“Absolutely,” Yuri said. “Every second I’m in the lab I’m in the suit. I don’t take any chances. When I open this inner door, don’t go in! I’d also advise you to hold your breath just to be on the safe side. You’ll feel the breeze of the air flow into the room.”

Both Curt and Steve nodded. Now that they were so close, both wondered if it was really necessary to look inside. The mere idea of the possible presence of an invisible, fatal biological agent gave them gooseflesh, and with what they had seen already, they were more than willing to believe that Yuri was holding up his side of the bargain. But before either could say as much, Yuri cracked the inner door and stepped to the side. Warily, the two firefighters leaned forward and caught a glimpse of the fermenters and other equipment.

“Looks good,” Curt said. He stepped back and motioned for Yuri to close the door.

“Would you like to see some of the finished product?” Yuri asked.

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Curt said quickly.

“I’ve seen enough,” Steve added.

“What I think we should do,” Curt said, “is go up and talk with your wife. She’s the new problem. We have to know what she knows.”

Yuri closed the door. “I’ll get these locks back in order tonight,” he said. He then led the way back upstairs. While Yuri went to Connie’s bedroom door, Curt and Steve returned to the sitting area but stayed on their feet. Each fireman took a healthy swallow from his drink while they watched Yuri lean into the room beyond. They could hear him talking, but not clearly enough to make out what he was saying, although judging by his tone, he was apparently getting angry. Finally,

Yuri turned back to them. “She’s coming,” he said. “It just takes her a year and a day.”

Curt and Steve exchanged a disgusted look. The situation was going from bad to worse.

“Come on, woman!” Yuri yelled impatiently.

Finally, Connie’s silhouette filled the doorway. She was dressed in a monstrous pink bathrobe trimmed in sea-foam green. Her feet were stuffed into backless slippers. Her left eye was dark red and swollen shut. A dried trickle of blood came from the corner of her mouth.

Curt’s jaw dropped. Steve mumbled an expletive. Both were dumbfounded, and their expressions reflected their stunned bewilderment.

“These men want to ask you a few questions,” Yuri snapped. He then looked expectantly at Curt.

Curt had to clear his throat as well as organize his thoughts. “Mrs. Davydov, do you have any idea of what’s going on downstairs? What your husband is doing?”

Connie eyed the two strangers defiantly. “No!” she spat. “Nor do I care.”

“Do you have an inkling?”

Connie looked at Yuri.

“Answer!” Yuri yelled.

“I thought he was making vodka,” Connie said.