Russian, so many old toys were made at Abramtsevo that it didn’t mean anything of significance at all.”
“But I am not Russian,” said Curial, “and had only heard about Abramtsevo in connection to the creation of the first matryoshka dolls, so it felt more like a clue to me. And when we checked the place out, we found a picture: a picture of Vasily Zvyozdochkin, a young apprentice named Ivan Belsky and…well…Rasputin.”
Koralenko beamed with pride, as if he had figured it all out himself.
“Extraordinary,” said Professor Ardankin.
“We went to the toy museum and figured out that Ivan Belsky was the grandfather of a Gennady Belsky and that he was in fact the same person as Gennady Lukin, the doll maker that you, Professor Ardankin, have known for years. We confronted Gennady and he finally told us the truth, that his grandfather had helped make the Romanov Dolls and that Rasputin took them to give to Czar Nicholas.”
Koralenko nodded. “But here Valery, here is where things get exiting.”
Curial continued. “Years later, a man came to Abramtsevo by the name of Boris Markov. He befriended Gennady and at some point asked Gennady if he could re-create the Romanov Dolls. So Gennady did his best, and one day Markov picked up the dolls, paid him a handsome sum of money, and left. A week later, the Romanov Dolls were stolen. Two weeks later Boris Markov was dead. Gennady was scared so he and Valeeni packed up and came to St. Petersburg under a new name. But little did they know, they moved to the city of their friend’s killer. We found out the murder took place at Koralenko’s White Hills estate and thus we assumed Koralenko was behind it all along.”
Koralenko smiled. “Until this evening,”
“That’s right,” said Curial. “Dina was showing me your house and we came by this room.” Curial waved his arm around. “She said it was always locked and nobody ever went in. Nobody but you. I asked her why. Dina said it was her Uncle Nikolai’s room who died when he was quite young. Had a terrible disease. Hemophilia. Coincidentally enough, it was same disease Alexei Romanov had.”
Curial noticed Professor Ardankin’s face shift a little.
“And that’s when everything started to come together. Rasputin was a sorcerer, a healer and many people have always thought he did something to help heal Alexei of his hemophilia. And what I figured was Rasputin did something to those dolls, something that none of us can understand, and those dolls helped heal Alexei.”
If possible, even more color drained from Ardankin’s face.
“And further, Professor Ardankin, I guessed that you somehow discovered this too. And you figured the dolls just might be able
to save your only son.”
Koralenko beamed like a proud parent. “Brilliant don’t you think Valery? And to think you used your position at my father’s estate to pull off an enormous art heist and then, instead of sharing the treasure with the Koralenkos, you kept it for yourself. And you killed the thief so nobody would ever know. Amazing.”
“What’s even more amazing is the cowardly way in which Valery took Markov out. Shot him right in the back. He said Markov was a thief, that’s what he told father and I. Valery said he was just protecting our estate. So, naturally, father and I stood up for him, protected him from the police. And to think, all along you killed Markov for your personal gain. You greedy, greedy man.”
Ardankin shook his head. “No Victor, you don’t understand.”
Victor cocked back on the revolver. “No Valery, I think I do.”
And that’s when it hit Curial. Koralenko doesn’t know. He hadn’t quite figured it all out. And that meant Curial just might have a chance.
Curial took a small step towards Koralenko. “So what are you going to do, just kill us and take the Romanov Dolls for yourself?”
Koralenko made a face. “The thought had crossed my mind. A suspicious American breaks into a respected Russian’s house and then he and the respected Russian die in a hail of bullets. Of course, since I am KGB, I will make sure the police draw those conclusions. I believe I told you I haven’t killed anybody in a while and frankly, it’s making me a bit itchy.”
Curial should have been scared. He should have been shaking. But he wasn’t. Koralenko was a bully, and Curial’s entire family legacy was built on standing up to bullies. He took another small step. “So, just like that. My mother searched for these dolls her whole life, I did all the work, and then you’re going to swoop in at the last moment and take them away.”
Koralenko shrugged, amusement all over his face. “As opposed to?”
Curial held out his hands, palms out. “At least let me look at them, touch them, My God, are you such a monster that you can’t at least give me that?”
Koralenko waved his gun back and forth and danced his tongue along his lip. Finally he threw one of his hands in the air. “Oh, I must be getting old and soft. Fine. Dying wish, blah, blah, blah. Touch the dolls, lick them. Just don’t do anything stupid.”
Koralenko went for it. And unfortunately at this point, doing something stupid was Curial’s only chance at getting out of this mess. He turned from Koralenko and passed by Professor Ardankin. As he did, Professor Ardankin seemed to look right through him. Curial walked around the bed to the other side of the room. He went to the desk, where the glass case was. Where the Romanov Dolls were.
“Easy now,” Koralenko said from behind.
Curial looked at them, really looked at them. He had seen pictures, he had heard his mother talk about them. He had dreamed of this moment, of finally coming face to face with this brilliant treasure. These dolls were indeed beautiful.
But as he looked at them now, he knew with certainty what he had only guessed before. They weren’t perfect.
Curial carefully lifted the case up and wrapped both hands over the largest of the dolls. Heavier than it looked. It should do the trick just fine.
But he had to be certain.
He gently turned the largest doll so he could see the bottom. Just as he’d guessed.
No symbol.
He saw Ardankin give him a funny look and then Curial squared up on Koralenko and raised his arms. He took a step and, as he jumped up to the bed, he threw the doll as hard as he could right at Koralenko’s head. As Curial hit the bed he jumped again, this time directly towards Koralenko.
