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“You can’t think of it that way. You had an accident, Anastasia, and we don’t know what else happened to you.”
“Or them. The Butyrskayas.” She brings her hands to her cheeks and her shoulders sag. “I think I knew them, Desmier. From what you said, I can’t imagine my father teaching me the codes for their secret door. So I need to remember. I have to. Especially if I saw what happened to them. And if we figure out where I was in my nightmares, I am going there.”
“Easy there. That might not be best.”
“I need to go.”
The door opens and Leif comes in looking flustered. I realize this is the first time we’ve gathered together like this. I wish it were under better circumstances.
I’m not sure what having Leif here will do, but he wanted to come over. At least Anastasia looks brighter for seeing him.
“Hi, guys.”
“Hey.”
Anastasia walks toward him, and he gives her a hug.
“Are you alright?” he asks her.
“No. I feel strange, and I don’t know what to do.”
“I don’t think there’s anything more you can do.” He ushers her back to the seat and lowers himself next to me. “I’ve been reviewing the safe houses I know were owned by the Butyrskayas in this country. None really match up with what you’ve said so far. That could either be because you were at another safe house I don’t know about, or one that’s not in this country. But I’ve been thinking that maybe you could have been at another house they owned, or some other property. Your dreams seem to be fragments of events pieced together.”
“I never thought of that,” I say. That’s a good assumption.
“How would we find out?” Anastasia asks.
“By looking at the same things we did before.” Leif nods. “Because you mentioned running through a meadow, I’ve asked my assistant to look for properties the Butyrskayas owned that either included a meadow or were close to one. But if there’s anything else you can think of, let me know.”
“I will.” Anastasia nods. “I really wish I could remember more. All I have is running through the meadow and a bird flying over my head. Then it’s darkness and monsters.”
Leif nods, and then he seems to contemplate something that furrows his brows.
“What is it, Leif? You look like you’ve come up with something.” I sit forward.
“The bird. I just had a thought.” He turns to Anastasia. “What kind of bird was it?”
She blinks several times. “I’m not sure. It wasn’t a big bird, and it was high in the sky. I’d say it had a dark color. Brownish maybe. God I know that doesn’t help. There are a ton of birds that fit that description.”
Leif pulls out his phone and taps at the keys. When he’s done, he shows Anastasia a picture of a Peregrine falcon flying overhead through the air.
“Did it look anything like that?”
Anastasia nods. “Yes. I think it definitely looked like that.”
Leif sighs. “The Butyrskayas were friends with the Dyshekovs. They raised Peregrine falcons for hunting.” He looks from me to Anastasia. “Lucca Dyshekov, the Pakhan of the Yurkov Bratva in L.A., still raises them now. I think I might have an idea, but I’ll need to speak to him.”
“Really?”
“It’s a possibility.” He switches his gaze to Anastasia. “If I’m right, it might be worth going to L.A. to see if anything jogs your memory.”
I look at Anastasia, who is already nodding eagerly.
“Yes. I want to go. I’ll do whatever I need to,” she says.
“Then we’ll leave tomorrow.” I give her hand a gentle squeeze.
“Alright. I’ll make contact with Lucca.” Leif stands. “Can I talk to you for a second, Desmier?”
