Бесплатный фрагмент - Blood from the Handset

PROLOGUE

— Yes, everything comes out as it should, Alexander Ilyich, do not worry, — and the man at the phone drank a big sip from a wide glass, — as I promised. Work, you know, is in full swing. We try, we execute everything. Here, we have already received ten. The customers don’t mind — and let her have a polite giggle.

But, the face was very tense, the veins on the temples swelled. Apparently, this conversation was not friendly. And that man had considerable power over the inhabitant of this apartment. A man with a phone in his hand, sat down in a large, just gorgeous leather chair, and put his feet on a bench. On the handle. sat down scantily clad girl. An evil grimace distorted the face of the sitter, his right hand clenched into a fist. He knocked lightly on the seat, barely restraining his anger.

But he only slapped the girl on the buttocks, completely businesslike, driving her away. He raised his finger to his lips, calling for silence. She made a grimace a little offended, and moved to the sofa, which was nearby. Not too discouraged, poured herself a full glass of wine.

— I received a new database from the main office, my messenger will deliver it to you — after a pause, a voice came from the device — work carefully and do not bury yourself. Transfer money to crypt. You know that little man on «Gardener,» these operations should be done only through him. No amateur performance, otherwise you know me…

— Of course… Yes, it would be very useful to get new data. And then the contingent remained insolvent. How do you make a plan here, Alexander Ilyich? You understand, you need options. New topics, complex approach. And, you still promised me protection. And then you know, the police took me into development, exactly… I feel it will not end well…

— Nothing, I will solve all questions, you can not worry… You, I have to drop me information… Well, you yourself know what. Then everything will be even. No one will touch you with a finger! Well, except for me, of course… — and laughter from the telephone began to be heard.

The man in the chair immediately sweated, and hurriedly wiped his red forehead with a red paper napkin.

«Yes, you see, it’s not easy,» the man said plaintively, almost whimpering, dropping the glass on the floor, «what will it be for me?» After all, they will kill, you know what kind of people… They will simply tear them apart, they will spread on rags. The end will come to me then! — the man poured again, putting a glass from the floor on the tabletop, — regret it, for Christ’s sake..

— So you go to church, sit down on the porch, you look, they will pour money there. You will bother to squander your pockets. Don’t fool the guy, but do what you’re told. You yourself know the system — «entry ruble, exit, already two.» And then there are many things behind you, if you want to jump off, we’ll bring you back. We will get you from where you want, And you will decide to run away, because this is the case… Once, and which car will move you, three times, but, purely by accident, — and again the interlocutor laughed, — relax. We expect results from you.

— And I would, Polish passport. So, for fidelity.

— What’s not Brazilian?

— Closer to Europe, you know.

There was no answer. The conversation ended abruptly, as if completely chopped off with an ax. The man sighed heavily, looked at the wall of the apartment. He weighed everything in his hand, as if he wanted to launch it into the wall. But, carefully put the phone on the TV cabinet. I poured myself another square bottle, emptied the glass to the bottom. Sat down on the sofa. As if remembering something important, slowly, as if checking, kissed the girl on bright red lips. Now, for him, time seems to have stopped.

PART 1 Unspecified deaths

CHAPTER Important route

Fedor Steklov, with a satisfied grin, finished the conversation and put the phone in the holder.

«No sucker and life is bad,» he whispered, hands on the steering wheel.

Then, he added the volume on his audio system, so much so that he shouted a subwoofer installed in the trunk of his faithful Toyota Corolla. He loved his car, such devotion and trembling love, because it, unlike his grandmother, never fit. He himself was quite fit to become his car, small, but fast and sharp. This man loved funny people, and he also considered himself a merry fellow and a joker. Rarely sat at home, but disappeared in clubs and parties. But, it was necessary to work. How, and on this day.

It was already very close to Ferghana Street, and this was encouraging. And then the mobile phone tricked again, and Fedor grunted displeased, seeing Alena’s face on the screen.

— good afternoon. Will you be today?

— Probably, later, many challenges. Work, you know.

— You forgot me something. What happened?

— Yes, everything is fine, do not start. Today, necessarily. We’ll go to Morocco, we’ll eat great. You know, crabs are great there

— Okay, — the girl answered favorably, — you call after seven in the evening, I will wait.

