“St. George,” Nonnie said, reverently. “Hero on a mythical, religious, and symbolic level. The dragon at this monument stands for the Nazis. St. George is Moscow.” A smile crossed her face.
She touched the new, sparkling ring on the fourth finger of her left hand, then turned her old blind eyes toward Eric with a coy expression. “St. George also operates on a personal level, eh, Natalya? He has brought us love in spite of all odds.”
“Yes, he does.” Natalie squeezed Eric’s hand and he flushed. “My knight in—”
He shook his head. “Lady, I keep trying to tell you—I’m no knight!”
“—tarnished armor. I think it’s beyond tarnished, actually. It’s creaky, kind of rusted out, truth to tell, so it’s a good thing I have contacts in the restoration business.”
“Hey!” He poked her in the ribs, and she batted at his hand.
“Be serious, children,” said Nonnie. “I have a question to ask you.”
They waited.
“Will you come with me on my next quest?” she asked. She groped and found Ted Blakely’s hand, while he gazed at her fondly. “All of you?”
“What quest would that be?”
“I’m going to find Wiemar von Bruegel, the Nazi bastard who killed my father and many others. Inside the necklace was a safety-deposit key. Inside the safety-deposit box was proof of his true identity and of his crimes. He’s been living under an assumed name, right here in Moscow! And I will hunt him down if it’s the last thing I do.”
“Er,” Eric said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Mrs. Ciccoli? His assumed name is Oleg Litsky, and my coworkers already have him in custody. They ‘repossessed’ him for the World Court. Someone will probably be calling you soon so that you can confront him and testify at his trial.”
Nonnie stared sightlessly at him, her eyes filling and her mouth working. Then she threw her arms around him and kissed him on both cheeks. He could feel himself blushing, probably borscht red.
“See, Natalya?” her grandmother said. “What did I tell you? That necklace has mystical qualities. It calls forth the true spirits of those who handle it. Your young man and his colleagues were sent by St. George himself.”
“Of course they were,” Natalie agreed wryly. “Was there ever any doubt?” And then she leaned over to kiss Eric deeply.