 
# M URDER IN THE ELITE CLUB

All characters and events are fictional. The action probably takes place in parallel reality, and any coincidence with real people is random.

Prologue

From the most remote points of the planet, twelve television viewers have come to us today, who will come to grips against the Players...

"Good evening, dear viewers. Good evening, dear Players and guests of the Club. Today in the Elite Intellectual Club is the main game of the season. On the calendar - Sunday... 23 December. At twenty-two hours, thirty-nine minutes, and we begin the live broadcast of the final of 201... year.

The interests of the Players are defended by the head of the state corporation "Quantum" Anatoly Chaykin. The interests of viewers are defended by the president of the Main Bank, Mark Lehmann.

Live final of 201... year. Viewers vs. Players. Game up to six points. Score zero: zero, and we start the game!"

Chapter first.

The manager untwisted spinning top for the eleventh time, and Alice stared at the table in a daze. The captain shouted something, urging the team to focus for the last round. From the flickering of the arrow attached to a spinning top running fast in a circle, or maybe from the stuffiness in the room, to which she was never able to get used to for all eight years she spent in the Club, her head suddenly became dizzy. "If you faint, fall while standing," - an old joke of the Players surfaced in her head. Every game in a tiny house in the Old Garden was filled with an inconceivable crowd of people and by the middle of the game there was nothing to breathe in the hall. The program always went live, and if someone became ill, he had to endure until the commercial break - it was impossible to spoil the television picture. "Can I get up to fall while standing?" - Alice thought with irony, - "well, why do they call all these people here?"

By "these people" she meant invited guests \- users of social networks, or, as today, in the Final of the year \- viewers whose letters with questions were lucky enough to get to the game table. Alice did not like strangers in the Club. "We have a closed Elite Club. Here is the place for the intellectual elite. Let everyone else sit at home watching TV and develop their brains," - she muttered viciously to her husband half an hour before the start of the game, hardly slipping away from the next person who wanted to take a selfi with her. In the morning she was tormented by bad forebodings, and she could not pull herself together and concentrate on the upcoming game.

"Hush, Alice," - her husband exhorted, \- "and they always write that you are arrogant... uh..." - he stumbled. "Bitch," - Alice finished for him, and grinned contemptuously, - "what do I care about what they write? Next to their opinion, they would write the size of their "IQ", everything would be clear. "Is Bakhmetyev "IQ" suitable for you?" - George asked with unexpected anger. Alice shuddered and stared at him in amazement. Usually good-natured and even a little lethargic, now husband looked at her with fierce hatred. So, only that she lacked now. What did they tell him? Envious people whisper behind her back. Only naive viewers can think that they are all perfect and decent here. No, they are the same here as all people in this world \- are friends and envy, help each other and betray, intrigue and support. Simply no one knows about it. They see on the screen - always the perfect image: tuxedos and ties, evening gowns and flawless makeup, laughter and smiles.

"Let's discuss it later?" - she pleaded, - "I have the Final Game of the Year in half an hour!" George plunged into gloomy silence. He certainly couldn't hope to get to the final, even in some ordinary series of games. His team hung limply at the end of the rating, with varying success fighting for survival in the Club. They won the last rematch only thanks to condescension and frank promptings of the host. But the worst part was that the team was not successful with the audience. They were nervous during the game, could not relax and witty answer the questions of the host in order to entertain the audience, they even argued somehow languidly in case of a dubious answer. As a result, they were not interesting to anyone. George suspected that the next season would be their last. And it is unlikely that he will be called to any other team. He failed to gain a reputation as a good Player.

Another thing is Alice. Beautiful and temperamental, she gave liveliness any, even the most disastrous game of her team. She had bright insights in the last seconds of the discussion, and flashes of emotion when winning and losing. That's why a lot has been written about her on the Internet - both enthusiastic praise and frank filth. Even if her team flew out, sooner or later she would still be returned to the Club, like many "unsinkable" Players. It is not surprising that she preferred to him, the loser, a new rising star of Elit Club, Anton Bakhmetyev.

George and Alice were sitting together in a bus, hiding from prying eyes, until Captain Yaroslav Shmelev called her into the hall.

And here it is - the last, decisive round of Game. Alice closed her eyes so as not to see the arrow swirling at a frantic speed. Now everything will be decided. How long have they been going to this moment! For eight whole years they proved that they can play, climbed up the standings and rolled down after inexplicable failures, hung in the balance and climbed stubbornly again. The only ones who could stop them this year are Martin Kirs' experienced strong team. They played in the winter series later and if they won - with any score, and the team in which Alice played would again fly past the Final. But they did not win...

The arrow finally froze, and everyone, even those standing in the hall, exhaled in relief. Questions from Berlin, Samara and super blitz remained on the table. Thank God, Samara fell.

Suddenly Alice felt someone's gaze on herself. Turning her head a little, she met her gaze with Irina Krasinskaya. Lord, how many more people at the Club hate her? Okay, this is all unimportant. Now only one thing matters. Alice frantically wrote down a text in a notebook. The last question they got a black box...

\- An umbrella? Shoes? Dress?

\- What else could be?

\- A hat? - said Alice.

\- The dress does not fit in a box, it should be something small. Maybe some accessory?

\- Handbag?

\- Glasses?

\- More versions?

Upon hearing the first warning signal, Alice realized with horror that they had no answer. The miracle did not happen, none of them could catch the logic contained in the question. They missed something. There should have been a tip in the wording of the question, some kind of word giving a clue to the answer. And they spent the whole minute stupidly fingering all the items in the ladies' toilet instead of looking for the key. Alice frantically reread her notes... The final siren sounded. The voice of the host, who, as usual, was in the commentary room and was not visible to the Players sounded loudly:

\- Mr. Shmelev, who will answer?

\- Answers...

\- Mr. Shmelev, you have no answer?

\- Answers... Alice Vysotina.

Alice stared in dismay at the captain. They did not even decide which version they would give. Does he hope that she will guess at the last second? Or, that the host, Igor Garf, will begin to guide her to the correct answer, as sometimes happened?

\- Alice?

\- Alice, will you answer? Or will I count your team defeat?

This time, the host was clearly not going to help the Players. There was nowhere to go. Alice raised her head and looked desperately into the hall. Directly opposite her, Anton Bakhmetiev stood the whole game, smiling reassuringly and applauding, even winked once. But now, when she was under the gazes of all people standing in the hall, for some reason he did not look at her. He slowly looked from one side to the other and made slow passes with his hands as if...

\- Gloves, - said Alice. - In a black box are gloves.

\- So, you think that the subject referred to in the letter of Princess Trubetskoy is gloves?

\- Yes.

\- Hint! - yelled Martin Kirs suddenly. - Mr. Leading, there was a hint!

It turns out that he stood the whole game behind her. Here is the cattle! The captain of the team, dumbfounded, pale as chalk, looked at Alice, then at Kirs.

The host's voice was rather cold:

\- From whom was the hint, Mr. Kirs?

\- From Mr. Bakhmetiev. He made such movements with his hands.

Kirs made a gesture, as if pulling on invisible gloves.

\- Hm, - the host said. - How interesting. Mr. Bakhmetev, did you prompt Shmelev's team?

Anton looked up with eyes wide with surprise. A genuine amazement was written on his face.

\- No, Mr. Leading. I do not understand what Mr. Kirs is talking about.

\- Did you do any hand movements now?

\- I... I just... scratched my wrist and that's it.

\- Well, of course, - Kirs grinned, - I saw perfectly what you were doing. They didn't even have such a version!

\- Sorry, - Anton said calmly, - but it seems to me that you should check your eyesight, Mr. Kirs.

\- Everything is in order with my eyesight!

\- Silence in the hall! - snapped Garf. - One more word, and I will remove both of you!

\- Mr. Leading, - Shmelev has already recovered from the shock and rushed into battle. - Mr. Leading, excuse me, but except for Mr. Kirs, no one saw any hint, and we did not see either.

\- Show me the stewards.

German and Veronica, the Hall managers, who kept order, in their red vests stood as usual, at different ends of the hall, with their hands behind their backs.

\- So, I don't see red cards, - said the host. - Mr. Lehmann, do you think there was a hint?

Mark Lehmann, a defender of the interests of viewers - a handsome, impressive, charming man of about forty, a banker and a famous ladies' man, appeared at the Club a year ago, and right away he gained popularity among the audience. And this despite the fact that he did not defend the audience at all: he treated all the appeals of the presenter in case of a controversial situation as an opportunity to show off on the screen. It was clear that he was absolutely indifferent to what decision would ultimately be made. Igor did not remember that over the past year Lehmann at least once demonstrated some kind of principled position. He got to the Club on the recommendation of the head of the Main Channel Rostislav Hertz. And when Igor, disappointed, wanted to change him, Hertz categorically opposed and insisted on the presence of Lehmann at the Club. Igor had to reckon with the opinion of the head of the channel on which the program was broadcast. So now Lehmann seemed to be extremely amazed that they had addressed him with a question.

\- Do I need to react somehow? - I personally looked at Alice. She is a beautiful girl. Why should I look at Mr. Bakhmetyev? I'm absolutely not interested in looking at him.

The hall laughed.

\- Mr. Chaikin?

Player Defender Anatoly Chaykin sighed heavily:

\- I do not know, Mr. Leader. I also looked at Mrs. Vysotina.

\- Misters Masters? Was there a hint? Did Mr. Bakhmetyev make any suspicious hand gestures?

The camera snatched the Jolly Magister out of the crowd. He grinned:

\- Sorry, Mr. Leading, but we did not see which part of his body Mr. Bakhmetiev scratched.

The hall exploded in laughter.

\- Technically, - the host said slowly, having waited for silence again, - according to the rules, I can count the hint only if a red card has been presented. - There was no red card. I apologize, Mr. Kirs, but I cannot make a decision based solely on your suspicions.

\- So look at the recordings from the cameras! - exploded Martin.

It's easy to say, "look at the recording." The Game is live. Igor does not have time for this. The decision had to be taken immediately.

\- Let's not waste time in vain, - Shmelev was visibly nervous. - It is quite obvious that no one, except Mr. Kirs, who saw something there, did not see any hint.

\- How interesting, however, - Kirs crossed his arms over his chest and smiled sarcastically. - At the last game, when my team was at the table, Mr. Bakhmetiev gave a hint that we did not need at all, and we were counted defeat. Then everyone heard the prompt. But today, when the beautiful Alisa Vysotina plays at the table, for some reason no one noticed the prompt.

\- I don't understand what you mean, Mr. Kirs, - the captain answered coldly, - if you have any personal complaints or questions for me...

\- Not for you, Mr. Shmelev. I think you are not even in the know. I, you see, suddenly had personal questions for Mrs. Vysotina. And, I believe, Mr. Vysotin should also have some personal questions for his wife.

\- Mr. Kirs, leave the hall immediately! - angry voice of the leader thundered. - Your behavior is unacceptable!

Kirs shrugged and grinned contemptuously and made his way to the exit.

\- Manager, open the black box!

When German pulled out a box and presented the audience with a pair of black leather gloves, the audience applauded frantically.

\- Attention! In the Final of the year the victory was six: five wins... the team of Yaroslav Shmelev!

Alice dropped her head in her hands. An unimaginable noise there was: the team screamed in rapture, splashing out crazy tension of the finale, public clapped and shouted "bravo", pounded on the back of the seats. Someone, it seems, one of the Masters, hugged her shoulders and muttered something approving in her ear, but she did not hear anything... She was crying.

When the noise finally subsided, they began to choose the best question, then the best answer for the year. The prize for the best question was given unanimously to the Club's universal favorite, a television viewer from the village of Petrovka in the Primorsky Territory Damir Aydashev. This cheerful, good-natured guy has been thinking up and sending good quality questions to the game for many years, and even earned a lot of money, but he did not have official awards, such as an owl or the title of Academician.

Finally, the apotheosis came: the choice of the best Player who will get a diamond owl. Hearing her name as a pretender, Alice winced: she never thought about it seriously. In their team, Denis Chernenkin was always the best, he gave more correct versions than the other team members. The prize for the best game was usually awarded to him or the captain. However, today Denis was not up to the mark, and the captain twice missed the correct versions that sounded at the table, and, in addition, stupidly failed the round, failing to correctly dispose of the help of the Club. And here she... Gave the correct and early answer at the very beginning of the game... Put forward the correct versions \- the very ones that Shmelev did not choose. And finally, the answer in the decisive round, which brought them the long-awaited victory. Yes, today she was lucky... However, waiting for a decision from the Masters in favor of a woman is probably still naive...

Two Masters voted for Chernenkin, one for her. Viewer Defender Lehmann for her. Player Defender Chaykin for Chernenkin. The host sustained the required dramatic pause and finally announced:

\- The best Player of the year is... Alice Vysotina. The diamond owl is yours! Go and own!

With a sense of the unreality of what was happening, Alice stood up, and, as in a dream, went out into the garden. "How strange," - she thought, walking along the path and not noticing the burning winter cold, - "in the morning I was absolutely sure that something bad would happen. That we won't win. That the questions will be too complicated. That the Club will not help us. And I always believed in my intuition, for the first time in my life it let me down. It's probably just nerves."

She froze for a few seconds in front of the pedestal, looking at the crystal beauty owl sparkling in the spotlights, and then carefully picked her up and pressed it to her.

***

Irina Krasinskaya closed her eyes and swallowed a bitter wad of resentment. How so? Why is everything always going to this bitch? Why, one wonders, a diamond owl? For beautiful eyes and the ability to have a sex with the right people? She plays with men as she wants, twirls them, changes them like the same gloves.

Ira herself has never attracted the attention of men. She grew up in a modest intelligent family, where good literature and music were valued, where there was always the same once-established stable rhythm of life, reigned respect and the desire to understand each other. Since childhood, Ira involuntarily learned a modest and pleasant manner of communicating with her interlocutor, the same as was characteristic of her parents. She easily found friends among those who grew up in a similar environment, but did not know how to communicate and was easily lost when confronted with people like Alice. Bright, shocking, bold girls with painted eyebrows and strangely swollen lips and other parts of the body looked at her condescendingly, behaved like queens, so Ira suddenly began to feel herself like a poor dumb girl from the province. Although in reality she was a pretty, tastefully dressed young woman. She did not wear close-fitting figure, lurex-glittering outfits, because she understood that completely different things were suitable for her - plain, classic, of strict cut. And let the men do not stop looking at her and don't faint. Well, she doesn't need it. After all, she always had Vlad. Her Vlad. He was next to first grade school. They spent eleven years at one desk. They walked after school together, did their homework together. And although they went to different universities to study: Vlad chose the Faculty of Philology, she is a pharmaceutical, but a year later they got married and started living together in a rented apartment. Together they came to play in the student Intellectual Club and since then have always played in the same team. Of course, in those years they had a hard time and there wasn't enough money for everything, but still they were happy. And Vlad never, never before looked at other women... Until Alice appeared.

Alice burst into their lives with a fast-moving hurricane destroying everything in its path. Why did she need a modest philologist Vlad Krasinsky? Just a whim, nothing more. The beautiful lady became bored, the lady decided to have fun. Alice flirted with a stranger's husband, not paying the slightest attention to Ira, as if she were an empty place. Vlad was embarrassed and blushed, laughed at witty jokes and joked himself. And then he suddenly set a password on his cell phone...

She took away from Ira the most precious thing that was in her life. She took, played and... quit. Ira furtively looked at her husband. He inseparably looked at Alice, with a dog's longing in his eyes. A wave of fierce hatred flooded her heart, preventing her from breathing. She did not suspect that she was capable of wishing someone so badly evil.

***

Martin Kirs, digging his fingernails in his palms, watched Alice remove the owl from the pedestal and, pressing it to her chest, turned to the cameras, smiling dazzlingly...

Well, a girl turned out to be ambitious, however. Smart, beautiful and passionate. These are the ones that succeed. Martin was lucky today: the manager German Lyubimov put him right behind Alice and opposite Anton, so he had a great opportunity to watch both of them.

And the boy is a brilliant actor. What unfortunate eyes he looked at Martin a week ago, when he began to yell at him after the defeat for that unnecessary stupid hint. How sincerely repented, wrung his hands in despair, babbled that everything had happened by chance! Well, how could you not believe him! Martin himself was once a young unrestrained newcomer in the Club, and more than once he was driven out of the hall for trying to help the playing team. And today Anton again perfectly played innocence. Talented boy... Talented in many ways. Just he do not know yet that you have to pay for everything...

How did he, Martin, need this Finale! This was his last opportunity. No one knows about this, even his wife, he has not admitted. She, of course, would start to forced him to leave the Club immediately. Ilze was always offended that the Club was in the first place for him, more important than his family, and he could not imagine life without the Game. But now doctors categorically forbade worrying: the risk of stroke was great. And how can you not worry during the Game? When he was younger, Martin used to furiously pound the game table with his fist, yell at the host until hoarseness, and curse with the Masters. Then he settled down a bit, became the captain of his team and tried, as best he could, to restrain his temperament. It's ridiculous, everyone considers Estonians to be unflappable and sluggish. And here he is, a purebred descendant of ancient Estonians, a broad-shouldered and tall gray-eyed, colorless blond man with a character that is very far from the national standard. "It would be better if you screamed, emitted emotions," - the therapist told him. - "It's healthier than holding back constantly."

For three years in a row, his team managed to get to the Finals of the year and lost three times to viewers. He wanted to bring the team to the main Game of the season for the last time and, finally, having won, put a beautiful point in his career. Leaving the Club, finally paying more attention to the family, helping Ilze and their daughter to nurse a little grandson.

And then suddenly this sweet couple destroys all his plans! He looked at the radiant happy Alice and felt the growing anger begin to rapidly pulse in his temples.

***

The phone vibrated in Alexei's pocket and he hastily stepped outside. Stepping back a few steps, put the phone to his ear he whispered:

\- Speak quietly, I ask you, there are a lot of people here.

\- Have you already done this?

\- Not.

\- Why?

\- They interfered with me. Listen, I think this is a bad idea. I canot...

\- If I am interested in your opinion on this issue, I will certainly ask you. And now I want you to go and do what we agreed on. Or you won't get anything.

\- Listen... let's agree some other way...

\- So, - the interlocutor's voice became icy, - either you go and do now, or you and I will never talk about anything again. Remain nothingness as you were.

There were short beeps in the handset.

***

As always, after the main Game of the year, a cheerful excited crowd swirled in the game room and in the narrow corridors. Players, viewers and journalists talked, laughed, took selfies on the background of the gaming table. Igor noticed how someone whispers, squinting at Anton Bakhmetiev. He stood at the door leading to a small basement, where a modest buffet was organized in honor of the invited guests of the Club, and drank coffee from a plastic cup, absentmindedly listening to the conversations around. Met his eyes with Igor, he blushed, lowered his eyes and began to slowly seep somewhere through the crowd.

"Well, he has at least a little conscience," - thought Igor, - "and that's all right. Otherwise, it would be completely sad."

He headed to the hall.

The Masters were discussing something animatedly among themselves, but when Igor came up to them, they shut up in silence.

\- Did I interfere?

\- Not. We discussed here one issue of a delicate nature.

\- So it means, I still interfered.

The Masters laughed.

\- We are just thinking about advising Anton to leave here as soon as possible. Vysotin, as we heard, used to be fond of boxing. And the boy has a good head, it's a pity to injure such a person.

Serious Master expressively nodded his head somewhere off to the side. Looking there, Igor saw George watching his wife. Alice gave an interview and smiled happily. But the expression on Vysotin's face made Igor flinch slightly.

\- It seems the guy is not very happy for his spouse, - the Serious Master sarcastically remarked.

Igor sighed.

\- Why were you silent? Just don't say you didn't see! I just watched the recordings from the second camera, all of you have seen perfectly!

The Merry Master shrugged.

\- And why do we drown the team of Yaroslav? They are good guys, our friends, let them rejoice. Maybe this will be their only Final of the year.

\- Not a very beautiful victory, however, do not you find?

\- May be. But then a victory. After all, can there be injustice at least once in our favor?

\- Once? - Igor grinned. - Really?

\- Listen, Garik, - said the Nervous Master, thoughtfully, - Destroy this record for God's sake. If Larisa sees, there will be a scandal. She will force to replay the Finale, take the owl from Alice. Who needs this?

***

\- Come here!

Alice grabbed his hand and quickly dragged him along the small side corridor. Anton didn't resist, he only looked around frightenedly and tried not to spill his coffee. Alice quickly walked forward, and pushed him through some door painted with brown, slightly peeling paint. Then, turning around, she was convinced that no one had seen them, and slipped after him. They found themselves in a small cramped room, crammed with mops, buckets and other household rubbish. Apparently, it was a pantry.

\- Are you crazy?

\- They won't let me talk calmly.

\- And if they see us?

\- They will be envious, probably...

\- And your husband?

\- That's just about him I was going to talk with you.

***

At the exit leading into the common corridor, the viewer Damir Aydashev and captain Yaroslav Shmelev laughed merrily at something. Looking at Damir's open, good-natured face, Igor felt a prick of conscience. If not for the hint, the guy today would have received a diamond owl and finally became the Game Academician.

\- Igor, hello! - Damir was so sincerely delighted with the meeting that Igor was doubly embarrassed.

\- Hello, Damir. How are you feeling?

\- Super! I'm so glad I'm in the Finals. And my question is again the best!

\- Well, a little more and you will become our Academician. We will see each other more often.

\- And you come to me, in Petrovka. We have great fishing and fresh air! And what a nature!

\- Why not. God give a vacation this year, I'll come. So are you not upset?

\- Why?

\- You could get a diamond owl today. There, you know, at the end there was a moot point.

Damir shrugged.

\- Well, not fate, then. But the guys have a holiday today, - he smiled warmly at Yaroslav. - And as for the hint, I think Martin was wrong. Anton said that he just scratched his hand. He won't lie, right?

Igor looked at Shmelev with irony.

\- Yes, - Yaroslav said firmly, looking defiantly at the presenter's face. - A member of the Elite Club wound not lie. So we have a holiday, and no one will spoil it for us. Damir, are you going to the restaurant with us? We are going to celebrate this event.

\- With pleasure! - Damir shone even more and turned back to Igor, - Can I leave you new questions? I have them with me, on a flash drive. Or is it better to email as usual?

\- Come with me, I will transfer them to my computer.

Entering the commentary room, Igor froze: Larisa, the editor-in-chief of the program, was sitting behind the monitor, quickly clicking the mouse. A little more and she will see what he already saw. Knowing the character of Larisa, he did not doubt her reaction. God knows what will follow.

\- Larisa, come down, please. It is full of journalists, but there is no one to talk to them.

\- And you yourself?

\- I am already, - he lied, - now they want you. Larisa, come on faster, I beg you, we still have a lot of things to do, I want to leave here at least a couple of hours.

Reluctantly she put down her mouse, turned, and finally saw Damir.

\- Damir, you're my golden man, for God's sake, there was no time to talk with you before the broadcast. Will you have a cup of tea with me? I at least take a break from this serpentarium. Don't leave, okay?

The man, noticeably blushing with embarrassment, nodded.

Larisa came out, and Igor breathed a sigh of relief. Now it was necessary to distract Damir with something. He grabbed the first cardboard boxes from his desk, painted with colored markers.

\- Let's get a flash drive. And now, look, please, these questions. I want to hear your opinion. You see, we already have what is called here, the eye is blurred, we don't understand which questions are easy, which are difficult, which will be interesting to viewers, and which are boring and incomprehensible. Have a look?

Having set the viewer in a corner, Igor turned the monitor so that it was not visible to anyone except him and quickly found the desired piece of recording...

***

\- Have you seen Alice? - Shmelev looked into the commentary. - We lost her.

\- She was not here, - Igor said dryly.

Damir had already left, they had already had time to quarrel with Larisa, who had discovered a hole in the recording of the program, and the guys from the Shmelev team looked into the room and asked Alice.

\- Well, where did our queeness go? - Larisa asked irritably.

Larisa Kravchenko, a miniature, thin woman, barely reaching for the shoulder of lanky Igor, possessed, nevertheless, an impressive bust, as well as harsh and domineering manners. Everyone was afraid of her - from cleaners to Masters. Of course, not the way the Founder was feared at one time, but still tried to maintain a reasonable distance. Igor, in any case, did not know anything about her personal life. She had no children, no husband either. He had the impression that her whole life was spent in the Club. From morning until late in the evening, she was at work, disposed of, supervised, scolded staff, made plans for the future. And on the weekend she took home a bunch of papers, financial reports, some rough drafts. Sometimes she mentioned friends who she went to premieres and with shops, but she always went on vacation alone. She was a pretty woman, and in Igor's memory there were many men who showed interest in her. However, they all quickly retreated, bumping into the cold indefinable wall of deep contempt. He suspected that the reason for this was some long-standing emotional wound, perhaps an experienced betrayal. In any case, she always spoke of men cheating on their wives or brides with fierce hatred, but he never dared to ask what was the matter, and nobody knew anything at the Club. Any attempt to get closer or talk to Larisa heart to heart ended with the inglorious surrender.

\- And Bakhmetyev in the Club? Or also mysteriously evaporated?

Larisa frowned.

\- Do you think this is true? About Alice and Anton?

He shrugged.

\- Rumor has it.

\- So you think Martin is right? Wasn't that an accident?

\- Think for yourself. Kirs team loses to viewers three: four. They have a simple question, there is a correct version at the table and they are actively discussing it. And then suddenly, it is not clear why, Anton, who is two steps away from the manager, loudly pronounces the correct answer. Of course, the red card, I count the point to the viewers and the team, instead of equalizing the score, starts to lose three: five. The guys are in shock, and then they still have super blitz. The Club's strongest team loses the game for reaching the Final of the year! And in the Finals is the team in which Alice plays.

\- Yes, in the place of Kirs, I would have killed him, - breathed Larisa.

\- Well, he, I think, has competitors in this matter.

\- Vysotin, do you mean? Who else?

\- Vlad Krasinsky, for example.

\- Oh my God, - Larisa sighed. - Yes, I also heard this gossip. Poor Ira! Here with bitch... And you gave the owl to her! She accidentally didn't flirt with you?

\- Easy, come on.

\- It's good that intelligent people are gathering here, otherwise it would be today if not murder, then scuffle at least. What will we do with Bakhmetyev?

\- I think... nothing.

\- How is it - nothing?! Two hints, malicious provocation! We have to take some measures.

\- If you want, talk to him yourself. Look into these innocent blue eyes and an infinitely surprised face.

Larisa laughed:

\- Yes, the boy's facial expressions are good. But, maybe, we will disqualify him for a couple of games, so that it would be fair?

\- How do we explain this? Let's cancel the score of the games of Kirs and Shmelev? Replay the Finale? No, it's impossible, and you know it very well. And viewers want Anton. Agree, we haven't seen such talented young people in the Club for a long time.

Shmelev again timidly looked into the room.

\- Alice is not here and was not! - snapped Larisa.

\- Yes, yes, I know. But... you could not... - he hesitated slightly. - Could you call Anton Bakhmetyev? All the guys from his team have already left, but we don't have his phone number...

Igor grunted, opened a database on the computer with the data of the Club members and dialed a number, establishing a speakerphone.

\- Hello, I'm listening.

\- Anton, good night. This is Igor Garf.

\- Goodnight.

\- Tell me, where are you now?

\- In taxi.

\- And where are you going?

\- To the hotel, then to the Airport.

\- Alice is with you?

\- No, - the voice in the receiver sounded surprised. - Why on earth?

\- We lost her here. She is nowhere to be found. So we thought, suddenly she went with you?

Silence reigned in the receiver for a minute.

\- Anton?

\- I'll be right back, - Bakhmetev said.

***

The guests have already left, most of the Players too. Only members of the Shmelev team, George Vysotin and for some reason Martin Kirs, remained in the Club. Larisa escorted journalists who seemed to sense something and circled around the rest, like sharks that sensed fresh blood.

Everyone gathered in a large hall and tried to decide what to do next. Someone offered to call the police, others insisted on returning to the hotel and waiting for Alice there. George sat silently, not looking at anyone, pale and kind of indifferent, as if it was not about his wife at all, but someone else. No one dared to speak with him.

Kirs pulled Igor aside and in a whisper persuaded to go to Sheremetyevo: he was sure that Alice was going to run away with Anton.

\- He said he would come here.

\- The boy is lying! He just takes time so that we do not have time to intercept them!

\- Why the hell should we intercept them?! They are adults, let them do what they want! - Igor burst out.

There was a sudden silence in the hall. Turning around, Igor saw Anton frozen in the doorway. Snowflakes tangled in red, slightly disheveled hair, blue eyes looked in surprise from behind the glasses. Igor suddenly realized that Anton was essentially still a boy, trying to appear adult and serious, but actually confused and scared.

\- Found Alice?

Igor shook his head. Anton turned sharply and walked to the door leading to the inner corridor. Igor and Martin, glancing at each other, followed, but they did not even have time to take a few steps, when they heard a loud cry full of horror. They ran and, turning a corner, saw Anton slowly sliding down the wall to the floor and the open door of a small utility room where the cleaners kept their equipment and the rest of the workers threw away unnecessary things that were a pity to throw away.

Now, amidst all this rubbish, the diamond owl proudly sparkled with crystal faces standing on the chest of its owner. Alice's body was neatly laid on her back and it might even have seemed that she was sleeping, if not for the crimson puddle spreading over the wooden floor.

Chapter Two

\- Hold on, Garik. We must hold on, - Dmitry Yshakv encouragingly patted him on the shoulder. - I'll tell Veronica to make you coffee.

Dmitry, Igor's old friend and co-producer of the program, (he was also the captain of one of the teams), didn't look very well: red sore eyes with dark blue bags, gray complexion - now he seemed much older than his years. Igor thought that such sleepless night was too difficult for his energetic, but already middle-aged friend. However, to save him from this prolonged nightmare was not in his power. It was already nine in the morning, and the investigator was only now interrogating the last Player from the Shmelev team. The operatives helped him, but still, everything was terribly slow.

Police group arrived at the Old Garden at about two in the morning. Prior to this, Igor had to bother with Vysotin, who at the sight of his dead wife was completely mad and tried to strangle Anton.

\- You, freak, - he wheezed, desperately trying to break free from the hands of Shmelev and Kirs, who with difficulty restrained him from the attack. - You killed her!

Together, they somehow dragged him back to the game room and seated him in an armchair, tried to give him a drink of valerian, which they had always kept in the Club, since the time of the Founder. When a flash of rage gave way to a dull desperate sob, Igor returned to the side corridor. Anton was still sitting on the floor, covering his face with his hands, and he was trembling all over.

Garf gently closed the pantry door, called the room manager German Lyubimov, who had not yet had time to leave home, and placed him at the door, ordering no one to be allowed to the crime scene.

\- Come on, - he told Anton firmly.

In the commentary room, he sat him on a chair and gave him a bottle of mineral water. Anton stared blankly at her, obviously not understanding what to do with this subject.

\- How do you understand that you need to look for her there?

Anton flinched and stared in dismay at the host.

\- I... we... we talked there.

\- Why there?

\- M..m..m... Confidential conversation.

Igor was surprised:

\- Made sex? Well, you are crazy... You haven't found another place?

Anton blushed.

\- Of course not! Just talked...

\- About what?

\- I can not tell.

\- Anton, do you understand what's going on? Alice is dead, killed. You knew where to find her, maybe you were the last one to see her alive. Can you imagine how it all looks?

The boy shook his head in fright:

\- I did not kill her...

\- The investigator may decide otherwise. And you still have to tell what you were talking about.

Anton stubbornly was silent, staring at the floor. Igor sighed:

-Okay, and how did the romantic date in the closet end?

\- We agreed to phone later, and I left, I have a plane, - he pulled a phone from his pocket, - it flies away in two hours.

\- You won't have time. You need a lawyer.

\- Where will I get him? - Anton was confused. - I do not know anyone in Moscow.

Igor sighed and reopened the database.

***

Before the arrival of the Police group and the investigator, Igor managed to call the former member of the Elite Club, Sergei Starkov, a successful practicing lawyer. Although he told Anton that he needed a lawyer, he suspected in the depth of his soul that another person would need protection to a much greater extent. Then he printed out a list of people who were at the Club that evening, and next to them their phone numbers.

The operatives arrived, quickly and busily began to inspect the scene of the incident.

An investigator appeared behind them, an unshaven frowning man of about forty in a crumpled suit, with cold eyes and unpleasant harsh manners. Poking open police certificate in Igor's face, without introducing himself or greeting him, he went to the back room and bent over Alice's body. Then, in a quiet voice, he asked several questions to the expert and finally turned to Igor.

\- Who are you?

\- I am Igor Garf, general producer of the company, and who are you?

\- What do you have to do with the murdered woman?

\- Maybe you deign to introduce yourself? - got angry Garf.

\- Evgeny Sukhinin, senior investigator of the prosecutor's office. What do you have to do with the murdered woman?

\- Alisa Vysotina - a member of the Elite Intellectual Club, a participant in the television show "GAME", I am the host of this show.

\- Is it like a "house two" or something?

Igor, stunned, was silent for a minute.

\- No, - he finally answered, very reservedly, - of a different type. This is an intellectual show.

\- Ah... a quiz who knows best. Clear. Who discovered the corpse?

\- Anton Bakhmetyev, also a member of the Club.

\- Let's get him here. And I need a room where I will work.

They vacated a room for him, where before that tables had been set up with simple treats.

Igor was annoyed and worried. No, he didn't think that everyone should watch their show, but in order to not have the slightest idea...

