Lusica hesitates once again. "I can't promise to let go off Nadja for all times, not as long as she covers this phony 'von Lindenfeld' woman - but ah, that angle doesn't seem to lead to anything anyway. I can leave her alone for now if that is good enough for you, I have more pressing business about the missing girl anyway. Besides, I really have pity for her. If anyone would spend half as much effort to crush the self-esteem of my little pumpkin and convince her that her hair colour makes her less than a real person..."
She tenses up once again when talk comes to meeting her child.
"I've already put her to bed, so, if you promise not to excite her too much... I don't want her be cranked up for half the night."
Lusica finally lets you into her room. It is small and rather cramped, but sufficient for a single adult. In the bed lies a little girl, maybe 5 or 6 years old, who shares the slight build, black hair and dark skin of her mother - although she seems a good bit lighter-skinned. Lusica takes position behind her and grips her shoulders, her mien a mixture of protectiveness and pride.
"Melina, these are friends of Mommy who wanted to say 'good night' to you before they go. Be a good little pumpkin and wish them also a 'good night', we will then say our prayers and go to sleep."