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There was a crash somewhere and Gerald said, “Oops Grandkids,” and ran from the room

“We’re babysitting our son’s children this week I’d forgotten how busy they are at that age ” Stacey sht back with tea ” She hurried out of the room

“Do you think Dr Ada?” Meredith said as soon as they were alone

“Kind of coincidental that these people are Russian and that they knew the doctor,” Nina remarked

Mom stood up so suddenly she hit the coffee table with her shin, but she didn’t seem to notice She walked around the table and across the roo to a stop at the holy corner From here, Meredith could see the usual decorations: an altarlike table, a couple of icons, a fa votives

Stacey ca room and set her tray down on the coffee table She poured the tea and handed Meredith a cup “Here you go ”

“Do you know Dr Adamovich?” Nina asked

“I do,” Stacey said “He and reat friends I helped him with a research study for years Not acade ”

“The siege research?” Meredith asked

“That’s right,” Stacey said

“These are tapes,” Nina said, indicating the wrinkled paper sack at her feet “Mom just told her story to Dr Adamovich and he sent us here ”

Stacey paused “What do you mean, ‘her story’?”

“She was in Leningrad then During the war,” Meredith said

“And he sent you here?” Stacey turned to look at Moht she seemed to be made of marble "Why would he do that?"

Stacey went to Moain the teacup rattled in its saucer “Tea?” she asked, looking at Mom’s stern profile