Next day Albert visited the three apartments of Nadya's friends' and saw no one of them at home. In his own flat it was windy and the temperature was about zero. In the Sveta's flat it was cold too. The window panes of the door to balcony yesterday were broken by the butts of the machine guns and nobody replaced new ones.
-Nobody at home. No one of the three. Unlikely that it is a coincidence. There is something wrong, - concluded Albert after returning out of the short travel. - Especially if one takes into account that it is early morning in Moscow now.
-I, also, don't doubt, - the old man answered. - Being a savant, an analyst, try to consider, you, how every side will act and I'll try to complete the common picture after adding my own thoughts if something doesn't coincide. If I helped to pull from shit this stupid Tolik, but he again climbed into it and perished, God rest his soul, but regarding these girls, I just must help them out.
Meanwhile, Olesya went for a walk with the new skis. In her presence, they tried to keep silence about Moscow events at all to hide the data about the teleportation. Before, during hiding Nadezhda, Paul reported to the cashier in the Novosibirsk railway station, from where he with Olesya prepared to return to Krasnoyarsk, he paid good money to the cashier to buy the tickets for the planned place. Then he immediate teleported at home, left with Olesya for Novosibirsk, leading her out of home as usual, in order the neighbors would see nothing. Entering into the bus, they agreed to pretend as if they don't know each other, because the local people could see them. Only after boarding the train from Krasnoyarsk to Tashkent, they ceased to hide the fact from the people around that they are travelling together. Either the watching on the screen about Colonel's gangs, or the trip with Olesya to Novosibirsk, those were exceptions. But Paul tried to hide from Olesya the rest of the information, because he worried about her safety.
Nadya didn't cry, but was upset because disappearance all the three, especially Lena. The last worked for the illegally formed department, its organizers were aware all her conversations, secretly taping them. Also, they were well informed that it's impossible to learn yet something from her and soon they will not need her anymore. She already didn't work in the canteen, but pretended in front of them as if she continues to work over there. When she talked to the friends that she works, it was a truth. Untruth consisted of the fact, what is the enterprise she works.
Two hours passed.
-How are the things going? - the old man asked.
-There are a lot of versions. It's an embarrassment to choose. In a few of hours, maybe I'll be able to bring this information to an appropriate form, but all the same, this is like an equation with a lot of unknowns. We have better to get more of the data. I'm going to head there again.
-And check all their mailboxes.
-That's right, - Albert agreed. - Also, it couldn't hurt to sit in every flat during about ten minutes. Maybe a phone will ring, anybody will come, the neighbors will ask something, maybe some sort of information will be got by chance. And it would be better if we do it together. You take two flats and I do two ones. So to be faster.
-Act in apartments by yourself alone, - the old man answered. - Because at the same time I can climb over in the institutions you cannot visit. Paukov's office, for example.
-Still, it's true!
Albert has been sitting in every flat for the planned while with a resolution of one second, but in vain. In the mailboxes was nothing too. He checked his own flat at the last turn. But there was some paper in the mailbox. It was a telegram consisted only of the three words: "SAVE ALL ACCESSIBLE". It already was something.
Albert learned at once who is an author of the telegram ("Do you want I would become for you a girl, daring, mischievous and accessible one?" - Lena told him while their date). At the same time this telegram couldn't be a trap, because it did not invite anyone anywhere and didn't bring any information, excepting the only one: the worst version was affirmed. Lena apparently thought as if act like this would be less dangerous, but she likely has failed. Kashin and his team understood that she has turned against them and they locked up her somewhere. Maybe, they already have liquidated her, but it was better don't think about this. However, if she is alive, therefore, either the elimination of her was connected with technical difficulties, or finally they are going to use her as a hostage or a bait. It was the reason they didn't withdraw the telegram, which was sent from Moscow yesterday. It means, she was captured by them not more than two days ago, and Valya and Sweta were captured earlier. When Albert returned and shared his gained scarce information, the old man affirmed Albert's suppositions, but was worried, because he succeeded to learn, neither in Paukov's office, nor in the places of possible Kovalev's appearing, in which the old man had prepared for himself the "the points of appearance" under the desks, nor near the metro "Studencheskaya" in the apartments of the all three chiefs of the criminal illegal department, nor even in their "safe houses".
