was mere reeling in. ‘I don’t mean there was anything like that going on; Vasya’s not like that. But he saw immediately that I missed my father, and tried to take on the role – when he was in town.’
Luka nodded, sharing the experience.
‘He used to buy me toys, and books when I was older, and tell me of history and of the world.’
‘What does he look like?’ Luka asked eagerly.
‘Striking. You wouldn’t fail to recognize him. He’s quite tall – a little taller than me. And he’s got blond hair; it’s very distinctive. He wears it long – at least for a man of his age.’
‘Anything else?’
‘His eyes; grey. Some people think they’re cold, but not when you get to know him.’
Luka nodded, his hands at his mouth, hiding his joy. ‘It’s him,’ he said. ‘The same man. Vasiliy Grigoryevich Chernetskiy.’
Another alias to add to the list. ‘How do you meet him?’ Mihail asked, trying to reflect his brother’s joy.
‘My story’s much the same as yours – except that Vasya knew my father rather than my mother. But whenever Papa had to go away on business, Vasya always kept an eye on us. And I know that Papa once got into debt, and Vasya made him a loan which saved him. He’s got money – from land, I presume – and he knows how to do good with it. The country would be a better place with more like him.’
Mihail nodded. ‘You’re not wrong.’ In some ways it would be sad to finally prick the bubble of the man’s affection for Iuda; in others a joy. It would have to be done sooner or later.
‘And so … what?’ asked Luka. ‘Vasya told you about me? Said you should look me up?’
‘Not quite. I’ve known about you for some time. But as fate would have it, Vasya and I found we would both be travelling to Petersburg at the beginning of the year. We planned to meet up and then call on you together.’
‘You mean …’ – Luka was excited now – ‘he’ll be here soon?’
Mihail allowed his face to fall. ‘That’s just the problem. I’m quite unable to find him. He should have arrived in the city before me, but I’ve been to the hotel where he said he’d be staying and his club, and there’s no sign. I wondered if he’d contacted you.’
And there it was: the reason for Mihail’s coming to Petersburg; the hope that there might be some thread of a connection whereby he could find Iuda.
Luka threw himself back on the divan and raised his hands in despair. ‘I’ve heard nothing. He hasn’t even written to announce his visit, which would be usual. You think he might be in trouble?’
‘That’s my fear.’ It was more than a fear. Iuda was Dmitry’s captive. There was no reason to suppose he had escaped, but there was plenty to suggest they had come to Petersburg – not least that Luka himself lived there.
‘What can we do?’
‘Keep our ears to the ground. You know Petersburg better than me. Does he have an apartment here, or anywhere else he might be able to stay?’
Luka thought, perhaps for a little too long, then shook his head. ‘Nowhere that I know of – nowhere fixed.’
‘He mentioned a place on Great Konyushennaya Street.’ It had been Aleksei’s home once, but Iuda had managed to acquire it, along with Aleksei’s wife and son.
Luka shook his head. ‘No, he sold that years ago – and even then he never lived there.’
‘Then all we can do is wait. If he is here and something has happened to him, you’ll hear of it I’m sure.’
‘How shall I get in touch?’
‘Here’s where I’m staying.’ Mihail handed him a card with the address of his hotel. ‘And I’ll find you here if I learn anything.’ He stood, preparing to leave.
‘One more thing, Mihail Konstantinovich,’ said Luka, standing also. An edge had crept into his voice.
‘Anything.’
‘You said we had a mutual friend – in Vasya – but it seems we have another.’
‘Another?’
‘Dusya.’
‘Dusya?’
Luka tutted. ‘Don’t play the idiot. We know you followed her yesterday. I saw you in the Summer Gardens.’
‘Ah!’ Mihail tried to blush, but did not know if he succeeded. ‘You saw me. That’s a pity.’
‘Why?’
‘Well, I don’t know how much Dusya may have told you, but we met on the train from Rostov a few days ago. I couldn’t help but find her a very attractive young lady – she did nothing to encourage it, I assure you.