The investigator kept Anton in his office for half an hour. He probably would have held out longer, but then something completely unimaginable happened. One of the operatives quickly passed by Igor languishing in the corridor and dived into the office of the investigator. Just two minutes later, Sukhinin appeared from there.

\- How many of your people are in the building now? - he asked sharply.

\- There are about ten or twelve people left, - Igor answered perplexedly.

\- Immediately evacuate everyone!

\- Why?

\- The explosive device in your closet, that's why! Faster, well! We do not know when it will explode.

Igor stared at the investigator for a second, too stunned to believe what he had heard, and then, turning abruptly, ran to the game room.

***

Ten minutes later, they were all freezing on the street, looking with fear and disbelief at a beautiful snow-covered house, a monument of architecture of the nineteenth century, which had been their shelter, reliable harbor, and a subject of special pride for so many years. Will it be gone now? Who and why made this nightmare on the eve of the New Year?

Anton was handcuffed past them, put into a police car and taken away. Igor went to Sukhinin.

\- Where did they take him?

\- To the department.

\- Did you arrest him?

\- Delayed. To carry out the necessary investigative actions.

\- What actions?

\- I do not have to report to you.

\- He has the right to a lawyer!

\- We all have the right to a lawyer, - the investigator yawned indifferently, without covering his mouth, - thats why there are so many killers walking around free. Thanks to the lawyers. He can summon one if he wants. How many people were in this building today?

\- Seventy four.

\- Do you know that for sure? - a spark of interest flashed for the first time in Sukhinin's eyes.

\- Counted while waiting for you.

Igor handed him a list.

\- Do you have a video registration system? Who came when, when who left?

\- There are surveillance cameras at the entrance.

\- Good. The main thing is that everything does not explode.

The investigator began to look through the list.

\- Which of these people had close relations with the deceased? Except for the husband, I mean?

\- Team members are usually friendly with each other.

\- Teams? And how many people do you have in your teams?

\- Six.

\- What are the last names?

Igor listed, and Sukhinin noted in the list. Alice's body was taken out of the house: two operatives held her by the legs and by the head, the third carried an owl.

\- Would you even cover your body! - Igor was indignant, watching how they casually lay her right on the snow.

\- What? Do you suppose we carry sheets with us? A carriage will arrive, pack it in a bag, as it should. The corpses do not freeze, do not worry. And what was this thing standing on her chest?

\- The prize for the best Player of the year is a diamond owl.

\- Diamond? - investigator raised his eyebrows.- How much is?

\- It's just a name, - Igor said with annoyance.

The investigator's ignorance began to annoy him.

\- There are no diamonds in it. It is called diamond because of the special cut of crystal. It doesn't have a lot of monetary value, it's just an honorary award, well, like the Oscar figurine, for example.

\- Has anyone threatened her?

From an unexpected change of subject Igor flinched slightly.

\- Everyone loved Alice, - he said dryly and walked away.

***

\- Hello, Sergey?

\- Igor, I've arrived, but there is a cordon, they don't let me in. What is going on there?

- Wait, I'll decide now.

Igor again went to Sukhinin and forced him to get through to the right person, who gave the command to let Starkov into the garden.

\- What's happening? - Sergey looked extremely amazed, - why are there special forces at the gates?

\- Alice Vysotina killed. A bomb was found in the utility room where we found her body.

\- What?! - former Club Player did not believe his ears.

Sergei Starkov, a Muscovite, a successful practicing lawyer, appeared at the Club in the early 2000s and immediately became one of the best Players. In the first year he received a crystal owl and gained immense popularity among viewers. By this time, due to strict rules, and even more due to the heavy absurd nature of the Founder, many famous Players left the Club. A replacement was urgently needed, but the young teams entered the Game... and could not show anything interesting. Against this background, Sergey quickly became a real star, many prophesied to him Master's career. But three years ago he was forced to leave the Club for political reasons. During the aggravation of the confrontation with the West, when television filled the talk show with the participation of famous political scientists, journalists, scientists, Starkov was also actively invited at first, naturally expecting that he would scold the rotten west and glorify his glorious unfortunate homeland. But he suddenly showed a completely independent political position, very far from the official rhetoric recommended from above. After several such appearances, they stopped releasing him on the central channels and he migrated to opposite «Silver Rain», and also started his own blog on the Internet, which has become very popular in opposition circles. And then Rostislav Herz, the head of the Main Channel, categorically ordered Garf to get rid of the presence of a wrong-minded Player. Igor could not prove that the intellectual Game and politics are things that do not intersect in any way, and was forced to lose one of his best Players. Why now did he decide to turn to Starkov for help? He himself did not really know, but for some reason he wanted to have his own person, a person of the Game.

\- Anton Bakhmetyev was taken away for investigation. What does this mean, you know?

\- They will take fingerprints, a DNA test, clothes will be taken for examination. Why is he?

\- He had an intimate relationship with Alice. And they were alone in this closet. He helped us find her.

Sergey raised his eyebrows high:

\- How interesting, however, it became in the Club! Just a "house-two" of some kind.

\- And you there too. Imagine, this investigator does not know anything about our broadcast. How will he investigate something?

\- Do you think the killing is related to the Game?

\- No, of course, where does the Game.

\- That means it will be investigated like an ordinary murder. Husband, lover, what else is needed?

\- It's not them. I am sure that this is not Anton and not George.

\- I don't say that they are. I explain what the investigator will think first. Why are you so sure?

\- Why would Anton kill her? They have a romance in full swing.

\- She could tell him that she wanted to part with him. She decided to keep the family, for example. Well, or received from the boy what she wanted, and dismissed. I, you know, carefully watched today's broadcast. And the past, with the game of Kirs, too. Here the boy freaked out...

\- But why did he come back then? Why did he help me find a corpse?

\- Conscience began to torment. Or wanted to ward off suspicion.

\- And you think he foresaw all this in advance and dragged a knife and a bomb to the Club? Or is he in the habit of carrying these things with him, just in case, but what if it comes in handy? Doesn't fit, Sergey. No one carries such items. Whoever killed her, he planned it in advance.

\- Why here?

\- I do not know.

\- Well, what about the husband? Did he know about a lover?

\- I have no idea. But it's definitely not him. When we found Alice, he... just went crazy... rushed at Anton, we barely dragged him away.

\- Could pretend.

\- He didn't pretend. If we had not kept him, he would have killed the boy.

\- Everything can be played, even insanity, - Sergey sighed. - Believe my experience. Well, let's say it's not him. Who else could have a motive?

Igor shrugged:

\- I have no idea.

\- Krasinsky. He or she. Shmelev. Kirs. It seems to me that there were more than enough of those who wanted to, - Larisa's cold voice came suddenly, so that both of them involuntarily flinched.

They did not notice how she approached them. Larisa chilly wrapped herself in a leather coat with fur trim and angrily looked at both men, as if they were to blame for everything that was happening.

\- I beg you, - Igor grimaced, \- this is nonsense. Quiet philologist Krasinsky makes a bomb? Is his little fragile wife sharpening a knife? Are you out of your mind?

\- But any of them could have wanted revenge, - she turned to Sergey. - Alice, you see, circled Vlad's head some time ago.

\- And Kirs? - Starkov asked with curiosity, - he is a quick-tempered man.

\- Again, it does not converge. That's right, he is a quick-tempered man and therefore immediately says everything he thinks, and does not carry a knife in his bosom.

\- He could have guessed earlier that Alice had framed him, asking her lover to break their game. Could prepare for revenge.

- Then why was there a scandal today, to attract attention?

\- Oh well. And what about Shmelev?

\- Yes, indeed, - Igor turned to Larisa, - Why are you still Shmelev dragged here?

\- But he owes Alice money, forgot? A rather big amount. About a million, as I heard. This boob continues to believe in his system.

\- What's the matter? - surprised Starkov. - Yaroslav had a successful business, as far as I remember.

Igor and Larisa looked at each other.

\- He was, but he was all out, - Kravchenko grinned unkindly, - and, damn it, I still feel guilty. You see, Yaroslav went broke playing on Forex.

The famous financial company Forex ten years ago became the main sponsor of the Game. Not that they really wanted it, they were not left with a choice. They depended on both sponsors and television executives who might or might not broadcast. And someone at the very top really needed Forex to light up for the general public through the Elite Intellectual Club, and it's not difficult to understand why. It was their viewers who were the target Forex audience: middle-class people, accustomed to rely on their minds in life. Yes, they themselves in the dashing nineties renamed Club in a casino, "where everyone can make money with their own mind." In those days, their sponsors were the "new Russians," sometimes just outright bandits, and again they did not have to choose. Unless, meanwhile, to be a Game or not to be. They then first began to earn decent money.

The new sponsor - Forex, in general the same casino, elegantly disguised itself as an intellectual game on the "exchange", and essentially relied on the same slogan: "if you are smart, you will earn from us." I wonder how many people in the world are who do not consider themselves smart? This is what they all catch. A very ingenious system of attracting new participants to the "trading" system was created: free training courses on the "game on the stock exchange", free Internet lessons, additional literature, after reading which a person began to feel extremely savvy in matters of analyzing changes in the exchange rate. All this created the illusion of a real, reliable way to generate income. Good uncles of a very intelligent kind from the page of the official website kindly suggested how to create your own game system that provides stable profit. Advertising threw hooks with bait, which was easily swallowed even by clever people. Well, who, in fact, does not want to get rid of office boredom and disgusted bosses, and make money just by pressing a couple of keys on a personal PC? And to create your own game system is a very attractive goal for people who like to solve intellectual problems. And even the most ridiculous and absurd phenomenon of Forex - paid training seminars, for some reason, too, did not bother anyone. Almost no one wondered why people who know how to create the right game system do not sip cocktails in their own villa in Florida, but ride in a reserved seat train to Uryupinsk to make happy and enrich the poor population of the homeland.

Alas, they all took part in this then. Many leading Players were involved in advertising, and people believed in the legend of the new Klondike. Hundreds of thousands of spectators registered at Forex sites, bought books, paid for seminars and ... opened accounts. It all ended as it should end in any casino. How much money was presented by smart, but naive, newly-made "traders" to those who invented the ingenious tale of Forex is unknown, but Igor breathed a sigh of relief when they finally managed to change their sponsor and signed a contract with a large and decent corporation with state support.

And after some time, information reached him that Yaroslav Shmelev had seriously "hooked" on Forex and was losing quite substantial amounts of money there. "Well, how so, Yaroslav, why?! After all, everyone has long understood everything about Forex. And don't say that you didn't understand!" - they exhorted him with Larisa, but the Captain of the Game with astonishing tenacity insisted that he, all the same, found the cherished perfect system of forecasting the exchange rate, wrote a special self-learning computer program, checked system on a huge data set and now, very soon, he will succeed, and he will earn a million dollars, repay all debts. "Yes, there is no system, you fool!" - Larisa shouted. \- "Come to your senses already! It does not exist in nature. You or someone else can only be lucky by chance, like in a lottery, like in a casino!"

But Yaroslav did not listen to them and continued to create and test one after another the "ideal" forecast systems, gradually ruining. Larisa knew that he had sold the business, laid down an apartment, then began to take loans. Recently, bailiffs took his car and took furniture out of the apartment. The wife took her daughter, left for her parents and divorced Yaroslav in order to escape from the harsh attacks of collectors that threatened to set fire to the apartment or break the child's legs. Yaroslav himself was almost daily exposed to their threats, but continued to believe that there was still a little bit, and the same golden rain would fall on him. Nine hundred thousand rubles debts to Alice Vysotina were a drop in the bucket compared to his other debts.

\- Oh my god, only that was not enough. But he will not kill because of money, in fact...

\- So, - Sergey summed up, - Six people, at least, had a motive to kill. The involvement of any of them seems incredible to you. And nevertheless, sorry, gentlemen, but still one of them did it.

***

After a couple of hours, when everyone was already pretty cold, the specialists finished work, and they were finally allowed to return to the warm room. Igor rushed to put the kettle. It was vitally important to keep warm until interrogations began.

Over the past time, Igor managed to perk up when he learned that the FSB would most likely take over the investigation, since the explosive device could be the work of terrorists. Where terrorists could have come from in the Club, God knows, but he still has ceased to understand anything in what is happening. Better to let it be some mysterious terrorists than any of those whom he himself accepted into the Club, with whom he was friends, with whom he laughed and for whom he was worried. But then he was bitterly disappointed: the explosive device turned out to be a primitive product, which even a schoolboy could have done with instructions at hand. The explosion would have been very small, but could have caused a fire, and most likely, by the time the firefighters arrived, the closet would have burned to the ground. So an investigator from the federal security service concluded that the bomb was intended solely to conceal evidence of a common criminal offense and returned the reins of power to the investigation, to extremely dissatisfied Sukhinin.

He again sat down in the room that was given to him and summoned Georgy Vysotin for questioning.

***

\- Full name? - the tone of the investigator was dry, he did not look at George, something quickly typing in a laptop.

\- Vysotin Georgy Valerievich.

\- Place of work, position?

\- Kaliningrad Mining and Chemical Institute, teacher.

\- What exactly do you teach?

\- Explosive business.

The investigator looked up from the laptop and stared at George with curiosity.

\- Why did such a weak bomb do if you are a specialist? - he asked mockingly. - Would do something more impressive.

\- You are right, - George answered coldly. - If I did, then it would be something more complicated than cans with nails. But I did not do this bomb.

\- But in principle, making an explosive device is not a problem for you, is it?

\- This is my specialty.

\- Do you know how to handle a knife well?

\- I don't know how to handle a knife.

\- Well, you can cut the sausage. And body is no harder than sausage.

\- My wife is not a sausage!

\- When did you find out that your wife has a lover?

George opened his mouth to answer, but Sergei Starkov, who was present during the interrogation, suddenly intervened:

\- I advise you not to answer this question, Mr. Vysotin.

The investigator shrugged.

\- I will still ask you this question as long as you answer it.

\- But I have nothing to hide, - the still angry George answered defiantly, - I did not kill my wife. This morning I read their correspondence on Facebook.

Starkov sighed heavily, and the investigator grinned maliciously:

\- In the morning? So there was enough time for preparation. Not so much to make something complicated, but on a simple device just enough.

\- I was not preparing to kill my wife and blow up the Club, if you mean it.

\- So you think that your wife was killed by Bakhmetyev?

\- I..., - uncertainty sounded for the first time in George's voice, - I don't know. At first I thought so, but now... no, I don't know.

\- And what made you change your mind?

\- Why would he do that? No reason.

\- And who had reasons to kill her?

George shrugged.

\- For me, for example. Shmelev, who cannot give her a debt. Krasinsky, whom she drove by the nose.

\- A sincere confession... - the investigator began insinuatingly.

\- Do not wait, - George interrupted rudely, - I did not kill Alice!

\- How much does Shmelev owe her?

\- Nine hundred thousand rubles.

\- When was he supposed to give them away?

\- Six months ago. But constantly asked for a respite. Alice just did not know what to do. She could not sue.

\- Why? No debt receipt?

\- There is a receipt. But if a team member sues his captain, there will be a public scandal. Club management will not allow this. Alice discussed this with them, and Larisa asked her to deal with Shmelev on her own. How can she deal with him? He promised to give half the amount a week ago, and again he did not.

\- And what about Alice?

\- She warned him that if before the end of the month he did not return all the money, she would nevertheless go to court.

\- I see. Well, and Krasinsky? - the investigator checked the list, - Vlad Olegovich, what are the reasons for hating your wife?

George sighed:

\- She flirted with him. As it turned out later, in order to arouse jealousy in me. It seemed to her that I didn't love her enough. But Vlad took it at face value and fell in love for real.

\- Did she leave him?

\- Yes. Yes, they had nothing. I mean intimacy.

\- How do you know? - the investigator grinned.

George hated looked at Sukhinin.

\- Alice told me that. And I believe her.

\- Yeah. And about Bakhmetiev you asked her?

\- Not.

\- Why?

\- Because she has the Finals today. I decided that we will talk tomorrow. I didn't know that she wouldn't have tomorrow, - George covered his face with shaking hands.

But the investigator was not going to pay attention to the emotions of the respondent.

\- How did you read your wife's correspondence with Bakhmetyev? Got into her laptop?

\- I do not do such things! - Vysotin was indignant, - Someone sent me screenshots by e-mail.

\- Show.

Georgy reluctantly took a phone from his pocket, and opening a mail box, handed it to Sukhinin. He carefully read and grinned vilely:

\- Well, judging by this intimate dialogue, flirting here was not enough. Nimble boy. And he told me that they had nothing of the kind. From whose address did it come?

\- See for yourself. I do not know this address.

\- Well, are there any assumptions? Who could send you this?

George only shook his head.

\- Where did you get materials for the manufacture of an explosive device?

\- I haven't bought it anywhere, I already told you that it wasn't me!

- Well, we'll come back to that, - the investigator yawned again and buried his nose in his laptop.

***

When George was taken away, Sergei carefully asked:

\- Do you intend to detain him?

\- Oh sure. Motive and opportunity, as they say, are obvious.

\- But why did he do it here? He could kill Alice anywhere.

\- To get out. Here you can find other suspects. There are already four of them: Vysotin, Bakhmetev, Shmelev, Krasinsky. And note, two of them he himself prompted us. Artful guy. And he wanted to destroy the traces with an explosion. If this kid hadn't come back and showed the place, they would not have found her, and in a couple of hours - an explosion, no one would have died, even if he had stayed in the Club, but as they say, look for evidence - not a fingerprint, no traces of DNA, we would not have found anything in the ashes.

\- Are you sure it's him?

\- The investigation will show, - Sukhinin said indifferently. - Call Krasinsky here if it's not difficult for you.

***

But it turned out that Vlad and Ira Krasinsky left without waiting for the search for Alice to end, as well as most of the other members of the Club. Sukhinin sent two operatives to the hotel for the Krasinsky, and he took Shmelev for questioning. Yaroslav, a beautiful slender brunette, usually cheerful and sharp on the tongue, suddenly lost all his eloquence. Pale, stuttering, he hardly answered the simplest questions of the investigator.

Quickly ending the formalities, Sukhinin set to work:

\- In what relationship were you with the murdered woman?

\- In friendly. We have known each other for more than ten years, and for the last eight years we have been playing on the same team. I witnessed at their wedding. I have been friends with George for a long time. If you suspect him of murder, then in vain. He loves Alice very much... Loved, - he added dejectedly, - I'm just in shock. Yes, we are all in shock...

\- According to statistics, beloved wives are killed more often than not beloved ones.

Sergey and Yaroslav stared in amazement at the investigator.

\- Just kidding. There are no such statistics. Such professional humor, - Sukhinin was clearly pleased with himself. - Loved, loved, then killed. Having a lover is a good reason to kill.

\- Alice had no lovers! - Yaroslav was indignant. - If you mean all these conversations about Krasinsky, then this is complete nonsense - there was nothing there, and George knows it perfectly. Alice is a beautiful girl, well, a little flirt and only...

\- You have some outdated information, Shmelev. Actually, I had in mind the new applicant, - Sukhinin handed him the phone seized from Vysotin.

After reading the love correspondence of Alice and Anton, Yaroslav clutched his head and stared in shock at the space.

\- I don't understand anything... - he muttered bewilderedly. - So, is Kirs right? Did he really gave a hint Alice? And Martin's team was sunk on purpose, at her request?! Oh my God...

\- What are we talking about now? - Sukhinin gently asked. - Who is Kirs? Who drowned whom?

\- This is the internal struggle of the teams in the Club, - Starkov calmly explained. - This has nothing to do with the murder.

\- I will decide for myself what is related to the murder and what is not. So what are you talking about, Shmelev?

After listening to the captain's confused explanations, he grinned:

\- Will you still tell me that your place is not like in a "house-two?" The same intrigues. The only difference is that they don't kill there.

\- And what, you watch "house-two"? - Starkov asked suspiciously.

\- It's not your business that I look, - snapped Sukhinin. - So this Kirs had a tooth on the dead. Here is another suspect. There were few of them.

Shmelev laughed nervously:

\- What are you! If they killed for this, we would have killed a lot of people here, including Masters. And Kirs himself, by the way.

\- Well, you, Mr. Shmelev?

\- What am I? - did not understand Yaroslav.

\- How much money did you owe slain?

\- Ah... I repaid the debt. Nine hundred thousand.

\- Really? But Mr. Vysotin claims that you did not.

\- He may not know if Alice did not tell him. The fact is that I gave the money tonight, just before the game.

\- Check?

\- In cash.

The investigator raised his eyebrows incredulously:

\- Nine hundred thousand in cash?

\- Not so much, - Shmelev shrugged, - Only two packs. Perfectly fit in a handbag.

\- Do you have a receipt?

\- No, there was no time to do this. Yes, I trust Alice... Trusted.

\- There wasn't such a sum of money in the handbag of murdered.

\- How is it? - Yaroslav, in turn, raised his eyebrows perplexedly, - she put them there with me. Oh my god, is it really stolen?

\- May be. Or maybe you just didn't return debt?

\- How dare you!

\- I dare to warn you, Shmelev, that giving false evidence that may interfere with the investigation is a criminal offense. So Mr. Lawyer will confirm my words, is not it?

Sergey sighed:

\- Yaroslav, it's better to tell the truth, otherwise the investigation may go the wrong way. Time will be lost.

But Shmelev continued to insist on his own, indignant that they did not believe him. When the door closed behind him, Sukhinin sighed annoyingly:

\- That's a scoundrel! Surely he didn't give any money, he uses the situation to write off the debt, and now I still have to work out the version of the murder with the aim of robbery. Okay, let's get this Kirs here.

***

The investigator's conversation with Kirs turned out to be even more emotional, but much less productive in terms of information useful to the investigation. Kirs laughed out loud and absolutely impolite in response to the suggestion that he could kill Alice. Laughing, he asked:

\- Sorry, why?

\- To take revenge. They say she prevented you from playing in the Finals.

Kirs shrugged dismissively.

\- This is just a game. They do not kill for this.

\- But you wanted to play in the Finals?

\- Any team strives for this.

\- So you were very angry with the murdered woman?"

\- I was angry with her while she was alive. It is stupid to be angry with the dead.

\- You see, you had a motive. So I don't see anything funny.

\- Bullshit, - Martin snorted. - Sergey, well, at least you tell him! We have an intellectual Club, not a criminal organisation.

Starkov looked at him reproachfully.

\- Let's keep our control, - he said calmly. - Still, the murder is being investigated. But in general, you're right, of course, they do not kill for the Game. Players can conflict, even build some kind of intrigue, but no more.

\- Everything once happens for the first time, - the investigator philosophically remarked.

\- But how can you judge this?! - exploded Martin, - you do not know anything about the Game!

\- What is so special I need to know? - Sukhinin asked indifferently. - Fame and money is what you all need in these television shows. Money and fame - and they kill for it.

\- We do not get money for the Game!

\- Here is how? - Sukhinin incredulously looked at Martin. - What do you get then?

\- Well... fame, yes. Respect. But, mainly, excitement, emotions from the game.

\- Gambling without money? - the investigator chuckled ironically. - This is something new.

\- New?! - Kirs flared up again. - The game is more than forty years old, so you know! In what hole did you grow up if you have never seen this show? You would have suspected Damir Aydashev! Or Chernenkin. Like, one of them was offended that they did not give him an owl and killed! Or maybe they united? One got one knife, another made a bomb in the toilet. However, this is what usually happens here! Why is this case not entrusted to someone more competent?!

\- Martin, calm down.

Kirs took a deep breath, trying to cope with his nerves.

\- Sorry, - he said finally, - I did not mean to offend you.

But the investigator seemed to be deeply indifferent to both insults and apologies. In the same indifferent tone, he asked:

\- So, you say that this failure to reach the final did not matter to you?

\- Well, why, it did. I was upset, like the whole team. But in the end, it's just a game, anything can happen. I have the strongest team in the Club, we will play the Finals next year.

\- Who is Damir Aydashev?

Sergey and Martin looked at each other.

\- This is a viewer, - Martin muttered, already regretting his flash. - But he has nothing to do with it. We don't get killed in the Club because of owls, you know?

\- And what does the viewer have to do with it? Viewers are sitting at the TVs.

Martin rolled his eyes in exhaustion, and Sergey hastened to intervene:

\- In the Final of the year, twelve viewers whose questions participate in the Game are present directly in the hall. This is one of the traditions of the Club. If viewers win the game, the diamond owl will receive the viewer, whose question will be recognized as the best. Today was the debatable last round. If the victory were given to viewers, most likely, Damir would become the owner of an owl and a prize of half a million rubles.

The investigator raised his eyebrows perplexedly:

\- You said that the game is without money.

\- Viewers are paid money in case of a win, but not for the Players.

\- I do not see the logic. Okay, so this Aydashev today lost five hundred thousand?

\- You can't say that he lost it. More likely, did not receive.

\- It's a same, though. Our suspects are multiplying like mushrooms after the rain.

\- Weak motive, - said Sergey, - he still won't get the money.

\- Go about your business, Mr. Lawyer, and I will somehow evaluate the motives without your help."

But, however, the conversation with Damir did not give the investigator anything. Realizing that he was suspected of murder, he was so shocked that he began to stutter. In the end, Sukhinin, realizing that no valuable information could be obtained, waved his hand at him and sent after the others to fingerprint and other procedures.

Igor looked into the office:

\- The Krasinsky arrived. Do you want to talk to me?

\- If only you want to make an upright confession of murder. Otherwise – wait.

***

Ira looked at the investigator, and in her eyes one could read a whole gamut of feelings: distrust, fear, indignation. Despite the fact that now she was without makeup, with hastily styled hair, in her gray trouser suit and white blouse, Irina Krasinskaya looked stern and elegant. She seemed more angry than frightened, and as soon as she said hello, she immediately attacked the investigator:

\- By what right do your people break into our room in the middle of the night, grab us, drag us somewhere, take our things?

\- And where did you get the knife for killing the citizen Vysotina?

Ira gasped for breath. She opened her mouth to answer, but could not squeeze out a word.

\- Who made the murder plan, you or your husband?

\- How dare you! - managed to finally shout out Ira.

Ira looked at Sergey in dismay. He sighed and said very softly:

\- Irina Igorevna, try to calm down. This is important - both for you and for Vlad. Nobody is blaming you yet, but it is necessary to clarify all the circumstances. Tell me, did you get a knife for killing Alice Vysotina?

\- Not!

\- Did you plan to kill Alice alone or with your husband?

\- Not!

\- Well, then, - the investigator grinned vilely, - you suspected that your husband was cheating on you with her. Surely, lying in bed without sleep, a thousand times imagined that you would do with her, be it your will!

Ira stared at Sukhinin, bewildered, losing all her fighting ardor. She swallowed, opened her mouth, but said nothing.

\- Excuse me, are you an investigator or a psychoanalyst? - sharply asked Sergey. - Are you going to explore the dreams and fantasies of the witness or to study specific facts?

\- Okay, - Sukhinin said sourly, - let's get into the facts. Citizen Krasinskaya, where were you at the time of the murder of citizen Vysotina?

\- And when was she killed? - Ira asked quietly.

\- The last time recorded on tape from a journalist to whom she gave an interview is 23.50. Bakhmetyev claims that he left her in the closet, where they allegedly "spoke", at 00.05. He was in a hurry on the plane, so he definitely remembered the time. Apparently, she no longer came out of the closet. They started looking for her at about 00.30, but this is no longer accurate. So, if we believe Bakhmetev, somebody killed her between 00.05 and 00.30. Closer to 00.05, I suppose, because why would she sit there for so long?

\- I don't know, - Ira said still softly, - I don't remember when we left. Just around this time. I heard how Yaroslav asks someone about Alice.

\- So, at the time of the murder, you and your husband were in the Club?

\- Sorry, - Sergey intervened again, - this is an incorrect statement, since the exact time of the murder has not been established.

At this time, one of the operatives who took Krasinsky entered the room and, going up to Sukhinin, showed him an open notebook. He read, grunted loudly and propping his cheek with his hand, began to peer into Irina's face with some new strange expression on him face. She swallowed frantically and turned helplessly to Sergey again.

\- Will you let me know?

Sukhinin, not taking his enchanted gaze from poor frightened Ira, handed the notebook to Starkov. Glancing at the notepad, Sergey turned slightly pale and also stared at her dumbfounded.

\- What?! - Ira cried out nervously. - What is there?

\- There are facts, dear citizen Krasinskaya. The very ones that Mr. Lawyer so longed for. He didn't lie, it turns out, your Shmelev... Tell me, where did the nine hundred thousand rubles that belonged to the murdered come from in your purse?

From the discussion in the chat viewers:

\- People, are you aware that Vysotina was killed?

\- Wow! Who?!

\- God knows, there is no information.

\- No! Impossble!

\- Yes exactly. Read crime news.

\- It's fake. You know, like there, the children of Kirkorov died, Pugacheva divorced Galkin.

\- No. This is written on normal sites. And she was killed right at the Club.

\- I do not bealive it!

\- Listen, who watched the Final - remember, there Kirs was kicked out of the hall. He was bullied on Alice for something.

\- Do you think he killed?

\- Why, he can. A sharp man.

\- No, he was hinting that Alice was lover with Bakhmetyev. So, rather, her husband can killed - for treason.

\- Yes, Garf killed her because of the hint. They got him with these tips.

\- Garf, as always, ruined everything. The Founder would never give up victory if there was a hint. After that I don't even want to watch anymore.

\- Alice, after all, was still a bitch.

\- Shut up! Oh dead or good, or nothing.

\- And I like, well, that is, I liked her - the beautiful girl. She was sexy, sorry for her.

Chapter Three

This crazy day never ended. The investigator finally called Igor, but talked to him languidly, without any interest. He looked tired too. He sent the Krasinsky and the remaining members of the Shmelev team to take fingerprints and now looked at the list compiled by Igor.

\- Which of these people can give more information about the Vysotins and Krasinsky?

\- About George - probably members of his team, about Krasinsky - respectively members of their team. However, most people from this list have already left or will soon leave Moscow.

\- Why?

\- Because they are not Muscovites. They came for one evening, to the Game, many had return tickets for night flights or trains.

\- Heck! Why you have not told me before?!

\- You did not want to talk to me.

\- Criulin! Fedorov!

Gloomy tired polismen appeared. Sukhinin handed them the list.

\- We urgently need to call those who left the Club before our arrival. If they have train or plane tickets, let them transfer to another date. In the afternoon, everyone needs to be questioned about the subject where they were during the murder, what they saw, when they last saw the murdered, Bakhmetyev, Vysotin, Krasinsky. Maybe someone saw how they left the room during the game.

- It is impossible during the game, - said Igor, - except during a musical break.

The investigator frowned at him, but did not specify anything.

\- Or before the game, - he said, - he or she needed time to prepare a closet, leave a bomb there... And she could have stolen the money earlier.

\- How did he or she know that Alice would be in the closet? - Igor asked sarcastically.

- Maybe Bakhmetev also participates, - Sukhinin grinned. - He said that Alice dragged him there, but he could lie. In general, let them tell everything they saw.

- In fact, our watch ended two hours ago, - an operative named Kriulin frowned. - Maybe you can stay awake for days, but I am going home.

Sukhinin blushed with anger and was clearly about to yell, but then Igor intervened:

\- Let me call. And Larisa Kravchenko, editor-in-chief, will help. It will be easier for us to explain to people why they should linger.

Sukhinin looked hostilely at Igor for several seconds, and then, with a sigh, he reluctantly agreed:

\- Call. Next to each surname, mark: stayed or already left.

\- And what about those who have already left?

\- Then we decide. Tomorrow, well, that is, today we will interview everyone who did not have time to leave.

\- And what will happen to those whom you sent to the department?

\- Vysotin, Bakhmetev, Shmelev and Krasinsky will wait for the investigator to decide. The rest will go home.

\- Aren't you an investigator?

\- I am on duty. The authorities will decide in the morning to whom to give your business. I really hope not for me.

\- Didn't you like us? \- mockingly asked Igor.

- I don't like this thing, - muttered Sukhinin. - Some kind of muddy. It all worked out so well. Lover, jealous husband, it all fits together. And suddenly this lady with money! Two suspects at once - both have a motive, on both - evidence. Well, which of them to detain? Or maybe they did everything together? Both Krasinsky and Vysotin?

\- Sorry, but Irina is not so stupid as to keep the stolen money with her. If she knew about them, she probably would have tried to hide them somewhere, and did not sleep peacefully in her room.

\- For me, all women are fools. However, not only women. Remember the type who brought the millions worth of paintings out of the museum under the noses of the guards and calmly kept it in his house until we found him. And here is the money. You can always say that it's mine, and that's it. If your Krasinskaya were smart, she would say so.

- Fingerprints of Vysotina and Shmelev are likely to be on the money, - Starkov said in a dull voice.

- Well, she would have lied that Alice had given her a loan. There are many options, which is so stupid to lie that she knows nothing about them.

\- And if she doesn't lie, and somebody threw money to her?

\- I would want someone tossed me nine hundred thousand, - the investigator grinned, - I would not refuse.

- However, - a new thought came to his mind, - maybe she just stole the money and quickly got out of the Club, but she didn't know about the murder. This explains why she did not hide it.

\- That is, in one evening, - Igor said ironically, - both a thief and a murderer suddenly appeared in the Elite Intellectual Club. Very believable.

\- So what? \- did not understand Sukhinin. - Are you here, any special ones, that there cannot be thieves and murderers among you?

Igor took a deep breath and was about to answer, but then Sergei reassuringly patted his hand and said in a steady voice:

\- We are not special. But with us, sorry, it's not accepted.

