"Death and the Maiden, by Marianne Stokes," says a voice from across the room.

A gaunt looking man stands several paces behind her, his hands politely clasped behind his back as if observing this painting in an art gallery. He gives Natasha a polite nod. The man wears a formal suit, with two yellow roses attached with black ribbon as a corsage. Even-numbered yellow flowers are, as she knows, a decidedly Russian funerary custom...