Grant bites his lip. “I go back to Russia and the CIA software. You think this has something to do with me being from Russia? How? I was a baby then. The CIA wouldn’t be interested in Russian adoptions. And let’s say they were. Why wait all these years? Why contact me this way? Why not come to the front door and knock?” He shook his head. “I’m a kid. The CIA doesn’t do this.”

“Maybe Danielle was a CIA agent,” Peter says. “I mean, she went to Russia a bunch, right? And China? That would be a good cover, wouldn’t it, for a spy? An adoption consultant.”

Peter’s words shift something in the room. Grant and Peter look at each other like he blurted out an uncomfortable truth.

“But spies want military secrets and financial information and stuff like that. How would she get that? All she went to was hotels and orphanages. I know that much.”

“People with the secrets to give to the CIA could meet her there and give them to her,” Peter says. “No one would be watching her.”

Grant feels cold. “So, she’s not a spy. More like a courier, bringing back secrets?”

“Yeah.”

“OK. So let’s say your guess is the right one. She worked for the CIA during the time she was going to Russia. What does that have to do with my family and me? Did my parents know that? Or did they see something that they shouldn’t have seen?”

“Wouldn’t you have to ask your mom?” Peter says quietly. “We’re just guessing here.”

Peter is right and Grant knows it. “Thanks, Peter. For everything you tried to help me with.”

“Don’t talk to my dad about this.”

Probably because it sounds crazy. Grant nods.

After a moment, Peter offers his hand and Grant shakes it. Peter pulls him into a quick hug and then turns away.

Grant goes downstairs. Mike is in the kitchen. Grant can hear him puttering around and he doesn’t know what else to say. He opens the door to leave and Mike hurries to him.

“Your dad is my best friend here. I adore your sister. I don’t want to believe this of either of them. But.”

“But,” Grant says. “Thanks for the times you took me fishing.”

Mike looks like he might cry. “If I could help you, chlapec, I would.”