There was a long silence, and Oleg took a moment to reminisce and imagine leaving scorched palm prints on his castle walls too. Perhaps he could incorporate them into a mosaic design.
“You’re correct,” she said. “But you did not call to make sure the workmen arrived.”
Oleg noticed one of the metal towers in the processing plant start to tilt.
“Of course I didn’t. I just wanted to hear your voice.” He smiled as the tilt became obvious to human eyes. Lights started to go on around the plant, and perimeter guards started running.
“That’s unexpectedly sweet of you,” Tatyana said. “Are you bored?”
“Not really. Just working on a little project with Lazlo.”
The metal tower collapsed inward, raising a massive cloud of dust and debris that billowed out from the plant as the earth around the structures began to buckle.
“How is Lazlo?”
“He is doing well.” Oleg saw a large berm of earth rising from the rubble as his brother tunneled away from the plant. Enough chaos had been caused. The industrialist would likely lose millions in lost profits and rebuilding. He would also likely have many questions for Ivan.
“I’m going to Budapest tomorrow,” Tatyana said. “Kezia and I have a meeting.”
“Oh?” Tatyana’s relationship with her sister could sometimes be contentious. “How will that be?”
“Good I think.” She sounded optimistic. “It’s about something we’re both very invested in, so I think it will be good.”
“You know, you two are very different, but I think you have very similar values.”
“Values are important.”
Tiny dark outlines ran toward the safety of the main road, and a siren started wailing in the night.
“What’s that?” Tatyana asked. “Oleg, are you in Kyiv?”
“No, no. Not even close. I told you I’m with Lazlo. No need to worry.”
“Ishesafe?”
“Always.”
Lazlo emerged from the earth, wiping his hands and his face. He was covered in dust, but he was grinning.
“I should go,” Oleg said. “Call me from Budapest when you arrive.”
“I will. Say hello to Lazlo from me and tell him I haven’t killed anyone yet.”
Oleg smiled. “I will.”
He slid his phone in his pocket. “That was Tatyana. She wanted me to tell you that she has not killed anyone yet.”
Lazlo grinned. “She has a good sense of humor, that one. Of course, she would have to.”
“Because she married me?”
“See how self-aware you have become?” Lazlo wiped his face with a muddy handkerchief. “That is called personal growth. I heard about it on a podcast.”
“Interesting.”
“It’s a shame that you and Tanya could not have a big wedding.”
“Tatyana doesn’t like it when people call her Tanya.”
