Наталья Андреева - Islanders

“Later. That’s not the time. Okay, what do you think about all these?” Sergey asked after a small pause. “Have you got any thoughts about it?”

“No, nothing. Only guesses.”

“I think you’re clever! Well, watch, think. And …” Sergey again made a small pause. “Take on a note. It can be useful to you. “

“Do you want to add it to my debt?”

“Let’s not speak about it.”

“No, wait. I want to know what to wait?”

“Later.”

“Today, Sergey. Now.”

“Do you really want to look at the repairing works?” Sergey changed the theme.

“Why not? I told the truth about my apartment. I repair it really.”

“I believe you, one drop of the truth!” Sergey burst out laughing.” I have already got confused!”

“You may go to watch.” and Arthur nodded to the door behind which Angelica disappeared.

“I repeat for the third time that’s not you think about.”

“Then what is it?”

“I shall tell. Later.”

“All right. I shall wait. How much?”

“About three hours.” Sergey said indifferently. And he opened the door to go out to the staircase. He hesitated. Then he turned back.

Arthur went to the door to the next apartment. He also turned and they changed the glances …

… The break came to an end when from the corridor they heard the female shout. The woman shouted so desperately that even Angelica who was at the balcony that moment heard it and rushed back. Very strange that she was the first to react to these shouts. She ran into the corridor and saw the body on the floor. She stupidly looked at it and asked.

“What happens? “

“And you … you … don’t you see?” said Vera stopped shouting. “He is dead! Sergey! Sergey is dead!”

Angelica bent and stared at the body on the floor.

“And really … he did not move. May be, the heart?”

“What?!” Vera cried. “That’s the murder! Blood! The blood is on the floor!”

“Why are you so nervous? Why are you shouting so loudly?”

“And you … you … aren’t you afraid of?”

“I have seen a lot.”

And Angelica removed her boot from a pool of blood. Then she complained.

“It is so dark here!”

At that moment the door of the next apartment opened and Arthur came in asking.

“What happens? Who shouted?”

“Sergey … He is dead!”

“What?” then he added. “I can’t believe.”

“Are you both mad? He is dead!“ Vera shouted.

“Why could I feel sorry?” Angelica said.”I have not even known him!”

“Stop lying.” Arthur said angrily. “Have ever known!”

At that time Zhanna and Lida came from the other room. Lida began to cry. Zhanna tried to calm her. Seva came to them and finally Ivan went out from the room where he put the box with the letters.

“What’s the matter?” Ivan asked watching people around the body as he could not see it.

They moved back and Seva said.

“Well. That’s…”

“May be, he is alive!” Lida fell down on her knees and tried to find Sergey’s pulse.

“Stop!” Ivan stopped her. “I shall do. I am the doctor. Step apart.”

Vera moved strangely to close the body but then stood up. Ivan came close and bent down above Sergey. After the pause Ivan said.

“Sorry. He is dead.”

“Oh, my God!” Lida signed.

“But … how did it happen? “Angelica asked.

“He is wounded in the back from the left side. Wait … it is dark here. There are two wounds. One above another. By a sharp object. Murder was about five minutes ago, blood still goes. Who has found the body?”

“I did.” said Vera. “Why are you looking at me so strange?”

“Call the police.” Zhanna said suddenly. “I am curious how he was killed.”

“There. Have a look.” and Ivan pointed to a basket with an oil paint with the chisel sticking out. “Somebody hit him in the back twice. And the instrument of murder that chisel the murderer had thrown in the basket with paint. Watch: only the edge sticks out. It’s dark here but I am sure there is blood on it.”

“Yes, blood.” Lida whispered. “I see. But why is it in paint?”

“It means that all prints of fingers are destroyed.” Ivan explained. “Great trick! To hide it in the basket with an oil paint! It’s impossible to identify them!”

“You must call the police.” Seva said. “ They will decide.”

“Yes.” Ivan agreed. “I think our session is over. On the background of this murder everything else is not important.”

“Wow!” Arthur said suddenly. “We both left for the corridor! Now you can say that I killed him!”

“The best defense is the attack, isn’t it?” Angelica blinked her eyes. “And in fact you are right! I have left you together and went to the balcony to smoke. I think it is clear.”

“But you invited him there.” Arthur answered angrily. “Do you remember?”

“By the way, I was waiting him in vain.”

“Who will prove it?”

“I shall go to call the police.” Zhanna said. “Don’t touch anything here and better to dismiss.”

“Dismiss?” Lida screamed. “But one of us is the murderer!”

“She is nervous.” Ivan said.”Not to dismiss but to go away from here.”

Meantime Zhanna went to the door. Nobody stopped her.

“As for the murderer.” Arthur crookedly grinned. “He is among us. I am sure it will be better to call the police.”

“Yes!” Angelica exclaimed. “I need the protection! I won’t stay alone now!”

“Let’s call immediately.” Vera said. “I am …” she added.”I feel terrible.”

“We should wait for them here.” Lida sobbed. “Close to the body! Oh, I am afraid!”

“I also feel bad.” complained Seva.

“I don’t know what to say about myself.” Ivan reminded. “My private practice will be closed then. Could you imagine – the murder happens during the session of psychotherapy! That’s a scandal!”

“Nobody will go to your sessions.” Angelica said. “Never!”

“I should say.” Ivan looked at her and continued. “One of us is the remarkable actor. Nobody protested against a call to the police. Not a single person. All were for the call but in fact someone plays! Lies! What do you think, who?”

“You are the psychologist and you will find who.” Angelica said suddenly. “What about acting …”

At that moment Zhanna who recently had disappeared behind the door rushed into the room and cried.

“Could you imagine? The telephone socket is broken! The wires are cut off! We have no phones!”

“We haven’t got phones, have we?” Vera asked.

“No phones?” Lida echoed her.

“Be quiet.” Ivan said. “We all have mobile phones. Don’t begin to panic.”

“Oh, my God!“ Zhanna shouted. “How stupid I am! Well, of course! The mobile phones!”

And she rushed back in the room. Everybody followed her.

“Be careful!” said Vera to Zhanna when the last slipped in a hall and was ready to fall. She picked her up by the elbow.

“Thanks.” Zhanna murmured and released her elbow rushing to the small table of the red color.

“Why is it water on the floor?” Seva asked in wonder.

“Oh,my God!” Zhanna shouted. And everybody forgot about the pools on the floor. “Where are our mobiles!”

“What?” Ivan asked tensely.

“They are gone! I can’t see them!”

“Where are they?” Arthur was surprised. Lida turned pale.

“Have a look!”

And Zhanna moved forward that box where they had put the mobile phones. She moved it up to the end.

Vera came the first to watch as she was standing close to and began checking by her hand on a bottom of the box hoping to find a hiding place in which mobile phones were. Then she said helplessly.