The girl, I must say, was juicy, and he would be glad to meet her today. True, dating required considerable expenses, but Alyona was accommodating, loved sex and spending was quite justified. It was foolish to deny yourself everything, indeed.

Yes, and today Fedor Steklov hoped to get good money from the boss. Labor, so to speak, ten percent. And then, given the amounts that he brought to the apartment on the Cast Iron Gate, his slice should have been quite big, oh, and rather big!

But now, I drove through the intersection, past the Dodo Pizza, and the pharmacy, noticed a building with a grocery on the ground floor, turned off, and drove into the courtyard of a white high-rise building.

He habitually prepared the documents, looked in the mirror at his reflection. Everything should be very serious, the client should not have doubted anything! It was the key to success. Fedor got out of the car, calmly closed it, checked it, and then, slowly entered the entrance, and in the elevator pressed the button on the third floor.

CHAPTER Alyona is looking for Fedor Steklov

Work in the office of a construction company approached, as they say, sunset. One of the managers slowly advised the aggressive client, showing colorful booklets. Alena heard this tedious voice, which seemed to its owner terribly energetic:

— … Here, look at the high-quality finish in these cases. In general, «Park Garden,» a new word in housing development.

Buyers, all very decent people. I guarantee you will be very satisfied. And, soon a kindergarten and a school will be built.

— But, after all from here not far «Kotelniki»?

— What are you, two kilometers. A considerable distance, I will tell you…

— No, the place is hellish. Sign me up to watch the house near the Polezhaevskaya metro station.

— Of course, but there will be no discount…

— I’ll manage, somehow, — the buyer answered firmly, got up from the chair, showing that the conversation was over.

The manager pretended to be glad. And smiled almost friendly. But, as soon as the office lowered, he burst into an angry tirade;

— All smart steel, newspapers like read!

— Internet, Arkasha…

— There is more! And for this house, next to the «Gardener,» such bonuses are given, just overeating! And it’s time for me and the car to change, and to go to Hurghada. And this, you see, «Kotelniki» do not like!

— Don’t worry… she said, and sat down at the table again.

She took her mobile out of her bag and put it in front of her, as if she was afraid that she would not hear the call.

— Yes, Alyona. Cavalier now went optional! — Arkady joked, — well, and I’m home, morally decompose. Hi!

And a colleague, throwing a bag belt on his right shoulder, came out, leaving her alone in the sales office. It was already about eight in the evening, it became dark dark outside the window. Thinking, Alena herself dialed Fedor’s number. But, his phone did not answer. The operator’s robot kept repeating in his ear:

«The subscriber is offline or disconnected. Call back later.»

All that remained was to breathe and go home.

***

She jumped up even before the alarm rang. The hand itself rushed to the mobile, but he only showed the network, and the weather on the street. Even in the morning, there was no long-awaited call either. Almost mechanically, on the machine, she took a shower, ate and went to work. The day was sluggish, incomplete and dark. Even despite the fact that we managed to attach a couple of apartments.

She sat in the meeting room for a long time, drank coffee, and finally decided, dialed 112 on her mobile. To be honest, she uttered these words with enormous difficulty:

— A man disappeared, Fedor Steklov. Phone number…, Toyota Corolla car. Does not answer calls for two days.

I heard in response:

— We switch you to the police phone… Good afternoon, — heard an even, steely voice, — Mrs. Ivanova Alena Petrovna? Could you drive up to Sormovskaya Street, to the police station? Do you have a photo of Fedor Steklov? Capture, please. I will issue a pass, ask Captain Meleshko.

— Yes, of course.

An unfamiliar voice stopped speaking, the conversation was over. To be honest, I was surprised by the politeness of the police officer. No threats or rudeness, everything was, if not pleasant, then within the framework of etiquette.

— Arcade, you say that I’m on business. Very important, she warned the manager.

It was not far from Stakhanovskaya to Sormovskaya, the whole way lay along Ryazan Avenue. Alena did not drive, drove calmly on her Kia-Solaris. The machine is still good and comfortable, it always pleased her. And she, looking after her favorites, changed consumables on time.

But now, she finally drove Scriabin Street, turned onto Ferganskaya past the Auchan, and turned onto Sormovskaya. The navigator indicated everything clearly. I put the car, and trying not to step into the dirty puddles with new boots, I went up to the entrance to the department. Worried or not — I did not understand myself. Just, jerked by the handle and opened the door wide. Here, behind a glass partition, a policeman was sitting with shoulder straps, in uniform. He looked at her carefully, apparently expecting what he would say.