-No wonder, during such a short while we have learned nothing, - Albert concluded. - All of them have many different deals, they may sit in their offices during a lot of hours, keeping silent. Idea! We must loosen their tongues, it seems, I know how to act.
The old man wasn't against the plan Albert invented. They both started to laugh, when has Albert expounded it aloud. Just he advised to ponder the details more carefully, many times "to measure", before "cutting". From the enemy side, it's possible using some of the reagents to mark a person, even the cops have such things. Also, from the enemy side, it's possible using of a microscopic transmitter radiating some certain signal, to ping it to be aware the object's location, to discover every place of his possible appearance. And finally, it's possible the using of the radioactive substances. The last things are very dangerous for the health, therefore it's less probable, but not excluded in full. They may be ready in a case of possible object's appearance, do it quickly, it's possible, even using a special equipment, to attach to the body some bad thing. Extremely unlikely an ambuscade of the shooters with guns and safety's off, and they are given an order to shoot to kill in a case with some tricks. However, we have to take into account everything may be possible.
Albert decided to begin the actions from the 40th deli, situated in one of the buildings of the infamous institution nearby the square Lubyanka. In order not to attract an attention, before he decided not to put on any mask, but he bought a quite standard and comparatively not expensive leather jacket and a cheap jumper, taking an example of the bandits who killed Tolik. In the 40th deli in the aisle of the expensive wines, a woman cashier enthusiastically and sweetly talked with a client dressed expensively, but swankily. She played for time, counted the change long. It seemed, it was not a flirt, just a "needed" person has come. Behind the client, a tail of three persons already was formed and they obediently waited, keeping silent, hiding their irritation. Suddenly one of them pulled the collar of his sweater, covering with it the lower part of his face till the nose, then he abruptly came up to the woman cashier and pecked her on the mouth through the sweater. At the same time he hugged her with his left hand and his right hand grabbed a bundle of the large bills, which were comparable with a good salary, at least, which would be paid during not less than for five months. The cashier loudly shouted, But Albert drowned her with his own shouting "Fire! Fire!" He hit with his foot on someone's hand, which tried to catch him and then he climbed up the rack of the bottles with wine, breaking a part of them. Everyone turned to the side of the show, but the troublemaker suddenly disappeared right in front of them.
However, the broken bottles and stolen money were quite real and no ghost could be blamed for this. A crowd gathered, a task force came, whose members were all in civilian clothes, but literally all the witnesses, answering the questions were spewing some gibberish. Just in case, the signs of the intruder were asked and the identity check began near every exit. Certainly, all this was in vain.
The exits still were blocked, but a noise and shouting began again. It was some invisible man just popped up from a "non-existence", a man whose face was half covered sweater collar. He snatched a bundle of money and... as if dissolved in the air. A chief of the task force already started to consult by the radio with the superior colleagues about some diablerie is taking place in the deli 40 and doesn't cease, in spite of the fact that every exit is blocked and because of this it's not enough of the colleagues, because in the given situation they are needed not only near the exits, but also inside of the deli. Also, it is necessary a lot of witnesses who are experts, because all the witnesses are civilians and they give absurd testimonies. The senior officials of the militia started to understand that the occurring things are going beyond their competence, and now they may with a clean conscience to place this headache on the FSB.
The operative and rubberneckers roamed in the whole deli, animatedly exchanging impressions, dangled hither and thither without taking into account a third dimension, the height. Suddenly, a shouting sounded from the height:
-Everyone looks here! Look here! Here is I! - plugging away some psycho shouted, unknown when he has succeeded to climb on the chandelier. - Stand back! Now it will be an explosion and fire!
A champagne bottle fell, loudly broke. It smelled like gasoline from there. Burning splinter falling from the height inflamed the puddle Everyone succeeded to run aside in enough security clearance. It begins the shots into the height, but "the hero of the occasion" already was absent over there. A few of the buyers were scared and rushed to the exit. Thanks to the fact that there were a bit of them, the hustle, which was formed in the doorway, it was harmless enough. Some of them were embraced by an ecstasy, but they hid such a look, being embarrassed because of this emotion. Their joy was natural: when and where they could see such a free spectacle, such "fireworks"? There were no victims. The fire quickly was extinguished, using the fire extinguishers. It didn't succeed to be spread further, only less than a liter of gasoline burned on the stone floor. All the same, it became smoky, but in spite of this, the lot of people preferred to stay in the deli to look what will go on.
