Chapter Nine
Upon receiving the serpents’ directions into the caves, Konrad’s first priority was to establish the whereabouts of Alexander Nuritov. This, to his relief, he accomplished very quickly, for Alexander was where Konrad had left him earlier: in the theatre. Lilli, though, was nowhere to be seen, and neither was Marko.
‘Savast,’ said the inspector in his friendly way, and smiled as Konrad entered the room. ‘I was hoping to speak to you.’
‘Can it wait?’ said Konrad.
Alexander blinked. ‘It— no, I think not. Lilli and Marko have naught to do with this bad business, theirs are personal disputes. But—’
‘Such as what?’ Konrad interrupted, a little sharply. He knew better than anyone that a mere personal dispute was often considered more than motive enough for murder.
‘Poor Lilli h
