Red Star

Chapter 17

Later, much later, according to the stories of some participants in those events, I managed to recreate the whole picture of that day ...

Churbanov, there was nothing left but to grab me under the armpits. Assistants and adjutants rushed to his aid, but, like ice floes by an icebreaker, they were squeezed out to the sides by the mighty body of the Lehi.

And dragged me to the judges ' tables by the Deputy Minister of internal Affairs of the USSR, Lieutenant General of militia, beloved son of the General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee, comrade Yuri Mikhailovich Churbanov and conditionally convicted person, the driver of "Ambulance", my "big brother", the citizen korostylev Alexey, surrounded by excitedly clamoring and trying to help the crowd of dignitaries.

When they put my limp carcass on the tables, there was a slight hitch, no one knew what to do next. Romanov, the "master of Leningrad", appeared nearby, somewhat late in dragging heavy loads. Keeping a visible calm, a veteran of the war with blood is impossible to surprise, he lifted my t-shirt... at

Home, when I was making a bandage, I did it with a considerable margin of safety. The square of bandage on the entire side, thickly covered with streptocide, I tightly sealed, with even tapes that I cut off from the coil of adhesive plaster.

Now this work of my creativity was a terrible sight: the ribbons parted and began to peel off, blood flowed from the resulting gaps, and it also appeared abundantly around the perimeter of the bandage.

- Wow ... - the head of the "city of three revolutions" breathed intelligently.

- In, f**k! - the all-powerful Deputy Minister expressed himself much more expressively.

- Doctors here! "they've already done that in chorus...

... Within 10 minutes, under the howling of police sirens, a black minibus with tightly darkened Windows, Packed with resuscitation equipment, rushed me, accompanied by experienced doctors, to the nomenclature "Sverdlovsk" - 31 city clinical hospital named After ya. m. Sverdlov. His personal "intensive care" the Ambulance gave Novels.

Another 20 minutes later, I was lying on the operating table...

But this time, in the office of the chief of the sports complex "Dinamo", putting it the master, Lieutenant-General of chumps, in my blood stained uniform, a member of the Politburo of the Novels, three police generals, as well as, to worm his way into such a company, will of head of the police Department of Leningrad oblast Executive committees, General Kokushkin, Releev Lekha, with extremely interested parties, listened to my writings out of my jacket in the locker room. Solovyov, the Prosecutor of Leningrad, read it out with an impenetrable air.

"To the police of Leningrad

from a student in class 7a of 81 high school

Seleznev Viktor Stanislavovich, born in 1963

registered: Leningrad, per.Trubetskoy d. 5, sq. 69

surrender

I, Seleznev Victor, 14.05.78, on Sunday went to the store "Sporting goods", near the metro station "Vasilostrovskaya". There I wanted to buy a small horizontal bar for pull-UPS at home, because I do sports.

I saved money for the horizontal bar from the money my mother gives me for school. In the store, I bought a horizontal bar, a Dynamo bag, and a climbing carbine, which I then used to attach the crossbar to the bag - I saw that one man did this to keep his hands free.

Then I went to the railway Museum at the metro station Technological Institute, there is a model of the railway, and I want to make a similar one at home.

While I was walking to the Museum along Moskvina Avenue, I went into one of the courtyards, where, without being noticed, I saw a man in a gray suit and glasses. He caught my attention by taking a red ID card from his briefcase, opening it, reading it, laughing, then kissing it and putting it in the top outer pocket of his jacket.

It all seemed strange and suspicious to me. I know that there are criminals who pretend to be policemen, and I thought that this man did not look like a policeman, but I did not call 02 because I doubted it.

I decided to follow him and, after a while, I saw that he was entering the entrance of the house number 8, on 8th Krasnoarmeyskaya street. I waited for him for a while at first, but he didn't come out. Then I decided to enter this entrance as well.

I went on foot up the stairs and on one of the floors I heard this man talking to a girl and asking her something, and also telling her that he was a police officer.

Then the man asked the girl for permission to call the police on her home phone, and she let him into the apartment. I didn't know what to do and started listening at the apartment door.

When I heard the girl's screams, I thought she needed help and kicked the door, which I did only because I wanted to save the girl from a criminal.

The door opened and I saw a man in a suit grab the girl and hold a knife to her throat.