At the same time in a dairy shop in the Sretenka street, a man in the leather jacket asked a woman seller, how to address by name to the chief: as if he wants to show and it's possible, to sell her a plush carpet he has brought from Baku. After asking, he passed in the corridor without hindrance, however, he didn't come to the chief, but to the group of the porters who were sitting in their service room and told anecdotes each to another, without paying attention on the strange guest.
-Hey, dude! Put back my robe! Where are you from such impudent one? Whether are you a newcomer? - after this replica, all of them turned to the side of a strange man who put on their clothes not without being allowed. Suddenly he disappeared in front of them and at once it formed a long dumb show.
In a few minutes in another place, it was nearby the Lubyanka again, a man was coming into the large book shop, if to look at his clothes, a worker. He with difficulty was carrying a huge pile of some junk by the armful. There was a paper, some things of cardboard, wooden boards. He came upstairs on the first floor. No one prevented him, even entering in, he was helped by holding the door. Who knows, what a mission was given, either to a worker, or to a janitor. Only when he had come to the first floor and threw this pile near the counters, a seller woman shouted:
-Who has allowed you to throw here the garbage? What are you doing?
-I'm going to start the fire here. Am I not allowed?
She just wanted to shout: "Militia! Here is a madman in the shop!" but suddenly fell silent, freezing scared, seeing the "Walter" aimed at her.
-Don't be afraid. You will not be burned. Even you may feast your eyes on this firework for a short while. It is so beautiful! - Albert softly pronounced, smiling, pouring a combustible mixture on the pile. He moistened a little wooden stick, set it on fire and threw it in the middle of the pile. After this, immediately he threw himself in the center of the raging flame and disappeared in it.
-Fire! There's a fire at the top! - A commotion starting at the top as if affirmed this loud message, but at once a strange continuation followed:
-Now it's going to be something! Look here everyone! You! Petty human crowd! You are cadavers! You are a herd of beasts! Is here among you, at least, one human being? Or everyone are the Soviet zombi?
In a few of second, almost everyone of those who were in this hall and could see, they indignantly were looking at Albert.
-Dickhead! - someone's evil voice sounded.
However, the troublemaker disappeared in front of them again. Soon the sellers and visitors ran away out in the street. Because of the people spontaneously gathering near the shop, a traffic jam started to form, but not for a long while. The building was saved, however, a fire brigade had to do a lot of work. Else in a half an hour, Paukov was aware of everything what was occurring in the shops nearby. Just in case he connected with Kovalev:
-Grisha, is there someone else, who is working with the paranormal, excepting Kashin?
-Uncle Kesha, unlikely, even with one ear I haven't heard about this.
-If you say, likely so it is. Nevertheless...
A phone rang now. Paukov in vexation picked up the phone.
-Attention! The money I've stolen from the deli 40 and in the burning "Book World", it is in the Kashin's apartment. I'm repeating: the money I've stolen from the deli 40 and in the burning "Book World", it is in the Kashin's apartment. I'm repeating...
-Fool! He has done because of his devilry! - the General of FSB blurted out. - Grisha, wait for a short while, now I have messages all around. Don't interrupt the connection.
He hung up, from where it was repeating the same phrase, as on a spoiled disk, took a radio from the desk and adjusted the aerial. When he was bending, it has seemed, as if under the heavy oaken desk some shadow has flickered and disappeared. It made him take a look at this place a second time to make sure there is nobody.
He tried long to get an answer from the air, but the insistence still has helped to succeed. Just heard Kashin's call-signs, which were pronounced with worried voice, Paukov at once has interrupted him:
-Comrade Kashin, what is your last mission?
-A deal of the smuggler from Sweden, his nickname is Black King.
-Have you succeeded to get something?
-The colleagues are working. If you need the urgent report, I can now ask the data from the air and give you the freshest information.
-I believe. You work good. I even would say, too good. The people say: "If you hew trees, the chips must fly!" But we already have no chips, but the wooden logs are flying!
