There is no child. I was never pregnant.
Disappointment rolled through Gromov, his thoughts taking him away from the restaurant to someplace as cold and dark as a tomb. Several beats of silence passed before he realized that Yanna had started telling him things he did not know about his son.
I loved Fyodor. I miss him terribly, she said. Wed met in a bookstore. We liked each other very much. He was so kind and altruistic. He had a gentle strength about him. He loved hearing about my university years in America. We became good friends and started seeing each other.
Yanna could clearly read on Gromovs face that he was misinterpreting things.
No, she said. It was not like you think.
She looked at him for a long moment.
Your son was goluboi. He was gay.
Gromov closed his eyes.
Before she died in the cancer ward all those years ago, his wife had tried to tell him about Fyodor, but hed refused to listen. Now he found himself nodding at this young womans confirmation of what he had long felt to be true. But it had never changed his love for Fyodor, and he was condemned to live with the regret of never having told him that.
Yes. Gromov cleared his throat. I know.
You should also know that I am rozovaya, a lesbian.
Gromov lifted his hand slightly from the table, in a gesture of acceptance, inviting her to continue.
I wanted a child, Yanna said.
She then told Gromov how months before Fyodor was killed, shed asked him to be the donor father of her baby.
I wanted a child, Yanna said.
She then told Gromov how months before Fyodor was killed, shed asked him to be the donor father of her baby.
In my eyes, he was the best human being in the world, she said. I was over the moon with joy when he agreed.
Yanna and Fyodor kept the matter secret and went to a clinic in Moscow.
The procedure failed. I never became pregnant. She paused. Then he was killed.
A long sorrowful moment passed as Gromov sat there absorbing the revelation. With each passing second he grieved what hed lost, refusing to accept that there was nothing he could do about it. Again and again Gromov told himself that it was impossible to go back in time and erase his sins. He could not undo the past.
No, he thought, but it was still within his power to shape the future.
Tell me, Yanna, what is the name of this clinic?
She hesitated, but not for long.
The Rainbow Clinic, off Leninsky Avenue.
Gromov reached for his phone and began making a series of calls.
Soon, he would know all he needed to know about the clinic to ensure they would not refuse his request to cooperate.
17
Moscow, Russia
Dr. Irina Aprishko removed her glasses and massaged her eyes after reading lab results at her desk in the Rainbow Clinic.
Looking forward to the weekend and the start of her vacation, she exhaled, replaced her glasses and saw that Olga Kotov, her assistant, was at her doorway, bag in hand, ready to leave.
The others have gone for the day, Doctor. Youre the last one here.
Im still expecting that late appointment.
Ah, yes, Mr. Ryazansky. So insistent when he called. Would you like me to stay?
No. Ill meet him then Ill close up. Thank you, Olga. Good night.
After her assistant left, the doctor locked her reports in one of the steel file cabinets against the wall then went to the window. The clinic was in a yellow two-story building on a quiet tree-lined street not far from Leninsky Avenue, a busy artery in Southwest Moscow. As she gazed at the street the doctor grew curious about this Ryazansky.
Why was he so insistent to meet now, simply to discuss the clinics services? Shed offered to tell him over the phone, but he rejected that. Shed offered to set up a formal appointment with other staff, but he rejected that too, insisting on meeting now with her, given that she was the only executive member of the clinic at the office today.
Who was this Ryazansky? Shed checked the clinics files. He was not a donor or patient. Was he a potential investor? She had to admit, business from the clinics operations, had been very good.
Or was he a cop?
She hoped he was not a cop-that would not be good. It could get complicated.
She removed her glasses, tapping one arm to her teeth to help her think, when the front door security bell sounded. She went to the empty reception desk and on the small video monitor saw two men in suits. Using the intercom she asked them to identify themselves.
Gennady Ryazansky, with my associate, Viktor Zhulov, here to see Dr. Aprishko.
She buzzed them in. Seconds later, two men were standing in the reception area where the doctor greeted them.
Thank you for agreeing to see me at the end of the day, Ryazansky said.
My pleasure. Lets talk right here. The sofas comfortable, and since the other staff members are gone for the day, our privacy is assured.
Certainly, but first, is it possible for Viktor to use your restroom? It was a long drive from downtown.
Of course. The doctor smiled at Viktor. Down the hall, to the left.
Watching him leave, she noticed the scar on his cheek and the tentacle of a tattoo creeping above his collar. Then she turned back to Ryazansky, who seemed to regard her with a degree of iciness. Who were these men? Usually she met with young couples, or a young woman, or young man.