— Good day, I’m with Captain Meleshko.

— So, — the duty officer meaningfully raged, like a big bumblebee.

The officer was definitely voluminous, full. Very representative. And now I slowly read the magazine of instructions. Found the right line, and nodded satisfaction.

— Alena Petrovna Ivanova? Passport, please.

— What, take it — and she handed over the documents.

— Pass, — and put the paper with the seal in the passport, — do not forget to hand over at the exit, — he strictly reminded, — office number…

The girl walked through a dark corridor, along which the police scurried and, as you can see, visitors. True, one villain, handcuffed, was also led past her. The policeman pushes him in the back, and he stumbled at every step. But, I did not argue, obeyed. Finally, I noticed an office with the right number on the door, and knocked. No one answered. Then Alena calmly entered the room.

Actually, she saw an ordinary office worker’s office, with a lamp and a computer on the table. Nothing incredible. True, with the now fashionable portrait of Stalin on the wall. Actually, I met this, and more than once.

And at the table was a very pleasant-looking young man, in dark jeans, a plaid shirt and a gray knitted, soft jacket. Only now the haircut was short, or rather, just under the razor. It can be seen that the hairstyle would not bother. Or, followed the new fashion.

— Alena Ivanova, I agreed with you. Captain Meleshko? ’the girl immediately began the conversation.

Mrs. Ivanova’s habit of leadership affected here. And how to designate your superiority? Try to show that you can control the conversation. And, to start communication is the first.

— Typically so. Sit down — and the policeman calmly pointed to the chair — so explain what happened?

Alena sat down, but could not stretch her legs, as usual. In general, sitting and talking here was not very convenient. And the light fell into her eyes, it was annoying. Mr. Meleshko, apparently, built his office in such a way as to take his visitors out of the comfort zone, or criminals, as she decided. The move, of course, is competent, but… She decided to gain calm, and still tell. She needed help.

— So, we, with Fedor Steklov had an appointment. He, a person is not that punctual, but rarely late. And here, he did not come at all, although he promised to pick me up from the office after work. Today, yuda and yesterday his phone did not answer.

— Will you allow his photo, phone number, and make of the registration number of the car? And the address where he lives. Here, write here.

Ivanova diligently recorded the data on Fedor. Then, with bluetooth, she dropped the photo. There Fedor turned out especially well, she liked this picture.

— Yeah, thanks. Where did he work? ’the investigator asked another question.

— In a consulting company, manager. His boss seems to be called Konstantin, he lives near Sormovskaya, on the Cast Iron Gate. — In general, well, — Meleshko answered calmly, and smiled a little, checking the notes in his notebook, — Did Steklov often drive around the city?

— Well, yes, meetings with clients, negotiations. I didn’t sit still. Gvoril that I like the work.

— Okay, Alena Petrovna. You, right now, call him back again.

— Well, am I your fool?

«For my peace of mind. You never know, there was a man.

The girl did not humiliate herself with stupid objections, took a mobile, found the right number in her contacts, and pressed the «call» button on the screen. Meleshko looked carefully. But, even now, the answer was simple:

The subscriber is disconnected or offline.

— What, you see. Listen, — and she calmly put the envelope on the table, — find Fedor…

The investigator just grinned and shook his head. He played with a ballpoint pen, and with its tip pushed back such a message.

— Overage. Here, write a statement, we will work.

***

Alena, slightly angry with this treatment, left the police station. I felt that my cheeks were smarter, and my legs were tired. And in general, what is the investigator! I didn’t pay much attention, I looked as if on a board by the fence! I didn’t offer you tea or coffee! Impolite, wild as a bear! Alyona wound herself up like that, approaching her typewriter, her beautiful girl. I could not resist, stroked the polished wing of the car, and then settled down on the seat, stretched out, and it immediately felt better! And then, as if it hit me in the head.

— Here I am a fool… — she whispered, — now, I will go to Konstantin, everything and deeds… What did you get into the mentality? Here’s the idiot… Everything from watching a zombie box at night.