Koralenko fired his gun wildly into the air as the doll connected with the old Russian’s chin. Curial hit the ground and charged him and, as Koralenko fumbled for the revolver, Curial blasted him with an overhand right that smashed into Koralenko’s nose. Koralenko fell back and screamed in pain just as the door flew open and a large Russian man came in holding a gun, he fired it once into the room and Professor Ardankin screamed as he jumped in front of Curial. Meanwhile, Curial rolled to the side then kicked the large man in the side of the knee. As the man cried out in pain, Curial grabbed the doll and smashed it into the side of the large man’s head. The man’s eyes instantly started to circle the drain, and then he dropped his weapon and fell into a motionless heap right on top of Victor Koralenko.
Curial ran over to Ardankin and put his hand on top of Professor Ardankin’s right shoulder, pressing down.
“I’ve never been shot before,” the Professor said.
“You saved my life,” said Curial.
“I’m not a good man Curial. I killed a man.”
Curial looked back. The large man was motionless and Koralenko couldn’t move. He turned back. “But it wasn’t like Koralenko said, was it Professor Ardankin? You didn’t murder Markov and I don’t think you killed him to shut him up.”
Ardankin moved his head back and forth slowly. “I’ve replayed that day in my head for the last forty-four years. Markov brought me the Romanov Dolls and I thought my son Nikolai was saved. My boy was dying and I would have done anything for him. And then after a few minutes, I could tell. The dolls, they were beautiful but…well…you could see it…I saw the look in your eyes.”
“But the dolls weren’t perfect,” said Curial.
Ardankin nodded. “I demanded to know what Markov did with the real dolls. He said I was crazy. But I knew he was lying. I pulled out a revolver to scare him, only to scare him and he ran away.”
“And that’s when you fired?”
Now Ardankin’s eyes were wet. “I thought if I shot close to him that he would know I was serious. That he would tell me the truth. But…oh dear God, I hit him. I hit him square in the back. He died in my arms within minutes.”
Just then a chill ran down Curial’s spine. “Maurice, and Dina! Koralenko said his men had gathered them up.”
“My phone,” Ardankin gasped. “Check my phone. Ever since you came to St. Petersburg, I’ve had someone following my Dina.”
“A large man in a dark trench coat?” Curial asked.
Ardankin nodded.
Curial fished the phone out of Ardankin’s pocket then held it in front of him. He pushed a button and the phone started ringing. A man answered after one ring.
“Status report,” Ardankin managed to say.
“Had some trouble with Victor Koralenko’s men but everything is fine now.”
“So Dina is safe?”
“Not only Dina but the little annoying one as well,” said the voice.
“Maurice?” Curial said. Ardankin nodded.
The man on the phone continued. “Dina was already headed back to the house when Koralenko’s men tried to grab her. Then we found Maurice surrounded by goons when we got back.”
“So where are you now?” asked Ardankin.
“I made the annoying one wait at the front gate but I’m bringing Dina into the house as we speak.”
Ardankin froze and grabbed Curial by the shirt. “My granddaughter, she can’t know. She can’t know what I’ve done.”
“What do you expect me to tell her?”
“Curial Diggs, you must do this for me. If she knew the truth about me, that I’m a killer, it would destroy her. Plus, Koralenko is right. He is KGB. I can handle him but things are bound to get very messy once people know Americans are involved. You need to leave the country and you need to leave now!”
“Fine, but first I say goodbye to Dina,” said Curial.
Ardankin shook his head.
“Do you like my granddaughter?”
“Well yes.”
“Then please, please don’t do this to her.”
The door flew open, Dina looked down and ran to her grandfather. She saw the blood and her eyes grew huge. She saw Curial and her face became confused. “W-what happened?”
Dina looked at her grandfather and then at Curial again. She knelt down beside them. It was Ardan
kin who spoke first.
“Curial must leave before Koralenko’s people get here.”
“What?” she said, clearly confused.
Curial stood up and swallowed.
“Curial, what did you do to my grandfather!? What’s going on?”
“Go Curial now!” Ardankin managed to get out.
And all Curial could do was nod his head helplessly. “I’m so sorry Dina.” Then he turned around and jogged out the door.
Chapter Thirty-One – Unlimited Hot Dogs
Robert Mercury Diggs didn’t even see his son when Curial got back into town the next day. Instead, Curial received a text from Getty, saying the President of Diggs Banks was preparing for another trip and wouldn’t see his only son until the middle of the following week.
And Getty reminded him of his test in two days.
Good old dad. Good old Getty.
Curial lay face down on his bed, counting the fibers in his carpet. Ever since he, Maurice, and Mike had boarded the plane to come home from Russia, Curial had been depressed. His mother had given him a task—in some ways, it was her whole life’s work—and he had been so close… only to find that even those closest to the truth had no idea what had happened to the real Romanov dolls.
And if his dad ever found out what had happened in Russia, Curial would be on the next train to Haverfield, right after his dad reminded him that the life he and the rest of the Diggs men had carved out for Curial wasn’t so bad.
Maybe it was time to start remembering that.
Curial’s door burst open. Maurice stood there, looking at his phone and smiling.
“I’ve got an important art gallery party to attend tonight and it looks like my date hasn’t even showered,” said Maurice.
“I’m not really in the mood,” said Curial.
“I’m not sure it matters if you’re ‘in the mood.’ You told me yourself, your friend Claude needs you. Plus… what would your mother do?”
Curial breathed in through his nostrils and sat up. “I really hope you don’t pull the what-would-my-mother do line on me often.”
Maurice scratched his chin. “I’m not sure. I wonder what your mother would do?”
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