-What do you say about, Innokenty Nikolaevich?
Not paying attention at his pretending, Paukov continued:
-Such things must be done with us together. You still have the possibility to rehabilitate. We can help you and formalize the legal status for your activity. But now your object, I know his name is Albert, he has got out of control, and using his abilities, he has robbed a few of the shops and committed arsons in the center of Moscow, he scares the people! Now I am urgently calling you in my office, because this problem is not in order to converse it in the air. Can you get here at three o'clock, afternoon?
After a short silence the answer followed:
-I'll try... I'll arrive for sure!
-I'm waiting. And be aware: If during your working you have committed some actions, which are able to cast a shadow on our Service, then you have to make amends as far as possible. I hope, you didn't commit anything stupid with irreversible consequences, did you?
-Yes, Sir.
-Well. All right. In general, I'm waiting. Saying this, the General switched off the radio and put it on the desk, without forgetting to sheathe the aerial. Suddenly Kovalev came in.
-Excuse me, uncle Kesha, there is an interesting data. Kashin's signal is traced. Now he is situated one hundred and thirty miles on the North direction from Moscow.
-Can you express more exact?
Kovalev approached the map hanging on one of the walls and began to paint an imaginary circle on the map with his finger. The General approached the map too.
-Huh, it's disappointing. The radius is about twelve miles. And I don't think that it is in a city. We have nothing there in order Kashin would work. We have to be aware, what a boiler room, he had organized there.
-Uncle Kesha. You said nothing to him about the wenches. They are just about to liquidate Redhead.
The General took a look at Kovalev, either interrogatively, or contemptuously, and after a pause, plunging his subordinate in the embarrassing position, he pronounced:
-Dear, Grisha. We need information. The way it is gained... in general, you understood. Kashin has brewed a mush, now let him eat it. We have no guilt it it and we may in a clear conscience... - it seemed, the General looked for an appropriate figure of speech.
-We are washing our hands. Is it right uncle Kesha?
-That's well, you are such an astute one.
Suddenly Kovalev rushed to the desk and leaned.
-What's wrong with you?
-It seemed to me that someone is sitting there.
-You should rest, Grisha. This is a tiredness because of the work. But nevertheless... - suddenly Paukov remembered, recently, he also noticed something similar to a silhouette. - What have you seen?
-Here... At first a bundle, as if clothes. I'd not attached importance, but taking a more attentive look at it, and it turned out as if a person, although he was sitting in an inconceivable position. Only a pro in the Yoga could sit so.
-Damn it! Just what we needed! Don't share with you people too much. You understand, it may adversely affect on your reputation. I have to ponder... There is an antidote for every poison.
This time in the snow-covered Siberian taiga on the edge of the village a man has appeared "from nothing" and almost running headed to the village, then came into the house.
-How’s tricks? - Albert asked, looking forward to the answer.
-Kashin is one hundred and thirty miles from Moscow to the North. The radius of the probable localisation is about twelve miles. Paukov is aware of everything, including Lena - the old was reporting, hard breathing. Then he told in detail he heard, finishing so:
-Do you see here? We have a good result. You've muddied the waters. I've caught the fish.
-Wait, wait, - Albert said anxiously, pressing his right palm against his forehead. What if their "probable localisation" would be in the my parents' dacha?
-Be the most careful! Have you a point, you could start up, at least, not too far from this house?
-I have. In no case appear inside at first. This is not only dangerous, but also, this may blow the whole operation.
-I understand.
-Well, God bless you.
Albert started up a third of a mile from the dacha and quickly headed for it. Instead of the accustomed fence, the dacha was surrounded by a new one. The new fence was wooden, but high and blind. He abruptly jumped up. Only at the second time he succeeded to grab the top part of the fence, did a pull-up. Holding to the fence with his feet, he rose higher and finally he was holding the fence with his hands from above. Inside the house didn't change, but a guard with a machine-gun was walking back and forth in the yard. He immediately noticed Albert.
-Where are you climbing, asshole!
-This dacha is not yours. Aged people live in it.
-And I guard this dacha against types you are. Do you have questions else?
Instead an answer, Albert jumped down back, in the snow.