She started a car, and her cheerful «Kia» drove to Volgogradsky Prospekt. It was not long to go, but there were a lot of traffic lights. But now, I drove along a familiar street, looking at car numbers. And then, with joy, I noticed right at the entrance, «Korolla» Fedor! In impatience, she parked, just ran to check what and how. She walked around, but there was no young man. I thought, sighed, and still went into the entrance, and went up to the floor, to Konstantin’s apartment. I didn’t want to call here, she didn’t like this person painfully. Sticky, nasty, even in appearance. And his women, the same, are whores. But, overpowered herself, called, a button at the steel door. She stood, dried with hope. In general, nothing… Then, sighing, and even crossing herself, she pulled the door handle. I just wanted to check. And she suddenly opened…

Alena went inside, looking around and listening. The lights were not on anywhere, although it had long been dark outside. Only street lights illuminated the twilight of the apartment. It was quiet and quiet, only the air conditioning seemed to work. Nobody came out to meet her.

Already wanted, even took a step back, grabbed the front door, almost like a lifeline. But, nevertheless, she decided. I convinced myself that no, she was not a coward at all.

— Konstantin, you have it open! Alena shouted for good luck, into the crushing darkness, where are you? Are you saving in the world?

Her heart pounded terribly, but she could not stop… She walked as if she was dragged on a string, like a toy on wheels. She stopped, listened: And she looked from the corridor into the room, all bent, tiptoeing, holding on to the jamb of the door like a circus monkey.

And then Bone’s dead and terrible eyes stared at her. They glistened so dimly, like big white buttons, on black fabric. Secunlu looked closely after… His face was completely covered with thickened blood, his mouth was sealed, his hands were tied. It was too much, even for her. She screamed, and rushed away from the room.

I caught my breath only on the floor, by the elevator. She began to frantically look for the phone in her purse, bumping into all sorts of nonsense, such as napkins or lipstick. And long nails got in the way… Finally, the coveted tube was in my hands.

«Captain Meleshko?» Yes, I am, Alena Ivanova! I stand at Konstantin’s apartment. So he was killed, now, I saw it myself! Okay, I expect…

CHAPTER Investigator Meleshko

— A good group to leave!

For a long-serving employee, the team is completely familiar. Culturally speaking, ordinary.

Captain Meleshko himself, now in uniform in a jacket and with a cap, with a briefcase in his hand, was waiting for the others in the yard, as was a young operative, Lieutenant Gavrilov.

— The first time on the incident? — asked Meleshko.

— Yes, the third time, — said the lieutenant, — exactly, the third. For the first time we went with Artemy Ivanovich. Well, there, in the basement with homeless people on Sursky passage. Nothing interesting.

— Ah, I remember. Well, for sure, you are an experienced person. But ours are suitable.

The first to pull up was forensic scientist Alexander Fedorov, or simply Uncle Sasha. A slightly overweight man, over fifty years old. But he did not want to leave the service. How flowery it was: «It hurts boring to grow flowers.»

And the bosses did not mind, and there was no one to replace such a valuable employee.

— Alexander Sergeevich, hello. It’s good that they got into a shift with you today, — warmly greeted the criminologist Meleshko, — delo, serious things are planned.

— Vitaliy Vladimirovich! — answered Fedorov, shaking hands with the investigator, — Aleksey, — and also greeted Gavrilov,

«I am very glad that I got to the exit with you, Alexander Sergeich,» the operative added, «I was really lucky.»

— Lucky, to the one who carries his own, — Fedorov grinned, — and we will have to today. It’s good if the corpse is fresh. It doesn’t hurt I love these things..

Gavrilov seems surprised, but did not give a look. He tried to show some fighting, energy.

— Not for the first time, we get with you, Vitaly Borisovich, and not for the second. Where is our Varvara? the forensic scientist seemed to recall.

— So he prepares his suitcase. I called her, warned her. The matter is, it seems that today everything is serious, the corpse is at the scene, the murder was noted by Meleshko.

— Maybe it was necessary to immediately call the guys from Petrovka? Why suffer in vain?

— No, Sergeich, my business… This Alyona turned to me. And here, and our long-awaited written beauty…

And for sure, the long-awaited paramedic of their group was heading to the car. Even a simple medical outfit could not damage or diminish its attractiveness. No one in the department, no matter how hard he tried, could not remain indifferent to her, frankly, beauty. Well, the girl understood this, and treated this issue with humor.

