The Midwife of St. Petersburg by Linda Lee Chaikin

Author:Linda Lee Chaikin [Chaikin, Linda Lee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-49946-2
Publisher: The Crown Publishing Group
Published: 2012-11-15T05:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

Cat and Mouse

Heartsore and weary of mind, Karena faced Colonel Aleksandr Kronstadt in the small, crowded office.

“What have you done with Professor Menkin?” she accused.

He opened the one small window as wide as he could and pushed aside the curtains, looking out. He loosened the collar of his shirt and unbuttoned his jacket, watching her with that intense, thoughtful look that made his gray-green eyes as warm as the room.

“Where is my uncle now?”

“You need have no worry about Professor Menkin. He will not be held. He’s on the porch under guard, waiting for Leonovich.”

“If he will not be held, why is he still under guard?”

“Merely a matter of procedure. Major-General Durnov will have questions. Then Professor Menkin will sign a document and be released. However, I cannot say the same for your father. He’s chosen his path. I’m sorry, but he will be brought to Petrograd for further questioning.”

He pulled out a chair. “Please take a seat.”

How could she persuade the colonel of her father’s innocence without betraying his love for Sergei?

“I tell you, my father is innocent of the attack on Policeman Grinevich. He’s not a revolutionary. He’s a local representative of the zemstvo.”

“I am aware of his position.” He picked up a thick leather notebook. “It’s recorded here that your father’s grandfather was awarded governance of these lands by Czar Alexander I for loyal service. Is that so?”

“Yes.” Why was he bringing this up now?

“Do he and Madame Peshkova realize his confessing that he is a revolutionary leader in the Bolshevik Party means these lands will be taken from his immediate family and heirs?”

Stunned, she sat still.

His jaw hardened. “No? That’s what I thought. His decision today to throw himself on the altar for his son means he’s surrendered the inheritance of his wife and children.”

Karena, shocked, could not speak. She put her hand to her forehead.

“I’m sorry.” His voice softened. “I tried to tell him this, but he seemed fixated on his decision. I don’t think he’s thought this through. Believe me, I find no pleasure in telling you this. But it’s wiser for you to know now. You will need to make plans.” He pushed aside the clutter on the desk and sat on the edge. “I told Professor Menkin. He’ll do what he can. Your best hope is with General Roskov and your aunt in Petrograd. He may be able to appeal to Czar Nicholas.”

Leave the manor house? Leave the land on which she had been born and raised?

“As for your stepfather, being a local representative while also claiming to be a Bolshevik may only reap a harsher judgment. Those who hold Bolshevik political beliefs have as their goal to assassinate our czar.”

Her head jerked up. “Never. My father is a gentle man, most loyal. No one in my family would ever hope to do Czar Nicholas harm. And he’s not my stepfather.”

“Do you know how many attempts there have been through the years? An attempt was made not long ago here in Kiev at the opera house.

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