Page 175 of The Oligarch's Daughter

People were gathering before the ceremony in the small, plain cemetery surrounded by woods. Walter Beckley shook Paul’s hand, gave him an awkward hug. “Boy, compared to the wild adventure your dad made of his life, yours must seem so bland and uneventful,” he said.

“Yeah,” Paul said, giving a thoughtful smile.

“I guess that’s why people like us ski, you know? Life’s not dangerous enough.”

Paul chuckled politely, then said, “Well, something to be said for a quiet existence.”

He noticed someone standing nearby, waiting to talk, saw that it was his father’s old student Professor Sweetwater. “Excuse me,” he said, and turned to the professor, who gestured for the two of them to walk a distance from the graveside. When they were a good fifty yards away from the gathering, Professor Sweetwater said in a low voice, “You know I still have those files on my computer.”

“You do?”

“You want them sent to you?”

“No, thanks,” Paul said. “I’m trying to get away from all that.”

“Huh,” the professor said with a half smile. “I get it. But if you ever change your mind, just let me know.”

“Thanks.”

“Whatever happened to the oligarch, anyway?”

Arkady Galkin had been buried in Mount Lebanon Cemetery in Adelphi, Maryland, in a small, private ceremony. Paul had heard about it only after the fact.

“He’s dead,” Paul said sadly. “A long story.”

He saw someone approaching, gave his apologies to Professor Sweetwater, and turned to his cousin Jason Brightman.

“Jason,” he said. “I didn’t expect you.”

“I know, I know,” Jason said. “I never knew your dad. I knew he was a little—he kind of had a screw loose, right? But he was brilliant.”

“Alex is okay?”

“Yeah, he had a family . . . thing, so he couldn’t make it, but he sends his condolences.”

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to contact you these last few years.”

“I understand. You were good to my dad, and I know he appreciated it even though he couldn’t say it.”

“I know. And your family saved my life, so there’s that.”

“Dude!” It was Rick Jacobson with Mary Louise. Rick approached, gave Paul a bear hug. “I’m so sorry,” he said, and to Jason: “Pardon me.”

“Thanks for coming.” Paul kissed Mary Louise. “I appreciate it.”

Rick placed both his hands on Paul’s shoulders. “I think you owe me a long explanation and a couple of beers.”

“Can you guys stay overnight in my house?” Paul asked. “Plenty of room, plus it’s a long drive back to New Jersey.”

The couple looked at each other. “That would be nice,” Mary Louise said.

Over her shoulder, he saw a female figure walking slowly toward him. “Will you excuse me, guys?” he said.

With open arms he approached her. “Dushen’kaya. You came.”

“I had to, Pasha. I know how important your father was to you.”

Paul half smiled. “I guess, in some ways, yeah.” He embraced her.