Harry shook his head. “I can’t recall her name. But she won’t have any useful information. She said she left before Olivia did.”
“She may have seen something. Find her,” Vladimir ordered. “Bring her to me. I will question her.”
“That’s a bad idea,” Harry told him. “Unless you’re prepared to hold her hostage. She could not keep a secret if her own life depended upon it, never mind someone else’s.”
“You question her, then. We will meet back here.” Vladimir turned back to Alexei. “You stay here. In case they send another message.”
Alexei said something in response, but Harry did not hear him. He was already well down the hall, in search of that girl-whatever her name was.
“Stop!” Vladimir called.
Harry skidded to a halt and turned impatiently. They didn’t have time to waste.
“You don’t need to look for her,” Vladimir said gruffly. “It was a ruse to get you out of the room and leave him”-he jerked his head toward the small salon where Alexei waited-“in.”
Harry’s mind raced but his voice was even when he asked, “Do you suspect him of involvement?”
“Nyet. But he will be a nuisance. You, I think, now that you have had time to calm down…”
“Do not mistake this for calm,” Harry bit off.
Vladimir’s brows rose; nonetheless, he reached into his coat and pulled out a gun, handle first. He held it out to Harry. “I do not think you will do something stupid.”
Harry’s hand wrapped around the handle of the gun, but Vladimir did not let go. “Will you?” he asked.
Do something stupid? “No,” Harry said. And he prayed it would be true.
Vladimir kept his hand in place for several seconds more, then abruptly let go, waiting while Harry inspected the weapon. “Come with me,” he ordered, and the two of them moved swiftly down the hall and around a corner. Vladimir stopped in front of a door, glanced both ways, and then ducked into an empty room, motioning for Harry to follow. Vladimir held a finger over his lips, then inspected the room, making sure it was empty.
“The ambassador has her,” he said. “Or rather, his men do. He is still at the party.”
“What?” Harry had never met the man, save for that evening’s receiving line, but still, it was hard to believe.
“He needs money. He will be recalled to Russia soon, and he has little resources of his own.” Vladimir shrugged, then waved one his arms expansively, indicating their opulent surroundings. “He has become used to living in this palace. And he has always been jealous of his cousin.”
“What makes you think he took Olivia?”
“I have other men here,” Vladimir said cryptically.
“And that is all you’re going to tell me,” Harry said disgustedly, finally fed up with never being told 100 percent of a story.
“That is all I am going to tell you, my friend,” Vladimir said. He shrugged again. “It is safer that way.”
Harry did not speak. He did not trust himself to do so.
“Lady Olivia’s parents have noticed her disappearance,” Vladimir said.
Harry was not surprised. It had been well over an hour.
“As far as I know, it has not been noticed by anyone else,” Vladimir continued. “There is much vodka in the room. I do not think they realize there is some in the lemonade.”
Harry looked at him sharply. “What?”
“Did you not know?”
He shook his head. How many glasses had he had? Bloody hell. His head felt clear, but then again, would he even know the difference? He had never been drunk, never even the slightest bit impaired.
“It has also been noticed that the prince is gone,” Vladimir continued. “Her parents are worried that they are together.”
Harry’s lips pressed into a flat, firm line. His chest burned at the insinuation, but this was not the time for jealousy.
“They wish to keep this quiet. They are with the ambassador right now.”
“They are with him? Has he-”
“He is playing the concerned host to perfection.” Vladimir spit on the floor. “I have never trusted him.”
Harry stared down at the wet spot on the floor with some surprise. It was the largest show of emotion he had seen him display. When he looked back up, it was clear that Vladimir had noticed his curiosity.
The huge Russian looked at him with steely eyes. “I especially detest men who prey on women.”
There was a world of history behind that remark, but Harry knew better than to ask. He nodded once-a show of respect-and then asked, “What now?”
“It is known where the prince is. That is where they will deliver a note. He has strict instructions not to do anything, and I think he is wise enough to do as I say.”
Harry hoped this was true. He thought it was, but then again, Prince Alexei had been drinking.
“While he waits, we search.”
“How big is this bloody mausoleum?”
Vladimir shook his head. “I do not precisely know. More than forty rooms, to be sure. Perhaps more. But if I were to hold someone, I would take her to the north wing.”
“What is in the north wing?”
“It is more remote. And the rooms are smaller.”
“But wouldn’t he think that that would be the first place we’d look?”
Vladimir moved to the door. “He would not know anyone is looking. He thinks me a stupid servant.” He looked over at Harry with a heavy-lidded stare. “And he knows nothing of you.” He placed his hand on the knob. “Are you ready?”