Destiny's Puppets. Henri Mallet

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СКАЧАТЬ Gleb Svetlov, who had overcome the first shock, finally rang out in silence, « yes, I ask you to explain what is happening here?»

      «What's going on here? Nothing special. This lady left me, her daughter-angel and does not want to return to our home, and refuses to raise her baby,» the man sobbed and kissed Roshin relish on the lips. Amazed, she sank in his arms and embraced him by the neck in order not to fall down altogether.

      To an observer they looked like lovebirds. Everybody got silent and Roshin embraced the man’s waist with her second hand and was trying to stand up, but it was not so easy, because George was pushing her slightly and she was drooping in his arms again. Everybody was rooted on the spot.

      «Citizens, make way! What’s going on here?» А command voice was heard and two sturdy policeman appeared at the scene.

      At that moment the ones that had had a little sanity left in them seemed to have lost it altogether.

      «I am asking the witnesses of the incident to stay, all the rest – away you go, immediately!» ordered one of the policeman.

      The onlookers immediately dispersed. Suddenly, everybody seemed to have some important business. Only Tatiana Roshin, the man who was embracing her, Larisa Panko, Gleb Svetlov and two patrol officers stayed.

      «What’s going on here?» оne of law enforcement officers asked.

      The man embracing Roshin, kissed her on the lips again, rolled up his eyes and said in a doleful voice, «Tatiana, this is the love of my life and the mother of our wonderful baby. Officers, please, bring her to reason and return the mother to her child!»

      «Ma’am, do you know this man?» the policemen sternly peered at Roshin, who was still in the arms of her beau.

      «Yes, this is George, but…»

      «Great! You confirm that you know him. Do you agree to go with him and take care of your child?»

      «But I am not the mother of his child. He is simply an acquaintance of mine! He has no children whatsoever!»

      «Darling, my love, let’s go home. You’ll feel better and you’ll start taking care of our precious baby and your lovely hippo,» George said with gusto, slapped himself on the belly and kissed Roshin once again.»

      «Leave me alone, now!»

      Tatiana finally regained her balance, but George was still holding her hand in his.

      «Ma’am, I have to detain you until this matter is cleared out. As well as you, George. This way, please,» said the policemen indifferently and motioned to the patrol car parked nearby.

      «Where are you taking them? She is my fiancée.» Gleb stepped forward.

      «Are you a witness, young man?» The militiaman poked his huge forefinger at Gleb’s chest with such an effort that he had even to move back.

      «I am not a witness, I’m her fiancé! There was no incident!» Gleb's voice trembled treacherously.

      «Perfect! If you are not a witness, go your own way.»

      «I’ll follow you with pleasure!» Exclaimed George, embraced Roshin by the waist and headed for the patrol car with decision. «I am sure you will save our marriage!»

      He opened the door, helped Tatiana to the back seat and then sat next to her.

      «We can go!» He shouted, «truth will triumph!»

      The policemen also got into the car and drove away.

      «Why on earth?» Were the only words Gleb could utter, blinking in amazement and ruffling his hair, «I don’t understand.»

      «It’s all very clear,» Larisa Panko joined in the game. She had been supporting Gleb by the elbow and stroking his hand tenderly all the time.

      «It’s plain as day. I think, Tatiana has a baby from this man and she kept it secret from us. Come on, I think you have to rest after this awful stress. I’ll catch a taxi.»

      One of Lazarev’s agents, disguised as a taxi driver, out from behind the corner and Larisa waved her hand invitingly at that moment. The driver pulled up to the curb dexterously and stopped next to the couple. The girl pulled Gleb by the hand, and he resignedly got into the taxi.

      When the taxi drove away, a solitary figure detached itself from the wall of the building. The man was walking towards his car slowly and shaking his head slightly.

      «What a show! What an impromptu! What talents,» reflected Fedorov with a satisfied smile. He had just gone out of the theatre when a man who called himself George ran up to Roshin.

      After that, Mikhail was standing still and, enraptured, watched the show in front of his eyes. It should be pointed out that if the major had not warned him beforehand, he was ready to believe that Tatyana Roshin and Georgy really have a daughter whom she abandoned.

      9

      It was already past midnight. The streets of Moscow were empty, occasionally cars would pass by the inconspicuous van parked at the side of Gorky street. Two men were sitting inside, monitoring the equipment which the van was stuffed with.

      “How are our doves doing? Still cooing?” Major Lazarev questioned while entering the van. He silently closed the door behind him.

      One of the employees took off his headphones and winked at Anatoly with a satisfied look, «they have complete order there. They are totally fine. Larisa is really something! What a woman! She has already gutted Svetlov twice,» the man made an indecent gesture and laughed.

      «The recording has been going on from the moment they entered the apartment, so everything is recorded. Now they are asleep, everything is quiet there.»

      «Keep on monitoring. I’ll go and make an order to let Roshin free. If she turns up here, by no means let her enter the apartment.»

      Major Lazarev went out of the van and, using the street phone, called the officer responsible for Roshin. «That’s all. You can let her go.»

      “Okay, doing this. George is asking if he can still portray Tatiana’s lover and sleep with her.” A satisfied laugh came from the receiver.

      “George has done a good job today. Isn’t he tired? What about Roshin?”

      “Oh, they are all normal here, she already kisses and hugs him herself.”

      “Let them do what they will. A special thanks to George from me.” Lazarev hung up the receiver and headed for his car.

      Anatoly was driving along the streets of Moscow. The city never sleeps – the lights are flashing, buzzes with watering machines, and people are bustling around from one pub to the next. The motor of his brand-new «Pobeda» was rumbling quietly. The fallen leaves were flying from under the car wheels, dancing and then slowly resting back on the ground. There was a scent of autumn in the air and the temperature plummeted as dusk turned to night, causing people to hurry to their warm homes. The withered, and in some places still green grass, was covered with an intricate pattern of frost in the mornings, but this quickly melted as the days were quite warm and sunny.

      Anatoly loved all seasons in his own way, but early autumn brought a unique touch of melancholy into his soul. It was the time when the setting СКАЧАТЬ