The investigator only snorted.

- A powerful argument, Mr. lawyer, - he said mockingly, - do not forget to use it in court.

Now Sergey had to grind his teeth and restrain himself, and the investigator suddenly perked up again:

\- Or did Vysotin throw it up? After all, he committed a murder here in order to throw suspicions on others. He could have slipped out of the hall during this musical pause of yours, because bags and other personal things are left for the duration of the game in a separate room, no one is guarding it, why, thefts not accepted here. And threw money to her.

Sergey and Igor looked at each other.

- Are you so sure that George killed his wife? - asked Igor.

\- We'll see. Examinations will show. We'll test fingers and everything else. Listen, call already, time is running out! Warn everyone to be on the phone all day, they will be summoned to the criminal investigation department or to us, to the prosecutor's office.

After an hour and a half, Igor and Larisa, exhausted by conversations and explanations with those who were at the Club that evening, finally gave Sukhinin a list, and he left.

- This idiot can really arrest George, - Larisa said anxiously. - Need to do something. Sergey, what do you think?

- I think they can indict him and choose detention as a preventive measure.

Larisa looked inquiringly at Igor. He nodded and asked Starkov:

- Will you agree to work with us on this matter? Defend George, or someone else if needed? Well, the reputation of the Club as a whole, of course.

Sergey nodded.

\- Let's conclude a contract right now. Then I can attend the interrogations of all witnesses and suspects today.

***

Igor hardly remembered how he got home. His head hurt terribly, circles swam before his eyes. Fortunately, nobody was home: Monday is a hard day, everyone has already left for business in the morning. Rejoicing that he no longer needed to talk to anyone, he somehow washed in the shower, drank a handful of pills and finally got to the bed. He was afraid that, despite drinking sleeping pills, he would not be able to sleep, but, contrary to fears, he quickly fell into a deep sleep without dreams.

When he woke up, the room was dark. Far away, the sound of a working TV was heard in the living room. Igor reached for the phone setting to silent mode and saw several dozen missed calls: members of the Club, Larisa, acquaintances called, someone from unknown numbers, most likely journalists, but he was only interested in one contact. Scrolling quickly through the list, he saw that Sergey also called twice, the last time about half an hour ago. He quickly dialed the number.

\- Good evening, Sergey, - he said, - I'm sorry I didn't pick up the phone, I slept.

\- Yes, I thought so, you have a rest, I'll come to you now, we will discuss everything.

Getting out of bed, he felt muscles numb. Igor moved a little, trying to reproduce the movements of articular gymnastics, which he was taught by a yoga instructor, but did not succeed in this good undertaking and, feeling brutal hunger, trudged into the kitchen.

Opening the refrigerator, he went cold and nearly howled with despair: the white device was empty except for a few bundles of lettuce and asparagus. How could he forget! Margarita, his wife, said that she's starting a new "super-efficient" diet since Monday.

Twenty-five years ago, his future wife was the most beautiful, long-legged and slender girl at the faculty. Then he had to make a lot of efforts to win the attention of the proud and wayward queen of beauty. Damn, why didn't he marry the ugly one? Now he would eat normally. After forty, Margot suddenly began to gain weight, and although she gained a little more than ten kilograms, it turned into her personal tragedy and constant stress for the whole family. She sobbed, looking at herself in the mirror, breaking lightnings on unfastened skirts, then ran to the refrigerator and threw sausage, dumplings, cookies, bread, and all the other culprits of misfortune into the garbage can. To the timid questions of her husband and son about dinner, Margarita frowned, climbed into the Internet and, after ten to fifteen minutes, went gloomily into the kitchen. Choking, they three together: Igor, Margo and son Oleg, dejectedly chewed boiled carrots and zucchini and, hungry, went to bed.

A year later, Margot stopped tantrums and decided to take herself seriously. And then a real nightmare began. It turned out that she does not have enough willpower to diet, and if there is something high-calorie in the refrigerator, it will certainly be eaten late, at night, which threatens all the grandiose plans to return former beauty. Therefore, at the time of the next diet, there was simply no food in the house. Generally. Lettuce, spinach and frozen peas do not count, because two adult men cannot support life in the body with the help of such products. Breakfast was allowed with scrambled eggs and diet bread, which Igor could not look at without a shudder. He had lunch and dinner in a cafe. Now, in winter it was easier: he and Oleg found an old microwave box on the mezzanine, pulled it out onto the loggia, where, having opened the window leaf, they created a temperature suitable for storing food. Now, at least they can to keep there cheese, sausage and normal bread. They threw a box of various rubbish and slowly made their way to it in the evening, while Margo was sleeping or taking a shower. Sometimes one of them distracted her, and the second, chillingly wrapped in an old down jacket, hastily chewed sandwiches on the loggia. Of course, sometimes, after such secret snacks, Margo began to feel something and sniffed suspiciously. But Igor assured that she simply started olfactory hallucinations on the basis of hunger. After tormenting herself for a week or two, Margot was frustrated, went to a restaurant with her friends, where she got drunk and ate all she wanted. Then she calmed down for a while, fed the family normally, but a new lost battle with another lightning led to the search for the next super diet.

He was going to call at the round-the-clock supermarket yesterday after the Game to replenish the supplies of the makeshift refrigerator on the balcony, but of course, after all that had happened, he simply forgot to do it. He rushed to the loggia in the hope that Oleg himself had guessed to put something in a saving box, but alas, his son, a student of the Faculty of Philosophy, did not bother himself with this everyday bustle.

While Igor was wondering if he would have enough time to get dressed and run to the nearest store, Margot returned from work. She didn't let him go anywhere, she didn't allow to buy food, even refreshments for tea, but she made him talk in detail about what had happened at the Club, so when finally the doorbell rang, Igor sighed with relief. He immediately led Sergei into the kitchen and shut the doors tightly.

\- Igor, I'm sorry, - Sergei asked confusedly, - will you have something to eat? May be a simple sandwich. Today I did not have time to have lunch or dinner.

Igor blushed, again, for some reason, looked into the refrigerator, then in desperation pulled the freezer door. Oh miracle! Margo forgot to throw out a packet of dumplings. They were saved.

\- Want dumplings? - he asked joyfully.

\- Come on, - Starkov agreed, puzzled, and quietly, fearfully asked, - are you getting a divorce from Margarita?

As you can see, the deplorable condition of the shelves of the refrigerator did not hide from his eyes.

\- Not yet, - Igor sighed, - but sometimes I really want to.

Igor put water and sat at a table opposite Starkov.

\- And you know, - said a lawyer, - I still thought at first that it really could be Vysotin.

\- Now you don't think so?

\- Not.

\- Why?

Sergey was silent for a while.

\- Remember, Sukhinin said that he did not like this thing. By the way, the case still entrusted to him. So, now I don't like it either.

\- What do you mean?

\- Bakhmetiev was not Alice's lover.

\- What?! But...

\- And like this. At the first interrogation, he told Sukhinin that they were not lovers. That Alice dragged him into a closet in order to tell him that someone had spread gossip about them Perhaps Sukhinin did not believe him then, and then Vysotin showed this correspondence. At the second interrogation, Sukhinin tried to press Anton, showing him on the page with their dialogue, and then Anton tells us that this is a fake, that he doesn't have a Facebook account at all. He doesn't know about Alice, he never wrote to her anywhere before. He thinks that someone created a fake page and wrote to Alice on his behalf, but she would never have answered him like that, because they never had any personal relationships, which means that someone either hacked her page, or which is even simpler - created two fake pages and came up with this fake dialogue, and then sent George. By the way, some of the respondents mentioned today that they also received this picture with a dialogue by e-mail in the morning, hence the gossip around the Club.

- But why then did he help her?! Why drown Martin's team?! - exclaimed indignantly Igor.

- He says he didn't care whom to help. He wanted to help the team of Yaroslav. Shmelev is his mentor in the Game, and it was on his recommendation that Anton got into the Club. He wanted to thank him that way.

\- And Kirs?

\- He says that by chance, he didn't want to. It just happened.

\- Heck! \- swore Igor, - this already does not look like anything.

\- It seems like, - Sergey said coldly, - that someone had thought it out beforehand. He created the motive for the murder for Vysotin, threw up evidence pointing to him and Irina Krasinskaya. Someone who was at the Club that evening. Someone who knows about flirting Alice and Vlad. Someone who knew that Shmelev gave the money.

\- Yes, but who? \- Igor grabbed his head.

\- The water boiled, - said Sergey.

He stood up and threw dumplings into the pan.

\- Did they let Vysotin go? \- finally asked Igor.

\- Not. And they're unlikely to be let go. Sukhinin believes that even if Bakhmetyev told the truth, it doesn't change anything: Vysotin accepted the fake for the truth and thought that they were lovers, that is, he still had a motive.

- Does he not care that someone came up with this very motive? - Igor asked evilly.

- Maybe it's just someone's joke that Vysotin took seriously, - so he thinks or pretends to think. He seems reluctant to look for another suspect.

\- What a scum! What should we do?

\- Wait for the results of the examination. If Vysotin's fingers are on the money or on the bank with explosives, this is the end. If not, we can still get scratched.

- Does he no longer suspect Irina and Vlad?

\- He released both Krasinsky and Bakhmetev on a non-exit subscription. Vlad did not say anything interesting. He didn't see anything, he doesn't know, he didn't kill Alice, and his wife, of course, he never believe that his wife could kill or steal money.

For a while they silently ate dumplings.

\- And the rest? \- finally asked Igor.

- There was virtually nothing useful in the testimonies of the other witnesses. No one saw, heard, did not know. True, there are still those who managed to leave - there are seventeen such people. Let's hope they at least see something.

\- It is unlikely, - Igor sighed, - and this means that I will begin the spring series of the Game knowing that the killer is in the Club.

\- I did what you asked.

- The case has not been completed, - the interlocutor's voice was cold.

\- This is not my fault. How did I know that someone would want to commit a murder there, and that this stupid jar would be found ahead of time? Listen, or maybe you yourself organized everything and wanted to set me up?

\- No, that was not my plan. I just wanted your damned Club to burn out.

- I no longer wish to have anything to do with you. Do what you promised.

\- The case is not completed. There's nothing to pay for.

- I can no longer bring explosives to the Club. Now there will surely be security and metal detectors.

- You will do me another service.

\- I'm not going to render any services to you anymore. I'm over it. You got me into a murder!

- Then you won't get what you wanted. You will remain who you were - a mediocre, nobody interesting graphomaniac.

Silence reigned in the phone.

- What else do you want from me? - finally he could not stand it.

The invisible interlocutor paused a little longer, then said in a lazy voice:

\- I will contact you later. I'll tell you what to do.
Chapter Four.

Three months later.

- That's all, Garik, everyone has already left. Relax, finally, this time they didn't kill anyone.

Dmitry Ushakov, co-producer of the program and an old friend of Igor, went to his commentary room with two cups of hot aromatic tea.

Dmitry appeared in the Club in the sunset era of the USSR. He immediately became the team captain, and then began working on the program side by side with the Founder. There was probably no more devoted person to the Game at the Club, except, of course, Larisa Kravchenko. He also was responsible for a lot of various projects, was at the center of all significant events of the company and was the only person in the Club who was able to resist the disgusting nature of the Founder. The Founder was angry, fiercely cursed Dmitry, but did not expel, realizing that without him many of his undertakings simply would not take place. Dmitry, too, was angry and screamed, but did not leave, because he did not want to quit the Game. These two quarreled constantly, but deep down respected each other. After the death of the Founder, when Igor assumed responsibility and stood at the head of the company, Dmitry became his right hand, as before, was the right hand of the Founder.

Igor took from him a cup with a fragrant drink and thankfully said:

\- Thank you, Dim, I could not have done without you.

They just played the finals of the spring series and, despite the fact that everything went well, Igor did not let go of nervous tension.

\- Come on, - said Ushakov. - We all have the same trouble. We have to stick together. What is there with Vysotin, nothing is known yet?

\- Not yet, - Igor sighed. - Sergey says that Sukhinin found no more.There are no fingerprints and DNA of George on the bank and on money, it is only on Alice's purse and dress, but that doesn't mean anything, of course. Sukhinin himself perfectly understands this, asked to extend the investigation.

\- Sorry for the guy, - Dmitry sighed. - Why isn't he released on bail?

\- I do not know. What do they say in the Club?

\- Already almost nothing. At first, they still somehow discussed - cautiously, in a whisper, but now they don't talk about it at all. You know, it seems that everyone is either trying to forget what happened, or to pretend that nothing happened.

\- Like this? \- Igor was surprised, - Is it possible?

- You know, Garik, everything that happened is so impossible and terribly that it simply does not fit into our heads. It's hard, very hard to accept, understand? Murder in Elit Club? And under such strange circumstances... And if it is not George, then it turns out that the killer is now among us. We shake his hand, talk to him, laugh... No, it's just unbearable. I drive this thought from myself, the rest, probably, do the same. This is a psychological defense, maybe. The brain itself is trying to disconnect from this nightmare.

\- I'm trying too. Only I can't.

\- And so you almost stopped communicating with the Players.

\- Really? \- Igor objected sluggishly.

\- Yes. You didn't notice that you sit in this booth all the time and hardly go out? You greet someone, then you find an excuse to curtail the conversation and leave. You, Garik, also triggered psychological defenses, like all of us. I just don't understand one thing: you were so nervous, you insisted on additional security measures, you spent a lot of money on cameras and security, as if you were expecting a new murder to happen. Explain, for God's sake, why?

- This is because of Bakhmetyev, - Igor admitted reluctantly, - since we talked with him, I kept waiting for something else to happen.

\- Why? What did he say to you?

- He said the killer wouldn't stop.

***

Igor did not remember that it was ever so hard for him to work on the program as in preparing for this spring series. The atmosphere in the office was unnaturally tense. The employees were whispering about something all the time, but as soon as Igor was there, they immediately fell silent. He understood that it was necessary to bring them together, to talk, to tell what he knew about the investigation, but could not force himself.

Dmitry and Larisa, two people in the company who, like him, worked all their lives on the program, tried to support him and each other as they could.

\- You can't slacken, - Larisa, passing fire and water under the direction of the Founder, repeated sternly. - Life goes on. We have to prepare the spring series. The audience is waiting, and no matter what happens here, this should not concern them. They are waiting for the Game and they will receive it! In the second game, we will have a Filatyev team. He already called, by the way. We should find a suitable replacement soon.

The team of Egor Filatiev was exactly the one in which George Vysotin played.

- Maybe they will release George, - he said frowningly to Larisa, although he himself did not believe it.

\- It doesn't matter, - she said impatiently, but stumbling upon his gaze, she hastily added:

\- For the Game it doesn't matter, I mean. We still won't be able to get him until the investigation is completed and the criminal is found. Can you imagine how it will look if he appears on the screen? Gossip in the chat rooms are enough.

There was nowhere to go and Igor took up the phone. He called Sergey Pobedin, then dialed Filatyev's number. After a brief exchange of greetings, he immediately got down to business:

\- Egor, unfortunately, we all got into a very unpleasant and sensitive situation. There is only one way out so far: replace George with another Player.

- I will never believe that George killed his wife, - the captain answered quickly, - this is just nonsense. He is a normal person. Even if he believed in this non-existent novel, he would still first speak with Alice, and would not cut her in a closet, like a butcher!

\- I don't believe either, - Igor sighed. - But you have a Game soon - you cannot play the five of you, so you still have to make a decision, unless you intend to abandon the Game in the spring series.

\- No, we will not refuse, - Egor answered immediately, without hesitation, - we need a temporary replacement, I think.

- Then I have two options for you. You know, we have a reserve - "Gold Reserve", you can say from the guys who went through the selections, but did not get into the Club. You can choose one of them. But there is another option - do you remember, Pavel Koltsov came to the Final of the year?

\- Oh sure. Does he want to play again? He has long since left the Club, as far as I remember.

Pavel Koltsov, one of the most famous Players of the nineties, left the Club more than twenty years ago when their team lost. Actually, they were supposed to win then, and it was precisely in the decisive eleventh round that it was Pavel who gave the absolutely correct answer, and the audience was already bursting into applause, rejoicing and celebrating the victory, but then suddenly the Founder, finding fault with some petty and, in truth, unimportant details, which Pavel forgot to mention, counted the sixth point to viewers. It was useless to argue with the Great, neither Larisa, nor Dmitry, nor Igor could persuade him to change his mind, and, according to the then strict rules, the team flew out of the Club. Pavel could stay because he had the status of Immortal, and could get a place in another team, but he then made a fundamental decision to leave with others. For a long time he did not play, from time to time appeared at the anniversary games, but invariably refused to sit at the table. "This is a game for young people," - he told Igor, - "I've already lost my courage, lost my excitement, and there's nothing to do here without excitement."

But before the last Final of the year, he suddenly approached Igor and said that he would like to try his hand at the game table again. If suddenly a vacant place appears, someone wants to leave or they will recruit a new team, then he is ready. The last two years, Pavel played in the sports championship in the Game in the team of Sergei Pobedin. True, they did not become champions, but they occupied an invariably high place in the standings. After the Finale, of course, his request flew from Igor's head, but now he remembered and decided to offer this option to Filatyev.

\- I just spoke with Sergey Pobedin, he believes that Pavel is in good shape. You can think and decide for yourself who you want - a young and promising newcomer or experienced Koltsov, - he told Egor.

A week later, the Captain called back and said that he decided to opt for Pavel. Igor was happy about this: he knew that among the regular audience there are many who would like this return. And the Filatyev's team, who occupied the last line in the Club's ranking, will not be prevented by the presence of such a strong Player. Only now will they have time to find mutual understanding in the game? They have very little time.

The season began in early March, and the team of Vasily Khotsky, in which Anton Bakhmetyev played, was the first to sit on the game table. The guy has noticeably changed.

Always open and friendly expression was replaced by a gloomy and tense. Anton almost stopped smiling. Talking with the guys before the game, Igor noticed that he seemed to be completely absorbed in himself and barely paid attention to what was happening around. However, he played very well: twice helped the team reach the correct version and put a brilliant point, earning a winning point for the team, thanks to which he again received the award as the best Player. It seemed that the award did not please him at all - he absentmindedly took the figurine from the hands of Chaikin, nodded politely, thanks, and absent-mindedly set it on the table. He did not seem to share the joy of his team either, shaking his hands listlessly and, as if through force, smiling.

«What affected him so?» - Igor thought. - "The day spent in the police, the suspicion of murder, dirty gossip, or all of this together?"

What, in fact, did he know about this guy? A twenty-four-year-old graduate of the Belarusian State University brightly "lit up" at the student championships in the Game and was taken to the team of newcomers, indeed, largely thanks to the recommendations of Shmelev, who was his mentor. He works in a large financial company, specializing in restructuring consumer loans. Not married, lives with parents. He is not fond of anything other than reading books, which he absorbs in huge quantities. A hobby quite characteristic for Club Players. In general, this limited Igor's knowledge of a talented newcomer. Why is he still so nervous?

In any case, he decided to talk with him.

"Come with me," \- he told Anton, finding him after the game. Bakhmetiev was standing not far from the exit, with his hands in the pockets of his jacket and looking invisibly somewhere in the darkness of the Old Garden. "I hope not in the closet," - he said with irony, but obediently dragged along.

In the commentary, Anton sat down on a chair, folded his hands in his lap and, glancing briefly at Igor, stared at the floor.

- You don't want to tell me anything? - asked Igor.

Anton shrugged:

\- Everything that I could, I already told this Sukhinin.

- And you have nothing to add to this?

Anton shook his head, still not looking at him.

- Anton, do you understand that an innocent man is now in prison? He may be condemned. If you even know anything, you must tell. Think about what he feels like there now.

\- They will let him go, - Anton said indifferently.

\- Why do you think so?

- When the next murder happens, he will be in prison. And it will become clear to everyone, even stupid Sukhinin, that he is innocent. So it's better for him to stay there for now.

\- What are you talking about, Anton?! - Igor felt an icy chill run down his back. - What is the next murder?

- If it wasn't George who killed, it means that the real killer is here among us, and you understand that too. I don't know anything, but I can think.

\- But why should he still kill? He reduced some of his personal accounts with Alice, deftly came out of the water dry...

- I don't think that these were personal accounts, - Anton said unexpectedly, - you see... All these so-called motives - Vysotin's jealousy, Krasinsky's revenge, Shmelev's duty, Kirs' anger - all this is nonsense, does not lead to a real reason to kill.

\- But Alice could have some other enemies that we don't know about!

\- Here at the Club? - Anton asked with irony. - And no one knows about this? In my opinion, during the interrogations they pulled out all the dirty laundry. They remembered everything that was and was not.

- Then why he killed if there was no personal motive?

Anton only shrugged.

\- And you think, - Igor said cautiously, - that he has some special goal, and he has not yet achieved it?

- Yes, something like that I think, - Anton agreed, - but we can only wait. Because we don't know anything. However, of course, I could be wrong. Sorry.

- Do you have any reason to think so? - sharply asked Igor.

\- Not.

\- Well, what kind of goal is this, in your opinion?

\- I don't know, - Bakhmetev repeated again. - Perhaps this will be the most difficult question in the history of the Club.

***

Igor failed to achieve anything more, but this conversation left an unpleasant aftertaste in his soul.

Of course, maybe the impressionable boy is just fantasizing. Or does he really know something, but hide? Whatever it was, but the fact remained: who committed the crime, they still do not know, the motive for the murder is unknown, so theoretically, Bakhmetyev may be right.

Having come to this conclusion, Igor ordered to establish video surveillance in all corridors, and also concluded an agreement with a security company, so now several professional security guards were on duty at every game in the hall and on the street. Larissa considered such measures excessive and waste unreasonable, and constantly ironized him, alluding to progressive paranoia, but he did not allow her to challenge his decision. However, contrary to Bakhmetev's sinister prediction, the season went quite calmly. The team Filatyev, alas, lost game. Pavel Koltsov gave two correct answers, but this did not save the team. The guys were not assembled, discussions were sluggish. Perhaps what happened to George unbalanced them, and now their team was expecting a rematch with the prospect of disqualification if they lost. In this case, Pavel will not play in the Club for too long, but even a strong Player cannot pull out the Game if the rest of the team does not play properly.

In the third game, the team of Eva Fionina participated. After the Kirs team, perhaps this was the most popular team among viewers, although not as strong. Most likely this was due to the attractiveness and charisma of their captain and the successful composition of the team. Each of them had a bright personality, and from time to time showed an interesting game.

Remembering now the third game of the season, Igor again felt a prick of conscience. He again succumbed to weakness and at a critical moment, with a score of 5: 4 in favor of the viewers, instead of accepting a deliberately wrong answer from them and counting the sixth point to the viewers, he suddenly began to ask leading questions and literally pulled out, stretched out, tortured from Vitaly Karmanovich, the answer is at least close to the correct one. After asking, for the sake of decency, the opinion of Chaikin and Lehmann, who, embarrassed by the obvious awkwardness of the moment, muttered something inaudible, he counted the team the fifth point, giving them another chance. They took the chance and took the last point, beating the viewers with a score of 6: 5. Well, the final of the Spring Series was played by the Kirs team, which won confidently and without any help from the host.

Now, while finishing a cup of tea brought by Dmitry, Igor felt that he was finally beginning to relax. Dmitry was right, and Larisa was right - it simply played out paranoia, but in fact nothing terrible would happen again, there would be no new murders, whatever the nervous boy Antosha Bakhmetiev would have predicted.

Finally, he could calmly go home.

Igor and Dmitry went into the Old Garden, and then Igor's attention was attracted by some unusual bright spot on Dmitry's neck. It was not cold at all, and the knitted scarf looked somehow out of place on a light black cloak. Taking a closer look, Igor realized that the scarf pattern repeats the motif of Van Gogh's famous painting Starry Night.

\- What kind of scarf do you have? - he asked.

\- And what? \- suddenly strained Ushakov, - a scarf like a scarf. Warm.

\- Beautiful, \- Igor absentmindedly praised, - designer?

Dmitry suddenly blushed thickly and, unsuccessfully trying to hide his pleasure, modestly answered:

\- Why immediately designer? Just a pattern like that.

Igor was a little surprised: he had never before noticed in his friends a penchant for trendy things. It can be seen that people are changing.

***

A telephone call woke him up early in the morning. Annoyed at himself that he had forgotten to turn off the sound, Igor reached for the phone. He was not going to get up early today. After the final, he always took a day off, slept almost until noon, then slowly walked around his favorite places, dined in some quiet place and again wandered around the streets and alleys of Moscow, familiar from childhood.

This helped him relax, shake off tension, streamline his thoughts and tune into a new cycle. Looking at the phone's display, he saw that the clock was still only 9:00 in the morning. Larisa called. Igor had already prepared to properly chastise her for an inappropriately early call when her first sentence dashed him in an icy wave of horror.

- The trouble, Garik, \- she said very quietly, not saying hello, - we have trouble again.

\- What happened?

\- Vitya. Vitya Karmanovich, - she sobbed.

\- What?! Say it! - he cried.

\- He threw himself out of the hotel window. Sixteenth floor. He died immediately. They write on the Internet - suicide. I just got up, opened my laptop, and there...

For a few seconds Igor could not say a word. There were sobs in the phone.

\- I'll call Sergey, - he said in a wooden voice, - and I'll go to the hotel.

***

Vitaly Karmanovich, a member of the team of Eva Fionina, was, according to the ladies, the most handsome man in the Club. Tall, slender, with delicate facial features, he was always calm and restrained in behavior and in the manifestation of emotions. Polite and friendly equally with everyone, he never conflicted with anyone, knew how to keep calm even in the most tense moments of the Game. Igor really respected and appreciated him, and the idea that something irreparable happened to Vitaly was completely unbearable. Suicide? What nonsense, this cannot be, because he saw him only yesterday, spoke to him. Karmanovich did not at all give the impression of a man who decided to take his own life. Or was it just a mask, which hid an unknown spiritual pain? But why kill yourself that way - all of a sudden, in Moscow, in a hotel? Or was it a spontaneous decision? Igor knew what he was afraid of and did not want to think about. "Lord, the boy was right after all," - flashed through his head, - "Nothing ended, the nightmare continues. No, impossible".

In the hotel he managed to find out a little. The body was already taken away, the number in which Vitaly lived was sealed. The hotel staff did not answer any questions. He found the guys who had not yet managed to leave. They all gathered in a conference room on the ground floor - scared, shocked, perplexed.

- This cannot be, - Eva Fionina pressed through her teeth, not made up, with eyes swollen with tears, her voice was a little nasal. - Yesterday everything was fine with him, we talked all evening, I would have noticed if there was anything wrong. This is not suicide, and the note is just a fake - the same fake as the correspondence of Anton and Alice.

\- What kind of note? \- asked Igor.

\- Martin went to identify the body. The investigator told him that a suicide note was found in the room.

\- Vitaly's handwriting?

Fionina shrugged.

- I don't know, they didn't show him the note. And Martin doesn't know Vitaly's handwriting, how does he know?

\- And why did Martin go for identification? - asked Igor.

\- Yesterday everyone decided to go here after the game. We played billiards, dined in a restaurant, drank, and played again. There was a big company - Shmelev, Kirs, Krasinsky, Filatiev, Koltsov, all of us guys from other teams too. Dmitry Ushakov later arrived. In general, almost everyone who was in the Club. Mark Lehmann treated everyone; all evening he carried drinks from the bar to the billiard room. Vitya was with them too, but he left early in his number - he wanted to sleep. Then all slowly began to disperse. Martin, too, was about to leave, but just then the police arrived. Random passersby found Vitya - about an hour after he went to his room. Well, tell me, is it really possible for a person to drink, play billiards, laugh, and then all of a sudden - and jumped out of the window? - and Eve cried again, covering her face with her hands.

***

Sergei Starkov appeared with news only in the evening. In Igor's office, the cleaner, Guzaliya Farkhadovna, had almost finished mopping the floor, she had only a little left, and Igor did not ask her to leave.

- The investigation is still leaning toward the version of suicide, - the lawyer said tiredly, sitting in his chair, - for now, anyway. The number was locked from the inside, a farewell note was lying on the table, there was no sign of violence or struggle.

\- And what was in this note?

\- "Forgive me. I'm tired, I can't stand it anymore," - Sergei quoted. - Nothing more. The investigator will wait for the results of the graphological examination and only then will decide on which article to institute criminal proceedings. He knows about our first murder, but he still does not see the connection. I don't know if this will make you happy, but this time it's not Sukhinin's business. The name of the investigator is Dmitriev. He called wife of Karmanovich, she will come tonight, will bring samples of his handwriting.

\- I have handwriting samples, - said Igor. - Vitaly filled out a questionnaire before the game.

\- Dmitriev did not know about this. Show me.

Igor rummaged in the drawer of the table and found Vitaly's questionnaire, which he filled out just a week ago.

\- The handwriting is similar. However, this does not mean anything. Now there are computer programs that can easily fake handwriting, if there is a sample.

He turned over the questionnaire and suddenly, frowning, asked:

\- Was there only one sheet in the questionnaire?

\- There should be two.

\- But there is only one, - said Sergey, - probably the second leaf has unfastened.

Igor opened the box again and began to rummage through it. But no matter how much he did not sort through the papers lying in it, he did not find the second sheet of Vitaly's questionnaire.

\- Igor Gennadievich, did you drop that?

He flinched. It turns out that he completely forgot about the presence of Guzalya Farkhadovna, and meanwhile, she silently slid behind them, wiping the floor. A cleaning lady held out a shiny object in her palm. Looking closely, he recognized the golden tie clip.

\- No, it's not mine.

\- And where is it now?

\- Give it to Larisa Ivanovna, she will look for the owner.

He returned to the box and began to rummage through the papers again.

\- Lost somewhere, - he muttered, and suddenly felt a sharp, nauseous, fit of fear.

\- Guzaliya Farkhadovna, - he called frantically, - did you happen to find any leaf on the floor? Didn't throw it away?

The cleaner straightened up and, with a reproachful look at him with brown almond-shaped eyes, answered offendedly:

- You know, I will never throw a single piece of paper. If I found, I would put it on your table.

- Well, yes, yes, sorry, - he muttered confusedly. – You can go, Guzaliya Farkhadovna, no more cleaning up.

The cleaning lady shrugged, packed up her inventory, and left. Igor looked at Starkov bewildered.

\- Well then, - Sergei was calm, - so he had a sample of handwriting.

\- But it does mean... - Igor stopped, unable to continue.

\- That means, \- Sergey said coldly, - that the criminal, whoever he is, has access to your office. This is someone from the inner circle, Igor. Someone from your staff.

\- No, - he gasped desperately, - they cannot. None of them could. The sheet was just lost somewhere.

\- Yes, of course, - Sergey agreed easily, - it just coincided. In three months, two members of the Club die under unclear circumstances. Some joker accidentally at the same time spreads a rumor about Alice and Anton's romance, some other joker decides that it will be very funny if you pull the money from Alice's purse and transfer it to Ira's purse. Well, the sheet itself go somewhere. So do not worry, what kind of coincidences in life do not exist.

Igor was silent for a long time, resting his elbows on the table and covering his face with his hands. Finally, straightening himself up with an effort, he said muffledly:

\- Several people have access to the office: I, Larisa, our editors, assistants - German and Veronika, and... all who make the Game. About two dozen people in total.

- Also the owner of the golden clip, - Sergey mockingly prompted.

Igor laughed nervously.

\- Well, of course. A lot of people go to my office, but it was the killer who dropped the thing that belonged to him! Agatha Christie, and more!

\- Well, how can I say, - Sergey remarked thoughtfully, - the murderer was nervous, in a hurry, made sudden movements, so clip flew off, but he did not notice in a hurry. Okay, please remember, did an outsider come here this week?

Igor thought about it.

\- The courier who delivered the props. Couriers from the restaurant. Koltsov came in... He worried that he could not help the team.

\- He played normally, - Sergei shrugged, - but the rest of the team was very sluggish. It was not necessary for them to play now.

\- Yes, you are right. It was better to swap them with someone who plays in the fall series.

They were silent for a while.

- By the way, - Sergei broke the silence, - I saw Sukhinin today. Specially went to him. He was free, agreed to listen to me.

- Well, what did he say? - Igor scornfully asked.

He did not expect anything good from the investigator.

\- Same as everyone else. There is no reason to consider this a murder. But he still told me something interesting.

***

\- What is obliged, Mr. lawyer? - Sukhinin looked at Sergey without any interest.

The investigator was again shaved poorly, dandruff glistened on his jacket.

- You know what happened today?

\- Today there were many different events.What exactly do you mean?

\- Early this morning, a member of the Elite Intellectual Club Vitaly Karmanovich died.

\- Yes, yes, I heard something in the morning summary. Suicide, it seems?

- Presumably, - said Sergey, - but this is inaccurate. You understand, in such matters there cannot be complete confidence...

Sukhinin yawned indifferently, showing two rows of yellow teeth. It seemed to Sergey that the inspector smelled of garlic.

- Actually, it's none of my business. I have no business with suicide at all.

\- And what if it turns out that this is not suicide?

\- How is it? \- Sukhinin inquired sarcastically.

\- If the suicide note turns out to be fake.

- Well, if it turns out... then someone will investigate the murder. Hope not me.

\- Why?

\- But this is hopelessly, - Sukhinin said sourly, and began to bite his nails. - Judge for yourself: even now, your witnesses, if you ask them, will probably not be able to remember anything: who and when left the general hall, how long they absent. Because everyone was drunk, no one paid attention to it. And in a week, when the results of the examination will be ready, they will not be able to remember anything at all. So fire me from such a business, please.