The man looked back, let go of the girl - she fell, and went to me with a knife. I finally realized that this is definitely not a policeman and was afraid that he would kill me. I tried to protect myself with a horizontal bar, but the man snatched it from me and stabbed me in the left side. It was very painful.

I began to fight him off, I had a carbine in my hand, and I hit the man with it from below in the head, because he was holding me and trying to knock me to the floor. The man fell unconscious, but was breathing. The girl was also lying on the floor, but there was no blood. I called the police from my apartment and left.

I don't know why I did it. I don't even really remember getting home. At home, I bandaged the wound, and hid the bloodied clothes in the trash so as not to frighten my mother. Then I went to bed, because I didn't have the strength at all and didn't feel well. And this morning I realized that I did the wrong thing yesterday and decided to go to the police and tell them everything.

And I am writing this "confession" because I know that it is taken into account as an extenuating circumstance. I know that I did the wrong thing and it was impossible to run away from the police.

Please don't punish me too harshly.

Viktor Seleznev"

The Prosecutor finished reading, carefully put the paper aside, and began to wipe the glasses off his nose with a snow-white handkerchief. Everyone was silent.

Romanov was the first to break the silence and asked cautiously:

"what do you think of this, Sergey Efimovich?"

City Prosecutor Solovyov, known in professional circles for his legendary cool and independent nature, which allowed him to repeatedly ignore the urgent instructions and even requests of people such as interior Minister Shchelokov and Romanov himself, finished wiping his glasses and put them back on his nose:

- It is premature to give any assessment now. We need to check the objective circumstances of the case. But, if everything was as stated, then the case can only be held as a witness or victim.

The Prosecutor took off his glasses again and looked around at the animated audience.

- I think it right to repeat he could, in language the guy hung well, on the box heard it all, Nightingale grinned and saw the return of a smile, and then continued, still, to learn something, read over, need to talk with him, and to INTERROGATE minors, we can only in the presence of his parents - city attorney paused and pointedly stared at the police chief.

General Kokushkin looked blank at first, but quickly recognized the hint:

"So why should we question him?"! He will definitely not be a suspect, the criminal is in the IVS and gives a confession. Very interesting, by the way, testimony-the General frowned, contrary to his words about "interesting" - they have already given confessions on thirty-two episodes of r**e, in different regions and republics, where he went as a long-distance driver, over the past six years - those present exchanged glances and frowned - during the search, some of the victims ' belongings were seized in the criminal's apartment. Only in Leningrad, two more episodes were added, which were not announced. Now we find out the reasons, - Kokushkin told it, mainly for Churbanov and Romanov, the city Prosecutor already knew everything, his first Deputy conducted interrogations personally.

- And what do you suggest, Vladimir Ivanovich? Solovyov hurried the police chief, who had fallen silent.

- So there is no urgent need for an official interrogation yet, - Kokushkin caught himself - especially since he is injured and in the hospital, you can just talk first.

- Captain, - Churbanov, who had been silent before, opened his mouth-Yes, sit down-he waved his hand at Retluev, who had jumped up-how did you not know about such events, because he is your pupil? Or did he know?

- No way, comrade Deputy Minister, I didn't know, I didn't see him at all for two days. Himself, as if from a mountain rolled down, from such a turn-Retluev turned to Lech, everyone also stared at the guy.

- Me, too, not a word, - Lech hastily shook his head-sat this morning in the car, some quiet, but did not even wince, I thought before the fight is going through, with this crook. So I told him that there would be no fight, so as not to burn my nerves in vain.

- Why won't there be a fight? Romanov asked in surprise, clearly ahead of everyone else's similar questions with this question.

Leh guiltily looked at Relieve and looked down.

Releev, after all, stood up and began, with the evil litim, to speak more formally:

- Comrade Deputy Minister, allow me to report. Coach Gogua-Zhdanovsky district, put among 14-year-olds athlete Misiunas, and that 16 years. I have an official certificate from the Ministry of internal Affairs of the Latvian SSR confirming the age of Misiunas. This is Viktor's current opponent.

Those present moved and began to talk discontentedly among themselves. The city Prosecutor smiled unkindly and asked a question in a boring voice:

- Why then this fight took place, and Misiunas was not removed?