Next chapter: http://la-flagellation.blogspot.ru/2018/02/chapter-9-baptism-by-fire-part-2.html
-Nobody at home. No one of the three. Unlikely that it is a coincidence. There is something wrong, - concluded Albert after returning out of the short travel. - Especially if one takes into account that it is early morning in Moscow now.
-I, also, don't doubt, - the old man answered. - Being a savant, an analyst, try to consider, you, how every side will act and I'll try to complete the common picture after adding my own thoughts if something doesn't coincide. If I helped to pull from shit this stupid Tolik, but he again climbed into it and perished, God rest his soul, but regarding these girls, I just must help them out.
Meanwhile, Olesya went for a walk with the new skis. In her presence, they tried to keep silence about Moscow events at all to hide the data about the teleportation. Before, during hiding Nadezhda, Paul reported to the cashier in the Novosibirsk railway station, from where he with Olesya prepared to return to Krasnoyarsk, he paid good money to the cashier to buy the tickets for the planned place. Then he immediate teleported at home, left with Olesya for Novosibirsk, leading her out of home as usual, in order the neighbors would see nothing. Entering into the bus, they agreed to pretend as if they don't know each other, because the local people could see them. Only after boarding the train from Krasnoyarsk to Tashkent, they ceased to hide the fact from the people around that they are travelling together. Either the watching on the screen about Colonel's gangs, or the trip with Olesya to Novosibirsk, those were exceptions. But Paul tried to hide from Olesya the rest of the information, because he worried about her safety.
Nadya didn't cry, but was upset because disappearance all the three, especially Lena. The last worked for the illegally formed department, its organizers were aware all her conversations, secretly taping them. Also, they were well informed that it's impossible to learn yet something from her and soon they will not need her anymore. She already didn't work in the canteen, but pretended in front of them as if she continues to work over there. When she talked to the friends that she works, it was a truth. Untruth consisted of the fact, what is the enterprise she works.
Two hours passed.
-How are the things going? - the old man asked.
-There are a lot of versions. It's an embarrassment to choose. In a few of hours, maybe I'll be able to bring this information to an appropriate form, but all the same, this is like an equation with a lot of unknowns. We have better to get more of the data. I'm going to head there again.
-And check all their mailboxes.
-That's right, - Albert agreed. - Also, it couldn't hurt to sit in every flat during about ten minutes. Maybe a phone will ring, anybody will come, the neighbors will ask something, maybe some sort of information will be got by chance. And it would be better if we do it together. You take two flats and I do two ones. So to be faster.
-Act in apartments by yourself alone, - the old man answered. - Because at the same time I can climb over in the institutions you cannot visit. Paukov's office, for example.
-Still, it's true!
Albert has been sitting in every flat for the planned while with a resolution of one second, but in vain. In the mailboxes was nothing too. He checked his own flat at the last turn. But there was some paper in the mailbox. It was a telegram consisted only of the three words: "SAVE ALL ACCESSIBLE". It already was something.
Albert learned at once who is an author of the telegram ("Do you want I would become for you a girl, daring, mischievous and accessible one?" - Lena told him while their date). At the same time this telegram couldn't be a trap, because it did not invite anyone anywhere and didn't bring any information, excepting the only one: the worst version was affirmed. Lena apparently thought as if act like this would be less dangerous, but she likely has failed. Kashin and his team understood that she has turned against them and they locked up her somewhere. Maybe, they already have liquidated her, but it was better don't think about this. However, if she is alive, therefore, either the elimination of her was connected with technical difficulties, or finally they are going to use her as a hostage or a bait. It was the reason they didn't withdraw the telegram, which was sent from Moscow yesterday. It means, she was captured by them not more than two days ago, and Valya and Sweta were captured earlier. When Albert returned and shared his gained scarce information, the old man affirmed Albert's suppositions, but was worried, because he succeeded to learn, neither in Paukov's office, nor in the places of possible Kovalev's appearing, in which the old man had prepared for himself the "the points of appearance" under the desks, nor near the metro "Studencheskaya" in the apartments of the all three chiefs of the criminal illegal department, nor even in their "safe houses".