- But these two murders can be connected, - said Sergey insistently.

- Why on earth?! - Sukhinin barked irritably. - What do they have in common? Does Vysotina and Karmanovich have any intersection points? Love relationship, business relationship? As far as I know, besides your stupid Game - nothing. So do not fool me. Vysotina was killed her husband - out of jealousy. Karmanovich may have his ill-wishers.

\- Players are now dying like flies, - Sergei still could not resist sarcasm. - Already the second Player dies immediately after the final.

- Your stupid Club is sitting in my liver, - Sukhinin answered irritably, - I watched one game here for the purpose of, so to speak, familiarization. I did not like.

\- And what exactly didn't you like? - Sergey asked curiously.

\- I did not like your questions. Go there, I don't know where, bring that, I don't know what.

\- Really? All these questions can be answered with the help of logical reasoning, chains of associations, knowledge, finally.

\- Nonsense, - the investigator grimaced. - Сriminal can be calculated using logical reasoning. I've been doing this for fifteen years now. And if your Game needed logic, I would answer all the questions.

- So why Alice's killer wasn't calculated by logical reasoning? - Sergei began to annoy.

Sukhinin finally stopped picking his teeth and stared at Starkov with genuine surprise:

\- How is it - did not calculate? He 's been sitting in prison for the third month now. Soon sincere recognition will write, I think.

\- So, - he continued to rant, casually lounging in his chair, - in "Who wants to become a millionaire?" the questions are normal: you know, you answer, you don't know, at least you're trying to guess. And you don't even have options. You gave people some black gizmo and ask why it is needed. Well, and in what logical way, excuse me, even a very smart person will be able to figure out that it needs to be lubricated with ski grease and lowered from the track?

\- It was a video question. A man stood against a snowy plain. One could think about what to do on the snowy plain. And there could already appear options. However, partly you are right, it was difficult. Such questions are called "unsolvable" in our Club. They add extra intrigue to the game.

\- Intrigue, - the investigator snorted. - And when this leader of yours begins to prompt the Players with the correct answer, does this also create intrigue?

\- He is scolded for this, - sighed Sergey.

He already regretted getting involved in this unnecessary argument.

\- Who scolds? Channel Leader?

\- Viewers. Chief Editor. Igor honestly promises that he will never do this again, but then again does not stand up. In the end, he is also a man and may have his weaknesses. Okay, sorry to take your time.

***

- So you should not expect help from him, - Sergey finished.

\- I didn't really count on him, - Igor grunted. - And what actually was so useful? Are we having bad questions, or I'm leading the Game wrong?

\- He explained why the murderer left this note. The killer realized that a fake will be detected, but time will be lost. Now no one is really interviewing witnesses, because they do not consider it necessary, and in a few days they will not be able to really remember anything. The investigation will come to a standstill.

- Maybe we ourselves can interview everyone who was there?

\- So, everyone has already left, - Sergey said with chagrin, - this time we didn't ask anyone to stay.

***

Igor nevertheless tried to talk to several people who, as he knew, were playing billiards in the hotel lobby that unfortunate evening. Most responded that they were passionate about the game, talking and did not pay attention to who went where and when. "Yes, they probably all went out," - Martin said thoughtfully, - "to the toilet, to smoke, to order something at the bar. I don't remember anyone disappearing for a long time. However, I did not watched, I can not vouch. Although wait... Shmelev was gone for a long time, I asked him where he had gone, he said that he went "to unwind."

The rest said about the same thing, Dmitry Ushakov recalled that Martin had also gone out several times. Just in case, Igor called Shmelev.

- What? Really? - Captain was delightedly surprised, - however, maybe. My head ached, I went out to breathe air. I hope you do not suspect me of murder? By the way, Martin himself also ran somewhere all the time.

Igor backed down. If they were interrogated by a professional investigator, maybe they would have recalled something substantial. But he is not a professional.

Vitaly's wife, who arrived late in the evening, said something they themselves had been repeating to each other all day: Vitaly had no signs of depression, bad mood on the eve of his departure for Moscow. The husband always shared his feelings with her, not hiding, talked about his troubles. Vitaly also had no conflicts or debts lately.

The next day, Igor met with investigator Dmitriev, who was instructed to conduct the Karmanovich case.

Grigory Alekseevich Dmitriev, unlike Sukhinin, was neatly dressed and combed, behaved politely and, on the whole, gave the impression of an adequate person, but did not console Igor with anything.

\- In the end, \- he said, - depression sometimes proceeds stealthily, invisibly to others. It seems that everything is fine with a person, but he don't want to live. And even relatives and friends do not always know.

- But there is not a single witness at all who would show that Vitaly had some problems. He generally did not complain to anyone about anything, not even his wife.

\- Yes, this is also not necessary. As far as I understood from the stories of witnesses, this Karmanovich of yours was a reserved person - an introvert, to use psychological terms. Such people carry everything in themselves and do not necessarily tell others what is happening in their soul. However, we consider the version of suicide as the most probable, but not the only one.

\- And if not for this note, would you consider first of all the version of the murder?

\- A note was found in a room locked inside. Written in handwriting, very similar to the handwriting of the deceased.

\- It could be faked, in our time it is not difficult.

Igor told Dmitriev about the missing questionnaire. He was very interested, asked him in detail \- where did the questionnaire come from, where did it lie, who had access, asked to give the surviving sheet. Igor perked up, but then again he was disappointed.

\- All this is very interesting, - said Dmitriev, - but, as evidence, it won't. The sheet could still simply get lost.

\- And the paper on which the suicide note was written?

\- What about paper? \- the investigator did not understand. - The usual A4 sheet.

- Did he have a bunch of such paper in his room? Or in his things?

\- Not.

\- So what happens, he specifically took with him one piece of paper to write a note on it?

- He could have prepared the note in advance, - said Dmitriev. - Or he really took a piece of paper with you. I saw how his things were laid out in the room - all the shirts were neatly folded, all the things were laid out in wardrobes, and not thrown on anyhow, as is usual with the men in the rooms. In a suitcase - a complete order. He was a pedant, this is your Karmanovich. So he could carefully prepare everything in advance. The only thing that is strange again is that there was no fingerprints on the sheet, no fingerprints at all, although the sheet was folded four times. But then again, if the examination shows that it is his handwriting, it will not mean anything.

- You know, we already had a murder in the Club.

\- Yes, I heard enough, - said the investigator, - all your Players talk to me about that murder. Well, if the note is forged, then most likely this case will be removed from me and transferred to Sukhinin. He is unlikely to be happy, of course, a very lazy man.

\- Is it possible to arrange so that on the contrary, the first thing is passed on to you?

\- It is unlikely. As a rule, the investigation is transferred to the investigator who started it. Sukhinin has long been engaged in it, knows all the details, it will be easier for him to figure it out.

- He's not going to figure anything out, - Igor said bitterly, - he convinced himself that Vysotin was guilty.

- But if it turns out that Karmanovich did not kill himself, then he will have to change his mind, - answered Dmitriev calmly.

From conversations in the chat viewers:

\- People, what's going on at all?! In winter, Vysotina was killed, today Karmanovich fell out of the window!

\- Damn.

\- What an unlucky year today in the Club. So many tragedies!

\- Or maybe a maniac in the Club?

\- No, they write that it is suicide.

\- And about Alice not a word on the air, noticed? There was a woman, there is no a woman and everything is fine. I thought Garf would at least express condolences or explain something.

\- Garf doesn't care at all. Goat!

\- And how did he prompt Karmanovich! Pulled by the ears - a shame! Under the Founder, this has never happened.

\- Yes, the Game is now not that...

\- But Alice was also prompted - only not Garf, but Bakhmetyev. Coincident however.

\- What do you mean by that?

\- I just said that there was a coincidence.

\- Oh my God! Players are killed due to clues!

\- That's for sure Garf.

\- So he himself prompted.

\- He prompted himself, then arranged a demonstration execution, so that others are not discouraged.

\- And what, for sure. And he killed Kennedy.

- Vysotin George is no longer in the team. Koltsov instead of him.

\- So the man is in prison. Do you think he will be released from the camera to the game?

- Better let the Koltsov be. He at least answers, the rest generally sit like vegetables.

- They lost it all the same, and Koltsov did not help.

- Garf just dislike this team. He deliberately puts difficult questions to them and doesn't prompt them like everyone else.

Chapter Six

- You said that your request was not related to the killings. You lied to me!

\- So what? I lied only to you. You are going to lie to all of humanity. So what are you better than me?

\- I'll go to the police and...

\- Dont go.

\- Why?

\- Do you want to become an accomplice in a crime or a great creator? Decide already.

\- I do not want to have anything to do with this.

\- Too late. You got involved in it. But do not freak out. You just gave me the phone of a beautiful girl, what's the crime?

- I did what you asked, but I did not know how you were going to use it.

- And that doesn't concern you anymore. You did what I needed and received your reward.

\- There is only the first part. We agreed on all three.

\- You will receive the second part for being silent. And when this talented idiot is put in prison, I'll send a third. And do not try to blather, otherwise you will become the fourth corpse in the collection.

\- But I'm not going to...

There were short beeps in the handset.

***

\- What are we going to do now?

Igor, Larisa and Dmitry sat in the commentary room. Two faithful companions looked expectantly at him, and he involuntarily averted his eyes. It was hard to say, but he could not make another decision.

\- Close the Game.

Larisa gasped, Dmitry sighed heavily, but nodded his head, silently agreeing.

\- How long? - Larisa asked tensely.

\- For undefined period. We can no longer take risks, and all of you perfectly understand this.

\- We will lose the Game!

\- We lost three people, - Igor said angrily. - Are you not enough?

\- But we have to do something with this, - Dmitry could not stand it, - we cannot just surrender.

\- Personally, I can. Enough for me.

\- We are not enough! - Dmitry was indignant. - We must find the killer!

\- Law enforcement agencies are looking for the killer. This is their job, not ours.

\- And can we hire a private detective?

Igor shook his head:

\- Hired already. You know how it ended.

\- Then let's change the rules somehow, \- Larisa said plaintively, - he needs the Game to be fair, let's make it fair. Well, let's make the questions more specific so that you can give only one exact answer.

\- You yourself know very well that this is impossible, - Igor became more and more annoyed.

Well do they really not understand? In this situation, they can do nothing more, they are completely paralyzed.

\- We will ask the Players in which year Napoleon was born? - he asked mockingly. -Then, of course, only one correct answer is possible. Only now there will be no our Game.

\- We cannot give up, - Larisa continued stubbornly repeating, and Igor could not stand it, he broke:

- I buried a friend, do you understand this or not?! - he yelled.

They were silent.

\- And the rest? \- Dmitry finally asked quietly.

Igor understood what he meant.

\- The sports championship will remain. To it, it seems, our killer has no complaints. We will work as before, according to requests - to hold corporate championships. School, student teams will remain. The Game will live, in one form or another. But the television version will no longer be released.

\- Never?

\- I do not know. In any case, until Sukhinin finds the one who arranged all this.

\- Well, then, never, - said Dmitry.

***

A few days later, Pavel Koltsov called Igor. His voice trembled:

\- Hello, Igor Gennadievich, - he said, - they arrested me. I do not understand why. It seems they decided that I killed Ruslan. They search the apartment... I... I don't know what to do, they allowed me to make one call, so I decided to call you...

\- Do not answer any questions yet. Wait for Sergey Starkov. Say that you will talk only in his presence.

***

In the evening Sergey, gloomy like a cloud, came home to Igor. He sat in the kitchen for a long time and drank tea in silence. Igor did not rush him. Finally, with a sigh, pushing the cup away from him, Sergey put his hands on the table, clasped them in the lock and said:

\- The bad news. I don't know whether Pavel is guilty or not, but there is more than enough evidence for him.

\- What evidence?

\- Ruslan left the hotel in the morning because someone called him. The call was made from a number that is registered in the name of Sergey Nikolayevich Grishin. God knows who that is. Most likely, his passport was simply used to buy a SIM card. Pavel Koltsov's account on Facebook is registered with the same SIM card. Well, in this account, - here Sergey shook his head in dismay, - I'll open it for you, you will read what is there. This same SIM card was found in him during a search. Sukhinin had a search warrant in apartment and country house. In a country house, in addition to a SIM card, in a barn under a workbench, they found a laptop on which experts found traces... in general, it was on it that the fake pages of Alice and Anton were made, a program was found there with which you can reproduce a person's handwriting and several options farewell note. One of these options was later used. I'm afraid Pavel's gotten into it.

Igor felt that everything inside him was somehow petrified. What Sergey said was simply unbelievable.

\- And what does he say? How does he explain all this?

\- Denies everything. He says that he has nothing to do with these killings. That this is not his laptop and not his SIM card. He did not call Ruslan and did not see him that day. And he has no page on Facebook.

\- And if it's valid, - said Igor, - after all, someone could create this fake page for him, and they could throw a laptop at him.

\- They could, \- said Sergey, - but you yourself understand that Sukhinin will not accept such a version. He is happy to receive a new suspect. Pavel does not have an alibi that day. He said that he had been called from the gas service all day, asked to stay at home, to provide access for checking the gas stove. But they didn't come. The next day, he called back on this number, but they did not answer him. Then he found the gas service telephone number, phoned - they were very surprised, reported that the verification of their house was planned only in the second quarter of next year. Then Pavel decided that scammers called him, but did not turn to anywhere.

\- He was specially kept at home so that he would not have an alibi, - Igor whispered. - He lives alone!

\- Maybe, - agreed Sergey. \- But it will be difficult to prove. If only to find the one who called and find out why he did it. And so, judge for yourself: he was at the Club that evening when someone killed Alice and he also did not have an alibi. He was at the hotel with the others when Vitaliy Karmanovich died. And by the way, I remember what you said, he was with you a few days before that, he could steal a sheet from the questionnaire. Remember when you were talking, did you leave the office?

Igor frowned, remembering.

\- The courier came, I went out to look at samples for props. A little delayed, Larisa and I argued which one would be better. Pavel was waiting for me.

Sergey shook his head in dismay.

\- There was enough time. The only thing that will be in his favor is if there are no traces of him in the pantry, in Vitaly's room, or near Ruslan's body. But I'm afraid this will not be enough for the acquittal.

They were silent for a while.

\- What did you say there about his page on Facebook? What is there?

\- Do you remember how he left the Club? - Sergey asked instead of an answer.

\- Of course I remember, - said Igor, - this is one of our most terrible scandals. It's good, then there was no Internet, social networks and scandalous talk shows. And then we would be scolded everywhere. And so - it cost two or three bags of letters from outraged viewers. And no one from the television authorities said a word - everyone was afraid to contact the Founder. In the end, it was his theater and his actors, and he acted with them as he want. Wait, do you want to say that on this basis Pavel went crazy and decided to restore justice after twenty years?

\- Not me. Others may decide so. The same Sukhinin, the same users of social networks, when information about the arrest of Pavel leaked. This story is widely known, everyone remembers it. They will start throwing links to each other to the recording of that program, when all this happened, and to his page. And very soon the whole public will be convinced of his guilt.

- So what is there on his page?

Sergey took a laptop from his bag, opened it and gave it to Igor.

Law and Justice

June 16th

Fairness is not to give everyone the same, but that everyone gets what they deserve.

HOLY BASIL

A comment:

Truly so! Only here you need to help... Justice must be repaid by action, not just by word.

14th of April

Russia Young

HONOR - NOW JUST A WORD FROM GOOD MOVIES.

A comment:

I agree!

DECEMBER 30TH

Law and order

THE PROBLEM OF HONEST PEOPLE IN THAT THEY ARE WAITING FOR HONESTY FROM ALL THE OTHERS.

A comment:

And, as life has shown, in vain...

December 2nd

Thinking out loud

CONSCIENCE SOLD IN THE MARKET...

FOR THE GIFT - THREE RUBLES KILO.

EVERYONE HAS APPEARED BUT NOT TAKEN

GOODS ARE NOT BRANDY LONG.

CAPTURED: GREED, HATE, ENVY,

FALSE SHARED ON "HURRY"...

ED WILD

A comment:

How exactly did the poet say!

October 7th

League of Truth

THERE IS NO OTHER MEANS TO REVENGE THE PUBLIC HOW TO MAKE IT HAND TO YOU.

CARLO GOLDONI

A comment:

Why not?

June 10th

Law and order

Triumph of Justice

A comment:

Nothing. Soon it will be different.

March 4th

Thinking out loud

NO ONE IS FORGOTTEN. NOTHING FORGOTTEN.

A comment:

Show must go on? Okay. There will be a show for you...

With every post he read, Igor's inside seemed to tighten a tight knot. Having finished reading, he felt that he was sick.

\- Lord, he's crazy! - muttered Igor.

\- The account was created last year. Notice, he has subscribers, but no friends. The page was not necessary for him in order to communicate - even on a topic of interest to him. This is just some kind of manifesto.

\- But he looks perfectly normal, - Igor objected, - probably this is really just another fake.

\- He looks normal, - Sergey agreed, - and also - very confused and scared. And yet... You see, Garik, we... I think we all have psychological difficulties now. We cannot force ourselves to believe that one of us is a cruel and cold-blooded killer. It always seems to us that this must be someone else, an outsider. Therefore, when suspicion falls on one of "ours", we immediately say to ourselves - "no, this cannot be, they set him up," you know?

\- You mean that Pavel could still be guilty?

\- I'm trying to be objective. Let's try for a moment to assume that it is he.

\- This is some kind of madness, \- Igor muttered, - I can understand if the mind was upset because of an injustice. We really at one time seriously offended him and his entire team, too, but the fact that he would calmly put other people under attack - George, Irina - no, it somehow does not agree with the idea of justice, conscience and honor, don't you find? Yes, and then, how could he know that Yaroslav paid the debt that night? Also does not converge.

\- As for honor and conscience, crazy people have their own logic. And he could have heard about money by chance - you never know what the Players are talking about among themselves before the Game.

\- Well, why didn't he get rid of the evidence: from this laptop, from this account, from SIM card at last?

\- Perhaps he hoped that another act of retaliation would be possible.

Igor thought about it.

\- I want to meet him personally, - he finally said firmly.

Already on the threshold Sergey suddenly turned around:

\- Yes, by the way, I always forget to ask - did you find the owner of the gold clip? What the cleaner found in your office?

\- Yes, German Lyubimov recognized him as his.

\- Is this your new Hall Manager? Where did he come from? You had another, Victor, he worked for many years.

\- Victor six months ago left with his family in Israel. And German was brought to the Club a couple of years ago by Lehmann. He said a good boy, a passionate fan of the Game, wants to be of service. He plays in amateur championships, though without much success. He first helped us with the analysis of letters from viewers, and then we tried him for the role of manager.

\- How did he explain the loss of clamp?

\- He does not remember where and when he lost.

\- You don't suspect him?

Igor shrugged.

- I see no motive. And to imagine that a boy from an intelligent Moscow family playing the Intellectual Game became a hired killer, I lack imagination.

After the attorney left Igor tried to sort out his feelings. On the one hand, it was almost impossible to accept that Pavel Koltsov, a smart, intelligent, absolutely adequate person, was wounded so deeply that psychological trauma changed his personality, and he began to kill in order to prove his case - it was almost impossible to accept and believe in it. On the other hand, Igor understood that if this turned out to be true, if Pavel confessed, the situation would be saved - the Game could be continued. If Pavel is detained, and he is a murderer, then the Players are no longer in danger. He himself will live his whole life with guilt for letting him in the Club again and for allowing Ruslan to die, but the Game will return to the screens again. If all this is not so, and Koltsov is just another victim of a cunning criminal, then... Igor grabbed his temples, feeling a headache split his head in half. He drank analgin, but realizing that already no sleeping pills would help him fall asleep now, he threw on a light jacket and left the house.

***

The next day, Katya Tkachenko called him and asked for a meeting. He invited her to come to his office.

\- Igor, did you read Pavel's page? - Katya blurted out.

Katya's eyes burned with a bright feverish shine, and Igor realized that another idea dawned on her.

\- I read it, - he sighed.

He really did not want to discuss this new idea, whatever it was.

\- Have you learned from Sukhinin not to say hello?

\- Sorry, hello, - she chattered and, without a pause, continued. - Did you pay attention to the dates?

\- Which dates?

\- The days when he posted these posts on justice?

\- No, - Igor shrugged, - what's the matter?

\- Let's see together. Open his page... Here, look, the last post is the day we played. The penultimate one is the day when the team of Eva Fionina played, and Vitaly gave that very inaccurate answer. The previous post is the day when the Shmelev team played and Alice used the prompt. He places them on the day when, in his opinion, an unfair decision was made.

\- So what?

\- And the fact that there are not three posts, but much more. Garik, there are seven of them. Three for this year. And four - for the past.

\- So what? - he sincerely did not understand.

\- Look at the dates. They coincide with the dates of the games last year. The first post is the Filatyev's game in the spring series. The second post is the game of the Kirs team in the summer series. The third post is the game of Ushakov's team in the autumn series. The fourth post is a game of owners of "crystal atoms" in the winter series.

\- But he didn't kill anyone last year, - Igor objected impatiently. - What does it matter?

\- I reviewed those games, Garik, - she said quietly, staring into his eyes. - Just in case. Injustice was also admitted in them. Only this time - in relation to the Players, and not to the viewers. The guys gave an almost correct answer, and you counted the point to the viewers. This also happens with us, right?

Igor looked at her numbly.

\- No, - he said, \- of course not. It cannot be.

\- Need to check. We have to check, - she said firmly. - You understand that when he began to kill us, we immediately noticed this. But viewers are another matter. They live in different cities. Of course, when they won, Lehmann called them, congratulated them and transferred the sums won. But that's all. No one else is interested in them, no one knows anything about them. If they are killed, no one will ever associate this with the Game.

\- But what about viewers? - he desperately resisted, not wanting to believe. - My decision does not depend on them at all! Why punish them?!

- You seek logic in the actions of a madman. He has it, but only his own, special. You see, it's not who is to blame. The point is to show that injustice will not go unpunished. Yes, you were right, this is a message, a message to the world, or to you personally, I don't know. Let's see you carefully all four games again. Maybe I have paranoia, maybe it just seemed to me. See for yourself, and then, please call these people and make sure that they are all right.

***

Still in a state of numbness after what they discovered, Igor did not immediately understand why he and Katya had stopped. He emerged from a state of deep thoughtfulness only thanks to Katie's voice:

\- Yarik? What are you doing here?

Only now Igor realized that he and Tkachenko had already reached the building of the prosecutor's office, where the investigator Sukhinin worked, and were standing in front of the entrance, and the club captain Yaroslav Shmelev had just left to meet them.

\- Mr. investigator deigned to call. I thought there was something clarification on the murder of Alice, and he, it turns out, wanted to get a free consultation on the game on the exchange. Well, which of him is a trader, one asks? However, on the fingers, I explained to him, of course, the basic principles, as I could. How are you here? Also called Sukhinin?

Hearing the news about viewers, Yaroslav turned pale. Leaving him to worry on the porch, they went up to the office of Evgeny Valentinovich.

He sat casually lounging in an armchair and twirling a coin in his hands. The investigator was, as always, untidy. He looked at them with red, sore eyes, some crumbs were visible on his jacket, the suit was stained with greasy spots. Igor noticed that the Forex website was open on the monitor screen.

\- I do not advise, - he said instead of a greeting. - This is not the best way to make money, but it is very reliable if you want to lose it.

\- But what about Fibonacci numbers, trend indicators and Japanese candles? To me, a young man now stated everything so interestingly. It seems to be accessible to a smart person?

\- Throw a coin, - Igor advised. - Guess - the obverse, then the dollar will rise, reverse \- will fall. The result will be the same, just torment less.

Sukhinin laughed:

\- Actually, I thought so. Well, why did you come? You said something urgent.

After listening to them, he goggled and clutched his head.

\- Do you want my death? - he moaned plaintively, and it seemed to Igor that the investigator was suffering a hangover. - Four more! What do you say happened to them?

Igor looked into a notebook and read:

\- Serova Maria Sergeevna, 36 years old, Yekaterinburg. Primary school teacher. Found in the entrance of his own house. They killed her. Presumably a robbery murder. Not disclosed.

Anichkin Nikolay Dmitrievich, 44 years old, Almetyevsk. Doctor. He left home and did not return. He was never found.

Rozhkova Olga Ivanovna, 28 years old, Tambov. Journalist. Found strangled in own apartment. Found guilty of her husband, he is in prison. He did not confess to the murder.

Oreshkina Larisa Nikolaevna, 55 years old, Moscow. Librarian. Found behind garages near his home. Traumatic brain injury. Not disclosed.

All of them died or disappeared within seven to ten days after the game. I hope you will not tell us that this is just a coincidence?

\- I will check your information, - Sukhinin muttered displeasedly. - Leave me their details. Addresses, names, dates of death.

He frowned at the sheets submitted by Igor and suddenly perked up and mumbled:

\- So, Tambov, Yekaterinburg, Almetyevsk?

The investigator got up, went to the closet and began sorting through some papers.

\- Well. Finally, at least some benefit from you, Garf. I'll open four more murders, let them try not to give me leave after this! I'm flying to Turkey, on a burning ticket, I'll rest as a VIP person, all inclusive. Well, yes, it all fits together, - he said with joyful excitement and snapped his fingers.

\- What converges and why are you so happy?

\- We found at the Koltsov's house the roots of train tickets just to these three cities. And the dates are the same. True, they were bought in the name of the same Grishin. Evidently, Koltsov bought a fake passport and used it everywhere. We did not find a passport during the search, but nothing, he himself will say where he hid it. However, we have a lot of things even without a passport, he won't turn off, my dear!

Sukhinin rejoiced, rubbing his hands joyfully. The fate of the four viewers apparently did not touch him.

\- Can I talk to him? - asked Igor.

\- What for?

- I'm not sure... that you're right. I have known him for many years. It's hard for me to imagine that he turned into a crazy maniac.

Sukhinin shrugged, grunted, and dismissively said:

\- Most maniacs look normal. None of their acquaintances are aware of anything.

\- So will you let me see him?

\- No, - Sukhinin's tone again became unpleasantly harsh. - I think this is superfluous. This will not help the investigation, and I'm not going to satisfy your curiosity.

Although Igor promised himself to be patient, the rudeness of the investigator was too annoying.

\- Listen, - he said irritably, \- it is generally supposed that there should be one evil investigator and one good. I communicate with you all the time. When will the good come at last?

Sukhinin looked at him in amazement for several seconds, and then burst out laughing.

\- So Dmitriev was with you. Apparently you did not deserve more, - he said maliciously. - Still have questions about the case?

- And you do not allow the thought that it was not him? Pavel could have been framed, as George Vysotin had been framed before.

\- It starts again, - the investigator grimaced. - They set him up, they set him up. Do you think there is any evil genius dug in your Club there? So he's ready for you on a silver platter, what does this candidate not like for you?

- That's just the point, on a silver platter, - Katya muttered, who had silent all the conversation, - it was they who served it to you on a silver platter ready, don't you see? And a laptop, and a SIM card, and a page on the Internet, and ticket roots - all at your service. How convenient.

Sukhinin hostilely stared at Tkachenko.

\- Well, lucky this time, so what? The criminal did not have time or did not think to get rid of the evidence. Not very smart, that's all. Played, played, but played too much.

\- Well, yes, - Katya said thoughtfully, - the owner of a crystal owl and the title of an immortal member of the Club became stupid. It happens. And you did not ask him if any of our Players had recently been visiting him, in a country house?

\- And you are the smartest, right? - Sukhinin asked evilly. - You are all very smart there. So let's gather a team, I will let you read all the materials of the case, and then I will give a minute for discussion. In a minute you will tell me who the killer is, I will arrest him.

\- Very witty, - Igor said dryly. - Come on, Katya, we won't stop a person from rejoicing.

\- Wait, - Katya became stubborn, - but how did you even reach out to Pavel? You did not suspect him.

\- A letter containing a link to Koltsov's account on the social network came to the email address of the prosecutor's office. Well, then, as you put it, I was born a chain of logical associations, and I asked the prosecutor for a search warrant.

Sukhinin leaned back in his chair and grinned smugly. Igor felt that he could not stand it anymore, and pulled Katya into the corridor.

When the door closed behind them, the expression of complacency on the investigator's face disappeared, giving way to bitterness and fatigue. He covered his sore eyes after a sleepless night and whispered softly:

\- Yes, I see everything... He gave me Vysotin for the first, Koltsov - for the second. I wonder who will be for dessert? I see everything, only I can't tell you. You love him, you believe him. You again decide that this cannot be and, as you know, want to talk to him honestly. And then he will leave, or kill you, but I can't take him. Because I have nothing on him. Absolutely nothing.

Chapter Seven.

- You know, Garik, but this is not such a bad idea.

Igor shuddered: leaving the prosecutor's office, he mechanically walked along the street to the place where the car was parked. Did he think of anything? Perhaps not, a strange indifferent numbness attacked him. Still, mechanically, he sat in the driver's seat and stared into the windshield. He completely forgot about Katya, and it turned out that she had been sitting nearby all this time, but unlike him, she was thinking hard about something.

\- What are you talking about? What an idea?

\- Assemble a team for a brainstorming session. We will select several people who can be excluded from the list of suspects, you and Sergey will tell us everything that you know, and we will arrange a brainstorm, not for one minute, of course. Take as much time as is required for productive work. We will create a portrait of the killer, sketch out possible motives and goals.

- And how will you choose these people? - Igor inquired with irony, - I know this man well, I like him, that means he cannot be a killer. So what?

\- Well, of course not, - Katya was offended, - we will take those who have an alibi. Alice, as we know, was alive until ten to twelve. There are several people who left the Club earlier than this time. Let's look at the cameras who went out and never came back. And there are people, mostly Muscovites, who went home, and did not go to the hotel to play billiards, on the evening that Vitaly died. Or someone left for the station when he was still alive. This can all be figured out.

- The brainstorming will not work, - said Igor.

\- Why?

\- And you imagine that someone in the group will assume that Anya Mironova, your best friend, can be the killer, what will you do?

- I'll start proving that they are wrong, - Katya said quietly.

\- That's it. And all the rest too. We are too emotionally involved in everything that happens and we simply cannot abstract and reason logically.

Katya was silent for a while, thinking.

- Then some other people are needed. Such as Sukhinin - knowing nothing or almost nothing about the Game, only smarter. We need a focus group, for example, from undergraduate and graduate students of universities. We can attract a company engaged in the recruitment of such focus groups.

Igor looked at her doubtfully.

\- Yes, I understand, - Katya said impatiently, - this is again an additional cost. But this is our chance to at least do something. We lost Ruslan, but we should at least try to save Pavel.

***

When Igor returned to work, he found in his office Larisa, who darted wildly from corner to corner, discussing something on the phone.

\- This program should not be broadcast! No way, - he heard, and realized that they had run into yet another trouble. - We will take action. Yes, I won't let this scum bother us with dirt!

Seeing Igor, she abruptly fell silent and pressed the end call. For a while they silently looked at each other.

\- What kind of program are we talking about? - Igor asked dryly.

\- RTV is preparing a program about us. More precisely about what happened with us. Notice that you and I were not invited there. You know Atosov - he will bring out all the dirty, mix facts with gossip, pour muddy water from speculation and rumors, and eventually cook such a compote that...

\- Let him cook, - Igor said indifferently, - he has such a job. He entertains the bored audience as he can. We have our own audience, he has his own.

- But this is a public scandal, Igor, don't you understand? We cannot allow such a blow to our reputation!

\- Larisa, - he said softly, - what happened is already a mortal blow to our reputation. They can't do any worse.

\- You are mistaken, - she objected sullenly. \- It will be even worse for us if this broadcast comes out. You will see.

And he really saw. And yes, he was wrong.

The program went on Wednesday evening in prime time. He sat down in front of the TV, pre-experiencing the unpleasant disgusting feeling that such programs always evoked in him. He absolutely did not want to watch this abomination, but there was nowhere to go. He should be aware of how their story will be presented to the audience. It is possible that he will have to communicate with the leadership of the Main Channel or answer questions from journalists.

The farther he watched the program, the more he realized that he didn't understand anything and the horror of what he saw was mixed with ever-growing bewilderment.

The host of the program, Ivan Atosov, is a small ugly man with a pockmarked face, a native of a remote village in the Tambov Region, who was once expelled from the Tambov Pedagogical Institute for his poor performance and insults to teachers. The former student went to conquer the capital and, oddly enough, succeeded where thousands of others failed. It is unknown how he managed to get work into television and became the host of one of the most scandalous programs. Every day, to the delight of the undemanding public, Atosov rinsed the dirty linen of famous showmen, singers, actors, exposed the corrupt millionaires or beggars, as well as healers, corrupt politicians and officials. He did not care whom to expose, if only to throw out on the screen more vile things. Most of these stories were fictitious, and the invited guests, arranging squabbles and fights in the studio, were just hired unemployed actors. As for the "stars", they themselves ordered such programs for the sake of PR and according to rumors, they paid a lot Atosov who pour mud on them.

But Igor didn't order PR or pay him. So what the hell?

"Hello, dear viewers of the RTV channel!" - Atosov squeaky unpleasant voice sounded. - "Today we will tell you about what is really hidden behind the glamorous facade of one of the most respected and oldest programs on our domestic television. Millions of viewers have watched this program for several decades, not even suspecting that they could be in mortal danger if it suddenly occurred to them to participate in this so-called "Intellectual Game". Admiring the intelligence and quick-wittedness that the Players sometimes demonstrate, they don't even realize that the management of this program doesn't give a damn about the safety of life of the Players, that for the sake of high ratings and additional airtime, they are ready to sacrifice everything, including trusted, unsuspecting people. Those who play, and those who send questions. You, of course, have already guessed that we are talking about the famous Elite Intellectual Club. So, let's find out what is really going on behind the scenes of the illustrious program, and what those with whom he so inadvertently entrusted his creation did with the great legacy of the Founder. We are watching the plot."

Atosov disappeared and instead an image of a typical school building appeared on the screen. The camera showed students crowding near a young pretty teacher. She smiled happily and pressed a golden figurine to her chest. Atosov's voice-over said: "This is Maria Sergeevna Serova, an elementary school teacher from Yekaterinburg... She loved her students. And they, too, adored her. Their parents respected and appreciated her, it was in her class that they sought to enroll their child. Last year, Maria Sergeyevna received the title "Teacher of the Year." She spent the prize money to pay for an expensive operation for her elderly father. She raised her own children and everything was more or less good in her life... until February 22 of last year, when one day she did not return home. She was found in the entrance, next to the apartment."

Suddenly, pictures of a terrible bloodied body appeared on the screen, and Igor started, and then frowned in bewilderment.

Someone we will not call his name yet, cut the throat of a young woman, took her handbag, pulled out gold earrings from her ears. Then everyone decided that it was a murder to rob. However, now we know that it was only a cunning disguise, to which the criminal resorted. Maria Sergeyevna died simply because she once decided to send her question to the Elite Intellectual Club. Her question participated in the game on February 5 last year. Let's see how it was. "

The plot with a fragment of the game turned on, and then Atosov appeared on the screen again.

You saw, dear viewers, that the Players answered Maria Sergeyevna's question almost correctly, but for some reason the host did not want to score a point for them. He recognized victory for Maria. Well, that happens too.The sponsor of the Game, a well-known bank, transferred money to her. And a week later she was found dead. It would seem, well, what kind of connection can there be? Well, let's take a look at the ad unit, and then back to this issue."

Igor nervously tore a bag of pistachios and began frantically clicking one after another, almost unaware of what he was doing. And on the TV meanwhile, Atosov continued to grimace. Igor understood that in reality the leader was deeply indifferent to both their program and the dead people, he simply did his job, which was to cause certain emotions in the audience. It turned out well with him, Igor was already experiencing very strong emotions, but this was only the beginning.

So, dear viewers, I remind you that today we are getting to know the unattractive underside of the famous Game. I, and probably many in this country, thought that the Game was looking for answers to tricky questions. However, as we managed to find out, now they are also killing in this Game. Let's listen to an interview with the parents of the unfortunate Maria Sergeevna."

An elderly couple appeared on the screen: a woman in a black shawl cried and could not speak, a man gloomy uttered the words into the microphone, which was put to him by a journalist.

Yes, Masha told us that she sent the question to the broadcast. And that even then they received money, they sent seventy thousand, but we didn't think that it had anything to do with it... We thought the drug addicts killed her,"- he sobbed, then tried to say something else, but couldn't. Atosov appeared on the screen again.

So who is guilty of the grief of these people?" - he asked. "Some kind of unknown villain, or rich and respected people known throughout the country? Let's look for the answer together.

And now attention, the next plot.

Anichkin, Nikolai Dmitrievich, a surgeon from Almetyevsk, who also had the imprudence to send a question for the Game to the so-called «thirteenth sector». Alas, the computer that day among the tens of thousands of others chose his question."

A transmission fragment from the tenth of June went.

"What did we see in this case? An extremely similar situation: the answer of the Players was initially absolutely correct. But the host began to ask clarifying questions, provoked the Player to give a different answer, and again, in the end, awarded the victory to the viewer. Well, Nikolay Dmitrievich gets his win, and in a few days... disappears without a trace."

A volunteer appeared in the frame, wearing a yellow reflective vest, gluing an advertisement with the large letters "DROPPED MAN" and a photograph of Anichkin on a lamppost.

"The police and hundreds of volunteers searched Nikolai Dmitrievich for many days and nights, but did not find him. He left a wife and three children."

The camera showed a small, modestly furnished room, in which there was a woman of thirty-five to forty and three children of different ages.

"Can I speak?" - woman asked in fright.

"Yes, yes, speak."

"We are looking for our husband and father Anichkin Nikolai Dmitrievich."

The woman held a large portrait in front of her.

"If someone saw him or knew anything about him, please tell to the police or to us by phone..." - she showed another sheet with a large printed phone number. - "Nicolay, if you hear me now," - she looked directly at the camera, - "if you hear me now, please let us know that you are alive. We believe that you will return to us. We are waiting for you. We love you".

The eldest of the children, a boy of about ten, approached his mother, sat down next to the arm of a chair and also said: "Dad. We know that you are alive. Please come back. We are waiting for you. I already made a boat that you gave me for my birthday."

"It would seem," - Atosov poked at the ceiling with a crooked finger, - "non-stupid people make the program. And after the second disaster it was already possible to alert, draw conclusions and take some measures. But no, the programs, as if nothing had happened, continue to go on the air. Indeed, there is a lot of money behind this, sponsors' money. And what is the matter to the organizers of the program so that ordinary people die?"

Igor squeezed a glass in his hands, restraining the desire to run it on the screen.

"Go ahead. The following story: two months ago, a court of the Dzerzhinsky district of the city of Tambov found guilty of a grave crime under the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation provided for in Article 105, simply speaking of intentional murder, of Sergei Petrovich Rozhkov, and sentenced him to fifteen years in prison with a sentence of up to high security colonies. Sergei Petrovich pleaded not guilty. Why then arrested this man? And just his wife, Olga Ivanovna Rozhkova, decided once to play the Intellectual Game. And then one evening, returning home from work, Sergei Petrovich discovers his dead wife in the apartment. He calls the police, but the police officers who arrived at the scene do not believe him and arrest him. Sergei Petrovich did not have money for an expensive lawyer; he could not provide a convincing alibi or other evidence of his innocence. But quickly found, as often happens, neighbors, "well-wishers", who told the police that Sergei Petrovich often quarreled with his wife. This was enough to put a person on for fifteen years. The investigator did not pay attention to the fact that two weeks before her death Olga Ivanovna won one hundred thousand rubles at a game in the Elite Club. And why on earth should he have paid attention to this - after all, program managers chose to hide the connection between deaths and the Game in the previous two cases. Although the connection was obvious - well, there are no such coincidences! This time, everything was exactly the same: the correct answer of the Players, not counted by the whim of the tyrant presenter. Let's see how it was so that you can see for yourself."

They showed a fragment of the game in last year's autumn series. Igor remembered this episode well. Then even Larisa said that he went too far, and Dima Ushakov didn't talk with him for a week, since his team had lost.

"What is this being done, dear comrades?!" - Atosov exclaimed, appearing again on the screen and clutching his head in a picture. - "Under similar circumstances, the third person is already dying, and the company management utters no sound? Not reporting to the police, not informing the media, not doing anything at all! What does it mean? Afraid of your reputation? They do not care about these people? And to a man thrown into jail without guilt? For children without parents? The cynicism of Mr. Garf and Mrs. Kravchenko is simply amazing!

But that is not all. After a little advertising we will see the following plot. Do not switch."

In a darkened office, the telephone rang unexpectedly.

\- Do you watch this nightmare? \- asked wife.

- Of course I look, where will I go?

\- Lord, but this is all not true!

\- Last year, four people really died. The only false is that we supposedly knew about this and were silent. In fact, we found out only three days ago - Katya Tkachenko guessed. Immediately went to the prosecutor.

- You must sue him for libel!

\- I'll think about it. Okay, let's talk later.

"If someone just turned on our program, I'll explain that today the program is about murders committed with connivance, or even how to know, ordered by the leadership of the famous Elite Intellectual Club, and we have a story about a modest Moscow librarian Larisa Nikolaevna Oreshkina. Larisa Nikolaevna worked for thirty years at the Lermontov library. She loved to come up and send questions to the program. This was her favorite show. Twice she managed to win, but the third time became fatal for her. Do you already know why? Yes, that's right, again, at the whim of the host, the victory was awarded to the viewer - the unfortunate Larisa Nikolaevna. Let us look together at another example of the arbitrariness and unprincipledness of Mr. Garf."

He also remembered this question well. It was not so long ago - at the beginning of the winter series last year. He then doubted for a long time whether to score a point to the Players, but decided that they still missed the essential link in the answer and awarded the victory to Larisa Nikolaevna. Lord, why did he do this?

"The body of the unfortunate woman was found in a snowdrift near the garages, not far from the house where she lived. She was hit with some kind of heavy object - the criminal was not found."

A panorama of the cemetery appeared in the frame.

"Larisa Nikolaevna did not have a family. She was buried by her work colleagues. So, why did a single, elderly woman who did not harm anyone in her life die? And the other three?

You and I saw four similar situations, in each of which the decision about who to award the victory can perhaps be called not just controversial, but blatantly unfair. And someone did not want to come to terms with this. Someone decided to take on the role of the punishing sword.

We learned that three days ago, the prosecutor's office arrested a famous member of the Elite Club, Pavel Koltsov. Pavel Koltsov played in the Club in the eighties and nineties of the last century as part of the team of Victoria Sinitsina and was one of the most striking and memorable Players of his era. The holder of a crystal owl, the holder of the status of the Immortal Player, it would seem that he would eventually become the Master of the Game. But what interrupted his brilliant career in the Club? Why did he suddenly disappear from the screens? Oh, at one time this story made a lot of noise. Many fans of the Game certainly remember it, but let's see together how it was...

A dramatic story, isn't it? Just monstrous wild injustice was committed in relation to Pavel. Yes, the Founder was of course the Great Creator, the real Fellini of television, but he had an absurd unbearable character, and everyone knew that. Therefore, no one even tried to stand up for Pavel, including the current program leaders Garf and Kravchenko, who worked at that time as assistants. Pavel did not want to put up with this injustice then, left the Club with his entire team. No one thought to apologize to him, no one called back. We do not know what Pavel was doing all the time that he was not in the Club. Until the beginning of this year, no one had heard anything about him. But suddenly he appears at the Final of the year and oh! That very evening, another murder takes place at the Club. True, this time they killed the Player - the beautiful Alice Vysotina. That's a coincidence? It's hard to say, but let's remember what happened that night at the Club."

Atosov showed the audience a fragment of the program.

"So, dear viewers, as you all have seen perfectly well, injustice was again admitted, but this time with respect to the viewer. One of the most respected members of the Club, Martin Kirs, points out to the presenter that Alice Vysotina used the prompt, but Mr. Garf ignores, as usual, any opinion other than his own. And this time, not the viewer, but the Player is dying. Of course, the Club management cannot hide this fact. Nevertheless, just think about it(!), as if nothing had happened, they continues to hold games. And they prefers not to answer questions from journalists.

Next, we see Pavel Koltsov, present at the games of the spring series. Mr. Garf, who apparently for all the years of work in the program never learned to think logically and add two and two, not only did not suspect Pavel, but allowed him to participate in the Game. As a result, after the finale of the spring series, the brilliant Player died, a wonderful person, beloved by many viewers Vitaly Karmanovich. A week before, during the game, he gave an inaccurate answer to the question. Nevertheless, our respected leader, having a very vague idea of justice, awarded the victory to the team.

Conscience, or rather its absence, allows Kravchenko and Garf to open the summer series of games as if nothing had happened. If you watched these programs carefully, you probably noticed that the host began to behave a little differently than before: as soon as the Players allowed the slightest inaccuracy in the answer, he immediately gave a point to the viewers. What for? It is quite obvious that he is aware that a murderer obsessed with justice is acting in the Club, he seeks to prevent the death of the next Player. Of course, he doesn't put the lives of viewers on anything: there are a lot of viewers, but the brains of Players are unic expensive product that he has been successfully selling for many years, they must be preserved. And there is no noise in the case of death of viewers, because no one notices the connection between the loss of life and the Game.

But still he can't stand it. The bad manner of such a imperator: whom I want - the execution, whom I want - award, prevails in the last game of the season. And this time, the captain of the team that gave an inaccurate answer, Ruslan Goncharov, dies.

Well, to summarize: in two incomplete years, we have seven dead. Whether Pavel Koltsov who has gone insane is really guilty of these killings or not, will be established during the investigation, and, of course, the court will decide the question of his guilt. You yourself can find his page on the well-known social network and see what this person has been thinking and reflecting on over the past two years.

I am personally interested in another question: the leadership of the program, in particular, Mr. Garf and Mrs. Kravchenko guessed, and from some point they already knew about the crimes committed. They knew and hid, condemning all new people to death. Will they be held accountable for this? Or, as if nothing had happened, will they begin a new autumn cycle of programs, eventually receiving a fresh corpse? Of course, they can say that they did not know anything, and the criminal was captured, but who knows if this is really so.

One of my colleagues told me a thing that struck me to the core. «Do you think that all this happened by chance?» - he asked. - "Don't you think that they organized all this themselves? Their ratings are weak, and here is such a scandal. Scandals add to the popularity of the broadcast. And they could simply substitute Koltsov.

Of course, I do not want to think this about my colleagues, but in the light of what I saw and showed you today, alas, even such a version no longer seems so incredible to me.

So, dear viewers, we told you everything we knew about this story. If you can tell something else, call us anytime. And I say goodbye to you until tomorrow. Take care of yourself and be vigilant!"

Igor turned off the TV, went to a cabinet in the corner, took cognac from the top shelf and poured a full glass.

The phone rang, he did not answer. For the half hour that he remained in the office, Larisa called - ten times, two times - Sergey Starkov, again his wife, several dozens more people from the Club, they rang unfamiliar numbers, and he also sat, turning off the sound of the phone, turning off the light and invisibly looking into the darkness outside the window.

Slowly emptying the glass, he called a taxi and drove home.

\- Garik, what is this going on? \- Margarita began to resent from the threshold. - You must sue him! They have no right to say such things on the air!

\- Let me eat something better, - Igor answered rudely.

\- I have nothing, - muttered Margo, bewildered. - You know, I'm on a diet.

Pushing her aside, he, without taking off his shoes, went to the loggia and pulled out a packet of oatmeal cookies from the box. In the summer, alas, nothing else could be hidden. Sitting on the sofa, standing right there, he began to chew gloomily.

\- Give me one, - Margarita asked.

\- You have a diet. And you know what, dear? You decide, please, what you need: a husband or a thin waist. Choose one thing. I have enough of your diets!

No longer looking at his wife, he went into the bedroom, without undressing, collapsed into bed and turned to the wall.

From conversations in the chat viewers:

\- Atosov is crazy!

\- This musketeer is completely deranged!

\- I told you that viewers are also killed!

\- But now at least it's clear why.

\- No, but Atosov really goes too far. Garf and Kravchenko clearly could not know about the killing of viewers.

\- Atos is just cattle! You need to drive him from the television!

\- What if they knew?

\- Well, how could they know? They do not communicate with viewers.

\- I sent a question for the Game. I think if I died, no one would know about it at the Club.

\- Well, yes.

\- How does he dare to make such accusations, that Garf don't give a damn about viewers?

\- Garf don't give a damn about everyone!

\- Of course, I do not respect Mr. Garf, he conducts the program disgustingly, but it's still too much, I think.

\- Have you seen Koltsov's page? Dude went crazy along the way.

\- It is not surprising if you recall how they treated him.

\- It's a pity man, such a cool Player was.

\- Sorry? He killed seven! Serial killer!

\- Not the fact that he is. Our police grab the first one they got. Look, like that guy from Tambov.

\- Look at his page! He wrote there almost in plain text...

\- He can be understood, there is really lawlessness in the country.

\- And I do not believe that it is Koltsov. This is Garf.

- What are you attached to Garf? Why would he kill?

\- Viewers - so that bad questions are not sent, Players - to be afraid.

\- Ha-ha-ha...

\- Gentlemen, dear, and suddenly after this scandal they completely close the Game!

\- No, they won't close it, we won't give it. We need the Game!

\- Oh well...

Chapter Eight.

At night, he dreamed of the Founder.

\- Garik, why are you so dumb? - he said. - After all, everything is obvious.

- Well, tell me then, if you already understood who and why arranged all this.

Great grinned:

\- No. I will not. You must answer the most difficult question in the history of the Club yourself.

\- I am not a Player, - he objected sluggishly, knowing that it was useless to argue.

- No, but this question has been asked of you, which means you have to answer. So be kind, move a little bit of brains. The Game is dying. If you give up now, it's all over.

In the morning Igor woke up unexpectedly peppy and determined to act.

Having left for the kitchen, he was about to cook an egg, which was usual for the "diet" period, but when he opened the refrigerator, he froze: the shelves were full of all kinds of cheeses, fresh cottage cheese and sour cream, rolls and even – incredibly (!) raw sausage. Not having time to rejoice, he was immediately scared. Yesterday he would have been so rude to Margo, ordered her to choose between him and her own beauty... What if...

He rushed to check the cabinets. Things were in place, suitcases too. Calming down a bit, he returned to the kitchen and finally saw a note on the table: "I made my choice. Pancakes in a closed saucepan, if you wake up late \- warm up. I'll make cutlets for dinner." Exhaling with relief, he joyfully began to eat goodies, reflecting on the benefits of harsh treatment of women. After breakfast, he ordered for his wife a bouquet of roses with delivery to her work, and sat on the phone.

He arrived at the office at eleven, where Sergey Starkov and Larisa were already waiting for him.

- Garik, we are suing them, right? - on the move rushed to the attack Larisa. - For some reason, Sergey doubts that you want to do this. But you are not going to forgive Atosov his impudent slander?

- Now this is not the most important thing, - he answered calmly.

Sergei nodded in agreement.

\- And what, in your opinion, is the main thing? - she boiled. - We were publicly slandered, accused of concealing and organizing contract killings!

- Larisa Ivanovna, - Sergey said softly, - but have you noticed anything strange in this program?

She looked at them perplexedly and frowned, not understanding why men did not share her righteous anger.

\- Larisa, we learned about the death of these people three days ago. We only told you, Sergey Starkov, Sukhinin - no one else knew about this at all. Nowhere on the Internet, in social networks there was no information. You have been working on television for thirty years. Tell me, is it possible to make such a program in two or three days with all these videos, interviews? And where did he get the photographs of the corpse? Video from the funeral, from the courtroom?

Larisa opened her eyes wide and gasped softly.

- He knew for a long time, understand? And he've been preparing a program for a long time. This is a video with a volunteer - judging by the weather, the fragment was shot last summer. The plot from Oreshkina's funeral was shot in December - the date of the shooting was visible in the corner of the screen. The video from the courtroom could only be shot with a hidden camera, for who would allow the shooting in the courtroom?

\- But the most interesting, - Sergey said, - excuse me, it probably sounds cynical, the most remarkable is the video with the teacher killed. Look, I specially cut and slightly slowed down this piece, - he opened the laptop, clicked a key and Larisa cried out, and Igor cringed.

\- Look, look, - Sergey insisted mercilessly, having lost his sensitivity over the years of advocacy, - this is important. Now, the one who is taking pictures has brought the camera close, you see, the blood is still flowing? Excuse me, Larisa Ivanovna, are you feeling bad?

Larisa got up and went to the locker.

\- Who drank all the brandy? - she barked angrily, reaching for the bottle, at the bottom of which the remains of brown liquid still splashed.

\- Me.

\- Alcoholic!

- I did it for humane purposes — not to kill Atosov.

\- Well, in vain.

Sergei handed pale Kravchenko a glass of water and continued:

\- In the morning I called Sukhinin, I don't know why he was so kind today, but he informed me that the body of Maria Sergeyevna was discovered at least three hours after her death. If it was a video made by forensic scientists or journalists, it would have looked completely different.

\- So the killer shot? Immediately after..., - Larisa swallowed frantically.

\- Likely. And perhaps all the other videos that were shown yesterday, too. And he handed them over to Atosov ready. He could only insert the fragments into the program, and this is not difficult.

- But how could he cooperate with the criminal, I don't understand?

- He is unlikely to be aware of this, - Igor said thoughtfully. - And he hardly has anything to do with him. Most likely through some intermediary. And because he is not a fool, he understands that we can sue him and win. And this means that he was paid so much that even the possible compensation for moral damage that will be awarded to him does not matter. And the question is - who and why ordered him this show. He doesn't care who he is dealing with - with a killer, with an accomplice, or with someone else.

Sergey nodded, agreeing and added:

\- But such an order is very expensive. In our business, it smelled of big money. So it's hardly someone's revenge or the struggle for justice. There is something else involved, but it is not clear what. It just seems like the blow is aimed at you two.

\- As for the triumph of justice, I agree, this is nonsense. But about revenge, you still have to think. What if we annoyed someone so much that he decided not just to take revenge, but to ensure that we were closed forever?

- And who do you think it might be? Do not forget, Alice could only be killed by someone who was at the Club that evening. Vitaly is the one who was in the hotel. Is there such a person among these people?

\- Perhaps not, \- Larisa thought for a moment. - But we realized that he could have an accomplice — the one who paid Atosov and the one who killed the guys — these can all be different people.

\- That is, among our Players at the same time appeared, - Igor began to bend his fingers, - a crazy maniac - one, a thief - two, a hit man - three. Isn't it too much for the Elite Intellectual Club? We will soon be completely crazy.

\- One person is behind all this, - Sergey objected, - but he certainly has an assistant. And I will assume that this is someone from the inner circle. Remember the disappeared questionnaire. This is not necessarily a Player. You have editors, cameramen, and many other people doing the show.

\- No, no, - Larisa shook her head. - I can't imagine that one of ours agreed to participate in this.

- That's why we need an outside view.

Igor told them about the new idea of Katya Tkachenko. In truth, he expected to see a skeptical expression and incredulous smiles appear on their faces, but, to his surprise, they liked the idea.

- In any case, this is better than provoking a criminal, - said Sergey.

- It will only be necessary to tell them the whole history of the Club, from the very beginning, - Larisa's eyes lit up. - It seems to me that the roots of this story go somewhere in the past. We must remember all our conflicts, scandals, offended Players and Captains.

\- So do this, - said Igor. \- Find a company that can provide us with such a service. Prepare all the materials for them. I think the main milestones you remember. And take from Sergey all the information that he managed to scratch from Sukhinin.

Sergey again intervened:

\- Igor, I think in this situation we should use all the resources.

\- What do you mean?

\- I mean Vorobyov. Have you remained on good terms with him?

\- Oh sure. But what does he have to do with it?

\- Yes, despite the fact that he has a way up. To the very top. And he can talk with people who will force Atosov to name the source of information, and if he persists, then at least check all his contacts, calls, letters, messages, bank accounts: anything will come up.

Ivan Vorobyov spent many years in the Club, holding the position of defender of viewers. Being a tough and principled person, he drank a lot of blood and fairly patted the nerves of both the host and the Players. Sometimes he brought to the nervous breakdowns of the most emotional Captains. They repeatedly approached Igor with a demand to replace the harmful defender with someone more loyal and flexible, but he did not agree. He respected Ivan precisely for his integrity and did not want to indulge the Players in everything. But when Vorobyov was appointed to the presidential administration, he had to leave the entertainment show: participation in it no longer corresponded to his new status. Igor was forced, to the delight of the Players and his own chagrin, to replace Vorobyov with Mark Lehmann, protégé of the Director of the Main Channel, who treated his role in the Club lightly and negligently. Now turn to Vorobyev for help, as Sergei advises? Yes, perhaps they are in such a position that there is no other way.

The phone rang. Igor did not want to answer but, looking at the display, changed his mind and picked up the phone.

\- Yes, yes, I understand... I agree with you... Yes, I didn't intend to, it's impossible now... Yes, I understand... We'll try to do everything in our power. Goodbye.

He pressed the end call and looked gloomily at his interlocutors. Of course, he was expecting this, and yet the blow was painful.

\- Hertz said that due to the reputation scandal he is forced to remove us from the air.

\- How long? - Larisa asked tensely.

\- For undefined period. And yet - if we don't find out what is happening before the end of this year and give satisfactory explanations, the Main Channel will not conclude a contract with us for the next year.

***

All they could do, they did as quickly as possible, arriving at the office early in the morning and leaving after midnight, and finally, two weeks later, the director of the «Genesis» information research agency handed Igor a blue plastic folder in his hands.

\- Three different focus groups, - he said, - worked out your material. All of them, independently from each other put forward several versions - in many respects coinciding. Of course, there are some differences, but in the general analysis that our experts did, we tried to take into account all the nuances. So, a total of seven major versions were put forward. Each of them indicates the alleged defendants (candidates for criminals), their goals, as well as arguments for and against - the strengths and weaknesses of the version. Of course, you understand, and you and I agreed that none of these versions can be accepted as final, completely reliable, or serve as a reason for blaming anyone. In no case do we replace the work of the investigating authorities...

\- Yes, of course, - Igor agreed, - We agreed on this initially. We just needed an expert independent opinion.

\- Well, that's great. Study what happened, and if you have any questions, I will answer with pleasure. Yes, and you know, - he hesitated a little, - you understand correctly — one of these versions... or rather the very first... as they say, nothing personal, just all three groups put forward just that and, of course, we had to accept it, although I personally completely disagree with it.

Igor looked at him in bewilderment, but decided to leave questions for later. He returned to the office, gave a copy of the documents to Larisa, opened his copy and, having run his eyes through the first page, was dumbfounded. Immediately there was a loud joyful laugh of Larisa, in which, however, hysterical notes slipped:

- Garik, you paid them a lot of money to write that the most likely killer is you!

\- Wait, - he muttered. - Let's read it first, then we'll have fun.

Report of the «Genesis» Research and Analytical Center.

We offer you consideration seven versions of the complex of interconnected events that you have presented. Versions are arranged in decreasing order of probability: the first version seems to be the most probable, since all the events that have occurred fit into the proposed scheme. The latest version seems to be the least likely, as it contains many contradictions with the available facts.

Version number one. "Burning bridges."

Alleged defendant: producer and host of the program Igor Garf, hereinafter referred to as G.

Reasons: psychological trauma.

Purpose: to discredit the program, taking it off the air without the possibility of a return.

Hypothesis:

As we know, G has been working on show for several decades. He was the main assistant to the Founder. It was during his lifetime that Founder wanted to transfer all control of the program to G, but G refused, as he did not plan to connect his television career with this show. However, after the sudden death of the Founder under pressure from co-producer Kravchenko and the management of the Main Channel, he nevertheless assumed responsibility by leading the company and becoming the general producer and host. However, he did not receive any gratitude from the fans of the program for this. On the contrary, over the years, he has been forced to constantly accept criticism of himself and tolerate unpleasant comparisons with the Founder. The malicious comments of haters constantly appear on social networks: "ruined the great legacy", "pissed off the Game", "now the Club is not the same" and the like. No less often you can find a comparison of the manner of conducting the show, of course, it's not G.'s favor. If he shows rigidity and integrity, the Founder's fans write: "pretented the Great, mediocrity", "is he trying to portray the Founder? Where to him before him! It would be better to leave at all." If, on the contrary, G shows loyalty to the playing team, they write: "The Founder was not such a rag, kept the Players in check and did not allow such a shame." There are also regular assumptions that G writes the game script in advance, gives the Players the correct answers before the game starts - thus, everything happens according to the plot he conceived, and is not at all an improvisation, as it was originally intended and implemented by the Founder.

We suggested that constant unfair criticism of G led to serious changes in his emotional state, namely: he does not feel satisfaction from the results of his own work, but, on the contrary, experiences a frustration of the need for recognition, and also experiences an underlying sense of unfulfilled self-potential. If he did not engage in the show, he could have made his own career and his own big name on television, instead of remaining in the shadow of his great predecessor all his life. Based on this assumption, we believe that G might have a desire to end the Game. Not just to leave, leaving the rest to decide the fate of the program, but also to take revenge on all the ungrateful fans of the Game, destroying it forever, "burning all the bridges with you".

Arguments for:

G could easily provoke the so-called "situations of injustice", giving the points won by the Players to the viewers and vice versa, thus creating a false motive for the crime;

G had the opportunity to commit any of the killings of viewers. He rarely appears on screens and can travel around the country without risking being recognized by someone. Moreover, the victims from among the viewers, of course, recognized him, and gullibly let him in or followed him;

Mr. G had the opportunity to prepare and organize the murder of Alisa Vysotina — moreover, it was easier for him to do this than for others, since he knew the room very well and could think and prepare everything in advance;

It was not difficult to obtain a sample of Vitaly Karmanovich's handwriting and study in advance the location of the rooms and the way to quietly enter the hotel;

G knew very well that Ekaterina Tkachenko was under guard and could easily trap his friend Goncharov, who believed that G was busy searching for the killer;

He could have prepared Pavel Koltsov for the role of "scapegoat" in advance by preparing a fake page on a social network, and then luring him to the Club.

G has enough funds to order Atosov's show through an intermediary.

Arguments against:

there is no evidence of depression or other mental disorders in G;

it is not clear how and when G could give sleeping pills to Karmanovich, because no one saw him in the hotel».

Igor looked up at Larisa and saw that her face turned red, and tears appeared in her eyes from a barely restrained laughter.

\- You can, - he said, - start.

Larisa laughed out loud.

\- Garik, well, you really fit!

\- Yeah.

\- And how everything is logical and well fits! Maybe you'll go to the prosecutor's office with a confession?

\- It's easy. Only now, I'm afraid sincere recognition will not be enough, Sukhinin will require evidence. Well, there are some things taken from the dead as souvenirs, but I have nothing of the kind.

\- Maybe blood-stained clothes? \- Larisa asked hopefully.

\- Alas, - he spread his hands.

\- What you are not thrifty. Well then, let's read on.

«Version number two. "Career".

Alleged defendant: co-producer Dmitry Ushakov, hereinafter U.

Reasons: material gain, power, thirst for fame and recognition.

Purpose: discrediting program managers, their removal, taking the position of general producer.

Hypothesis:

U started working on the program about thirty years ago. At one time, the Founder appreciated his brilliant organizational skills and actively used them to develop his ideas. U is involved in all significant projects of the company, being also a playing Captain of one of the Club teams. He was one of the possible successors to the Founder as CEO of the company. However, after his death, U, as before, remained on the sidelines, and Garf took over the entire management. Perhaps this alignment did not suit U from the very beginning, but he did not have the opportunity to protest without risking his position. Perhaps his ambitions increased over time, as did his ability to achieve his desired goal. Suppose that U has his own ideas about the further development of the business and more efficient use of the potential of the ideas of the Founder, but does not meet the understanding of the current leadership, which prefers to adhere to the traditional model of the Game. U decides to discredit the company's management, break the contract with the Main Channel, and then, most likely through intermediaries, redeem the license for the Game from Garf and Kravchenko, becoming its new head.

Arguments for:

U has no alibi at the time of the murder of Vysotina and Karmanovich, but has enough money and connections on television to order a scandalous report.

Arguments against:

U often appears on television screens, has a characteristic memorable appearance and voice, is easily recognizable, which would greatly complicate the organization of the murders of four television viewers because of the high probability of recognition by train carriages, taxi drivers, and random witnesses.

Version number three. "In the name of the triumph of justice."

Alleged defendant: Pavel Koltsov, hereinafter K.

Reasons: satisfaction of obsessive needs, struggle for ideals.

Purpose: to prove to everyone that justice exists, and retaliation is inevitable».

Igor heard a scornful snort. He looked up and saw that Larisa was reading the same page as he, but decided not to be distracted for now.

«Hypothesis:

More than 20 years ago, K left the Club, being greatly offended by the Founder's unfair decision. We suggested that the psychological trauma received at that moment was not only not compensated with time, but was further developed, transforming into an obsession. He came to the conclusion that justice - even after years, not in relation to himself, but in relation to other people should be restored. Judging by the posts that he posted on his page, and in particular, according to the comments to them, K decided what was called "go on the warpath", proving the feasibility of his ideals. At first he defended the Players from the "unfair" decisions of the host. But since no one noticed this, K changed tactics and began to protect viewers. But undoubtedly, he still wants to publicize all episodes of the "triumph of justice" without exception. K is a journalist, worked for some time on television on the same channel as Atosov, so he most likely has a direct access to the TV presenter. He does not have money to bribe the latter, but perhaps he managed to convince Atosov, greedy for sensations, to release this scandalous show free of charge.

Arguments for:

All the evidence points to K: the roots of train tickets to the cities where the victims lived, a laptop on which fake pages and a suicide note were created;

K has no alibi at the time of the murders of Vysotina, Karmanovich, Goncharov;

K has not appeared on television screens for a long time, it has an ordinary unremarkable appearance, which means it could easily go unnoticed and unrecognized while traveling around the country.

Arguments against:

Being a clever person, K would still hardly have kept such evidence in himself».

\- Psychologists, damn it, - Larisa still could not stand it and angrily slammed the folder. - They all understand everything - mental trauma, a complex of unrealization! Nonsense! I know Dima Ushakov a hundred years! He is devoted to the Game, like you or me. I know Pavel, I spoke with him \- and he's not crazy, so that they don't write here!

\- Do not get mad ahead of time, we do not...

But Larisa did not listen to him.

\- Or maybe I also have some kind of psychological trauma? Maybe I've lost my mind and killed everyone?!

Igor quickly flipped through the folder to the end. Perplexedly staring at the latest version for a couple of seconds, he grinned:

\- No, you were not worth it.

\- Why so? Can't I have a psychological trauma? Yes, I've suffered so much with you over the years, it's time to go crazy...

\- Well, for example, - he asked with irony, - what a terrible injury you have that you are killing everyone?

Larisa thought for a moment, and then blurted out happily:

\- I am in love with Dmitry and I want him to replace you. And he promised to marry me, for example, if I make him the general producer!

Igor laughed:

\- Larisa, are you sure that you correctly understand the meaning of the expression "psychological trauma"?

\- Ah, well, yes, a little bit wrong... But I found a motive for myself!

\- Well done. If you want, I will personally add you to this honorable list.

\- Thank you, I no need. Okay, let's go further.

Version number four. "Reprisal."

Alleged defendant: Pavel Koltsov's personal enemy, possibly a member or employee of the Club, but not necessarily.

Reason: revenge.

Purpose: to put K in prison.

Hypothesis:

K has an enemy who, wanting to kill him, organized all the killings, and then threw up K.'s evidence. In this case, he must either be one of the company's employees who have access to information (viewers addresses, Players profiles, hotel room number, etc.), or have an accomplice from among them.

Arguments for:

This explains why so many obvious evidence was found in House K.

Arguments against:

This defendant does not make sense to order a revealing television show, it does not affect position K in any way. Here we are forced to admit that Atosov made the program on his own initiative, having received materials from some unknown source.

Version number five. "Scapegoat".

Here is a whole group of similar versions. They are based on the following assumption: the killings of viewers and Players were committed by different people, or by one person, but for different reasons.

Hypothesis:

K, obsessed with the idea of the triumph of justice, kills viewers. He later prepares and transfers Atosov materials for TV show, wishing to draw public attention to what is happening. But even earlier, one of the Club members stumbles on the Internet, in criminal news, on information about the death of a teacher, and a few months later - on information about the death of a third or fourth victim. He perfectly remembers the circumstances in which these people won the game, and being struck by such a coincidence, he begins to suspect something was amiss. The current member of the Club could easily recall similar episodes of "injustice" in recent games, and simply type in the search engine the names of the people he was interested in and find out that one of them was missing and the other was killed. For some reason, he did not share the information he found with anyone. Having correctly understood the motive for the murder, he calculates K, reads his Facebook page. Further events develop according to one of the following scenarios:

1) Alleged defendant, doubting the conclusions made, decides to talk to K. "honestly", and only then make the facts public.

2) Alleged defendant begins to blackmail K.

3) Alleged defendant uses the situation in order to crack down on his enemy, and blame on K.

Consider all possible candidates for this role:

1.Vysotina Alice. Makes K understand that she suspects him K declares to Garf his desire to return to the club, and in the meantime, carefully prepares the murder of Alice, creating evidence against Vysotin, and then, accidentally learning about the money given to Alice by captain Shmelev, and against Irina Krasinskaya. But he is not lucky: Vitaly Karmanovich, perhaps saw K coming out of the corridor where the utility room is located, or maybe noticed traces of blood on clothes, or saw K's manipulations with handbags, etc.

An intelligent and cautious man, loyal to members of the Club who were like himself, he did not dare to share this information with the investigation, but decided to question K. K was probably able to give a satisfactory explanation to Vitaly, and meanwhile he began to prepare to eliminate the dangerous witness. And again, no one suspected him, but here Garf connects Ruslan Goncharov to the investigation. Ruslan begins to reflect on everything that happened and he manages to remember that during the game of billiards it was K who was absent from the general hall for a long time. And again he repeats the same mistake: as the two previous victims, he does not contact the police and does not even share his discovery with Garf, but decides to verify the information himself. As a result, dies.

Arguments for:

Evidence pointing to K (see above).

Arguments against:

This version contradicts the fact that all the murders of the Players occurred after the incidents, which we conventionally called "situations of injustice". And here we are forced to admit that there was an unlikely, but still possible coincidence.

However, we can also offer another version of the same hypothesis:

So, K kills the viewers. One of the members of the Club suspects these crimes, but does not inform anyone. The name of the criminal is still unknown to him. The defendant is plotting the murder of Alice Vysotina. In this case, the defendants could be: Anton Bakhmetyev, Yaroslav Shmelev, Vladinsky Krasinsky and Irina Krasinsky.

Alleged defendant Bakhmetev (B)

Reason: A way to avoid being exposed.

Hypothesis:

Alice found out something incriminating B, for example, that he has a source of information in the Club that gives him answers to the questions of the Game in advance, and threatened B with exposing or forcing him to act in her personal interests (we mean the prompt to the team of Martin Kirs, the prompt to Alice herself).

B, wanting to get rid of the blackmail, arranged for the murder of Alice, creating evidence directly pointing to her husband. He uses the situation with the repayment of the debt, connecting new "suspects" in the person of the Krasinsky. On that day, he sees Koltsov returning to the Club, recalls his story and begins to guess about his possible involvement in the killing of viewers. He finds his Facebook page, where he sees the confirmation of his guess. Later, realizing that Georgy Vysotin might be released for lack of evidence and fearing that they would begin to look for another candidate in the dock, he develops a new plan - to blame Koltsov. In order for Alice's murder to go beyond the series of "retaliation", he needs to wait for a suitable case of "injustice" in relation to the viewers. The case presented itself in the third game of the spring series, when the team of Eva Fionina sat down at the table. B asked an accomplice (the one who gives him answers to questions) to get Vitaly's questionnaire and prepared a second murder. But during a series of summer games, B faces an unexpected difficulty: the presenter behaves in such a way that it becomes impossible to choose the appropriate "case of injustice". B guesses that the broadcast managers have already caught the motive for the crimes, and when the desired situation still occurs in the final of the summer series, it looks unnatural and suspicious, and B realizing that Garf and Tkachenko simply arranged a provocation, nevertheless decides to act, but "removes" not guarded Ecaterina, but the undisguised Captain of the team. Having decided that this is enough, he throws the laptop into Koltsov's shed and poisons the link to account to the prosecutor's office.

Arguments for:

B had no alibi at the time of the murders of Vysotina and Karmanovich, was with Alice in the pantry.

Arguments against:

If the assumption of the motive for the crime is wrong, and B really just plays well himself, then there simply is no other motive. He is hardly familiar with Alice; nothing connected them».

\- Damn on! - Larisa again with a vexation slammed a blue folder on the table. - Everything seems to be smooth and logical here, but to imagine that this red-haired nice little guy kills - one by one - sorry, I lack imagination. And then, what does it mean to receive answers to questions?! Why on earth would one of our people give sensitive information to him?!

Igor, for some time thoughtfully staring at the pattern on the wallpaper, suddenly started.

\- But he is good, - he said, - very good. Such brilliant insights! Just the new star of the Intellectual Game.

\- Come on! If so, then we do not control the situation in the Club at all!

\- Oh, - Igor's voice oozed poison, - did you just notice that now?

Larisa shook her head and again angrily buried herself in a folder.

«Alleged defendant: Shmelev (Sh)

Motive: writing off a debt that he is not able to pay.

Hypothesis:

Sh cannot return nine hundred thousand rubles to Vysotina, is afraid of a public scandal and prosecution. He is plotting the murder of Alice, casts suspicion on her husband and Irina Krasinskaya, at the same time ward off suspicions from himself, allegedly repaying the debt. We assumed that the money that Sh had transferred to Alice was counterfeit. Since they are material evidence in the murder case and are stored in the safe of the prosecutor's office, it does not occur to anyone to verify their authenticity. Later, realizing that Vysotin could be released for lack of evidence, he decides to blame the murder on Koltsov, and commits the next two murders to disguise them as a series. The line of reasoning is the same as in the case of person B.

Arguments for:

Sh has no alibi at the time of the murders of Vysotina and Karmanovich.

Arguments against:

This fact does not fit well with the fact that the questionnaire was lost, since it is doubtful that Sh would take risks by contacting someone at the Club for such help. It was easier for him to get a sample of Vitaly's handwriting by asking him to write something on a far-fetched pretext after the game.

Alleged defendant: Krasinsky - he, she, or both are conspiring.

Motive: jealousy, revenge.

Hypothesis:

As in the case of Bakhmetyev and Shmelev, Alice's murder is being conceived, Vysotin was originally planned to be the "scapegoat", later the criminals switched to Koltsov.

Arguments for:

Both spouses do not have an alibi at the time of the killings.

Arguments against:

Missing questionnaire does not fit into this scheme. The Krasinsky, as well as Shmelev, cannot ask someone to steal the questionnaire without causing suspicion;

the fact of finding money in Irina's purse also does not find a satisfactory explanation.

Version six. "Deadly resentment."

Alleged defendant: a former member of the Club, a guest of the Club, one of the viewers.

Motive: revenge.

Having studied the archived video materials that have been transferred to us, we can identify several people who left the Club as a result of a conflict who could hold a grudge.

1) Captain Roman Kashirin. He was forced to leave the Club as a result of the "conspiracy of Masters", as a result of which his team did not receive help from the Club during the games.

2) Starkov Sergey. Suspended from participating in the Game for political views that do not correspond to the official position of the Main Channel. If he had stayed in the Club, he would undoubtedly eventually become the fifth Master of the Game.

3) Eduard Levinsky. He left the Club with a scandal, not wanting to endure insults from the Founder.

4) The writer Osokin. While in the Club as an invited guest, he exercised his right to veto the decision of the presenter and awarded the viewers a victory in the Final of the year, bypassing the Players. For which he was subsequently subjected to multiple attacks and even bullying in the press and social networks. After the incident, Osokin not only didn't appear at the Game anymore, but even refused to participate in any television programs and rarely gave an interview. In those rare interviews that we managed to find, he speaks extremely sharply and unkindly about the Game and its creators. So it is possible in this case to assume the presence of psychological trauma, which has become the reason for the formation of the pathological need for revenge.

5) The viewer. The history of games contains many examples of "situations of injustice" in relation to viewers. In the era of the "intelligent casino", where money "could be earned with one's own mind," considerable sums were sometimes played. Suppose that the viewer, as a result of the host's unfair decision, lost a large amount that was vital for him at that time (saving business from bankruptcy, paying for treatment to a loved one, etc.) He could blame the Club's management for the misfortunes that happened to him due to the lack of the required amount.

Almost all of the persons involved (except for the Viewer, whom we do not know anything about) are successful and wealthy people, and therefore able to organize the entire series of murders of viewers and Players, as well as Atosov's bribe, but undoubtedly in this case they would need an accomplice in the Club, providing the necessary information and having committed at least the murder of Alice Vysotina.

If our person involved is a viewer, then he could, with some effort, get a job at the Club and commit all the killings on his own.

Arguments for:

all the persons involved are wealthy people who can materially interest a potential killer assistant.

Arguments against:

All of these defendants at one time appeared for quite a long time on television screens (or on the covers of their books), have a characteristic appearance and are easily recognizable. Thus, for the organization of all other killings, they most likely would need performers. This means that the club has a professional killer. How and by whom it was introduced there remains a mystery, but nevertheless this possibility cannot be ruled out;

Addition to the version: the person involved - the writer Osokin may also have a motive other than revenge. It is known that over the past five years Osokin has not written a single new book, and the last two detectives he wrote have not been popular with readers. Those found them boring, and the stories beaten up. There were many negative reviews from critics. Among writers, there is an opinion that Osokin can no longer write interestingly, can not come up with new original stories, "repeated" from book to book. By committing or organizing real crimes, Osokin hopes to awaken creative inspiration, which, apparently, has dried up in recent years».

\- Are they completely crazy? Garik, what do you think about this, God forgive me, the version about Osokin?

He smiled:

\- It seems like nonsense, of course, but by the way, you know, I tried to talk to him a couple of times. Somehow to make amends for this whole situation, but Evgeni Iosifovich reacted very sharply. So this version will also need to be checked.

- How are you going to check this?

\- Hands of professionals. We will resume cooperation with Arefyev's company. Let them check the alibis of all the "defendants" at the time of the murder of Ruslan.

\- You categorically refused to do this, forgot?!

\- The situation has changed. Now we have been challenged. Me and you. And we have to answer. I got a meeting with Ivan Vorobyov. He agreed to help, gave me the contacts of a person from the FSB who can provide the necessary information. Check all phone calls and SMS messages, messages in instant messengers, letters in e-mail and so on - both for all "alleged defendant" and for all Club employees.

Larisa nodded thoughtfully, and they returned to reading. There was the last, least likely version.

«The seventh version. "By order of the party and government..."

Alleged defendant: Director of the Main Television Channel Rostislav Hertz.

Motive: loyalty to the authorities, unquestioning blind adherence to the policies of the ruling party.

Hypothesis:

The Game is a unique authentic product on Russian television, has no analogues in the world. But not the fact that the ruling political forces want to see such a broadcast on the air. The fact is that the Game undoubtedly develops non-standard critical thinking, the ability to think, reflect, and draw its own conclusions based on available information.

Moreover, the Game is becoming more widespread among the "people" - school and student championships, adult championships, corporate competitions. Is the ruling elite interested in the emergence of a large number of smart and independent-minded people in the country? Judging by the trends that we can observe on today's television, the answer is no. Numerous political talk shows taking place according to one scenario, dull monotonous series, entertaining shows "with the stars" do not contribute to development, but rather to dulling the population, bringing public opinion to a common, necessary "denominator". And only the Game does not fit into this trend. If Rostislav Hertz was "made clear" that the show is undesirable, he will undoubtedly take it off the air, as he never argues with the country's leadership. But it's not so simple to remove and ban this old program, beloved since the days of the USSR by many viewers. To do this, you still need some significant justification. The murder scandal is enough to ban the broadcast. In the future, perhaps sponsors and managers of different ranks will receive "signals" about the undesirability of supporting the Game at the level of schools, universities, and corporations. Without state and sponsorship support, the Game cannot exist for a long time.

Arguments for:

Hertz certainly has enough resources for such an "order."

Arguments against:

The version nevertheless seems unlikely, since Hertz may simply not renew the contract with the company, motivating the refusal, for example, by an insufficiently high rating. As the English proverb says, "It is not necessary to burn a house in order to fry a pig."

Chapter Nine.

Already approaching Sukhinin's office, with whom he had previously agreed on a meeting, Igor heard someone's loud indignant voice. The voice was familiar, but Igor could not understand who it was. He had a vague feeling that the owner of this voice did not often have to scream. The voice was getting higher, and hysterical shrill notes were already heard in it. Igor stopped, listening, but then there was a sudden silence. The door swung open, nearly hitting him on the forehead. Excited, red from anger, Vlad Krasinsky, jumped out of the office. Seeing Igor, he stopped, tried to say something, but, not having control of his speech apparatus, waved his hand and rushed to the exit. Igor went into the office. Sukhinin stood by the window and watered the stunted geranium in a hardened pot.

\- A very useful plant, - he declared at the sight of Igor. - Kills germs and soothes nerves. Do not want to take the shoot for breeding?

\- No thanks, - Igor answered, dumbfounded by the unexpected offer.

\- In vain. You could use such a plant in your club, otherwise your Players are very nervous.

\- Why did Vlad shout so much? I never saw him like that - he is a quiet, very modest person.

Sukhinin finally stopped pouring a miserable flower and sat down at the table.

\- I say too nervous. I just invited his wife to talk: there were additional questions on the case. Why react so violently, one asks?

- Do you suspect Irina of anything?

\- The concealment of information relevant to the investigation.

\- What information?

\- About the theft of money from Vysotina. You see, I'm preparing a case for transfer to court. All tails should already be cleaned. Koltsov says that he didn't steal the money - he insist and that's it. Well, I thought, what if in fact? I decided to better shake this lady. Let it be recognized that she stole money from the opponent.

- Then it's clear why her husband is nervous.

- Previously, it was necessary to take care of the wife, - Sukhinin grinned unkindly, - when wanted a love affair with a beauty. But you seem to want to talk to me about something?

Igor sighed out a blue folder.

\- You can take this as you like, - he said dryly, - but nonetheless, I ask you to familiarize yourself. It won't take long, I'll wait.

Sukhinin gave him a suspicious look, but he took the folder and, putting his legs on the table, went into reading. Igor carefully watched the investigator, trying to guess what reaction the read caused in him. But the face of Yevgeny Valentinovich remained impenetrable. When he finished reading, he shut the folder and pushed it away from him.

\- I agree with version three, - he said calmly. - Arguments against - that allegedly is too smart, this, excuse me, is nonsense. Courts such arguments not considered.

- So you don't want to take other versions into account?

\- I wish, - a barely restrained laugh suddenly sounded in Sukhinin's voice, - version number one is magnificent! What a brilliant insight descended upon these giants of thought! Would you like to write confession?

\- Not.

\- Sorry. Then, all the same, we will dwell on version number three. Moreover, this "defendant" has already written a confession.

\- How?! You... you forced him! - Igor barely said. - Was his lawyer present at that? What did you do to him?!

\- What am I, what kind of beast? \- the investigator was offended. - I sat quietly in the office yesterday, did not touch anyone. Suddenly, a call from prison - the defendant asks for interrogation. I say: let's tomorrow, I will warn the lawyer. No, they say, he insists that right now and immediately. Well, they brought him in, I clarify again: maybe we will call Mr. Starkov, invite him? And he: do not need anything, give the paper and pen. And now, please, admire, Mr. Garf.

He handed Igor several fastened sheets.

\- As you can see, there are no blood stains.

Sukhinin's stupidity began to annoy very much, but Igor tried to restrain himself, spreading the sheets with trembling hands. What happened to Pavel? Did someone put pressure on him? Or... Is it really him?!

Sukhinin, no longer paying attention to him, gaily whistled a popular tune and sorted through papers on the table: some sent to a shredder, others poked at a folder, and the third put in boxes.

\- The dates are not the same, - Igor said quietly. - He wrote two dates incorrectly.

- Yes, he mixed it up, \- Sukhinin easily agreed, - and he also incorrectly indicated the name of the injured surgeon. Well, never mind, it happens, age is still, the memory is not the same. So in a couple of days I'll transfer the case to court and to Kemer!

Igor silently got up and went to the exit. There was no more strength to continue the conversation with Sukhinin.

- Hey, you forgot.

Smiling mockingly, Sukhinin handed him the folder.

\- Hand over this opus to waste paper, at least for some benefit to nature.

Igor had already reached the door, but suddenly turned sharply, went back to the investigator's table and stopped, hanging over him.

- Well, at least check whether real money or fake, can you?

\- Fake, - Sukhinin said calmly. \- Well, what are you staring at me? Hired some laymen to put forward versions.

- «No one will guess to check», - he mimicked. - I am an investigator, in your opinion, or an oak from Lukomorie? I checked it right away.

- But there is nothing in the case.

\- Is not it so? \- the investigator was deliberately surprised. - There should be an expert opinion.

\- Sergey did not see such a conclusion.

\- Lost somewhere? \- Sukhinin unnaturally perplexed. - I'll have to request a duplicate. In this mess, it could easily get lost. However, this does not really matter for the murder case. Let other investigators be interested in petty thefts and counterfeiters if they want, but I have done my job.

\- Yaroslav paid the debt with fake cash? This is some kind of nonsense!

- Ah, yes, it's not so customary with you, I remember, - Sukhinin was in a great mood. - However, he explained: that very day in the morning the courier delivered a package to Mr. Shmelev to the hotel. The receptionist did not look into the bag, he just handed it over as intended. But Shmelev found money and a note there - "give Alice tonight as payment of the debt, I will contact you later, I will explain everything." Our brave captain did not understand anything, but honestly transferred the money. Of course, he could arrange for himself the delivery of fakes, but by the way, this is not the case. And, of course, no one called him back.

- You simply ignore everything that does not fit into your version, - Igor burst out, -do not notice uncomfortable facts!

- This story with money is superfluous in this matter, - Sukhinin agreed. - It gets in the way all the time, like a bay leaf in a soup. You know, they put it for taste, but it's inconvenient, you have to catch it. Then you hold him like a fool, you do not know where to put it. Where you put a bay leaf, do not tell?.. No? Well, everyone has their own secrets. So this money is just inappropriately, popping up here and there.

\- And I heard, - Igor said sarcastically, unable to restrain the hostility towards the investigator anymore, - that in the investigation of the crime we need to find an explanation that would include all known facts and evidence.

\- Ah, you read a lot of novels in childhood by Conan Doyle and Christie, - he waved a dismissive hand. - Now you confuse reality and fiction. A typical mistake of layman. The professional knows that the most important thing is to catch the criminal and bring him to justice.

As soon as the door closed behind Igor, Yevgeny Valentinovich grabbed a notebook and began to write something quickly. Ten minutes later, after reading what was written, he nodded in satisfaction:

- The most unlikely version, then? Perhaps this is exactly what I need.

Chapter Ten.

- So you don't believe in Koltsov's guilt?

Viktor Konstantinovich Arefyev, director of the detective agency, a tall, large middle-aged man with hard folds at his mouth, has just finished reading materials from the blue folder.

\- I have doubts. I'm not allowed to see him, to talk. When we talked here at the Club, he looked completely normal. And he never spoke about that long history: he did not look either offended or "psycho-injured".

\- That is, this is your personal impression. Do you have any facts proving the innocence of Pavel Sergeevich?

Igor shook his head in dismay.

- As he explained to his lawyer, why did he write a sincere confession?

\- He refuses to meet with a lawyer.

- Well then, we have to keep two options in mind. First: Pavel Sergeevich is really guilty and now sincerely repents. Second: someone put pressure on him and forced him to confess. How can they blackmail him, don't you know? He has a family?

- Only an adult daughter and grandson, but they live in the Far East. He divorced his wife a long time ago.

\- I will need the address of the daughter. So, let's clarify what tasks you want to set for us? Find evidence of Koltsov's innocence?

- Maybe, of course, I want too much, but I would like you to find the killer and the customer, if it is possible. I gave you the results of the work of focus groups, but of course you can study the source materials that we have collected for them and draw your conclusions. I also want you to check the alibis of the "defendants" identified in six versions on the days when the assassinations of Ruslan Goncharov and four television viewers were committed.

\- At six? \- Victor Konstantinovich raised his eyebrows slightly. - That is, we will not check the first version?

- No, I meant the seventh version. Sorry, I do not believe in a government conspiracy against the Club. It would be flattering, of course, to think that we have such a strong influence on the development of the country's intellectual potential, but, alas, this is not so. Our program was very popular during the Soviet Union: then there simply were no other entertainment programs of this level, but now we have our own stable audience of a much smaller scale. TV shows, talk shows, and other programs have pulled most of the audience over, and now we don't have so many fans.

- But didn't modern TV really, umm... become somewhat dull and monotonous? For example, I almost do not watch anything, I read news on the Internet.

\- Well, firstly, this is not for everyone. If people did not like such a television, it would be different. Does television stupid the population or, on the contrary, simply adjusts to the general level and public demands? A moot point. Well, and then, because it's absurd to check Hertz's alibi - he would act through an intermediary, and the performer would not even know who he was working for.

\- I agree. Let us leave the seventh version as unpromising. And you, then, need to check?

Igor shrugged:

\- On the day of the murder of Ruslan, I was here from nine. I was seen by many people. From the cameras you can see that in the morning I did not go anywhere. And at five o'clock you arrived, and together we went to the hotel where Ruslan lived. When the viewers were killed, I was either in Moscow, or, like in the summer, when Anichkin disappeared, my wife and I were in Mexico. By the way, on the murder of Alice - I probably also have an alibi - someone was always next to me: either Damir Aydashev, our viewer, or Larisa. Arefiev nodded.

\- So, check the alibi of the defendants. Anything else?

\- According to the fourth version - to talk with the environment Koltsov. Does he have an enemy who would like to take revenge on him? In addition, tomorrow I have an appointment with Colonel Galanin from the FSB. He will give me printouts of phone calls and SMS messages, messages in instant messengers and social networks - both "defendants" and all employees and members of the Club in general — a week before and a week after each crime. This is a huge array of data - it needs to be analyzed. As for the rest, you can take any action that you consider necessary in order to get a result.

***

In order to somehow escape from the heart-rending anxiety and growing despair, Igor immersed himself in the affairs of organizing the world championship. Never before had he devoted so much time and energy to this area of work, giving everything to Dmitry Ushakov, who, in fact, had been responsible for organizing the sports version of the Game all these years. But now he had absolutely nothing to do. He no longer need to prepare for the autumn series - it will not be. He sat with Dmitry and his editorial team, realizing deep down that he was superfluousthe in harmonious, honed by years of experience, work of a friendly team, but still did not leave, afraid to be alone or alone with Larisa.

Ever since she heard Koltsov's confession, she walked around the office with an extinct gaze, and then drank coffee, staring unseeing out the window, or staring pointlessly at the monitor screen. For the first time, it occurred to Igor that Larisa, perhaps feel something is more than just respect to Pavel. Was he the cause of her more than cool attitude towards any pretenders to her heart?

Ushakov announced a break and they went out to smoke. Dmitry frowned, thinking about something, nibbled and pursed his lips, as if trying to keep the words torn out.

\- Listen, - he finally said, making up his mind. - Are you serious?

\- What is it?

\- Do you suspect me? Me?! Do you think that I am capable of killing our comrades?! Someone Arefyev came to me yesterday - tormented me with questions - where I was, what I did. He said that you instructed him to check my alibi.

Dmitry's nostrils were swollen, nodules were playing on his cheekbones, and Igor realized that he had already wound himself up to the state after which he usually started screaming, and then left, slamming the door and not wanting to listen to any more explanations.

\- Not only yours, - he answered as calmly as possible. - Mine too. As you can see, I also suspect myself. And he will check the alibi of Anton Bakhmetev, Vlad and Irina Krasinsky, Yaroslav Shmelev, Roman Kashirin, Sergei Starkov, Eduard Levinsky. Writer Eugene Osokin.

\- Why such a strange list? - asked Dmitry, cooling slightly.

\- All of these people could have one or another motive for committing a crime. For example, I was fed up with the hating of ungrateful viewers, and I decided to close the program, and at the same time take revenge on everyone.

Dmitry laughed nervously, covering his eyes with his hand, and nearly burned himself with a cigarette.

- But what are you... vindictive. Well, what do I have to do with it? Of course, they also pour mud on me after every game of my team. And I'm an old and worthless captain, and how much I offend my Players in vain. Here explain me why Fionina can make harsh remarks to her players when they are blunt and do not obey her, but I can't?

\- Because she is a beautiful girl and scolds young men. For our culture, this is natural. And you, my friend, scolded the elderly Morkovkin, whom many love more than you. So you got a portion of audience love.

\- So what? So angry that I began to kill everyone in a row? What is the point?

-No, you have a different motive. You are tired of being just an editor, you want to be a leading and general producer. You will compromise Larisa and me so that we can no longer go on the air, buy out the license for the Game under this pretext, and you yourself will rule and own everything.

Igor tried to speak in a deliberately joking tone, in every possible way demonstrating that he did not take such an assumption seriously, but his efforts were in vain: Dmitry abruptly extinguished an unfinished cigarette. His breathing was getting deeper, his nostrils were swelling, and Igor realized that scandal could not be avoided. There was nothing to lose and he went on the attack:

\- Why didn't you tell Viktor Konstantinovich where you were on the day of Ruslan's murder?

Dmitry, contrary to custom, did not shout. Pale and angry, he measured Igor with a cold arrogant look and said quietly, strangely:

- If you consider me a scoundrel and a murderer, that's your problem. If twenty-five years of friendship cost nothing, it means that I was mistaken in you, and this is my problem. And where I was - nobody cares, this is my personal business!

\- Do you have a lover? \- trying to keep calm, asked Igor. - So you can say, I won't find out who, why, how much...

\- What - how much? - hissed Dmitry. - How much do I pay her? Or how much have I sex with her?

\- How long have you been dating. This is not interesting to me. That is, interesting, of course, but if you do not want to discuss this, then I will not ask. And don't be so angry. Seven innocent people were killed, and another is in prison, and possibly threatened. Arefyev will check everyone, but you generally refused to talk to him and answer questions.

\- So you don't believe me? You think I betrayed you?! - now Dmitry was already screaming, not holding back.

\- In truth, no.

- Then why did you set this bloodhound on me?!

\- I did not set on! - Igor also yelled, discarding polite manners. - How many times to repeat - they will check everyone - me, you, everyone who works here, up to the cleaning lady, all the Players! Phones, SMS messages, letters, messages, pages on social networks - that's it! And no one will be an exception. I personally do not suspect you of anything, but we decided...

\- Who are we?

\- I, Larisa, Sergey Starkov - they also check him, and he, by the way, does not yell at me and is not offended. Although he did so much for us on this situation. Is it really not worth Pavel's life to suffer a little?

- I always yell, you could get used to it, - Ushakov muttered.

\- Well, I'm sorry, I was sure that the check would not work and, quickly dropping your candidacy from the accounts, Arefiev will be able to move on. And you are stubborn. Well, what's wrong with that, even if you have a left affair with some woman? It happens to everyone. I understand that you can't say such a thing to Larisa, she will be angry, but you can say to me...

- I have no affair with a woman! - exclaimed in annoyance Dmitry and for some reason blushing slightly, turned away.

Igor froze. Did he understand correctly? Oh Lord, is it really that his friend, who is sixty soon, suddenly realized to himself that...

\- With a man? \- he asked carefully. - It's nothing, I will understand it... and I will accept... eventually... probably...

\- What - with a man? \- Dmitry asked perplexedly and suddenly, realizing, he blushed already to the color of boiled beets and exploded again. - Are you completely crazy?! I've been married for forty years, I have two granddaughters!

\- Sorry, - Igor muttered, embarrassed, but still experiencing a huge relief, - you just so strangely put it: I have no affair with a woman.

\- Damn you, - Dmitry spat with annoyance. – You are crazy, indeed, as your fans write. I repeat where I was - it's my personal business, I am not obliged to report to you or to Arefiev!

Coming out of the smoking room, he slammed the door loudly.

«Well», - thought Igor sadly, - «it seems I lost another friend. Damn story! What will remain of us all after it»?

He put out his cigarette and wondered whether to start the second, and where to go now. Returning to work in Dmitry's group was now awkward, when suddenly the door opened and a panting Larisa burst into the smoking room with a feverish gleam in her eyes. Igor immediately tensed up.

\- No, they didn't kill anyone, - Larisa waved her hands, having learned to read his face over the years of collaboration. - Pavel escaped!

\- How did he escape?

\- Now this pedal horse called...

\- Who?

\- Well, Sukhinin, investigator. He, it seems, thinks that we have abducted Pavel! \- Larisa giggled.

- But how did he escape from prison? This is impossible.

\- During the investigative experiment. This horse, - noticing the slight movement of Igor's eyebrows, Larisa smiled indulgently, - Okay, Evgeny Sukhinin - took him to the place where Ruslan was killed. There is a deserted lane, but there is a nearby arch in the house through which you can drive. In general, while they were busy with some of their equipment, Pavel pulled into this arch, and there some car was waiting for him. Toned, no numbers. He dived into it and drove away. Not caught up.

- Now I don't understand anything at all, - muttered Igor. - Where did Pasha have friends who could arrange an escape?

Glancing again at Larisa, he realized that she was completely indifferent to where friends could come from, more like members of a criminal group than members of the Elite Club - she was completely happy. The police did not spoil her mood either, who appeared two hours later with a search. She gladly led them around the room, along the way for some reason having arranged an excursion.

- Here, look, - she chirped cheerfully, - here we have a closet. The one where Alice was killed. On the left along the corridor you see the most spacious room of the Club. Here we usually receive guests and journalists. Next are the editorial, technical room. Caution, here is the cable! We wouldn't keep Pavel here, he would have broken our equipment. He's awfully awkward, you know. This is a wardrobe, maybe he hid in a closet? Well look, of course, what else do you do? Or maybe he sits in the garden under the bushes? You look, suddenly he hid there?

The lieutenant, who led the search group, frowned at her, and in fact gave the order to search the Old Garden. They finished late in the evening, and left, leaving one policeman on duty.

\- And what, will you watch here at night? That is great! - Larisa continued to rejoice. - We will have a free night watchman.

Thank God, until thought, which was increasingly bothered Igor, did not get in her mind. Finally, unable to stand it, he closed himself in the commentary room and called Sergey Starkov, trying to speak as quietly as possible.

\- The police just left me, - Sergey said immediately. - The search was done and interrogated. On the subject, did I help my ward in organizing the escape?

\- But you didn't help?

-Of course not. Sukhinin helped him rather, - Sergey laughed.

\- Like this?

\- I called someone. Our investigator is in big trouble. Not only that, he incorrectly, with violations, organized a trip to the crime scene: he did not take enough security, did not check and did not cordon off the place, he also got underfoot and interfered during their attempt to catch Koltsov. He did not give the officer a shot at the runaway prisoner. And when everyone got into the car and went in pursuit, he started yelling at the driver and grabbing the wheel. As a result, the police car skidded and drove into the lamppost, and here, in fact, the chase ended. You know, if Sukhinin did not want to arrest Koltsov so badly, I would have thought that it was he who organized the escape.

\- Yeah, - Igor answered absently.

He decided to share his anxiety.

\- Sergey, I was thinking, what if he didn't run away himself?

- You want to say that the same people who forced him to write a confession have now abducted him? Make him run and get into their car? Well, if that is so, then I'm afraid we may never see him again.

\- So I think... Just don't talk about this Larisa, okay? She is so glad that he escaped. I hope she doesn't understand.

Chapter Eleven

Igor opened the refrigerator and, not restraining himself, used a few unprintable expressions. A calm well-fed life with Margo did not, alas, last long. After that terrible Atosov broadcast, Margot was imbued with sympathy and desire to support her husband in every possible way: she cooked deliciously and did not talk about diets anymore. But after a couple of weeks there was a disaster.

That Saturday, the capital was in traffic jams, and Margarita decided to go shopping by metro and take a taxi on the way back. And in the subway, a certain young man (where did he just come from!), when he saw Margo in a tight-fitting dress, decided that she was slightly pregnant, and being a well-mannered man gave her place. Margo mechanically refused, at first mistaking his noble gesture for ordinary politeness when the gentleman gives way to a lady, but the young man (may God give him a beautiful wife who gets fat after forty), gently but persistently began to convince her of the need to protect the «future child»... In the evening, all edible products again went to the trash.

With disgust, having drunk low-fat kefir, Igor went to work, where Viktor Konstantinovich Arefyev and Larisa were already waiting for him. On the way, he gloomyly wondered if he could rent an apartment somewhere in order to be able to eat normally, when he suddenly had a curious idea. But is it true that he has few talented acquaintances who are versed in electronics?

\- So, to summarize, - Viktor Konstantinovich opened the notebook, written in small, illegible handwriting. - First, the most unpleasant. As soon as we received your order, I sent one of my employees to Dalnegorsk to chat with Koltsov's daughter. But she was not there. The boss at work said that she quit a week ago. He insisted on the prescribed two-week working off, but Elena no longer went to work. She called and said that she was leaving with her child in Moscow to her mother. She told her neighbors that she was leaving for a month in Moscow, on vacation. But in Moscow she is not. Mother, Koltsov's ex-wife, knows nothing. The daughter called her and said that she and Grisha had flown to Turkey for two weeks. So where Elena Pavlovna and her son are now is unknown. Just in case, we requested the airports of Moscow and Vladivostok: among the passengers flying to Turkey, they were not. So, it is possible that Koltsov is really being pressured by blackmailing. I informed Colonel Galanin, now all necessary measures are being taken to find them.

Larisa, who was present during the conversation, sighed frantically and covered her face with her hands.

\- Further, according to the alibi of the defendants. The defendant Garf, - Arefiev looked at Igor, - you have an alibi at the time of the murders of Vysotina, Goncharov and all viewers. Theoretically, you could call in a hotel and drop Karmanovich from the balcony, but you did not have the opportunity to add sleeping pills to him. So you can only be a customer, but not an executor.

Larisa snorted, Igor calmly nodded.

\- The second version, the defendant Ushakov categorically refused to provide information about his whereabouts on the day of the murder of Goncharov. So we had to find out for ourselves. According to his wife, until 11:00 in the morning he was at home, then he went off somewhere on business, but he came to work only at 15:00. This time period coincides with the time of the death of the victim. So his refusal to testify at first looked very suspicious. But we nevertheless established where he was at that time - according to his correspondence in Viber. He made an appointment with a certain Olga Petrovna Khudyshkina, who lives in the South-Western District. Olga Petrovna confirmed that Dmitry Sergeyevich was with her that day from 12:00 to 13:30. And this means that right away from home he went to her, from her - to the office. He would not have time to get to the other end of Moscow in order to commit a murder and return to work, unless, of course, Khudyshkina did not lie.

\- So, still, a woman, - Larisa hissed evilly, - you are all the same men! How old is she?

- Twenty-eight, but it doesn't matter, there is another...

Arefiev did not have time to finish the sentence.

\- Old womanizer! He wanted young girls! - raged Larisa. - No shame, no conscience!

Viktor Konstantinovich looked at her with a strange expression, but without adding anything else, he returned to his notes.

\- In those days when viewers were killed, Ushakov did not leave Moscow. The next version, with the defendant Koltsov. Alibi for killing Players, as we know, he does not. According to viewers - is unknown. We can't talk with him, the ex-wife is not in the know. He works as a freelancer, writes articles and essays on order, translates. You can do this anywhere, it is not necessary to sit in Moscow. So, even if he renounces his confession, the big question is whether there will be witnesses who remember that on these days he was in Moscow. It would be possible to navigate by phone calls - if they were not made in roaming, then he was in Moscow. But for these days, data on calls are not available. Either he didn't call anyone, or they were removed by someone from the provider's base.

To learn about his enemies (version four), eager for revenge, failed. Neither the ex-wife nor the close friends interviewed by us could recall any significant conflicts. However, we have not yet had time to work out this version until the end. We need to interview his former colleagues from television. Next - the defendants from version five - Bakhmetev, Shmelev, Krasinsky. In short, everyone has an alibi. In the fifth version, it was assumed that Koltsov could kill the viewers, and the murders of the Players were committed the aforementioned defendants, but we found out that all four left Moscow at night, or early in the morning, when Ruslan Goncharov was still alive. So this version also disappears. In the sixth version, our defendants can only be customers of the murder, so it makes no sense to check their alibi.

\- Oh, - Larisa breathed, \- it means, after all, these are not our Players.

\- Not. But some may be involved.

\- How?

\- We turn to the most interesting - the analysis of calls, letters and messages. At the first check, we did not find anything suspicious. Absolutely nothing. We began to check more carefully, and finally an interesting coincidence surfaced: a certain subscriber, judging by the SIM card by the name of Ivanov, called your Serious Master for the first time - on the eve of the murder of Vysotina, the second call directly on the day of the murder, about thirty to forty minutes before the crime, and another call the next day. Then Ivanov calls the Master in the morning of the day when Goncharov was killed. We checked additionally: in the interval between these two events, Ivanov did not call the Master again. A curious coincidence, and we began to carefully look in this direction. The day after the murder of Goncharov, the Master receives an e-mail. We check the sender's address: the mailbox is registered to the phone number of the same Ivanov.

\- What about the letter?

Arefiev pulled out a pack of A4 sheets from his portfolio.

\- In the letter there are two words: "Your payment", and here is this application. Look, maybe this is familiar to you?

Igor and Larisa quickly ran their eyes in lines printed in small print. First page, second, third... Larisa shrugged:

\- It looks like some kind of novel.

\- The next day the Master sent this text to the editorial office of the Sever Publishing House, in a cover letter he indicated that he had finalized the text in accordance with the comments of the editor.

\- He wanted to write an art book, - Igor recalled. - He had already written popular science books, but they were not very successful. He writes a little... boring, a lot of dry theory and general reasoning. For readers, unless they have a scientific mindset, it is hard to perceive his texts. He told me that he was going to write a lyrical novel. But it was a long time ago, I then somehow asked him how things are going with the book, he replied that while he was working on it.

\- Gena, my employee, talked to the editor of the publishing house. Last year, the Master brought them his trilogy novel, but they did not accept it.

\- Why?

\- They said the plot was trivial, it was written tightly and uninteresting, there was little intrigue, a lot of philosophy. They no need such material.

\- And the last version of the manuscript? The one that Alex received from Ivanov?

\- He had not had time to get acquainted yet, but Gena asked to look at the text at least casually, diagonally, and say whether it is very different from what the Master brought earlier. The editor read about twenty minutes. He chuckled and said that it was much, much better: the plot is similar to the one in the first version, but the style is completely different. The language of presentation is lively, imaginative, dynamic.

For a while, all three were silent.

\- So this is what happens? - Larisa asked frowningly. \- Do you think Alex is involved in this so that someone redid his weak text? Does he crave writer's fame? But who does this for him?

- And we have a talented writer among the defendants, - Igor said dryly. - Version number six, remember? "Deadly resentment."

\- That is, Osokin decided to take revenge and hired Alex - not for money, but for the novel? And did Alex agree to kill? No, Garik, this is again some kind of nonsense.

- The Master has an alibi for the time of the murder of Goncharov. He was at work at the university, dozens of students and teachers saw him there, - Arefyev said. - One could assume that Ivanov's calls and letters are not related to the killings and simply coincided in dates, but I personally don't like such coincidences. It is necessary to check of your Master, as it should. However, this is not all. The next player, who is also somehow involved, is Anton Bakhmetyev.

\- Still, Anton? - Larisa sighed distressedly. \- Such a nice boy!

\- The glorious boy received a phone call from a certain subscriber Grigoryev the day before the murder of Vysotina. It would seem that this is so, well, some friend or acquaintance called him. But the trick is that it was from this Grigoriev SIM card that the fake Facebook account Vysotina was registered on the same day. And the fake account of Bakhmetyev himself is registered from a SIM card, guess whom? That's right, Ivanov, who had previously called the Master. Therefore, a certain Ivanov registers an account, signing it with the surname of Bakhmetyev. And someone Grigoriev is registering Alice's fake page. Then Ivanov and Grigoriev, however, most likely, this is the same person, writes a passionate dialogue between lovers, and then calls Anton and for two whole minutes discusses something with him. What about? Bakhmetev never mentioned this call. I asked Colonel Galanin to print all Bakhmetyev's phone calls over the past two years. So - Grigoryev called the boy four times: in March, in November, and twice in December last year. Each time the conversation lasts about two to three minutes. This does not match the dates with the killings. But my Gena remembered what your researchers wrote about Bakhmetyev's possible motive and guessed to compare the dates of calls with the dates of games in the Club. And here's what happened: the first call was made the day before the game of Bakhmetyev's team in March last year, where the guy was able to show brilliant result in the last rounds and lead the team to victory. The second - already in November, the day before the game of the team of crystal atoms, in which Bakhmetyev took part and again showed an amazing result. The third one was in December, the day before the Martin Kirs team's game, where Bakhmetiev inappropriately gave a hint, and the fourth call, which I already spoke about, was December again, the day before the Final of the year.

Then Larisa grabbed her head and screamed:

\- Pig! He really gets answers to the questions of the Game! That is why he plays so well! That is why he knew the answers and could prompt during the games of Kirs and Shmelev. And he didn't do it by accident!

\- Yes, - Igor agreed. - But he also has an alibi. So he is not a performer. Who is this Ivanov-Grigoriev who involves our Players in his own game? The writer Osokin? But he does not have access to information, he cannot know the questions.

- I don't know if Osokin has anything to do with it, but Ivanov-Grigoriev should be one of yours who has such access.

- We again returned to the same point where we started, - Igor remarked dejectedly. - Someone from ours, but we do not know who.

\- Now we know a little more, - Arefyev objected, - we need to press it against the wall of your Master and shake him properly. And... make the boy confess.

Chapter Twelve.

\- Hello, Rostislav Fedorovich.

In the office of the producer of the Main Channel Rostislav Hertz, where Igor arrived at the invitation of his master, it was fresh and a little cool. The panoramic window opened up with a wonderful view of the capital, which had already changed into festive neon outfits on the occasion of City Day. The day was warm and quiet, which are at the beginning of September. The trees, although they dropped the foliage, still delighted the eye with calm greenery. However, the owner of the cabinet clearly did not share the pacified state of nature, and the delightful panorama did not help him find peace of mind.

\- Good afternoon, Igor Gennadievich. Have a seat. Unfortunately, the conversation with you will not be very pleasant.

Igor sat in a chair opposite. Hertz looked tired, annoyed, and even somehow aged. Wrinkles sharply appeared on the pale face, the gray hair became noticeably more than in their last meeting.

\- Tea or coffee? - Hertz asked abruptly, not looking at Igor.

\- No, thank you.

The head of the Main Channel clasped his hands in the lock, chewed his lips, and then got up and began to pace the office. His manner of speech also changed - instead of the usual soft and friendly tone, he spoke sharply and abruptly:

\- You have lost control over what is happening in your Club. As a result, seven people died. Moreover, you made a public scandal and the publication of these facts.

\- But...

\- Silence! You yourself perfectly understand that after all this, you can't appear on the air as if nothing had happened!

\- But we do not appear.

\- And will not appear. Neither this year nor the next. At first I thought that maybe the arrest and trial of Koltsov would save the situation, but now that he has disappeared and it is not known whether they will be able to find him.... No, I will not sign a contract with you.

\- Clear.

\- And no other channel will. Do not hope that you will be able to migrate to another owner.

\- You are not my owner.

Hertz grunted contemptuously.

- But you understand it no worse than me - show must go on. Spectators love the Game. The public does not care how many people die as a result. So, it still must return to the screens.

\- What do you have in mind? Want us to change the lead?

\- Leading - of course. For all these years, you have never been able to please people. They don't love you, they don't want you. But this is not enough, I want to remove all the producers - you, Ushakov, Kravchenko. You have lost confidence and can no longer manage the show.

\- But we are actually legal owners.

\- And what's the point in your ownership, if you still can not use it? You will sell all your copyrights to the Main Channel. Do not worry, the price will be good. We will select another leader and producer, and then the Game will return to the screens again. There will be no other option. If you want to save your precious Game, agree to these conditions. No \- that means the Game will cease to exist. Without television support, all your other championships will not last long. People will quickly lose interest in the Game if there is no Elite Club.

Igor thoughtfully looked at the head of the Main Channel. There was a strange sensation inside, an icy cold suddenly ran down his back.

\- Well? \- Hertz sharply asked, turning around.

He stood three meters from Igor, demanding looking into his eyes.

\- Do you need time to think? I can give you a week, maximum - two.

- And what if you organised all the killings in order to steal the show from us? - unexpectedly for himself Igor blurted out and immediately regretted it.

- Are you out of your mind, Garf? - the owner off rich apartment hissed. - Do you realize what you have told?!

His face twisted with rage and looked like a mask.

\- Sorry, - Igor said hastily, - these are nerves. I will think about your offer.

He went to the exit, feeling with his back the drilling, hating gaze of Hertz.

***

All attempts to get the Serious Master in the Club ended in failure - he endlessly referred to strong employment at the beginning of the school year. Then the three of them decided - Larisa, Igor and Viktor Konstantinovich - to come to him directly to the lecture. Under the surprised looks of the students, they proudly marched across the entire audience and sat in the front row.

It was completely empty. Students, as you know, prefer to occupy strategically advantageous places at the end of the hall. At the sight of a trio who entered without an invitation, Alex stumbled half a word and stared at the uninvited visitors in bewilderment. Students whispered and exchanged glances. There was an awkward pause. Realizing that there would be no explanation from Garf and his company, Club Master Alex Gorokhov cleared his throat and announced loudly:

\- That's all for today. You can be free.

\- How is it all? \- some thin bespectacled man sitting in front of everyone was indignant. - We just started - just twenty minutes from the couple has passed. You actually get paid for the lectures.

\- Kitty, shut up! \- someone hissed from the back rows. - Told you - everything means everything. The professor knows better how much information we can learn at one time.

With a joyful giggle, the students began to crawl out of the audience to meet the warm autumn sun, and dragged behind them the clever Kitty.

\- We will catch up later, - the Master promised a weak voice.

He left the pulpit where he was giving a lecture, took a chair and sat down in front of the first row.

The Master was noticeably nervous: he twisted his fingers so much that his knuckles turned white, he bit his lip and sat on the very edge of the chair, as if he was ready to jump up and rush off at any moment.

Arefyev, on the contrary, settled down relaxedly, leaning back in his seat, and with cold curiosity examined the Master through half-closed eyelids. Larisa was breathing deeply, apparently trying to calm down. Igor was strangely indifferent. Maybe because they had nothing to lose. He took out a pack of A4 sheets of printed text from his briefcase and placed it in front of Gorokhov.

\- What is it? \- Master asked nervously. - Why did you interrupted me? I may be in trouble. Any questions on the World Cup?

- You will discuss issues of the World Cup with Ushakov, - Igor said coldly. - And you will be in trouble right now. Take a look at this text, Alex. Do you recognize?

The Master took the sheets, ran through his eyes, and suddenly, turning pale, put them back.

\- Why are you showing me this? Where did you get this?

\- As amended by the Sever Publishing House. This is your novel that you gave them last spring. Alas, the editors did not find it interesting and refused to publish it. Now take a look at this text.

Igor pulled out a second pack. The Master glanced briefly at it, but did not read. Now he looked down, biting his lips, and it was clear that he was feverishly pondering something.

- You sent this text to the editorial office a day after the murder of Ruslan, - continued Igor. - I have a lot of free time now, Alex, so I read both manuscripts. The first option to read was frankly boring - a lot of reasoning, moralizing, overly long confusing phrases and unsuccessful metaphors. At the same time, the plot is rather sluggish and some heroes are stamped: this good, that bad, this hero, that evil. Somehow everything is very categorical, without halftones. And here is another option.

He tapped the second pack with his finger.

- You know, I just couldn't come off. The same names of heroes, the plot is similar, but it is written in a completely different way: sharp, dynamic, with humor. Complex and multifaceted characters, storylines are more confusing, the intrigue is interestingly twisted. In a word, a completely different style - as if another person was writing.

He stopped. The Master jerked his head and turned away.

\- So it's true, the other one, - Igor continued quietly. - Is that so, Alex? After all, Osokin wrote this?

Gorokhov stubbornly remained silent, bowing his head and not looking at anyone.

- He called you — the day before the murder of Vysotina, then 30 minutes before the murder and again the next day, - Arefyev's voice sounded suddenly and sharply, and Gorokhov involuntarily started. - Did you kill her?

Alexei, pale as a canvas, stared in horror at the detective.

\- Not! \- he cried out and coughed.

No one offered him water.

\- Not! \- he shouted again hoarsely. - I had no idea! It was a completely different matter...

- So what was Osokin talking to you on the phone about?

- The first time he called me even earlier, somewhere in the end of autumn, he said that he had seen my manuscript. He said that he considered the material interesting, but incomplete, and suggested that he will edit it. I replied that I could hardly pay him off. If only we will become co-authors and, accordingly, share the fee for the book. But he explained that he needed neither money nor copyrights.

The Master swallowed, sighed, and reluctantly continued:

- He wanted to take revenge on you... well, for that story, you remember... Osokin believes that you purposely made him a scapegoat - for the sake of fun, for the sake of your rating. I asked what exactly he wants from me...

\- That is, you cattle, - Larisa hissed, - began negotiations with him on how to revenge us?

- I... I just wanted to know what he means, - the Master mumbled, - but he said that he would call later, tell me what to do. The day before the Final, he called, gave the task of setting a fire in the Club. How - is my personal business. For this he will send my remade novel. He said that it was ready.

\- Further!

\- I found on the Internet instructions for making the simplest time bomb, bought everything I needed. I made it, carried it, seized the moment and hid it in this damn pantry. I did not know that someone would be killed there! - he shouted again, losing control of himself. - It was supposed to explode four hours after the game, and even then - not much, no one would be hurt!

\- How could you, - Larisa whispered, closing her eyes, - Alex, how could you...

\- But the Club is insured anyway! You would get the money, make repairs. The design will updated, it could finally expand the game room - there's nothing to breathe in it!

\- Well, of course, - Igor said sarcastically, - you acted for our good. What's next?

\- What's next? - fearfully asked Gorokhov. - I told you everything.

\- Not everything, - Arefyev said coldly. - Explosion and fire did not happen. The murder of Vysotina confused your plans, and you did not receive the manuscript. But Osokin calls you again: twice, on the day of the murder of Goncharov, and the very next day he still sends you the promised manuscript. You didn't kill Goncharov, there are many witnesses to this, but still you did something, right? That for which you received the promised.

Alex covered his face with his hands.

- I did not know... I swear I did not know what I was doing! When he called me after the murder of Alice, he swore that he had nothing to do with it, that it just coincided.

\- And you, of course, believed? \- Larisa asked viciously.

\- Of course, I believed, he is an intelligent person, what relation can he have to murder?

Larisa snorted.

- And when he called again, he asked me to make some phone calls — nothing criminal. Then he changed his mind, demanded that I find another person who would make these calls.

- Korosteleva Larisa Nikolaevna, a student at this university, - Arefyev said dryly. - It was from her phone that Koltsov was called all day. They kept him in an apartment under the pretext of checking a gas stove. What did you promise her?

\- To set off. She does not understand the subject at all, she has not passed it three times already. If you knew what she offered me for this offset, - the Master giggled shyly.

- How did you explain your request?

\- So, as he ordered: one person needs to be played. I did not even know that she called Koltsov. And did not know what she was telling him. I just agreed with her and gave Osokin her number. And he gave her instructions.

\- And when Ruslan was killed, Koltsov was arrested, and it became known that he did not have an alibi due to some phone calls - didn't you guess at anything?

\- I started to guess. Yes, he did not unlock. He just began to threaten me, and then I got scared.

\- Scared?! - again as angry cat hissed Larisa. – Pavel is languishing for a month in prison, his daughter and grandson kidnapped, he is forced to write a confession, and our Master was scared!!!

The Master stared at her bewilderedly and pathetically shuttled:

- I... I did not know about his daughter and grandson... I did not know anything!

\- How do you get in touch with Osokin? - Victor Konstantinovich firmly asked, not allowing him to come to his senses.

\- No way. He calls himself, the number is not determined, I can not call back.

\- How do you know that this is Osokin?

\- He introduced himself.

\- Do you know his voice? Are you familiar with him?

\- Not.

\- That is, if someone called you, let's say, I, and say you that I am Osokin, would you believe?

Alex shrugged:

\- Well maybe. Why would anyone introduce themselves as Osokin?

- Clearly, I have no more questions.

\- I can go? - asked the former Master of the Games timidly.

\- Get out, Judah! - snapped Larisa. - So that your legs are no longer in the club! You not only betrayed your friend, you destroyed the Game!

After Gorokhov left, she somehow went limp, as if air had been released from her.

\- This is the second, - she said incomprehensibly into space.

\- What is the second?

- Over the past year, we have already lost the second Master, - she explained sadly.

\- Larisa, I beg you! We actually lost the Game!

-We will see this again, - Larisa stubbornly pursed her lips. - At least now we can protect Pavel.

\- But this is not a fact, - Arefyev noted. - True, there were calls, but you can not prove that he received them while sitting at home, and not walking around the streets. Gorokhov's testimony brought a little clarity, but in essence did not give anything. Although now we know that the killer and the Demoman are different people, otherwise we still could not understand how and why this bomb was in the closet.

\- Why not? - Igor was surprised. \- Now we know that the organizer and customer is Osokin.

- Or the one who impersonates him.

\- No, - Igor shook his head, - I really read the novel. True, there is more to it, but even from this beginning it is clear that master wrote it. This text was created by someone very talented, an non-professional could not do it.

\- We'll check Osokin. Gently, carefully. Why do I doubt it? Look, if Osokin hired a killer from among those who working at the Club, then why did he need Gorokhov? The same killer could install explosives and arrange calls to Koltsov. Somehow it's ridiculous, illogical.

- Specially, everything is confusing, - suggested Larisa. - He is a master of the detective genre. And in the detective, how should everything be? To many suspects, so that evidence points to different people. So he specifically confuses the tangle. He sent fake money to Yaroslav to cast suspicion on him. His performer transferred the money to another purse and entangled Irina. He forced Bakhmetev to prompt in order to weave Kirs in. He invented fake correspondence between Alice and Anton, made this freak bring explosives to suspect Vysotin. Then he confused everyone with a suicide note by Karmanovich. In a word, the master of the genre plays with us, don't you see?

\- And is this inspired him by the creation of new masterpieces? - Igor asked with incredulous irony. - That is, that wild assumption from version six?

\- I don't know, - Larisa answered irritably. - Maybe inspired, maybe just avenged.

***

They decided to do the same with Bakhmetyev, using the same technique of sudden appearance that worked so well with the Master, even if they had to fly to Minsk for this. Larisa in advance, under an assumed name, made an appointment with Anton for a consultation. When the three of them: a huge two-meter Arefyev and not so large, but determined Igor and Larisa, came together in his office, the on-duty white-toothed smile on Anton's face first froze, and then slowly began to crawl from his rapidly turning pale face. They sat on chairs opposite the young consultant and just silently looked at him.

\- Game over, - Anton whispered softly.

\- Yes, - Igor calmly agreed, - that's right. Tell us, my dear friend, our rising star, who gives you questions? Will you tell me yourself, or do you need help?

\- I thought it was you...

Igor raised his eyebrows in amazement.

- Well, at first, anyway, I thought so. I honestly went through the qualifiers, I was going to play myself, and then suddenly a call on the eve of our first game. And someone begins to mutter: "Remember, but don't tell anyone. Moscow, the answer - does not interfere with the fish. Magnitogorsk is the answer - Kokoshnik." Well, and so on. I even thought it was some kind of psycho calling, and then it dawned on me. And I thought... sorry, of course, it was a fool - that you yourself did it.

- Why would I do this?

\- Well, for example... support the young team. This was our first game. If not for this call, we would have lost.

\- I never do that. We have other ways to support young teams.

\- Well, yes... But then I thought so. And before my second game in November, there was the same call. And then - before the game of Kirs. They called me, dictated the answers again. I thought they were wrong: I will not play. I said this, and he ordered to shut up and ordered to give a hint to the team so that everyone would hear. And do it when it leads to a loss, for example in the decisive round. But there a convenient moment arose earlier. No, of course I began to refuse, but he said that... sorry for God's sake, this is your order.

\- Mine?

\- Yes. And that you want it, for your reasons that do not concern me. And if I don't do what they say to me, then our entire team will be kicked out of the Club.

\- And did you believe?

\- I believe it. I thought you had some kind of intrigue there, and you use me. I even wanted to leave.

\- But you still haven't left?

Anton shook his head:

\- I did not want to let the guys down. They didn't know anything. And dad would be upset. He was so happy when you took me. All his life he dreamed of getting into the Elite Club, but he did not succeed.

\- I see. Go on.

\- Before the end of the year there was again the same call - and an order: to prompt Alisa Vysotina, but this time so that no one could see. I did, you know. Well, then... and then she was killed. And then I realized that you probably had nothing to do with it.

\- Why didn't you tell me?

Anton took off his glasses and rubbed them with a white napkin for a long time. Then he answered quietly:

\- Because I did not understand what was happening. And because I wanted to live. I thought that now they could also kill me as an unnecessary witness. And if I keep silent, it will be safer. I don't really know anything. I don't even know what number they called from.

\- Did he tell you anything when he called before the game of the spring series, after the murder of Alice?

\- He never called again.

\- And how did you find out the answers to the questions of the game? You brilliantly played this game, helped the team win the decisive point.

Bakhmetev shrugged:

\- Well, as it turned out, I myself can play.

Arefyev looked questioningly at Igor. He nodded.

\- That's what, man, - the detective entered the conversation. - Tell me, did you remember well the voice of the one who called you? Can you recognise?

Anton nodded.

\- Wait, - Larisa intervened, - you understand that this is most likely one of the Club employees. Did your voice sound familiar to you?

\- Firstly, I did not much communicate with the Club employees. Secondly, this is not necessary at all. Your computer could be hacked, anyone can do it and see the questions.

\- We have well-protected computers.

\- Well yes. For example, your password is Voroshiloff with two English f at the end. Very difficult.

Igor and Larisa, shocked, looked at each other.

\- How do you know?!

\- I told you how many times - change the password! - hissed Larisa. - You have been using the same thing for ten years!

\- Our captain has a friend - a hacker. For fun, he suggested to hack your system and see the answers. But when he broke into your "reliable" defense, it was just the offseason, without games, so they did not see anything interesting. And then Vasiliy refused to do this, said that we will play fair. I didn't tell him about calls.

\- I see, - Igor said, trying to hide the shock. - Thanks for the info. But we still have reason to believe that this is not a hacker. You can hack into a computer remotely, but kill a person - no. The one who killed Alice was at the Club that evening. If the one who called you and the killer are one person, then he is one of those who have direct access to information. Before going to you, we recorded telephone conversations of all the people working in the Club: editors, videographers, lighting, and so on. Now we will let you listen to the recording. Try to recognize a voice. Are you agree?

Anton nodded.

\- Where would you go, - muttered Larisa.

Arefyev opened his laptop and found the desired folder.

Chapter Thirteen

The three of them sat in the hall of the Minsk airport, waiting for an announcement to board a plane to Moscow. Arefyev periodically left, made some calls, wrote down something in a notebook.

- There is no German Lyubimov anywhere, - he finally said. - At the work you called me, they never heard of such a person. At the specified address, he also never lived. All the data that he provided about himself is false.

Of all the voices recorded on tape, Anton Bakhmetyev confidently recognized the voice of German Lyubimov, the Hall Manager.

\- He lives with his mother, - Larisa recalled, - he told me that she was ill, almost never left the house.

\- He has no mother. Neither sick nor healthy. She, of course, may be is, only it is not known where she lives. How did he get to your Club?

Igor was silent. From the moment Anton called the name, he was as if frozen in ice. All despair and fear, all the anxieties of the past months - all this now seemed petty and insignificant. Hearing this name, he finally realized that this is indeed the end. They cannot fight because they were doomed from the very beginning. All in vain, everything is useless. The Game to which they gave their whole lives died, although no one knows about it yet. Pavel will soon be killed or already killed, the case will be closed. Interestingly, Sukhinin along with them, or is he just a fool? However, what's the difference?

\- Lehmann brought him, - Larisa answered.

She, it seems, has not yet built a simple logical chain in her head.

\- He said that he has a friend - a big fan of the Game. A boy from a good family. He really wants to visit the Club, to help with something, like a volunteer. Then he brought him. The guy turned out to be modest and handsome, quite sensible, and I put him to parse letters. Letters from viewers come in thousands, we do not have time to view. So the extra hands didn't interfere. And then we needed a new steward in the hall. Victor, who worked with us for many years, left with his family in Israel, and then German asked to try him for this role. He did well and we gave him this post. I even offered to officially apply for a job, but he refused. He said that it was just a hobby for him.

\- No wonder, - the detective grinned. - Your personnel service could check his documents, ask for a certificate of no criminal record, now they demand it everywhere. And I have big doubts that this character has no criminal record.

- We need to call Mark Lehmann, he must know something about him!

\- Do not, - Igor said in a wooden voice, - this is pointless.

\- Why? \- surprised Larisa.

She wanted to act, to do something. The seething, restless nature did not allow her to sit idle and just wait for something.

- Do you think Lehmann is in the know? - Arefyev understood. - But, in general, yes, it is likely.

- Why would Lehmann be arranging a hit man at the Club? - Larisa was perplexed. - He has no motive. Wait, maybe German is the same offended viewer once upon a time, remember from version six? He somehow got into confidence in Mark, dusted his brains, and told tales of love for the Club. Mark believed and brought him to us. Well, no, German not suitable for age...

Igor decided that hiding the truth from Larisa no longer makes sense. Let her know, it still will not change anything.

\- Well, how did Lehmann himself get into our Club? - he asked her.

\- Hertz forced him on us, - she answered at once, and suddenly understood. - Oh!

She stared in horror at Igor, and he mercilessly continued:

\- But Hertz left us only two options: to give the show to him or to bury it.

- But why did he need our program?!

Igor shrugged.

\- That is, after all, version number seven? - Arefyev was surprised. - You yourself did not believe in it.

\- And now I do not believe it. That is, I believe that the customer is still Hertz, but his intention is not to close the show for the sake of the superior. If he would like to close - he would just close it. He would not sign the contract and that's it. But he wants to buy it. But it's not clear why.

Finally, boarding a flight was announced. In flight, they no longer spoke. Arefyev frowned, thinking about something. Larisa silently cried all the way. Either mourning the fate of her favorite Game, or she realized that Koltsov could not get out alive from this story. Already at the exit from Sheremetyevo, Arefiev quietly whispered to Igor:

\- Go to Galanin. I can't do anything else.

Igor nodded sullenly.

Igor did not remember the road from Sheremetyevo to his home. Did he think about anything, or was his mind still in the gray haze? Tomorrow he will go to Galanin. There is almost no hope, of course, but suddenly... The elevator doors swung open, Igor stepped out onto the landing and first saw a black gun barrel aimed at his chest, and only then, raising his eyes, he made out a dense squat figure on the landing. It was dark, the light did not turn on, but he identified the shape of his assistant, who knew how to beat the gong so well, holding a hammer with his hand in a white glove. But now the glove was black, and hand does not hold a hammer.

Fear did not come right away, but then suddenly it immediately rolled up in a sickening wave, rustled in his ears, and squeezed breath. He wanted to say something, but there was not a single thought in his head. Fear paralyzed the brain and vocal cords. So he just stood silently and looked at his killer. Probably, from the side it could look like an extraordinary manifestation of courage in the face of danger.

\- Why did you go to Minsk, Igor Gennadievich? - softly, insinuatingly asked German.

- We went on business of the Belarusian Club, - Igor lied for some reason, although he understood that it was useless.

\- You're lying, - German grinned.

Now he was not like sweet, intelligent young man who came to them at the Club two years ago. German's manners, or whatever his name really is, became rude, his speech vulgar, as if with the color of his gloves, he at the same time changed the color of his soul.

\- Was the kid pinned to the wall? Did this redhead guy talk about calls?

\- What do you want, German? - Igor shied away from a direct answer. - Why are you threatening me with a gun?

- I'm not threatening. I'll kill you now.

\- For what?

\- You interfere.

\- To whom?

\- You interfere with everyone. Turned the Great Game into a boring swamp. Who is watching you, except for a bunch of idiots? Yes, you annoy them even. But there are people who can make candy out of the Game. The whole country will watch us again!

\- Us? What do you mean?

\- And I will be the main character of the Game. One of the main ones. I'll get a couple of owls, then I'll become a Master.

\- How? You do not know how to play at that level.

\- And in the new version of the Game this is not necessary. Does the example of Bakhmetyev not tell you anything?

Igor was numb. That's it! The anger that gripped him was so strong that for several minutes the fear completely disappeared.

- Hertz decided to do a production show, - he said slowly. - Why on earth?

\- And what? The idea is great. And people are interested, and the Main Channel will return high ratings. And then after all, people generally stopped watching TV. And we will return them to the screens again! - German's face flushed, his eyes burned with a feverish fanatical brilliance.

