“With Andrei?” Stepan straightened in his chair. “What has he got to do with Milana? Do you suspect him of murdering her?”
“Answer the question, please,” Konstantin straightened as well.
“No, I've never seen them together.”
Kon deflated.
“But she was my lover.”
“What did you just say?” Konstantin leaned forward, his expression falling into loose lines.
“S!” I declared. “He's S! Stepan!”
“What are you talking about?” Stepan asked.
“We found your letters,” I explained.
“You found them or you foundand readmy letters?”
“I scanned them for anything pertinent to the investigation.” Look at me, using Kon's professional lingo.
Stepan cleared his throat. “I loved Milana. We were going to get married.”
My tone immediately softened, “Yes, I saw that in the letters. I'm so sorry, Stepan.”
“Why didn't you mention this when I interviewed you the first time?” Konstantin asked. “I asked if you knew anything aboutanyof the murders.”
“But I don't know anything about her murder,” Stepan said. “And to be honest, despite Mikhail's presence, I didn't trust you. I thought my romance with Milana might implicate me in your eyes.”
Kon grunted.
“Stepan, do you know why Milana had a security logbook from the castle guard?” I asked.
“She had what?” Stepan scowled. “No, I don't. I . . . she would often peruse the archives while she waited for me to finish my work, but she never mentioned an interest in old security logs. Is that why she was killed? Because of a book?”
“We're not sure yet.”
“Lord Stepan, do you know what prompted the career change for the Master Librarian?” Konstantin asked.
“Career change? What was he before?”
“He was a soldier.”
“Asoldier?” Stepan made a surprised huff. “I had no idea.”
“Is that unusual?” Kon asked.
“Beyond unusual. I would have said it was impossible. I had to study for years before I was accepted into the Royal Librarians, then several more to become an archivist. I can't imagine a soldier making such a change. It wouldn't just be a leap in careers but also in status.”
“Only a nobleman can hold that position,” I murmured.
“Yes, precisely. To go from soldier to librarian means going from commoner to lord. And then to become theMasterLibrarian?” Stepan shook his head. “Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable.”
I looked at Konstantin. He looked grim.
“Could I get my letters back?” Stepan asked.
“We had to replace them, but I'm sure we can have them returned to you once the investigation is complete,” I said.