***

I woke up from anesthesia in a hospital room. A young doctor in solid horn-rimmed glasses was sitting by my bed, reading the Literary Gazette. It wasn't difficult to determine the name of the printed organ, since the doctor read the last page and I could see the title page through my lashes without interference. Well, from the occasional stifled giggle, he was probably reading something funny.

There was the sound of a door opening, and I thought it best to keep my eyes closed for the time being. A soft male voice asked,

" How's the patient?"

The hurried rustle of a newspaper and the hurried response of a young voice:

- Until you Wake up, Vladimir Mikhailovich!

- Vasily Illarionovich, if I ever find You near the patient you are assigned to watch, engaged in some other business, this day will be the last day of our joint work. For now, go to the resident's office, " the deep male voice did not lose its charm for a moment, in the process of uttering a tirade.

There was a distressed sniff and hurried footsteps.

Victor, can you hear me? the voice continued softly.

There was nothing to risk, and I opened my eyes at once.

Next to my bed was another character in a white coat. Unlike the young "bespectacled Vaska", the character was solid, had a neat beard, a prepossessing face and attentive eyes, was a man in his late fifties and had a solid commanding appearance.

"That's great! - he was optimistic about my "awakening" - how do you feel after the operation, young man?

While I was lying down listening to the giggling "Vaska", I had time to prepare for this obvious question:

"Doctor," I croak, my throat dry, " tell me the truth, I promise to face it bravely.".. do I have to go to school soon?

The character blinked for a couple of seconds, and then laughed vulgarly at the top of his voice. And without saying a word, he left the room, continuing to "neigh" already on the move.

However, a couple of minutes later, he returned with a middle-aged nurse, who gave me a drink, carefully holding my head. The character himself introduced himself as "the head of the First surgery - Vladimir Mikhailovich".

Then Vladimir Mikhailovich, without ceasing to smile, began to measure my blood pressure, put a thermometer under my arm, handed by a silent nurse, checked my pupils and placed the stethoscope to my chest. Satisfied with the results and the thermometer reading, he patted me on the head like a baby and recommended that I " sleep and gain strength." After he left, I was left alone in the room.

"But I did take him down!" his lips parted in an involuntary smile - he had never enjoyed fighting or other violence, but now he was deeply and completely satisfied. However, he didn't smile for long. Finally, I got the gist of my situation. I'm in the hospital, they know about the wound, my "insurance" in my jacket has probably already been found. Still would not find, there are some cops around! So it is necessary to wait for the guests. Opensource projects, eh... And my mother... There will be no less problems here. Opensource projects, eh, again...

As I lay there, lost in thought and trying to combine my options, I heard numerous footsteps approaching the door of my room.

- Aha, for me, I'll be a reptile... - I mentally strain and tune in to the fight.

The noise outside the door stops and fades. A low murmur of voices, and the door to the ward opens a c***k and the old Vladimir Mikhailovich enters.

"Are you awake?" - he asks me cheerfully, radiating optimism and faith in the global recovery of all mankind - how do you feel? And then they came to visit you!

"Either a fool, or he doesn't really get into the situation, but what does it matter to me..." - I think and answer:

- I'm not sleeping, okay, so let them come in... - as if I have an option to suggest that the sleders go that way in a month!

Happy "head of the First surgery" hospitably opens the door and... "Oh, God damn" in the house come CHUMPS, NOVELS, some sullen guy in civilian clothes, the militia General and Reliev, with a strange expression and inappropriate in such company, captain's epaulets. Three officers push past, each with a couple of chairs, but they don't linger, leaving the chairs and disappearing soundlessly through the door.

The spacious ward immediately became small and crammed with so many people. The "headmaster" was apparently allowed to attend, too, and he stood modestly by the door. Churbanov came to the fore, he was in a more modest than in the morning, not a formal uniform, but still looked impressive, Galina Brezhnev can understand:

- Well, hero, how are you feeling?!

Ha, the predicted question, well, keep the answer!

"If the hole is only in the side and the head is still intact, then You must have caught me.".. at least that's the last thing I remember. So, I feel much better than I could have! Thank you very much, uncle Yura! - I make a grateful face.

