“Watch it,” the man hissed.
Lily’s bunny.
I see it in my head suddenly, clear as a photo. Sitting in my lap when we came into the ER. Then later, in the corner of my vision as the chair moved.
My heart pounds. Nikolai, wincing, “banging his leg on the stairs.” His easy lie about my purse. The way he said he hadn’t touched anything in the room, when I know the bunny was there.
Was Elena alone?
No. She wasn’t.
“Mommy?”
I realize I’ve gone still, staring into space.
“Sorry,” I say. I force a smile. “All done. Let’s go, okay?”
I dry Lily’s hands, then mine, and unlock the door.
The door swings open just as I’m reaching for the handle.
I jump so hard my heart nearly stops.
Selene is standing there.
She grabs my arm and pushes me back inside, nudging the door shut with her hip. Lily stumbles a little and I pull her behind me on reflex.
“What are you doing here?” I hiss.
“Shh.” Selene locks the door and leans against it, breathing a little fast. “Things are about to go to shit out there.”
“I have to get to Aleksander,” I say. My voice is shaking. “I have to tell him?—”
“Tell him what?” she cuts in, frowning.
“It was Nikolai,” I blurt. The words rush out before I can second-guess them. “He was with her. Yesterday. After Elena knocked me out, there was a man with her. I didn’t see his face, but I heard him. He was bleeding. I stabbed someone last night and it wasn’t Elena.”
Selene’s eyes sharpen. “You’re sure?”
“Male blood on the knife, remember? And today he’s limping, saying he ‘banged his leg on the stairs,’ acting like he hasn’t touched anything, but Lily’s bunny is gone and he’s the only one who had reason to go through our stuff.” My voice rises. “He was there with her, Selene. I know it.”
She processes that fast. “Okay. That still doesn’t mean he killed Kirov.”
I shake my head. “Think about it,” I say. “He knew all Aleksander’s movements. He was on that flight. He had access to the cabin, to me, to Kirov. He could’ve gone up when everyone was sleeping. He’s been at Aleksander’s side for years. If someone wanted to set Aleksander up or keep eyes on him for Irina, who better than the guy he trusts the most?”
I swallow, my throat tight. “I think it was Nikolai who killed Kirov.”
26
ALEKSANDER
I checkmy watch for the third time in as many minutes.
They’ve been gone too long.
From where I’m standing on the tarmac, I can see the small terminal building, one strip of frosted glass lit from inside. Bella and Lily went in there for the bathroom. Simple. Two minutes in, two minutes out.
It’s been ten.