— Varvara Petrovna, very welcome to you, — Fedorov put it gallantly, — here, get on our crew!

And he carefully opened the door to the lady. She smiled sweetly, habitually banged the soles of her shoes against each other, not wanting to stain the floor, and elegantly climbed into the interior of the minibus.

«Almost like Ellie from The Wizard of the Emerald City,» Gavrilov joked, «only without silver shoes. Otherwise, once, we found ourselves at the Cast Iron Gate.

— And then… If you are, then, my Totoshka, — Varya did not remain in debt.

— I can’t. And I can’t bark and I don’t wag my tail.

Varvara here made a surprised face, thin edges took the position of «house.» It looked so clever that even Meleshko smiled.

— All in place Danilych, let’s go, — ordered the investigator.

And their car, turning on a special signal, quickly rolled along a narrow road. Then, along Fergana Street, they turned to Tashkent, and stood at a traffic light. The driver slapped his hand on the steering wheel of the car in grief, but then, recovering, almost gently stroked the dashboard, as if alive.

«Don’t Danilych, the traffic on Volgogradka is painfully tense,» Meleshko reassured the driver, «we’ll wait a couple of minutes.

And, exactly. As if you listen to the elder, the traffic light switched, and they arrived at a busy track, and were able to get to the long-awaited Cast Iron Gate.

— And what is there, one witness? Gavrilov did not understand.

— How alone… With PPS-nicknames. Called the duty car. So, just in case.

— God helps those who help themselves. And then anything happens, — Alexander Sergeevich noted philosophically,

He did not add the second part of such a well-known proverb, «and the stupid convoy will guard.» So Fedorov lived for more than one year, and understood almost everything, even proverbs.

— Self, — said Meleshko.

— Good people can envelop the apartment out of stupidity, — added Gavrilov, — and the defendants in the case will be added.

«It happened,» the investigator agreed, sighing.

Well, Danilych found a place to park, and put his minibus right in front of the desired entrance.

— Well, let’s go, it seems to have arrived, — the investigator noticed.

And, stood next to the PPS car. Immediately, the driver was walking.

Meleshko loved certainty, and sometimes firmness. And, sometimes it was just necessary to show it.

— Have you arrived long ago? he asked sternly.

— Passer Gushchenko. So with half an hour, as indicated, so immediately here. We got there right away, — the ensign answered in a collected voice, — Everything is strict with us, you know. And ensign Petrov is upstairs, guarding the apartment and the witness.

— Did the woman try to leave the scene? Complained, asked, threatened?

— No.

— Okay… Well, let’s go, otherwise it’s night in the yard, — he turned to his employees.

Meleshko put his hands in the pockets of his jacket and was the first to enter the entrance. Gavrilov helped the criminologist and with special pleasure, of course, paramedic Varenka.

The forensic scientist habitually looked around at the entrance, noticed another camera under the ceiling. Well, the elevator, Meleshko, to be honest, was perceived as a kind of gate that transferred it from one place to another. But, the old elevators in the center of Moscow, with their cells or doors, did not give such a feeling. But new, another thing. They slammed the iron doors once, slammed the second — and you, already here, here.

And here he stood on the threshold of the apartment, as ensign Petrov can be seen, guarding the scene and the very unfortunate Alina Ivanova. It can be seen how her beautiful face darkened from fatigue and worries. Rightfully say, as the criminologist thought, nothing good, only nerves. Fedorov, like a man of the old school, raised his cap, but bowed a little. Gavrilov looked at all this in surprise, and Varvara looked at the woman with curiosity, rather appreciatively and even with rejection.

— Hello again, Vitaly Vladimirovich! I already regret calling you. I’m standing here, it’s good that they didn’t take me to prison, the girl said irritably, stuffing her coat.

— It’s good that they warned. Thank you for your assistance, — he thanked.

— Then, for sure, they could delay. Your prints are probably on the front door handle. And, you say, is Steklov’s car at the entrance?

— Yes, of course. Here is the number, and the brand, «Toyota Carolla.» That’s right.

— Petrov, then you to the car. Then Alexander Sergeevich will come up, look at the machine. And then, order a tow truck, take the car to a special parking lot, — the investigator ordered.

The main thing was now not to miss anything. Actually, in his head there was already a familiar algorithm, such small watches that did not allow him to lose the desired rhythm.

