We have changed our privacy policy. In addition, we use cookies on our website for various purposes. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. You can learn about our practices by reading our privacy policy.

Child 44 Chapter 20 Summary

How It All Goes Down

Same Day

  • Leo returns home to find Raisa—and her suitcase—missing. After a quick bribe, Basarov reveals that she left to catch a train set to arrive in ten minutes.
  • Leo channels Usain Bolt and sprints to the train station. Luckily, Raisa is still on the platform.
  • Leo claims that he didn't defend Raisa in court because she was pregnant—he did it because she's family. Although he knows that their marriage has been a lie, he's convinced that there's "some connection" between them that needs to be preserved (3.20.38).
  • Though she chews him out, Raisa decides to stay. She heads home, but Leo stays at the station, presumably to do some investigating.
  • Leo speaks to Aleksandr, a young man who works at the station. Alex explains that he had discovered Iliyana that frightful night—the man she was with was actually "an important Government Official" (3.20.72).
  • Leo does some snooping. He tries to scoop up a handful of soil, but can't—the ground is frozen solid. There's no way that dirt could have come from here.