That Which Severs Part 20

Yefim strolled into the police station, and noticed how empty it was. Except for Officer Grunwald sitting at her desk, chin resting on her folded arms and eyes shut, the squad room was deserted. Yefim walked over to her desk, and set a cup of coffee down beside her.

"Latte with a shot of almond." Grunwald breathed in the scent of the beverage and slowly opened her gold-green eyes. "You must have read my mind."

"No, but I recalled you ordered that yesterday." Yefim replied locating a chair to sit in. "Is there anything further I can do to be of assitance today?"

Grunwald shook her head, unlidding the coffee and sipping the hot beverage.

"No, I'm at a stalemate until the lab techs get back to me, and that won't be until after Christmas." She regarded him with something like weary contemplation. "What do Russians do for German Christmas, Attache Fomin?"

"I was planning on spending the day with Maria, although ordinarily I spend the day catching up on lesuire reading and any correspondance I may be behind on with my family. What about you? Going to visit your family in Switzerland?" Yefim instantly regretted the question, as the softness left Grunwald's features and she sat up straight.

"No. And while you are correct in thinking I learned German in Der Schweiz, my family is neither from there, nor living there now." She answered in her clipped, almost angry manner.

"I am sorry if my inquiry offended." Yefim said sincerly. "I meant only to make conversation."

Grunwald studied him for a moment, then sighed. "No, Herr Fomin, I'm the one who should apologize. I look for enemies where there are none." She blew on her coffee.

"May I ask for more of an explination?" Yefim dared.

"My mother is a vixen from England, my father a coyote from Saudi. I emigrated to the East six years ago to avoid an arranged marriage. Choose whichever reason you like, but by just being alive I have made many enemies. Becoming a police officer has not helped matters." She explained, watching his reaction.

Yefim frowned into his own coffee, weighing his words before choosing to answer.

"I am from Russia, Frau Grunwald. One's parentage, mixed or otherwise, does not matter to me, outside of any medical complications it might incur. Immigrating happens, there is no shame in that. We abolished forced marriages in the last century, so I can only applaud your courage at making that move on your own. And, I am deeply grateful that you became a police officer, for you have been very compentant in executing this investigation, and I could ask for nothing more. And, forgive my boldness, but Germany needs all the competant police officers it can get." He said in a measured tone, and looking her straight in the eyes.

"You really mean that." She sounded surprised, and gratified. Yefim smiled sheepishly.

"I am too honest to be an Ambassador, I fear." He said, dropping his gaze modestly.

"I'll spend Christmas manning the station." Grunwald said after a moment of silence. "It's my Christmas gift to my colleagues, a day with their families."

"Would you like to join Maria and I for dinner tomorrow night then?" Yefim asked suddenly.

Grunwald stared at him, sipping her coffee.

"Yes. I think I would."