-No wonder, during such a short while we have learned nothing, - Albert concluded. - All of them have many different deals, they may sit in their offices during a lot of hours, keeping silent. Idea! We must loosen their tongues, it seems, I know how to act.
The old man wasn't against the plan Albert invented. They both started to laugh, when has Albert expounded it aloud. Just he advised to ponder the details more carefully, many times "to measure", before "cutting". From the enemy side, it's possible using some of the reagents to mark a person, even the cops have such things. Also, from the enemy side, it's possible using of a microscopic transmitter radiating some certain signal, to ping it to be aware the object's location, to discover every place of his possible appearance. And finally, it's possible the using of the radioactive substances. The last things are very dangerous for the health, therefore it's less probable, but not excluded in full. They may be ready in a case of possible object's appearance, do it quickly, it's possible, even using a special equipment, to attach to the body some bad thing. Extremely unlikely an ambuscade of the shooters with guns and safety's off, and they are given an order to shoot to kill in a case with some tricks. However, we have to take into account everything may be possible.
Albert decided to begin the actions from the 40th deli, situated in one of the buildings of the infamous institution nearby the square Lubyanka. In order not to attract an attention, before he decided not to put on any mask, but he bought a quite standard and comparatively not expensive leather jacket and a cheap jumper, taking an example of the bandits who killed Tolik. In the 40th deli in the aisle of the expensive wines, a woman cashier enthusiastically and sweetly talked with a client dressed expensively, but swankily. She played for time, counted the change long. It seemed, it was not a flirt, just a "needed" person has come. Behind the client, a tail of three persons already was formed and they obediently waited, keeping silent, hiding their irritation. Suddenly one of them pulled the collar of his sweater, covering with it the lower part of his face till the nose, then he abruptly came up to the woman cashier and pecked her on the mouth through the sweater. At the same time he hugged her with his left hand and his right hand grabbed a bundle of the large bills, which were comparable with a good salary, at least, which would be paid during not less than for five months. The cashier loudly shouted, But Albert drowned her with his own shouting "Fire! Fire!" He hit with his foot on someone's hand, which tried to catch him and then he climbed up the rack of the bottles with wine, breaking a part of them. Everyone turned to the side of the show, but the troublemaker suddenly disappeared right in front of them.
However, the broken bottles and stolen money were quite real and no ghost could be blamed for this. A crowd gathered, a task force came, whose members were all in civilian clothes, but literally all the witnesses, answering the questions were spewing some gibberish. Just in case, the signs of the intruder were asked and the identity check began near every exit. Certainly, all this was in vain.
The exits still were blocked, but a noise and shouting began again. It was some invisible man just popped up from a "non-existence", a man whose face was half covered sweater collar. He snatched a bundle of money and... as if dissolved in the air. A chief of the task force already started to consult by the radio with the superior colleagues about some diablerie is taking place in the deli 40 and doesn't cease, in spite of the fact that every exit is blocked and because of this it's not enough of the colleagues, because in the given situation they are needed not only near the exits, but also inside of the deli. Also, it is necessary a lot of witnesses who are experts, because all the witnesses are civilians and they give absurd testimonies. The senior officials of the militia started to understand that the occurring things are going beyond their competence, and now they may with a clean conscience to place this headache on the FSB.
The operative and rubberneckers roamed in the whole deli, animatedly exchanging impressions, dangled hither and thither without taking into account a third dimension, the height. Suddenly, a shouting sounded from the height:
-Everyone looks here! Look here! Here is I! - plugging away some psycho shouted, unknown when he has succeeded to climb on the chandelier. - Stand back! Now it will be an explosion and fire!
A champagne bottle fell, loudly broke. It smelled like gasoline from there. Burning splinter falling from the height inflamed the puddle Everyone succeeded to run aside in enough security clearance. It begins the shots into the height, but "the hero of the occasion" already was absent over there. A few of the buyers were scared and rushed to the exit. Thanks to the fact that there were a bit of them, the hustle, which was formed in the doorway, it was harmless enough. Some of them were embraced by an ecstasy, but they hid such a look, being embarrassed because of this emotion. Their joy was natural: when and where they could see such a free spectacle, such "fireworks"? There were no victims. The fire quickly was extinguished, using the fire extinguishers. It didn't succeed to be spread further, only less than a liter of gasoline burned on the stone floor. All the same, it became smoky, but in spite of this, the lot of people preferred to stay in the deli to look what will go on.