So tell me, again, Mr. Ryazansky, she said as they sat, whats your interest in our clinic? Im a little unclear about your situation.
Before I go into specifics, Id like to know about your policies and procedures concerning your services.
Very well.
Aprishko gave an overview of how the experts at the clinic treated patients for infertility, using state-of-the-art technology. How the clinic also offered surrogacy arrangements and full services concerning surrogate motherhood with a global network of legal services. The clinic also offered in vitro fertilization and sperm donation services.
Above all, our most important policy is absolute confidentiality.
Thank you. Gromov reached into his chest pocket and produced a folded sheet of paper for the doctor. It showed the colored copies of drivers licenses of Fyodor Gromov and Yanna Petrova, along with neatly printed dates.
My name is Pavel Gromov, he said.
I thought it was Ryazansky? Im not sure I can help you under this-
Please, stay seated, Gromov said. Let me continue and it will all become evident. The man pictured here is my sonthe woman is his girlfriend. Youll see dates noted-they are the dates they visited this clinic to use his sperm to impregnate her. Unsuccessfully.
Aprishko looked at the sheet.
I believe, from my understanding of your procedures, Gromov said, that this clinic would have preserved and still possess my sons sperm. My son is now deceased and I want his sperm to make further attempts at a grandchild.
The doctor blinked several times. Mr. Gromov, my condolences for your loss. It is a terrible thing to lose a child. But Im afraid I cannot help you. First, as I said, patient confidentiality is absolute, so I cannot even confirm that these two people were patients. Second, it is stated in our contracts that, for clinical purposes, sperm becomes the property of the clinic but is not used other than for the purpose intended by the provider.
Gromovs face registered nothing. He said nothing. His eyes shifted from the doctor, who suddenly wondered why Gromovs associate had taken so long. When she turned her head she saw Viktor standing behind her. Hed removed his jacket, revealing a shoulder holster and the grip of a gun. Aprishkos jaw tightened when he passed her wallet to Gromov. Shed left it in her bag, in the drawer of her desk. This man had gone into her office and stolen it.
What is he doing? What are you doing?
Viktor stepped to the doctor and slapped her face once, as Gromov, indifferent to the assault, studied her wallets contents.
This would be your home address? Gromov held up Aprishkos license and other cards.
Her heart racing, the doctor tasted blood in the corner of her mouth. Through her tear-filled eyes she saw stars.
And this would be your daughter? Gromov held up a photo of a girl about twelve years old beaming for the camera. And this is your husband? Gromov held up another photo of a smiling man.
He let several moments pass in silence.
Listen carefully, Irina Aprishko. Before I came here, I learned where you live and where your family lives. I know from my sources that this clinic is involved in illegal activities. Is that not correct? Do not lie.
The doctor looked at him, glanced at Viktor, tears rolling down her face. She nodded slowly.
Good, now everyone here is being truthful. We will not hurt you, or your family, if you help me. Do you want to help me?
Another nod.
You are going to tell me if you have preserved or used my sons sperm.
Another nod.
You are going to tell me if you have preserved or used my sons sperm.
They went to Aprishkos office. Her shaking fingers made several errors as she typed on her keyboard, submitting codes to search the confidential files for Fyodor Gromov and Yanna Petrova.
The doctor confirmed that attempts to impregnate Yanna Petrova with Fyodor Gromovs sperm had failed, the file was closed and none of Fyodor Gromovs sperm was preserved at the clinic. However, through the other leg of their business, it had been used without Fyodors knowledge or consent to successfully impregnate a woman, a young American woman, by the name of Remy Toxton. The records indicated that she would have been due to deliver about now.
A boy, the doctor said. We have all of her personal information here, including a scanned copy of her passport.
Gromov stared at the photograph of Remy Toxton, the mother of his grandson.
Give me all of her information, he said.
A printer came to life. All documents were collected and passed to Gromov.
Listen carefully, Doctor. When we leave, you will call police and tell them you were robbed by two men. They took your wallet and struck your face. They have your address and youre fearful they may harm your family. Make sure they take down a report. If you do this, Irina, and never speak to anyone about our visit, no harm will come to you. Do you understand?
She nodded.
Ill have people watch you. Do you understand?
She understood.
18
Dallas, Texas
Theyre complete strangers. I never saw them before in my life, but the woman seemed kind of forward, kind of infatuated with Caleb Then we saw them in the center, I mean they were just there in all the craziness