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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.