Dudnyk did not answer.
“A matter for another time, I see,” said Ezeriņa. “So, we all have our suspects. Konstantin has Maksim. Ilya has Konstantin. I have Ninel. We’ll let the judges decide. I told you I wanted fairer judges, Ilya.”
“No judge would dare rule against me,” said Konstantin.
“These might.” Ezeriņa opened the door to the reading room, eight tiny tigers spurting out, happy to be free. “They’ll find the killer for us.”
It was only a few seconds before little Vlad began rubbing against Ninel’s leg. Then Valeria. Then Anton and Galina.
“Get off me,” Ninel said as the other cats joined in, mobbing her. “Not now.”
“They smell the catnip oil on your skin, Ninel. I cut the water to prevent our murderer from washing off the natural repellant.” Ezeriņa glanced at Dudnyk, who still