Churbanov did not expect this, at first slightly embarrassed, then laughed:

- Yes, please, "nephew", your head was saved together, now let your side recover! Grigory Vasilyevich gave you his reanimobile and sent it to the best hospital in the city, " he stepped aside, giving Romanov a place near my bed.

- Thank you very much, Grigory Vasilyevich! The hospital was very useful to me...

Everyone laughed again. Romanov pulled up one of the chairs and sat down next to the bed.

Romanov asked cheerfully, looking at me with interest.

"So we've already hugged comrade General, but not You, Grigory Vasilyevich! I said cheerfully.

They all laughed again and began to sit down. Well, like "everything"... Out of the corner of my eye, I saw that Retluev was smiling crookedly, and the scowling man in the suit was almost unresponsive. Churbanov, Romanov, a police General I didn't know, and a doctor were laughing.

After sitting down and smiling a little more, the guests got down to business:

- Victor - began chumps - Grigory Vasilyevich, you know, well, who doesn't know him - he was flattered by "the mayor", Sergei Yefimovich - city Prosecutor (yeah, that's what this frowny face), Vladimir Ivanovich - the chief of city militia (police General winked and smiled), well, your coach and your doctor you already know my views. We got your application, and you know we want to hear more from you. Will you tell me?

"Of course," I nodded gravely, and his whole appearance expressed willingness.

Churbanov leaned back in his chair:

"Then we're all listening carefully.

I took a deep breath and began to tell my version of events, which I was determined to stick to at all costs. I told him how I went to buy a horizontal bar, and then decided to go to the Museum to see the layout of the railway.

- With a horizontal bar? - said the" frowning " Prosecutor.

With an effort of will, he suppressed a sharp dislike, smiled" sheepishly "and explained that he was afraid of "getting stuck" near the railway and being late on the way back to the sports store. Like "rolled". The second time the Prosecutor raised his voice when I told that I saw a suspicious person in the yard:

- what made you turn into the yard?

Again I feign embarrassment and mumble inarticulately that "I just stopped by to look." The answer, obviously, does not suit anyone and the Prosecutor, sensing something amiss, begins to "push", they say why you turned and how the criminal did not notice you. I mumble something unintelligible. I have an answer to this question ready in the morning, when I was writing my scribble, but let the Prosecutor lose his enthusiasm for the "dummy", it will be easier to wriggle out of serious questions.

Finally, Romanov intervenes, puts his hand on my shoulder and begins to explain in a heartfelt way that I'm a real good guy, but what a good guy, just a hero and an example to all the guys, that they all like me, etc., in short, tell the truth, everyone here wishes you well. Heh!..

Trying hard to blush, I squeeze out that I turned into the yard for "little need", because I could no longer stand it. And the criminal didn't see me, because I wasn't pissing triumphantly in the middle of the courtyard, collecting the applause of the audience and fans, but huddled in a secluded corner and there quietly shitting - well, the meaning is, of course, I had to choose other words.

The audience, including the doctor, seemed ready to burst out laughing at my "confession", and the Prosecutor almost spat on the floor! Heh! .. Inwardly I was laughing.

So slowly and get to the final battle with the maniac. Here, the wildly misplaced mirth that assailed me draws before my eyes the fight between Sherlock Holmes and Professor Mariarti at the Reichenbach falls.

As a result, a new attack of idiotic laughter attacks, which I, already in a panic, crush inside myself, and from this I begin to noticeably twist and shake. But fools-happiness! The audience gets it all wrong, and now the doctor is handing me a glass of water and asking if I can continue the conversation.

I can, but by nodding outwardly, I form a different response internally: "no, I'm tired and want to take a NAP, wait a couple of hours in the hallway"! My own fault... as a result, they shove ammonia under my nose. The sharp stench clears my brain and I finally realize that my extremely dangerous fun is probably a "withdrawal" from anesthesia. Realizing the danger, I pull myself together.

Therefore, the story about my fight with a maniac succeeds without any stupid jokes, periodically trembling voice and quite sincerely. I realize again that I was very close to death... by a hair's breadth ...

When I stop talking, there is silence for a while.

- So, after all, there are no angels - "not to the village", the chief city policeman says thoughtfully.

Everyone looks at the General in disbelief. General Kokushkin did not long torment the high authorities with "misunderstandings" and, chuckling, began to tell them: