"Why didn’t you show up yesterday? It was great! Katya is quite a catch," Filatov called as Aleksei was driving.
"Lyonya, I’m still sleeping," Aleksei answered.
"Sleeping?!" Filatov was surprised.
"Well, metaphorically speaking. I’m heading to see Elena Skrynnik. But I’ll be at work today."
"That’s good, because your father’s being called to the city office…"
"For what?" Aleksei interrupted.
"They want to take over the case," Filatov explained.
"Which case?"
"Yours, the one about those two bodies in the marshlands."
"Hm," Aleksei smirked, annoyed. "Interesting. I’m glad you guys had fun. I stopped by later and met Katya. Nice girl… Alright, Lyonya, later." Aleksei hung up and quickly picked up speed.
Shepelev Street was in a private sector. He was just pulling up to it. Slowing down, he began looking closely at the house numbers.
House 33 was two stories tall and looked very new among the older buildings. It was clear that it had been built recently; the sand around the house hadn't yet been cleared, and the fence was unnaturally clean for the area. Aleksei stopped the car and got out. He rang the doorbell at the gate. A dog’s barking could be heard.
"Coming, coming—Mitya, open up," someone yelled. The voice seemed to be a woman's. A tall, thin young man in uniform, holding a radio, appeared—probably the security guard.
"You are…?" he drawled.
"Senior Investigator of the Prosecutor’s Office, Aleksei Sergeevich Martynov."
– What did you want? – Does Mrs. Skrynnik live here? The guard nodded. – I’d like to speak with her. – What's the reason for the conversation? – Young man! Isn’t that too many questions for a guard?! I could come back, and I wouldn’t be alone. – Alright, no need to get upset – he backed away – I'll call her. – Lena, – he spoke into the radio. – Yes? – Prosecutor’s Office. – Prosecutor’s Office? Well, I don’t know… let him through… escort him, I’ll get dressed. The guard nodded and led him into the house.
Alexei entered a small living room. He sat down on a black leather sofa, placed the folder on the table, and waited for the hostess. Soon, she came downstairs. She was a woman of average height, with long chestnut hair that fell on her shoulders. She was wearing a brown robe and had her hands tucked into her pockets as she approached.