Читать книгу Seven Elephants - - Страница 4

The seventh elephant lay in an evidence bag. The white porcelain seemed inappropriately bright under the harsh light of the forensic lab.

"No fingerprints," expert Klimov rubbed his tired eyes. "Whoever sent the package was wearing gloves. But here's what's interesting—the marking on the bottom is the same as the elephants from the old case. Imperial Porcelain Factory, 1994."

"He's been collecting them," Anna said quietly. "All these years, he's been collecting them."

In the adjacent interrogation room sat Elena Andreevna. She had agreed to recount once more how her relationship with Viktor had developed. Every detail could prove important.

"Start recording," Anna nodded to Dorokhov, turning on the voice recorder.

"He appeared in our social circle two years ago," Elena Andreevna automatically adjusted the collar of her blouse. "A mutual friend introduced him as a successful businessman from Moscow. Viktor… he knew how to make an impression. Always impeccably dressed, educated, with excellent manners."

"Tell me about the first warning signs."

"You know what's strange? Looking back now, I can see them. But then… then he could explain everything. Any oddity, any inconsistency." She paused. "For instance, the story about his past. He never showed photographs, never told specific stories. Just general phrases: 'when I lived in Moscow,' 'I had a business.' And if I asked for details, he skillfully changed the subject."

Anna made a note in her notebook. Typical behavior for someone with a false identity.

"And then the elephants appeared," Elena Andreevna continued. "He noticed Sofi's collection and became so enthusiastic. He told her the legend about seven elephants bringing happiness. Sofi became excited about collecting all seven. And he… he encouraged it. Now I understand—it was part of his game."

"How did he interact with Sophia?"

"Perfectly. Too perfectly, you understand? He took interest in her studies, helped her with English. Once I found them talking about music—he was describing classical composers, and Sofi was listening, completely captivated. Back then, I thought: how fortunate that my daughter has such a wonderful stepfather…"

Elena Andreevna fell silent, clenching her fists so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

"When did the calls begin?"

"After I threw him out. At first, they were normal calls—he apologized, asked for forgiveness. Then he started calling at night. Silent calls. And then… then I found the first camera."

There was a knock at the door. A young officer handed Anna a folder.

"The forensic results."

Anna opened the folder, quickly scanning the lines. She froze.

"Elena Andreevna, have you ever heard the name Andrei Savelyev?"

"No, who is…"

"What about the surname Rogov? Did Viktor ever mention this name?"

"No, never. What's happening?"

Anna placed a photograph in front of her: three men standing in front of a gray Toyota Camry. In the center—a young Viktor Rogov.

"This picture is twenty years old. On the right is Andrei Savelyev. The same person whose car was used in Sophia's abduction."

"And the third man?" Elena Andreevna's voice trembled.

"We haven't identified the third one yet. But there's something else."

Rapid footsteps sounded in the corridor. Dorokhov burst into the room.

"Just got a call from the detention center. Viktor is demanding a lawyer. Says he's ready to testify."

"About what?"

"About another murder. One that wasn't solved twenty years ago."

Elena Andreevna went pale. "What murder are you talking about?"

Anna gathered the papers into the folder. "Dorokhov, take Elena Andreevna home. And make sure there's a patrol unit by her building. I'm going to the detention center."

At the doorway, she turned back: "And find me everything you can about Andrei Savelyev. Especially for the last two years."

The story was growing more complex. The web spun by Viktor turned out to be larger and more terrifying than they had suspected. And somewhere in this web, the third person from the photograph still lurked.