Five

Roma woke up when it was already dark. The weakness was still felt, but still the man felt better. Looking at his watch, he immediately jumped up. 19:49. And at 20:00 Peskarev will come to him for a conversation. Kostylev rushed around the apartment for ten minutes, getting himself in order and putting on a business suit. At exactly 20:00 the doorbell rang. Standing on the threshold was a short, middle-aged brunette with thin hair and a small thin mustache. He was overweight, simply huge, and disgusting. But Roman greeted him with a sweet smile. They went into the office. Kostylev sat down at his desk and offered his interlocutor the chair opposite. - Well, I guess we can get started. - I suppose, “Mr.” Kostylev. Peskarev said this with a disgusting grin, and Roma felt uneasy. He felt a dark aura, darker than usual. And this did not bode well. Roman chalked it all up to his fatigue, but he tensed up. — So, on what terms are you ready to conclude an agreement, Alexey? — Your resignation and return to Russia. - What? How can you?! — As far as I know, this agreement is very important for Russia. And the government, for the sake of its imprisonment, I think, will sacrifice the career of one diplomat. - But I could bring a lot of benefit to the country! - Yah?! Do you watch Russian news? - What is this for? — In your homeland you are considered a traitor, and when you return, then… - Stop it! Still, overwork played a role. And the words of the enemy finished off Roma. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. Tears flowed down my cheeks. But Peskarev did not want to interrupt. - When you return, you will be sent to prison or killed outright. Even if you survive, you will be disgraced. No one will give you a helping hand. You will be destroyed. You will beg for death. Kostylev wanted to scream with anger and despair. But he restrained himself. I didn’t want to show my weakness. But his condition still reflected emotions. Self-control no longer helped, and there was no strength for mental influence. He just lay in the chair and tried to disconnect from his thoughts. But it didn’t work out. Suddenly Peskarev stood up abruptly and walked around the table that separated them. - I guess you have a death wish right now. I will ease your pain. Roma shuddered and reached for the phone, but his hand was intercepted. - Not so fast! You can’t do anything to me! Alexei’s second hand grabbed Roma’s throat and squeezed. He screamed quietly, but most likely even the neighbors did not hear his voice. Kostylev began to struggle, but Peskarev only choked him harder, and soon Roma’s eyes closed and his heart stopped beating. Having made sure that the blond was dead, the man straightened up and smiled wickedly. He quickly walked into the hallway, threw on his coat, put on his shoes and went out, closing the door. *** Milena walked through evening New York to visit Roma. Misha’s words seriously frightened her. She still liked Roma, and she was afraid of losing him. Although, of course, everything could have ended with depression and illness, but I didn’t want to risk it. It was already getting dark, but the girl did not think about the danger that threatened her. Now only Kostylev was in her thoughts. And the words spoken by Misha. She, of course, had the keys, so it was not difficult for her to enter the entrance. But when she reached the desired floor, her heart did a somersault. The front door was open and the light was on inside. - Romka! Milena ran into the apartment and rushed to inspect the rooms. Bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, living room… Lights were on everywhere, but the man was not there. All that was left was the office. It was the only unlit room, and the girl, entering there and pressing the switch, clutched her heart and almost fainted. Her hand immediately reached for the phone, and ten minutes later she heard the howl of ambulance and police sirens. She had already managed to call Misha, he was on his way. The front door opened and a dozen people entered the apartment. The first thing they saw was a trembling pale girl. They approached her and one of the men asked: - Did you call? - Yes… - What’s happened? - My fiancé… I went to visit him, but found him dead… - Where? - In the office. It’s down the corridor and to the left. The group moved in the indicated direction, but the same man remained. - Come on, let’s sit down somewhere. Milena led him into the living room. They sat down on the sofa. - Tell me how it all happened. - What exactly? - Why did you go to visit him? - Well, his friend called me. He visited Roma today. Misha said that he looked tired, as if something had happened. Misha asked to visit him when Roma wakes up. I did so… - It’s clear. Was there a reason why your fiancé was in this state? - Yes. He’s a diplomat after all. He had a political enemy. Roma tried to conclude some kind of agreement, but he was against it. Roma worked very hard. The doctors entered the living room. - We’re sorry, he’s dead. The cause of death was suffocation. — Did he have a reason to commit suicide? — asked the policeman. - No… he had bad days. Moreover, he now began to communicate more with his best friend. Footsteps were heard in the corridor. - Milena? Misha flew into the room. - What’s happened? Were you that excited when you called…? He saw people standing in the room. - Who you are? — asked them. — Mikhail Osipov. What’s happened? — Is this your fiance’s friend? - Yes. - Well. Your friend is dead. Misha sat up abruptly. I was lucky that there was a chair nearby. - How did it happen? - Presumably he was strangled. - Where is he? - In the office. Mikhail immediately lost his temper. Having crossed the threshold of the room, he saw a friend. It was truly a sad picture. Disheveled hair, a face red from tears, fingerprints on the neck, thin arms with protruding veins lying on the table. There were bruises on my wrists, as if someone had squeezed them tightly. Misha came closer. Roma’s face was completely pale, he looked even worse than when Misha left him during the day. But what hurt the most was the expression on his face. How much pain and despair… A policeman entered the office. - Don’t touch anything here, please. We need to conduct an examination. But Misha didn’t listen. His gaze was clouded, and he himself was motionless. Scenes from THEIR lives flashed before their eyes. He didn’t even notice how he was taken into the living room and sat on the sofa. Despite the fact that Osipov was an adult, courageous man, he began to cry. But no one condemned him. Half an hour passed like this. The living room was filled with people again. - Obviously it was murder. — The victim was wearing a business suit, he probably had a meeting. - But with whom? They turned to Milena. - Excuse me, did he happen to have an organizer or notebook? Places where he would write down his plans for the day? - No… He always remembered everything. - This complicates the situation. Did the examination not help in finding the fingerprints? — The killer was wearing gloves. - It’s clear. But maybe you have some idea who the killer could be? - Peskarev. - What? — Alexey Peskarev. This is Roma’s main enemy. It was either he himself or the people he sent. - Well, perhaps. We will check. We’ll transport the body. We will inform you about everything. You can go home. Milena and Misha got up and wandered into the hallway. They got dressed and went out. - Do you want to fly? - Let’s. Can I spend the night with you? - Yes, sure. *** Misha gave the bed to the girl, and he lay down on the sofa. It was already dark in the apartment. But Mikhail did not sleep. Roma was still before my eyes. He will never forget this face. This man. He was deeply hurt by the death of his friend. He realized that he had to take revenge. He fell asleep, but that room was still standing before his eyes…