\- No one will participate in this farce. None of the current Players!

\- We'll see. It does not matter, we'll recruit new ones. Old ones, I think, they will refuse may be at first, but they will crawl back, they will ask to take them again. Television fame, it's such a thing, not everyone can refuse. Moreover, I think we will refund the money. Such good money will be in our program. Do you think Shmelev, a gambler, will refuse? He will play according to the new rules, and will play everything that we need.

- For the sake of this, did you kill seven people?

\- Why not? - the killer shrugged. \- Am I a trembling creature or do I have the right? Such questions do not bother me. I know the world we live in. Who is stronger has everything. You know that too.

Igor did not want to discuss philosophical and social issues with the killer. Even to take time. In the end, what will change in a few minutes?

\- Well, why kill me? - he asked dryly. - You already twisted my hands.

Perplexity reflected on German's face.

\- Do not know, - he shrugged again. - At first, it didn't seem to be planned. And yesterday I received an order. Probably, because you stuff your nose where you don't need to. Okay, we won't delay, we are not in the movies. Goodbye, and by the way, so you know, I'm sorry. I personally liked you.

Igor watched numbly as German lifted the gun, aiming at his forehead, and cocked the trigger. It was necessary to try to do something, to dive under a bullet, for example, to rush to German's feet, as the heroes of the militants do, but he could not even move a finger.

"As if the nineties were back," \- an unnecessary thought suddenly flickered in his head. - "We are being killed in the entrances of our own houses. Or maybe they didn't leave? The similarity of law and order has been created, but in reality everything is still the same - those who have money and power do everything they want?"

The killer pulled the trigger, a deafening shot rang out, a bright flash of light blinded his eyes, and Igor closed his eyes. He waited for tearing pain and prepared to fall on his back, but instead he heard the loud thunder of quick steps up the stairs, piercing screams, and someone pushed him aside. Hitting the wall, he struggled to stay on his feet. In the darkness, silhouettes were barely visible, huddled together in the place where German had just stood. The sound of a shot rang out again, someone swore. Finally, a loud confident voice said: "That's it, we took him... Now let's lower him... Garf?" - the dark figure turned to him. - "Garf is fine. Now we all go down. Drive him into the car!" - he ordered the others.

A tall, broad-shouldered man approached Igor Now he could make out camouflage uniforms and heavy army boots in which the stranger was dressed.

\- Is everything okay? - he asked. \- Let's go downstairs.

\- Who are you? \- Igor asked in a whisper.

For some reason he couldn't speak loudly.

\- Captain Vorontsov, riot police of the Russian Guard.

\- Where are you from here?

- Just like your killer, on the orders of my superiors, - Vorontsov smiled. - I think they will explain everything to you, I have little information.

With difficulty moving unbending legs, Igor left the porch and was dumbfounded: the investigator Evgeny Valentinovich Sukhinin, gloomy, as always rumpled and unshaven, was standing at the police car.

\- OK? - he gave Igor an unfriendly look. - Well, good. But again, I didn't succeed.

\- Didn't succeed? - Igor asked hoarsely. - You caught the killer... and saved my life.

\- He is only performer, - Sukhinin said sourly, - there was no customer, and I have no evidence against the customer.

He paused, pondering something.

- That's what, Garf Igor Gennadevich, go home, take a break from the road. There is no need for your presence yet. First I will finish with him, - he nodded toward the police car, in which at that moment was pushing the former Hall Manager. - Then I'll invite you. Probably tomorrow.

\- Wait, - Igor asked. \- He abducted Pavel Koltsov's daughter and granddaughter, and Pavel himself too.

\- Oh yes! - the investigator suddenly realized, and pulled out a cell phone from his pocket of a gray, shabby cloak. - Pavel Sergeevich, it is all over, we caught him. You can return home. No, thank you. I was fine with you.

He hung up and glanced briefly at Igor's astonished face, adding:

\- We know where the hostages are. There, SOBR troops are preparing a liberation operation.

While Igor opened his mouth, trying to formulate a question, the investigator had already jumped into the car. A motorcade of several police cars left, and Igor, perplexed, continued to stand in the same place, wondering if everything that had just happened seemed to him and if he had enough strength to get to the apartment.

When he nevertheless got home, he suddenly felt a brutal hunger. Thank God there were enough edible high-calorie foods in the refrigerator today, and there was even borsch in the pan. Igor again, for the umpteenth time, blessed the heavens for a saving idea that came to him a few weeks ago: he asked one of his friends - a brilliant programmer and engineer in one person, to conjure a little over the floor scales, which Margot used to control the amount of her kilograms. And now every week the scales accurately showed two and a half kilograms less than the previous result. Margo rejoiced, blossomed, and allowed her men to eat whatever they wanted. Of course, sooner or later she would suspect something, but so far he could eat normally.

Chapter Fourteen.

The next morning, Igor, who managed to recover a little during the night, went to the prosecutor's office. Together with him went Larisa and Sergey Starkov.

Investigator Evgeny Valentinovich Sukhinin was, as usual, gloomy and unsmiling, but behaved unusually polite. At the sight of visitors he got up, said hello to the hand and offered to sit down. Today he was clean-shaven, dressed in an impeccable, obviously not cheap, beautiful dark blue suit, a snow-white shirt and a strict tie. And in general, for some reason he made the impression of some other person.

- In the morning the news said that you had released the hostages, - Igor said, carefully examining the investigator.

\- Yes. Lyubimov agreed to cooperate with the investigation. We already knew the place where they were being held. But he helped free the hostages without assault.

\- And where was Pavel all this time? - could not stand Larisa.

\- In my house.

\- At your house? - Sergey Starkov could not restrain his surprise. - So is it really you who organized the escape?

\- Me, - Sukhinin spoke today with restraint, without the usual antics. - I understood that he was innocent. And when he, without any explanation, wrote a sincere confession - it became clear that he should not be left in prison. He would be killed. Sending under house arrest is also dangerous. I had to organize an escape and hide Pavel Sergeyevich where no one would look for him. The prosecutor, of course, is in the know.

Sergey only shook his head incredulously.

- Why did you even keep him in prison if you knew that he was innocent? - Larisa asked angrily.

\- To give the criminal the opportunity to relax, make a mistake and bring us to the customer. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. We will put Lyubimov in, there is enough evidence, and he himself admitted. Maybe, if we're lucky, we can charge against Lehmann. But there's definitely nothing about Hertz, and there's nowhere to take.

\- And what did you mean, - Igor could not restrain his curiosity, - when you told Pavel Sergeyevich that you were fine with him?

Sukhinin grunted:

- Not exactly what you thought. I am an old bachelor, eating dumplings and sandwiches in the evenings, and Pavel Sergeevich cooks very well. While living with me, he indulged me in delicious dinners. And in the evening there was someone to talk to. It's even a pity that we are not homosexuals, would be a great couple.

Larisa snorted indignantly, the men laughed.

\- Well, what did German say? You said he confessed everything.

\- Of course, he admitted. He was red-handed taken, so where did he go? Do you want to know how everything was?

Making sure that he completely controls the attention of the audience, Sukhinin leisurely proceeded to the story:

\- It seems to me that about two years ago, Hertz decided to take the program away from you. Why, Lyubimov yesterday broadly explained to you. Colleagues from the federal service found one interesting file on Lehmann's computer. Let me show you, and you will draw your own conclusions.

Sukhinin clicked the mouse and turned the computer monitor towards them:

"Producer and presenter - can be Serious Master or Chief Master.

Ushakov will not fit \- stupid, stubborn, devoted to the idea of the Game.

Find Good Scripting Professionals.

New show stars - Bakhmetev, Lyubimov, Shmelev, some old Players who agree, but it is better to make new ones.

Scandal - at least ten minutes of broadcast time each broadcast.

Change clothes - women sexually, men are also more interesting.

The questions are dumber, let the audience feel smart.

Return the money.

We actively invite stars, Kirkorov, Galkin, etc."

\- Cattle! \- exhaled Larisa. - He is going to make a scandalous show with the "stars! Fake, with pre-written scripts and half-naked women. But why?!

- Yesterday I discussed this issue over the phone with fellow Galanin, - Sukhinin calmly said. - There is information that Hertz is lost reputation.

He jabbed his index finger up and continued:

\- The Main channel in recent years is rapidly losing its rating. People are fed up with monotonous series, fake talk shows, and equally fake news. Viewers massively go online or prefer other channels, with a more independent and adequate flow of information. The Main channel loses its influence on the population's state of mind, and therefore does not cope with its main purpose. So it is possible that Hertz decided to launch several highly rated programs in order to save the situation and return the viewer. You are only one of his goals. They remake your program so that it is watched not only by those people who like to solve logical intellectual problems, but also simpler audience. This is a much larger audience. The recipe is simple and universal: professional scriptwriters write a plot with scandals and intrigues in advance, involve famous popular people in the process. New stars appear in the show. They deliberately involved Bakhmetev, Shmelev, Gorokhov in crimes: they wanted to hook them, confuse them so that they would not dare to refuse to participate in this new version of the program. They would blackmail them with the threat of exposure and public scandal.

\- But the rest of our Players, - objected Larisa fervently, - they would not have participated in such an abomination! They respect themselves!

- Yes, undoubtedly, the majority would refuse, - agreed Sukhinin. - I personally can not imagine that one of the old Players wanted to participate in this. The very essence of the Game is lost.

\- Wait, - Sergey interrupted. \- Why can't you imagine that? You have only the most superficial idea of the Game. Or did Pavel Sergeevich enlighten you?

The investigator, biting his lip, ironically looked at the lawyer.

- I have been watching the program since the 1987, - he said mockingly. - Together with my parents, I started, and got involved. My first memory is this famous answer about the pit. And I remember not so much the episode itself as the reaction of my parents: they were shocked. And Pavel Koltsov is my favorite Player for a long time. I remember when he was kicked out of the Club, I, in protest, even stopped watching the Game for a while. Then, however, I began again.

For a few seconds they looked at the investigator dumbfounded, like Trojans at the Greeks, who suddenly fell down from a donated horse. Then Igor began to laugh. Larisa puffed indignantly.

- Have you been playing the fool all this time? - Starkov asked incredulously. - Pretending to be?

\- And it's convenient. When the interlocutor considers you an idiot, he tries to explain everything as best as possible, he mentions such details that he might not have considered it necessary to say in a conversation with an intelligent person. Yes, and criminals relax, lose caution.

Igor laughed louder. Now Larisa began to smile.

\- Wait, - Sergei did not let up. - And everything else is your, sorry, unpresentable appearance, manners of an uncultured person?

\- The image must be holistic. In my student years I played in student theater, we were taught acting a little.

Sukhinin took out a small transparent bag from the inside pocket of his jacket, carefully opened it, scooped up the contents with two fingers and poured it onto his jacket.

\- Dandruff from the fun store, - he explained. – I have no it, I have to carry with mine.

Now Sergey, no longer restraining himself, joined the others laughing.

\- And the bad breath? - he barely said. \- Are you carrying garlic with you?

\- What garlic? - sincerely surprised Evgeni Valentinovich.

\- Once, when I came to you, you smelled of garlic.

Sukhinin suddenly blushed thickly:

\- I probably ate something in the restaurant, - he muttered confusedly. - I do not always notice that I take. Sorry.

All three looked at each other. It was so unusual to see the embarrassed, blushing Sukhinin that they finally stopped laughing.

\- Let's get back to the crime, - suggested Igor.

New Sukhinin began to arouse his sympathy. He had already had a lot of fun and was eager to finally get information.

\- Yes. So, let's say, many old Players would not want to participate in this and left. Or maybe they simply will not be informed. The performances would be played by others - the few who will be in the know. Captains - of course, they must control the game. Separate stars - such as Bakhmetev, who know the answer in advance and can pull out the team, and can drown, leading it away from the correct version. Scandalists, like Kirs, and so on. Old Players will leave, having understood what is happening, new ones will come. There is no shortage of people who want it, right? And new Players will agree to play by the new rules. Especially if money is returned to the Game. Well, or just behind the scenes they will pay fees for participating in a staged show. If Hertz had approached you with a similar offer, he would certainly have been refused. And realizing this perfectly, he decided to drive you into a corner and force you to sell the show rights.

\- Well, I do not! - Larisa squeezed her lips. \- Let the Game not be at all than such disgusting things.

\- That's the whole point. Hertz did not doubt your reaction. Therefore, he introduces into the Club Lehmann, his long-time protégé, who will do anything for his benefactor. And he, in turn, found and brought to you Lyubimov.

\- Who is this Lyubimov?

\- Oddly enough, he really is from an intelligent family, but not from Moscow. His parents live in Lipetsk. German, the name, by the way the present, as well as the surname, is an unsuccessful actor. After graduating from school, he came to Moscow, entered one of the theater universities. He graduated, starred in a small role in the melodramatic series, and then the career stalled. He did not taken to work to theaters, he was no longer invited to the cinema. He did not lose hope, sat in Moscow, eat bread and water, regularly went to all auditions, and, finally, got the role. But two days before the start of the filming, they called him and informed that he was removed from the role. German rushed to find out what was the matter, and someone secretly told him that the director gave his role to the nephew of his old friend. Instead of reconciling and swallowing a grudge, as dozens of other young actors have to do, German, having drunk for courage, went to find out relations with the treacherous employer. He, at the sight of a drunk Lyubimov, got angry and tried to put him out the door. A fight ensued, during which the unfortunate director received injuries incompatible with life. Lyubimov received eight years, and when he left prison, the return to the profession was, of course, unimpossible. However, in the zone he actively participated in amateur prison activities, received the nickname "Johnny" in honor of Johnny Depp, was very popular and enjoyed the patronage of "thieves." It was they who later attached him to Lehmann, who needed an assistant not devoid of acting ability for dirty errands, "Johnny" came up perfectly. He himself, with pleasure, seized the opportunity to appear on television screens, albeit in the modest role of the Hall Manager. However, for the future Lehmann promised to make him the brightest "star" of the Club.

The idea of murder based on "retribution for injustice", of course, belongs to Lehmann. Having waited for a suitable occasion, he gives an order to Lyubimov. Killer goes to the desired city and deals with an unsuspecting viewer. At the same time, Lehmann registers an account on the name of Ivanov Sergey Petrovich on a social network, without a photograph, and create posts on justice on it, clearly linking them to the dates of those ill-fated games. From this it is clear that at that time he had not yet determined on whom he was going to "hang up" these crimes in the future.

Next Lehmann begins the preparation for the murder of the Players. Why did he choose Alice as a victim? Imagine last year Lehmann tried to flirt with her, but received a polite and firm refusal. Our guys restored their correspondence in Viber. He could choose any random victim in the Club, but he chose her for revenge.

At the same time, they begin to hook of the Serious Master. Lyubimov, calling and introducing himself as a writer Osokin, offers him to "edit" the mediocre manuscript in exchange for certain services, and the Master succumbs to the temptation. By the way, your Chief Master was "seized" even earlier. Last year they provoked him, they made a scandal in the media, and you had to take him off the air. In the future, as can be understood from the notes of Lehmann, they planned to return him as a host or producer. It was believed that he would gladly seize this opportunity and close his eyes to all the tricks with the scripts.

Lyubimov, using your full confidence, stole information and calls Bakhmetyev. The kid does not understand anything, but he regularly uses the prompts. By the way, I was terribly annoyed when Lyubimov told me this yesterday. I liked this redhead guy so much. Then German, lying and threatening, forces Anton to drown Kirs' team and pull Shmelev's team to the Finals, in the Finals to give a hint not to anyone, but to Alice. As a manager, German easily arranged for Anton to stand in front of Alice during the game, and Kirs in front of Anton, in fact providing the required scandal. On the same day in the morning, German sent fake love letters between Alice and Anton to many members of the Club, so that before the start of the game at the Club, everyone was already convinced of their love affair.

Shmelev and Krasinsky are also involved in the same story. German asked a friend about a small service - to transfer a package in the name of Yaroslav through the reception at the hotel. Shmelev also did not understand anything, but fulfilled the request and gave Alice the money, not suspecting that they are fake. During a musical break, while everyone went into the garden, German sliped into the wardrobe and transfered the money to Irina Krasinskaya's bag. Having finished this, he still managed to call the Master and put pressure on him, demanding to "set fire to" the Club. Thus, the scum provided me with several suspects at once and confused the matter by using a false move with explosives.

After the game, having seized a convenient moment, Lyubimov killed Alice. Lehmann stood nearby, distracting with conversations those who tried to walk along the corridor past the closet. However, the murder did not take much time. Well, the fact that Gorokhov decided to place his bomb there was just a coincidence.

\- Wait, - Igor said, puzzled, \- if it was not Osokin who gave the order to start the fire, then who rewrote Gorokhov's story?

\- "Literary Negro" is a student of the Literary Institute, talented, but alas, poor. Whose novel he is editing, he had no idea, he had never met the customer. All agreements were carried out through correspondence. We found it in Lyubimov's computer.

\- And how did you even reach German?

\- Let's go in order, after all. While I rode on call to the Club, I felt not only regret over the death of a beautiful and smart girl, a talented Player, but also bewilderment - how could this even happen in my beloved Elite Club? Killing and Game - impossible! Well, then another bomb, stolen money... Something completely incomprehensible happened, clearly beyond the scope of a common crime... That, in principle, cannot happen in a place like the Elite Club.

- And we told you about this from the very beginning, - Larisa interjected.

\- Yes, - Evgeny Valentinovich smiled, - I remember, it's not customary for you. Believe me, deep down I totally agreed with you: all this was more than strange. For the sake of the species, I arrested Vysotin, although I had no doubt that he had nothing to do with crime, and your riddle is not solved so easily. We started checking everyone who was in the Club: we looked at calls and messages, mail - but there was nothing that indicated a possible motive.

We were stuck, not knowing where to move on, and then the second murder took place: have waiting for your next mistake with a hint, German stealed a sheet from Vitaly Karmanovich's profile...

- So, all the same, it is he lost his tie clip, - Sergey said thoughtfully, - indeed, a classic of the genre.

Sukhinin raised his eyebrows questioningly. They briefly explained to him what was a matter, and he, having deplored that he had not been told about this in time, continued:

- They had a whole week to prepare for this murder. German fakes a death note. Lehmann goes to the hotel with everyone to celebrate the finale. He makes a broad gesture: treats everyone with drinks from the bar, he himself kindly brought its to the billiard room and palms the victim a glass with sleeping pills. Vitaly drank and after a while, feeling tired, left for the room. Lehmann immediately left hotel, providing himself with an alibi. And in the room, more precisely on the balcony, Lyubimov was already waiting for Vitaly. When Karmanovich went to bed, he entered the bedroom, left a note on the table, and threw sleeping man out of the window. Then he crossed over the balcony to the common staircase and left the building through the back door without meeting anyone.

And again, we had no clues. Lehmann, of course, came under suspicion because of his "attraction of unprecedented generosity," but the cameras showed how at 02.20 Karmanovich was leaving the billiard room, and already 02.23 Lehmann was leaving the hotel. Of the remaining Players, Kirs and Shmelev were absent for a long time. They fell under suspicion. But the alibi of both was also confirmed by data from surveillance cameras. Kirs, sorry, was in the toilet room. As he explained to Dmitriev, he ate something stale during the day and suffered from intestinal upset.

Sukhinin was suddenly silent.

\- Well, Shmelev, - Igor asked, - he never told me where he was.

\- Hmm... yes... he didn't say, - the investigator glanced fearfully at Larisa and said unexpectedly, - however, it doesn't matter.

\- Where was that piggy? \- angrily asked Kravchenko. - Confess.

\- And you will not expel him from the Club?

\- It depends on what.

\- Yes, in general, he can be understood. He is divorced, worried about debt, because of his friends the Vysotins. In general, the guy is stressed out, and then he drank, relaxed...

\- I see, - said Igor, - you can not continue.

\- I don't understand, - snapped Kravchenko. - And I will not leave you alone until you say it!

\- She won't fall behind, - Igor confirmed with a sigh.

\- Ok, he was with a prostitute, - Sukhinin admitted at last, - he took her off at the bar, went to her room with her, returned with her, he did not stay alone. Let's go further, by crime?

Larisa jerked, but said nothing, and Sukhinin, rejoicing that the storm had been avoided, continued unhindered:

\- In principle, it was possible to suspect those who left the hall before they found the body of the killed person, but there are many of them. So again we had a bunch of suspects, but the motive was still absent. We began to observe Lehmann more closely, but he was extremely careful: he never personally met with his confidant, and at that time we did not know that he was connected with Lyubimov. No one ever mentioned this. Yes, it is understandable: who will think about the modest, inconspicuous Hall Manager? No one saw him in the hotel. He remained beyond suspicion.

\- But there was an impression, - Sergey remarked, - that you did not carry out checks, relying on the version of suicide.

\- Of course we did. Neither Dmitriev nor I are still suffering from idiocy. But we tried to give the criminals the impression that everything was going according to their plan. True, this did not particularly help. The investigation stalled again... More precisely, it continued to stall. I am especially proud of nothing, at that time I was very far from solving the problem. And even the idea of "justice" did not occur to me.

But, unfortunately, it occurred to you... And for some reason you made amateur performances, - Sukhinin looked angrily at Igor, - and they killed Goncharov.

\- It's my fault, - Garf said. - I know.

The investigator continued:

\- I was at home watching a live broadcast. And when I saw how strange Ekaterina Tkachenko was behaving, it finally dawned on me... I rushed to work, picked up all our men I could. We established surveillance of Tkachenko and, just in case, Lehmann. But both of them sat safely all day in their offices, while Lyubimov meanwhile quietly lured Goncharov from the hotel.

This time they had little time to prepare, because the Goncharov team played the final, which means that they had to be killed almost immediately. In addition, they panicked: because your behavior during the summer series did not give them a single chance to kill another Player for the "unfair" decision. Lehmann in a hurry develops a plan. By this time, he had already decided on the "defendant", on which he can hang all the crimes.

Then, in principle, you know everything: Lyubimov called the Master again, pretending to be a writer, and received from him the phone number of a girl who is ready to help. Called her, explained what needs to be done. There wasn't much sense in this, Lyubimov could ask to call any of his accomplices, but they needed to get more involved Gorokhov in crime.

Then Lehmann called Ruslan Goncharov. We do not know exactly what he told him, but Ruslan agreed to come to the appointed place, where Lyubimov was waiting for him. Why Goncharov did not call you, did not inform you? I'm afraid that we will never know... In anticipation of the killer completing his plan, our bloody banker logs into Ivanov's account, changes the data, puts the name and photo of Pavel Koltsov there, and sent us the link. Lyubimov cannot explain how were deleted the data on Koltsov's calls during the days of the killings of viewers from the provider's database. Apparently, Lehmann has the necessary connections and, of course, is not shy in his means.

Meanwhile, having dealt with his seventh victim, Lyubimov went to the bank to Lehmann. And again, our operatives, who were on duty at the bank, did not pay any attention to him. If he would be a famous Player, another thing, but who remembers the face of an ordinary employee of the Club? He took a SIM card from Lehmann, with which he registered an account in the name of Koltsov in Facebook and called Goncharov.

Then Lyubimov took a laptop, the roots of train tickets and went to Koltsov's country house. And here he was unlucky for the first time: he was noticed by a neighbor, a curious person, and more importantly, very observant. When there was a suspicion that the evidence was thrown to Koltsov, we began to question his neighbors. She described in detail the appearance and clothes of a stranger who entered the house of Pavel Sergeevich on the day of the murder, and then, when we showed her photographs of all the Players and Club employees, she confidently recognized German Lyubimov.

After reviewing the biography of the latter, I wondered how such a person, in fact a criminal, could be in the Club, and what is he doing there? Pavel Sergeevich did not know anything about him and could not answer my questions. But others could. I called Yaroslav Shmelev, under the pretext of enlightening me about the game on Forex. By the way, at one time, having seen enough of advertising, I also got to them on the hook. I squandered three hundred dollars while I came to my senses. Well, while Shmelev was explaining to me what a true trader's strategy was, I gradually found out the story of Lyubimov's appearance in the Club. I did not dare to ask you - Lyubimov is "your own" for you, like any other person involved in the Game. You could involuntarily let him know that the investigation was interested in him. That would be extremely imprudent, because then I had nothing at all on him, not a single evidence.

After the conversation with Shmelev, I knew that Lyubimov is a man of Lehmann, which means that he obeys his orders. But why did the prosperous banker need to arrange this whole bloody nightmare? I saw no motive... Until you came to me again with your wonderful blue folder.

I had already worked out most of the versions contained in it by this time, and they were of no interest to me. I knew that Bakhmetyev, Shmelev, Krasinsky, Ushakov and the other defendants listed in the folder can be removed from the accounts, they all had an alibi at the time of the murder of Goncharov. Pavel Sergeevich could not recall a single enemy who would like to deal with him; he is a quiet, peaceful person. I admit, I did not consider you, - Sukhinin laughed. - Imagination among the people you hired has played out. Is this hating really bothering you so much?

\- No, - Igor shrugged, - when I accepted the program, I knew very well that they would compare me with the Founder. And that comparison will never be in my favor. And hating - yes, everyone who does something, anyone who appears on the blue screen will definitely have haters. So I endure and try not to pay attention.

\- Well, that's what I thought. But your last seventh version suddenly helped me remember what I once heard from someone briefly: that Hertz had put a lot of effort into appointing Lehmann to the post of director of the Big Bank.

So, Lehmann is not a customer, as I thought at the beginning, but also a contractor, more precisely an intermediary between a killer and a true customer - Hertz. What does Hertz really need? God knows, I confess, I was a little depressed then. Such a figure is clearly too tough for me. While I was thinking how I could ask help of my colleagues from the security service, events began to develop rapidly and the situation got out of control.

Friends - those with whom Lyubimov made acquaintance in the zone, helped to kidnap Koltsov's daughter and grandson, to transport them to Moscow. Pavel Sergeevich writes a confession, and the fact of blackmail becomes obvious. I still managed to talk with him outspokenly. He trusted me, and we were able to arrange a "escape" from prison.

The place where the hostages were held was established simply by observing the movements of Lyubimov. We began to cooperate with Colonel Galanin, who was already aware of your affairs. They watched Lehmann, we - Lyubimov. By the way, Galanin found out that Atosov received a fee for his show by transfer from the Big Bank, which is led by Lehmann. This is by far the only clue with which we can somehow tie him to crimes. Athosov, I suppose, will soon tell Galanin who agreed with him.

And suddenly yesterday our "outdoor" reported that Lyubimov sat down in your porch with weapons. I had to arrest him. Although we didn't manage to dig up anything on his owners. By the way, he doesn't even know why he was suddenly ordered to kill you. He said he really didn't want to do this.

- Probably because I blamed Hertz, - Igor said thoughtfully. - Of course, I didn't say this seriously, I was just angry when he began to force me to sell the Club. But he was probably scared.

- It is possible, - agreed Sukhinin.

\- But why didn't German kill me? He shot me right in the head.

\- Because the cartridge idle, without a bullet. Loud sound, bright flash, and the bullet does not fly. Our employees quietly visited his house, replaced cartridges: away from sin.

\- You saved my life, - Igor said.

\- Yes, you already said. This is where the story itself ends.

\- How does it end? But Lehmann and Hertz?! - exclaimed Larisa. - You won't even arrest them? They will remain at large?

\- Lehmann was detained. Galanin's employees work with him, they have something to him besides these crimes - about his activities in the bank. If a miracle happens, and he will confess, then it will be possible to invite Hertz to the interrogation. In the meantime, alas, no.

Silence reigned for a couple of minutes in the office.

\- Well, thank you, - Igor decided to end the conversation, but he suddenly realized. - And wait, why did you summon for interrogation Irina Krasinskaya? You perfectly understood that she did not steal money. Or is it also part of the play, for the killer?

Sukhinin suddenly blushed again and began to sort out papers on the table.

\- I didn't summon for interrogation her, - he muttered. - Just invited to a restaurant for dinner.

\- But you told me...

\- I lied.

- Have dinner at the restaurant? - Sergey asked perplexedly, while the rest again stared at the investigator in complete amazement. - Did you call her to Moscow from Vladimir to have dinner?

\- I did not call her to Moscow. I myself went to Vladimir on my day off.

- But why did you need this?

Sukhinin raised an eyebrow slightly, wondering at the lack of understanding of the interlocutor.

\- A beautiful, interesting, intelligent woman, and her husband, sorry for being rude, an idiot who does not value her. So why not try it?

- And Ira went on a date with you? - marveled Larisa.

\- She agreed to have dinner, - Sukhinin specified and sighed. - Unfortunately, she was more interested in the course of the investigation, and not myself. But it can be understood.

\- And what about Vlad?

\- He was jealous. He himself came to Moscow to sort things out, I did not call him.

\- God knows what! - Larisa was indignant again. \- You men do anything: Ushakov enters into a love affair with a young lady, you make an appointment with a married woman!

\- What makes you think that Dmitry Vasilievich has a young lover? - asked Sukhinin, without raising his eyes and clearly trying to divert the conversation from his person.

\- He was with her when they killed Ruslan. A private investigator told us.

\- He was at Khudyshkina Olga Dmitrievna, we also checked.

\- So!

- But she is not his mistress at all.

\- And who then? Niece?

Sukhinin shook his head reproachfully.

- Staying alone with a woman, you can actually have not only sex, - he remarked neutrally.

\- What else?

- For example, learning something from her.

\- What to learn? \- Kravchenko frowned in bewilderment.

\- Let's say knit.

Now all three of them were perplexedly looking at Sukhinin, suspecting that he was again playing some sly, understandable performance in front of them.

\- Come on, - Igor said, - it cannot be... Is this his scarf with Van Gogh?

Sukhinin shrugged.

\- What does it mean to knit? Are you kidding us? \- finally raged Larisa.

\- No, - the investigator was extremely patient today. - If she was his mistress, he would confess, at least to Igor Gennadievich and your detective. If he was interested in diving or extreme riding, he would love to tell everyone. But when a man of his age and social status wants to knit... You look at them.

He nodded at the two men, who bent over and choking on laughter.

\- He foresaw such a reaction of his friends, and therefore was silent, like a partisan.

- What are you laughing like horses? - now Larisa has already attacked them. - Just think, a man knits what's here...

And suddenly she began to laugh.

\- Yeah, really... Do you know what, Evgeny Valentinovich? And come to our Club. From this day forward you will have an invitation to all games. You will be our guest of honor.

Now it was Sukhinin's turn to stare at her in amazement. Igor, wiping away the tears that came out from laughter, asked:

- I do not understand, Larisa, where did you invite Evgeny Valentinovich? After all, there will be no more games.

- We will see, - Kravchenko snorted. - Tomorrow you will go to Hertz. If he will say one word against, you will say that he is not the only one who can order revelatory broadcasts on RTV. After all, Atosov doesn't care from whom to take money.

Igor was about to sarcastically inquire where, in her opinion, they would take an amount sufficient to ensure that Atosov lost self-preservation to such an extent that he decided to troll Hertz, but then his phone vibrated in his pocket. SMS came from his son: "Mom weighed herself on other scales. Yesterday you were lucky - you escaped from the killer alive. But if you come home today, you definitely have no chance."

\- Evgeny Valentinovich, - said Igor, - can I spend the night in your home today? I can cook spaghetti bolognese.

From conversations in the chat viewers:

\- So this Hall Manager killed everyone! Wow!

\- What for?

\- Unclear.

\- I heard he worked for Lehmann.

- No, it cannot be, Lehmann is beautiful!

\- Lehmann escaped in England, so they not to give him to ours.

\- He did it right.

\- And I heard Garf was shot too.

\- It's a pity they didn't shoot.

- Enough for you already, he is a normal leader.

\- Normal, not normal - there's no other. We will tolerate him.

Epilogue.

And this game is over.Thanks for playing!

The autumn series of games began in October, with a slight delay according to the schedule, but nonetheless they managed to conduct all four of the planned games, although they had to work for this almost the entire autumn without days off.

To the great surprise of the viewers, the four Players, Anton Bakhmetyev, Georgy Vysotin, Pavel Koltsov and Serious Magister, disappeared without a trace from the Club without any explanation, both from the leadership and from themselves. But Sergey Starkov returned to the Club. He became the new defender of the interests of viewers in exchange for Lehmann, and the missing Players were replaced by promising newcomers.

Mark Lehmann was released under house arrest and a week later he disappeared without a trace. Currently, he is put on the international wanted list, but according to some FSB officers who spoke with Lehmann's neighbors, they should rather look for his body somewhere in the swamps near Moscow.

Dmitry Ushakov posted on Instagram a photo with a Van Gogh scarf and began to receive messages from many acquaintances, and completely unfamiliar people with a request to associate the same.

Yaroslav Shmelev won a million dollars on Forex. He paid all the debts, bought an apartment from the pledge, but his wife never returned to him. The remaining money Yaroslav again put on his Forex account and lost it all in three days. Today, Shmelev is the official certified teacher at the Forex Academy and conducts training seminars entitled "How to make a million on the stock exchange. First-hand information." The seminar is worth only seven thousand rubles, and you can sign up for it right now on Shmelev's personal website.

Igor Garf changed the password on the computer. You can be sure that the new «GameForever» password is strong enough and will not lead to information leakage.

The Final of the year was won by Martin Kirs team with a score of six: five. Martin was recognized as the best Player of the year and, having received a diamond owl, announced the end of his playing career.

And Igor Garf announced the name of the new Master of the Game. They became Ekaterina Tkachenko.
