Chapter 92: The Father's Betrayal, Part 4, Twenty-Six Years Ago, Helsinki

KLEMPNER

Mitch's cheeks are flushed apple-red, and her eyes are shining. "What an amazing place."

"It's called Aleksanterinkatu, but this time of year they call it the Christmas Street...."

"I can see why."

".... The local stores have a kind of unofficial competition to outdo each other with the lights and shop displays."

She sips at creamy broth, fragrant with fish and dill. "So, when you say you speak enough Finnish to get by, how much are we talking about?"

"Oh, don't be too impressed. Very little. The bare basics."

"Do you speak many languages? You said you travel a lot...."

"I'm only really fluent in English, French and Portuguese. But that gets you by in most of the world. There's not too many places where you don't find someone who speaks English. Well.... American at least...."

She laughs. "American?"

I lean in, lowering my voice as though imparting wisdom. "Across much of the world, the locals learn English from the TV, so it's mainly from American cop pro