— And with you I then, Alina Petrovna, — he immediately remembered, — I will have to go to Steklov’s apartment. He seems to live in Nizhny Novgorod, in new houses? Did you talk?

— Yes, exactly. Removes. There is a good kopeck piece.

— All right… We will worry the owner now. Yes, sorry, Alexander Sergeevich, you are already starting to inspect. And you, Varvara Petrovna. I will come to you in a minute.

And Meleshko fished his phone out of his pocket. And then a service tablet with clogged databases in it. A convenient thing turned out to be. At the address I found the owner of the apartment, and then, and became the owner of her phone number, already according to the passport. It became much easier to work, more fun.

Thinking, wrote a message, immediately recalled the current situation. That no one answers unfamiliar calls. And, right, there was already a call to him. Well, he readily answered.

— Galina Ivanovna? Police Captain Meleshko. Yes, expect us in your apartment on Nizhny Novgorod. This is due to your tenant Fedor Steklov. Yes, in about an hour or two, an inspection in your presence is necessary. Goodbye, «he said calmly and stopped the conversation.

Alena waited for the investigator to finish the conversation.

«Can I leave now?» she asked impatiently.

— Go to the apartment and tell us how you entered. You’ve been here, haven’t you?

— Yes.

— Your help will just be priceless. Well, for a second more… I will call the district police officer, seal the apartment.

Alena sighed heavily, turned away and began to look at the wall. She has already regretted five times that she came here.

— Well, let’s go, Alyona Petrovna.

«Yes, first I rang the doorbell several times, then,» she said, «I opened it and walked down the corridor.» It was dark, the light wasn’t on. I saw the dead Konstantin… What a horror… And I immediately called you.

— I see…

— Vitaly Borisovich! — Fedorov said loudly, — our junior specialist in the bedroom found the corpse of a girl.

The forensic scientist worked in the living room, and having said that, he returned to business. He put out the light and filmed the murdered man. Varvara stood calmly aside, not interfering.

— Gavrilov?

— Yes, Vitaly Borisovich, examined the apartment, and in the bedroom found killed. It was connected, gunshot wounds to the head.

— Oh Lord… — Alyona whispered, clutching at her heart.

— I understand, it’s hard… But, could you identify the killed? This is very important.

«I’ll try…» she whispered.

Carefully entered the bedroom, and here, right next to the bed, lay a girl. The face, right side, is covered in blood, the bedside mat of white has become half red. A chain hung on his neck, sliding almost dead on his nose. The robe was short, the legs were bare, and tattoos on the hips and ankle were noticeable.

— So it’s Christina, Kristya, — Alyona said quietly, — hair, and tattoos on her legs. Do not confuse with another. She’s this one. Kostya had several acquaintances. All from Dnepropetrovsk. And he himself is from Ukraine.

— Spasibo, Alyona Petrovna. You roll your fingers, on the device at Alexander Sergeevich, and you can go. Just, so to speak, do not disappear from sight.

— And Fedor somewhere? — she asked.

— Unknown. Here, not found. But, thanks for the help, Alyona Petrovna. On Nizhny Novgorod, we ourselves…

And Meleshko almost gallantly led the lady to the exit. Then, recalling something important, he returned.

— Gavrilov… Now runs along the entrance, up and down, maybe that’s why to find. Do not break into apartments, it’s too late, night in the yard.

— All understood, Vitaly Borisovich!

Meleshko frowned, looked at the situation. Nothing really attracted the eye. I walked down the hall.

And Meleshko himself carefully looked at the bedroom, with things thrown to the floor from the closet. I looked around the kitchen, where pristine order reigned, as in the bathroom. He returned to the living room, where Fedorov examined the trophy with professional curiosity. Quite an ordinary pistol.

— Traumatic, Vitaly Borisovich. But, they shot from a very close distance, but not point blank. Traces of gunpowder on the skin are still invisible, I’ll see better in the laboratory. I found four shell casings, two in the living room, two in the bedroom. And the fingerprints on the handle are quite intelligible. So we will find the villain, we will definitely find it, — the forensic scientist confidently said, — he has already removed the prints from the dead. Yes, and in the room everything climbed. Apparently, they were looking for something. The passport of the murdered man, here, lies on the table. The phone is also there, but turned off. Sim card, and memory card were floating separately. There is no wallet, bank cards or keys. No funds have been found yet. A computer or laptop is also stolen. Although the headset is in place. And, found mobile phones, two. Both are off. The dead can be taken away.

