“Should anyone else ask you about Master Andrei or your connection to Lady Milana, I'd recommend discretion,” Konstantin added.
“You mean, I should lie?”
“Just until I conclude my investigation. You may be in danger, Lord Stepan.”
“Because of this log?”
“Yes and your connection to the last person who was in possession of it.”
“What does it contain?”
“We can't tell you.”
“But stay as far away from Master Andrei as possible,” I added.
“Great Balvoran,” Stepan whispered the God of Water's name like a prayer. “The Master Librarian. I never would have guessed.”
“Please, keep our suspicions to yourself,” Konstantin said. “We're still gathering evidence and if this gets back to him, he could attempt to flee.”
“Speaking of which, do you know where Master Andrei was during the murders?” I asked.
“Uh, let's see, I was cataloging our collection of ancient poetry the day Lord Timofey was killed. Or, rather, the day before, since Lord Timofey was murdered in the early hours of the morning. But, uh . . . yes, I did see Master Andrei around the library, but I can't attest to his whereabouts around the time of the murder. I normally finish work by late afternoon. The same could be said about the maid's murder.”
“And Lady Milana's?”
“Well, this is another reason why I didn't mention our relationship.” He looked from Konstantin to me and back. “I was with Milana that night. I left her rooms late, perhaps 1 AM.”
“For fuck's sake!” Kon growled. “You were the last one to see her alive!”
“Kon, he was scared.”
“I didn't kill her,” Stepan said. “I swear it. I loved her.”
“We know,” I reassured him. “This is helpful. The Master Physician recorded her time of death to be between the hours of 1 to 4 AM. Did you see anyone in the corridors when you left? Anyone at all?”
“Are you saying that she was murdered right after I left?” Stepan asked. “If I had stayed—”
“You may have been murdered too,” Kon cut him off. “Or the murderer may have simply waited for another night. It's unlikely that you could have saved her.”
Stepan nodded stiffly.
“Did you see anyone?” I asked again.
“I didn't. But I do remember smelling something.” Stepan's face twisted and his hands clenched in his lap. “Sandalwood. I smelled sandalwood just outside Milana's chambers. I know the scent well because—”
“Master Andrei wears it,” I finished for him.
“Yes.” He leaned forward, his expression suddenly fierce. “Get that murdering son of a bitch for me, Mikhail. Avenge my Mila.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Master Andrei can't be the only man who wears sandalwood oil,” I said after Lord Stepan had left.
“I've yet to smell it on anyone else, at least not so strong that it would leave a scent trail,” Kon shot back.
“But is that enough evidence?”
“It's enough to interrogate him. I'm just hesitant to tip off the King.”
