THE DENTED BLACK Lada taxi clattered down the dirt road, with every bolt in its ancient chassis rattling in protest. The potholed ruts led through thick pines and ended at an encampment of rustic chalets clustered near the Black Sea. The cab bounced on its worn shock absorbers even after Paul and Gamay Trout extricated themselves from the cramped backseat like clowns in a circus skit. They removed their duffel bags from the roof rack and paid the driver. The cab drove off in a cloud of dust, and the door to a nearby chalet flew open with a bang. A bearlike man charged out, roaring in a voice that practically shook the cones off the trees.

“Trout! I can't believe you're here.” He wrapped Paul in a bear hug. “How good to see you, my friend!” He pounded Trout on the back.

“Go-od to see you-oo, Vlad,” Trout replied, in between the breath-stealing thumps. “Thi-is is my wife, Gamay-may. Gamay, meet Professor Vladimir Orlov.”

Orlov extended a ham-sized hand and attempted to click the heels of his rubber sandals together. “A pleasure to meet you, Gamay. Your husband often talked about his brilliant and lovely wife as we drank beer at the Captain Kidd.”

“No less than he talked about you, Professor Orlov. Paul has often said how much he enjoyed your time together at Woods Hole.”

“We have many fond memories, your husband and I.” He turned to Paul. “She is as beautiful and charming as I imagined. You are a lucky man.”

“Thank you. And you will be pleased to know that your barstool awaits your return.”

“Then it is only a question of when. Tell me how things are at the Oceanographic?”

“I was there only a few days ago. I try to get back home in between NUMA assignments. Woods Hole hasn't changed since the year you spent there.”

“I envy you. As a pauper nation, Russia is stingy with money for pure scientific research. Even a well-thought-of institution such as Rostov State University must beg for funding. We're fortunate that the government allows the university to use this place as a fieldwork center.” Gamay looked around at the rustic cottages and the water sparkling through the trees. “It's wonderful! Reminds me of the old cottage colonies on the Great Lakes where I grew up.”