Page 92 of Her Darkest Possession

I take a deep breath before continuing. "Roma told me that the Volkov bratva only allows Russians into their inner circle. Weneed to know if there were any Russian names on Ryan's visitor log from the hospital."

I glance at Roma, who nods encouragingly.

"Here's what I'm proposing: I'll ask you about my 'pregnancy concerns' while you look at the list of visitors to Ryan Bennet's room. We'll use code words. If you find Russian names on the visitor log, mention 'cramps.' For non-Russian names, say 'nausea.' The number of relatives who supposedly suffered from these symptoms will tell me how many names you found. And if we discuss any Russian visitors specifically, refer to them as Anatoly's distant uncles."

My heart pounds as I wait for her response. The silence stretches so long I wonder if she's hung up.

Finally, Dr. Espina speaks. "I understand your situation, Mrs. Baryshev. I can access that information, but I'll need some time. I'll call you back when I have what you need."

"Thank you," I whisper, relief washing through me. "This means everything to us."

"Of course. I'll be in touch soon," she says before ending the call.

I set the phone down and look at Roma, a flicker of hope sparking within me. "Now, we wait."

26

INDIGO

The phone ringsa few minutes later, and I grab it immediately.

"Hello, Mrs. Baryshev?" Dr. Espina says crisply when I pick up. "I've had a chance to review your medical history, and I understand your concerns about some common pregnancy symptoms?"

My heart speeds up. She found something.

"I appreciate you getting back to me so quickly," I reply, keeping my voice steady. "Yes, I wanted to know if my husband has ever mentioned any instances of cramps or nausea on his side of the family during pregnancy?"

"He has. Mostly nausea," she begins, "But he did mention to me that one of his uncles was born to a woman with a very severe case of cramping on your husband's side."

One Russian visitor.

"Only one?" I ask to confirm.

"Yes, I believe that uncle was named Ivan Yumatov."

I exchange a glance with Roma, who's leaning close enough to hear. His eyes widen slightly at the name.

"Ivan Yumatov," I repeat carefully. "I don't think Anatoly has mentioned him before."

"Based on what your husband told me, Ivan's mother suffered through cramps at a regular interval," Dr. Espina says. "They usually start around 2 PM. And they tended to last roughly twenty minutes."

The killer came at 2PM.

He stayed for twenty minutes.

This has to be our killer.

"I understand, Dr. Espina. Thank you for checking that for me," I say, my mind already racing with this new information. "Is there anything else my husband might've said about Uncle Ivan?"

"I'm afraid I don't have any more details that might be relevant to your condition," she says carefully. "But I do recall that your husband telling me an anecdote about how this uncle had a puppy that once bit his arm. A puppy that turned out to be a wolf once it got older."

Wolf tattoo on his forearm.

A Volkov man.

"That's perfect. Thank you, Dr. Espina."

"Of course, Mrs. Baryshev, and good luck," she says softly before ending the call.