Adrian and Julian crossed the threshold into the library's grandiose lobby, a place that seemed to transcend time itself. The marble floors, polished to a mirror-like sheen, reflected the warm glow of the golden chandeliers above. Statues of historical figures flanked the walls, their imposing presence welcoming visitors into this sanctuary of knowledge. The dark wood paneling that lined the walls exuded a sense of coziness and nostalgia, evoking eras long past.
As they approached the reception desk, also crafted from the same rich, dark wood, they found an elderly library attendant. Her face was a tapestry of age, marked by countless wrinkles and framed by half-moon glasses perched at the tip of her nose, as she engrossedly read. The sound of the door closing drew her attention, and she peered up at her unexpected guests.
"Gentlemen, we are closed," she declared with a weary tone.
Adrian offered a warm smile, unfazed by her initial dismissal. "The doors were open, so we decided to try our luck, Ma'am. I'm Detective Adrian Belinsky, and this is my partner, Julian Novak, from the Police Department. We'd like to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind." Both detectives displayed their Royal Crown badges.
The attendant peered at their badges with scrutiny, her eyes keen and sharp despite her age. After a thorough examination, she finally released the badges, seemingly satisfied. "How can I help you boys?"
Julian, in a bold move, ventured a question of his own. "You don't happen to have coffee around here? Driving here was an adventure in itself."
The attendant regarded Julian as if he had requested a steaming cup of tea on a hot summer's day. "This is a library, not a riverside café," she retorted before shifting her gaze to Adrian, seeking a more sensible conversation partner. Adrian, however, relished the moment, allowing Julian's minor misstep to amuse him.
From his jacket, Adrian produced Johnny Terenkin's crumpled library card, laying it gently on the desk before her. "We're searching for this individual. Perhaps you remember him and can tell us something?"
The attendant examined the card closely, her eyes tracing every detail. She brought it closer to a green banker's lamp to scrutinize it further. After a moment, she removed her glasses and allowed them to dangle from their string around her neck. "I don't remember him. But he was definitely someone who used to come here because the card is legitimate, which means I would have to confiscate it from you because the card is the property of the library."
Adrian nodded with understanding. "I'm sorry, but I must return this card."
Surprisingly, the attendant looked genuinely surprised. "Well, you did, and I thank you for it."
Julian decided it was his moment to intervene, attempting to smooth over any lingering tension. "Ma'am, this card belongs to the Police Department. They received it from the Royal Department themselves. I don't think you'd want to get in trouble with them because of that, do you?"
The attendant shot Julian a venomous look, prompting Adrian to redirect the conversation. "We need your assistance, Ma'am. You can keep the card, but you must tell us something about this Johnny. You would be helping us and doing the country a great favor in possibly apprehending a dangerous terrorist."
She assessed them both and remarked in a lowered tone, "So we're playing a game of good cop and bad cop. More like a dumb cop," she glanced at Julian, "and a somewhat dumb cop," her gaze returned to Adrian. She rose from her seat, saying, "Wait a minute."
While she disappeared from view, Adrian and Julian exchanged incredulous glances. Adrian leaned on the desk, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it. Julian couldn't help but inquire, "What are we trying to achieve here anyway?"
"We need something, Julian. Besides the information in his personal file and Irina Cliffnail's acknowledgment of knowing Johnny, we have nothing. Since the attack on the 'Fat Beaver,' I doubt Cliffnail's would be inclined to help us in finding him. Hell, even they don't know where he is," Adrian replied, tapping ash and eventually extinguishing the cigarette in an abandoned cup on the desk.
Julian was concerned. "I guess this is your way of thorough investigation, which went out of favor in the department. But we still have Lady Juliana's death case to crack open. I don't know if we have enough time."
Adrian placed a reassuring hand on Julian's shoulder. "Something tells me that once we find Terenkin, we'll have a key to Lady Zorkin's case. But you're correct; it would be much faster and cost-effective to just close the case. However, Julian," he continued, his voice softening, "there is no greater sorrow than for a parent to lose their child. I've seen Tyler Kopsky's eyes that day when I questioned him about Alina."
"I understand, sir," Julian nodded.
The attendant reappeared, her slow, measured steps carrying her toward the desk, where she now held a large, heavy folder. Julian made an attempt to help her, but she swiftly rebuffed him, making her way to the desk and placing the folder down with a resounding thud.
"This is it," she declared.
"What is it, might I inquire?" Adrian moved closer, his curiosity piqued.
"My hands only," she insisted, before looking around as if sharing a secret. "These are the library records for all the Johnnys registered here." She opened the folder, swiftly navigating to the 'T' section and scrolling through the pages until she found the right last name. Her excitement was palpable. "Here it is, Johnny Terenkin. A medical student."
Adrian took the folder and turned it around for both of them to see. Julian leaned in closer to examine it as well. The list displayed numerous books Johnny had borrowed from the library, covering a wide range of topics from history to political theory. However, there was a conspicuous absence of medical texts. They exchanged knowing glances before Adrian closed the folder and handed it back to the attendant.
"You've been a great help to us, Ma'am," Adrian acknowledged. "Are you certain you don't remember this individual? A medical student who frequently visited with a girl from the nearby school?"
"A girl, a medical student?" The attendant's eyes widened with recognition. "You're not talking about our poor Alina, are you?"
"That's precisely who we're talking about, Ma'am," Julian confirmed.
"Why didn't you say so from the start?" The attendant's voice carried a mixture of frustration and annoyance. "Of course, I know her, and yes, I saw her constantly with that boy."
Adrian pressed further. "What were they doing together?"
"Well, I don't know," she hesitated briefly, "it's a library, so probably reading books?" She then leaned in, lowering her voice, "But their relationship was far from professional, if you catch my drift."
"What made you think that?" Adrian inquired, taking notes.
"Alina told me so herself," the attendant replied. "We were quite close, her and I. Such a beautiful and caring girl. It's an absolute tragedy what happened to her." She paused before realizing the detectives' true intentions. "Wait, are you suggesting that this Johnny boy is a suspect in her murder?"
"He is a suspect, indeed," Adrian affirmed.
"I knew that orphan boy was no good for her," the attendant mused. "She was so graceful, a true noble girl, while he looked very much rough around the edges. But what could you expect from a slum boy, right?"
Adrian seized upon a crucial detail. "You mentioned he was an orphan boy. Is that correct?"
"Yes, she told me that. Why?"
Adrian wore a satisfied smile. "You've helped us immensely, Ma'am. It's late, and we've taken up enough of your time. Have a good night." Adjusting his hat, he nodded to the surprised library attendant and signaled for Julian to follow him.
As they stepped outside, they heard a distant scream from the attendant, echoing through the library. Julian couldn't help but tease Adrian. "I think she just drank from that cup you put your cigarette in. So why did we leave in such a hurry?"
Adrian smiled, picturing the attendant's unfortunate discovery. "She deserves it with her attitude. But she provided us with a key detail that even his personal file omitted."
Julian's curiosity piqued. "What is it?"
Adrian leaned in closer, his eyes gleaming with newfound hope. "He's an orphan. And where do orphans usually end up, Julian?"
Julian's eyes widened as realization dawned. "Zorkin Orphanage Homes," he exclaimed. "You knew that somehow these two cases were connected."
Adrian held up a cautionary finger. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Julian. Many orphans pass through Zorkin Orphanage Homes, and it all might be a coincidence. But that's the best place to start looking for information." He wore a wide, satisfied smile, knowing that his methodical approach to investigation had once again yielded a valuable lead.
ns 172.69.59.210da2
and then Add to home screen.