At the same time in a dairy shop in the Sretenka street, a man in the leather jacket asked a woman seller, how to address by name to the chief: as if he wants to show and it's possible, to sell her a plush carpet he has brought from Baku. After asking, he passed in the corridor without hindrance, however, he didn't come to the chief, but to the group of the porters who were sitting in their service room and told anecdotes each to another, without paying attention on the strange guest.
-Hey, dude! Put back my robe! Where are you from such impudent one? Whether are you a newcomer? - after this replica, all of them turned to the side of a strange man who put on their clothes not without being allowed. Suddenly he disappeared in front of them and at once it formed a long dumb show.
In a few minutes in another place, it was nearby the Lubyanka again, a man was coming into the large book shop, if to look at his clothes, a worker. He with difficulty was carrying a huge pile of some junk by the armful. There was a paper, some things of cardboard, wooden boards. He came upstairs on the first floor. No one prevented him, even entering in, he was helped by holding the door. Who knows, what a mission was given, either to a worker, or to a janitor. Only when he had come to the first floor and threw this pile near the counters, a seller woman shouted:
-Who has allowed you to throw here the garbage? What are you doing?
-I'm going to start the fire here. Am I not allowed?
She just wanted to shout: "Militia! Here is a madman in the shop!" but suddenly fell silent, freezing scared, seeing the "Walter" aimed at her.
-Don't be afraid. You will not be burned. Even you may feast your eyes on this firework for a short while. It is so beautiful! - Albert softly pronounced, smiling, pouring a combustible mixture on the pile. He moistened a little wooden stick, set it on fire and threw it in the middle of the pile. After this, immediately he threw himself in the center of the raging flame and disappeared in it.
-Fire! There's a fire at the top! - A commotion starting at the top as if affirmed this loud message, but at once a strange continuation followed:
-Now it's going to be something! Look here everyone! You! Petty human crowd! You are cadavers! You are a herd of beasts! Is here among you, at least, one human being? Or everyone are the Soviet zombi?
In a few of second, almost everyone of those who were in this hall and could see, they indignantly were looking at Albert.
-Dickhead! - someone's evil voice sounded.
However, the troublemaker disappeared in front of them again. Soon the sellers and visitors ran away out in the street. Because of the people spontaneously gathering near the shop, a traffic jam started to form, but not for a long while. The building was saved, however, a fire brigade had to do a lot of work. Else in a half an hour, Paukov was aware of everything what was occurring in the shops nearby. Just in case he connected with Kovalev:
-Grisha, is there someone else, who is working with the paranormal, excepting Kashin?
-Uncle Kesha, unlikely, even with one ear I haven't heard about this.
-If you say, likely so it is. Nevertheless...
A phone rang now. Paukov in vexation picked up the phone.
-Attention! The money I've stolen from the deli 40 and in the burning "Book World", it is in the Kashin's apartment. I'm repeating: the money I've stolen from the deli 40 and in the burning "Book World", it is in the Kashin's apartment. I'm repeating...
-Fool! He has done because of his devilry! - the General of FSB blurted out. - Grisha, wait for a short while, now I have messages all around. Don't interrupt the connection.
He hung up, from where it was repeating the same phrase, as on a spoiled disk, took a radio from the desk and adjusted the aerial. When he was bending, it has seemed, as if under the heavy oaken desk some shadow has flickered and disappeared. It made him take a look at this place a second time to make sure there is nobody.
He tried long to get an answer from the air, but the insistence still has helped to succeed. Just heard Kashin's call-signs, which were pronounced with worried voice, Paukov at once has interrupted him:
-Comrade Kashin, what is your last mission?
-A deal of the smuggler from Sweden, his nickname is Black King.
-Have you succeeded to get something?
-The colleagues are working. If you need the urgent report, I can now ask the data from the air and give you the freshest information.
-I believe. You work good. I even would say, too good. The people say: "If you hew trees, the chips must fly!" But we already have no chips, but the wooden logs are flying!
-What do you say about, Innokenty Nikolaevich?