— Varvara Petrovna, what do you have?

— The man received lifetime injuries to his face, a broken nose. Both woman and man, killed two days ago. Ossification is pronounced. In appearance, they were killed with one weapon, but, of course, an autopsy is needed.

— Right. Call for transportation, but take the bodies to the judicial morgue. Thanks.

The paramedic calmly set about her business, and Fedorov went to work in the bedroom. Meleshko sat down on the sofa, looking around the chair where the victim was found. Probably stunned at first, then bound. Perhaps, of course, a robbery… The cards, the fact that they took bank cards, is good, and very good, as the investigator decided right away. There will be a great lead. But, this is if a bandit or bandits, finished fools… And, phone, phone. Out of habit, he took out his spare, and downloaded the data from the mobile victim and the memory card. It’s good that no one interfered.

I went into the bedroom, look around the murdered woman. Beautiful, of course, there was nothing in this, and there was only a need. How the criminal acted, you won’t understand this from the photo… And, the absence of traces of gunpowder on the skin of both victims was embarrassing, and there were no burns from touching the barrel either. After all, there was confidence that the villain was shooting almost point blank. And, apparently, the girl fell to the floor suddenly, after the shot. That is, here, probably, the offender acted spontaneously? While it was difficult to understand…

The door of the apartment opened, the breathless Gavrilov returned.

— Nobody opens, Vitaly Borisovich. Everybody’s asleep. Only here, builders, in the apartment above us. They live there, three people. From Central Asia, I took a photo of passports. Heard nothing.

— Right, okay. Sergeich, you and Gavrilov get up, take off their fingers. Better, right now.

— We went, Alexey, for a walk, — Fedorov did not argue.

Here, however, the phone rang again, distracting him from reflection. I thought to answer who says it: «Elephant.» But somehow overpowered himself. With obvious displeasure, Meleshko replied:

— I listen, Captain Meleshko.

— Vitaliy Borisovich, such a thing… Now a senior friend will come to you, he needs the laptop of the murdered man.

The head of the department, Lieutenant Colonel Teplyakov, Ivan Sergeevich called. To be honest, the investigator was surprised by such attention of the authorities to this case. Murder, double, of course, but somehow strange… Yes, even such an interest of the curators in what is happening.

— So there is no him. There was, for sure, no. Not found.

— Look! — the boss began to scream hysterically into the phone, — At least from the day of the sea to find! Who could take? What are you sitting there? Work, dig the earth with your nose!

— The raider was, not otherwise, comrade lieutenant colonel. Everything in the apartment was rummaged, they were looking, and apparently, they still found money. Found two killed, a man and a woman. There are also documents of those killed, they are natives of Dnepropetrovsk. Sushkova Kristina Georgievna and Bondar Konstantin Olegovich. Found weapons, so we work, try. It’s just that everyone has just started,

— Work harder. Well, hello everyone. And Zhulin will come to you, such… You will tell him everything, especially, do not forget about the laptop. Well, work, Captain.

The conversation was over. Although, and on such a minor note. Meleshko hid the phone in his pocket. Here, as if on purpose, two orderlies entered the apartment, with plastic bags in their hands. And after them, Gavrilov and Fedorov returned.

«I did everything, Vitaly Borisovich, I skated my fingers,» the forensic scientist noted.

— In the apartment, I did not notice anything suspicious, — added Gavrilov.

— Great. You, Alexey, go then… It’s up to you, the most important thing. You go to the company that stores video data from cameras in houses. From this, on the Cast Iron Gate, and at home on Nizhny Novgorod, where Fedor Steklov lived. Can you handle it?

— Do not doubt, Vitaly Borisovich!

— I’m waiting for you tomorrow. Do everything there, take your time. That everything would be even.

Gavrilov nodded, but looked around, as if he had lost something, and important. Fedorov adjusted his cap with a smile, and muttered:

— Eh, young people…

Meleshko did not really understand, but gave a sign to go to the orderlies in the room. These people had their own affairs. A paramedic appeared from the bedroom, all wearing his gloves to the very shoulder.

— Okay, I went, Vitaly Borisovich, — said Varvara, — my archangels flew in. Where is Romeo? she asked a little preoccupied.

— Romeo departed on an important assignment, dear Juliet, — answered, smiling Meleshko, — but I, being a good messenger, like Padre Lorenzo, will inform the lieutenant about it. What did you ask about him.

— Main, if only not like Padre Giovanni.

— It looks like mine, Varenka… — shaking his head, Fedorov said sadly, — the role of a messenger, I will take over. Vitaly Borisovich, as the eldest, of course, is our duke. And I, as a connoisseur of medicines and poisons, will stay with your messenger.

— Yeah, — with doubt, through the lip, «Juliet» grumbled.

But, on a sheet of notepad I wrote, folded it four times and gave it to Alexander Sergeyevich in my hand. He, first attached a message to his forehead, famously bowed, and hid the sheet in the inconspicuous pockets of his wide-leg trousers.

Well, the «archangels» leisurely took one body, returned for the second. Meleshko looked at the contours of the victims, circled in chalk on the floor. It resembled old photos from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, where only a shadow remained from a person, a mark on the wall, after an atomic explosion. And here, a thick line, chalking on a parquet board and, carpet. A little…

Here, calmly, as to his home, the guest came. Gray such a subject, completely unmemorable appearance. And in a gray coat and gray trousers, besides. However, the varnish boots shone, attracting attention.

— Good evening. Not distracting, right? Captain Meleshko?

— Exactly. What happened?

«I’m from Lieutenant Colonel Teplyakov. He just called you. Arrived for a laptop and mobile killed.

— Violation is investigative actions. You yourself know the procedure for conducting an investigation.

— Enough for you, Captain… Well, write that they did not find. Let’s mobile, why do you need extra problems later? There is no need to aggravate everything.

Meleshko gave the tubes. The gray man checked for SIM cards and memory cards, was not too lazy. And, calmly removed his prey in the portfolio. He worked without taking off, in thin like gloves. You are looking for the frant, the investigator thought. Well, and the guest, alien to any torment and self-digging, left the apartment.

The investigator only looked at how the district police officer trump the Gray man, and he only patted him patronizingly on the shoulder. Asking what and how would it be just stupid. Meleshko only touched his phone with a satisfied smile, which became a copy of the victim’s phone.

— Precinct, we seem to be finished, — said the investigator, — We seal the front doors. So far, that’s it. Alexander Sergeevich, and to us, to the car of Mr. Steklov!

— I see. Or maybe immediately, call the platform, and take it to our parking lot?

— Look what and how. Let’s decide on the spot. But, we’d better check everything.

***

Meleshko looked around Steklov’s car with interest and even approval. Great car, Toyota-Carolla. Just a fairy tale, and there is no demolition. I would also like a similar thing, but the funds did not allow. I just had to watch. Yes, to watch Alexander Sergeevich with a mysterious smile open the interior of the car. The investigator himself, using the database in the service tablet, and the vin of the car, fished out Mr. Steklov’s passport. And then, he became the owner of his mobile number. Again I was pleased with myself. And a little time, and you have a photo and a passport. I reset this data to my own phone. He looked again at the forensic scientist’s fingers.

— Yes, you are a jack of all trades! Meleshko praised him.

— What to do, the experience is considerable, hard-edged. The main thing is not to break anything here.

But, there was no need to interfere. Moreover, Fedorov opened the trunk. Work boiled over. True, nothing of the kind was found, but the criminologist stubbornly took fingerprints in the cabin and in the trunk. To be honest, Meleshko expected that he would be able to find something important, but, no… And, it was a little strange. Steklov entered the apartment, leaving the car, but never returned. The investigator would not be surprised if Steklov’s body lay in the trunk, over the spare wheel. But, he wasn’t there…

— Is everything ready!

— Now, the car will be loaded on the platform, and we need to go to Nizhny Novgorod. Although night in the yard

— And we, Vitaly Borisovich, live in the manner of scoops or lizards there. We are not at night at midnight, but the day is definitely not the day. It’s good that our missing subject lives nearby, — Fedorov noted, — and perhaps there will be there.

As always, the forensic scientist was philosophical, and in a positive way. But, Meleshko himself, to be honest, did not feel very sowing, and wildly wanted to sleep. But, I tried to gather strength, and imitate enthusiasm:

«Not too far. Come on, Alexander Sergeevich, Danilych is already waiting for us.

***