Not paying attention at his pretending, Paukov continued:
-Such things must be done with us together. You still have the possibility to rehabilitate. We can help you and formalize the legal status for your activity. But now your object, I know his name is Albert, he has got out of control, and using his abilities, he has robbed a few of the shops and committed arsons in the center of Moscow, he scares the people! Now I am urgently calling you in my office, because this problem is not in order to converse it in the air. Can you get here at three o'clock, afternoon?
After a short silence the answer followed:
-I'll try... I'll arrive for sure!
-I'm waiting. And be aware: If during your working you have committed some actions, which are able to cast a shadow on our Service, then you have to make amends as far as possible. I hope, you didn't commit anything stupid with irreversible consequences, did you?
-Yes, Sir.
-Well. All right. In general, I'm waiting. Saying this, the General switched off the radio and put it on the desk, without forgetting to sheathe the aerial. Suddenly Kovalev came in.
-Excuse me, uncle Kesha, there is an interesting data. Kashin's signal is traced. Now he is situated one hundred and thirty miles on the North direction from Moscow.
-Can you express more exact?
Kovalev approached the map hanging on one of the walls and began to paint an imaginary circle on the map with his finger. The General approached the map too.
-Huh, it's disappointing. The radius is about twelve miles. And I don't think that it is in a city. We have nothing there in order Kashin would work. We have to be aware, what a boiler room, he had organized there.
-Uncle Kesha. You said nothing to him about the wenches. They are just about to liquidate Redhead.
The General took a look at Kovalev, either interrogatively, or contemptuously, and after a pause, plunging his subordinate in the embarrassing position, he pronounced:
-Dear, Grisha. We need information. The way it is gained... in general, you understood. Kashin has brewed a mush, now let him eat it. We have no guilt it it and we may in a clear conscience... - it seemed, the General looked for an appropriate figure of speech.
-We are washing our hands. Is it right uncle Kesha?
-That's well, you are such an astute one.
Suddenly Kovalev rushed to the desk and leaned.
-What's wrong with you?
-It seemed to me that someone is sitting there.
-You should rest, Grisha. This is a tiredness because of the work. But nevertheless... - suddenly Paukov remembered, recently, he also noticed something similar to a silhouette. - What have you seen?
-Here... At first a bundle, as if clothes. I'd not attached importance, but taking a more attentive look at it, and it turned out as if a person, although he was sitting in an inconceivable position. Only a pro in the Yoga could sit so.
-Damn it! Just what we needed! Don't share with you people too much. You understand, it may adversely affect on your reputation. I have to ponder... There is an antidote for every poison.
This time in the snow-covered Siberian taiga on the edge of the village a man has appeared "from nothing" and almost running headed to the village, then came into the house.
-How’s tricks? - Albert asked, looking forward to the answer.
-Kashin is one hundred and thirty miles from Moscow to the North. The radius of the probable localisation is about twelve miles. Paukov is aware of everything, including Lena - the old was reporting, hard breathing. Then he told in detail he heard, finishing so:
-Do you see here? We have a good result. You've muddied the waters. I've caught the fish.
-Wait, wait, - Albert said anxiously, pressing his right palm against his forehead. What if their "probable localisation" would be in the my parents' dacha?
-Be the most careful! Have you a point, you could start up, at least, not too far from this house?
-I have. In no case appear inside at first. This is not only dangerous, but also, this may blow the whole operation.
-I understand.
-Well, God bless you.
Albert started up a third of a mile from the dacha and quickly headed for it. Instead of the accustomed fence, the dacha was surrounded by a new one. The new fence was wooden, but high and blind. He abruptly jumped up. Only at the second time he succeeded to grab the top part of the fence, did a pull-up. Holding to the fence with his feet, he rose higher and finally he was holding the fence with his hands from above. Inside the house didn't change, but a guard with a machine-gun was walking back and forth in the yard. He immediately noticed Albert.
-Where are you climbing, asshole!
-This dacha is not yours. Aged people live in it.
-And I guard this dacha against types you are. Do you have questions else?
Instead an answer, Albert jumped down back, in the snow.
Next chapter: http://la-flagellation.blogspot.ru/2018/02/chapter-9-baptism-by-fire-part-2.html
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