Наталья Андреева
Islanders
Storm
Angelica was waiting for Sergey and Arthur in the dark corridor.
“Don’t you mind to join my company?” she asked looking straight to Arthur. “Let’s go to the balcony.”
“But you know I do not smoke.” he smiled.
“Will you breathe fresh air with me?”
“I want to look at the wall-papers in the next apartment and the ceiling. I began to repair my own flat I had from the grandmother in an old house but I had some problems. There is such a big choice of the wall-papers I can’t imagine what to choose. It’s expensive. And the owner boasted that he had found wonderful wall-papers. The ceiling the masters had made excellent. It was cheap because everything they brought from work. I have to look at. And the door is open. I shall go.”
“Why is it open?” Angelica was surprised.
“You may don’t know.” Arthur looked at Sergey. He made a sign and Arthur said. “The owner bought all the apartments at the floor. Four apartments are in this section. There is no need to lock them. What for? “
“Great! “ Angelica whistled. “The whole floor! I think it’s a big deal. Is he crazy?”
“May be he loves loneliness.” Sergey shrugged his shoulders.
“Or he is going to marry.” Arthur grinned. “And have a lot of kids.” “Are we alone here?” Angelica asked.
“Absolutely!”
“Wow, let’s go to smoke.” the woman shook her platinum curls. And with an obvious hint she said. “I know that you smoke, Sergey.”
“Yes, I smoke. “
“Will you join us?”
“In five minutes. I want to speak. ”
“What about? Are you good friends?” the woman asked suspiciously. And she looked at them firmly.
“We have got the same business.”
“To say truthfully we work together.” Arthur added.
“Aha, here you are! “ Angelica connected them by her sight. “It seems very interesting! Open your cards. The comedy is over. I also want to speak to Sergey. That is a good time.”
“I don’t understand.” Arthur was surprised.
“What don’t you understand? Not only you have secrets. That’s my turn.”
“Well.” Sergey answered. “I shall be in two minutes. “
“I am waiting for you.” Angelica sang like an actress and opened the door close to the lifts.
When she disappeared Arthur asked seriously.
“What have you got with such a woman?”
“Nothing.” Sergey answered.
“But you have invited her here! Am I right?”
“I repeat nothing.”
“Nothing serious?” Arthur asked with irony. “Will you explain then?”
“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.
Cut off from the Continent
“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.
“They are gone.”
“Do you want to say that …” Lida put her hand on the chest. “Can we call the police? Oh!”
“We should go downwards and try to call.” Ivan said.
“Or ask the neighbors.” Arthur noticed.
“The neighbors?” Ivan thought. “As I know not a single apartment on that floor is sold jet. On the ninth floor there is a repair. Builders work there till six pm. The eleventh floor is empty too. Half of apartments are sold but there still nobody was there. I know that windows are light up on the fifth floor in the evenings. May be on the seventeenth floor.”
“How could you live there?” Arthur grinned.
“The apartments are expensive here.” Ivan justified. “I don’t know exactly on which floor people live. But if you want we can try to go down.”
“To my mind it’s easy to go down on the ground floor then to the street and ask somebody for the mobile.” Vera said and moved Ivan from her way. “I shall go.”
“A very self-confident woman.” Angelica noticed. “She had found the body! And she said that I am weak!”
“She is strong.” Arthur noticed coming out from the apartment.
“It is better for us to keep together.” Lida said seriously and followed him.
In the corridor where Sergey's body was she screamed and began to shiver.
“Well, well, calm down.” Ivan came after and hugged her. “Do not look there, Lida.”
“What happens here?” suddenly they heard the woman’s shout again from the elevator’s platform. Ivan with Lida then Seva and Zhanna rushed there. Angelica was the last to leave the apartment.
On a platform they saw Vera pulling the handle of the door to the stairs.
“Don’t do it so hard.” Arthur told her.” It’s locked from within.”
“It can’t be locked! “ Angelica said. “I have come here the last and saw that the door was opened and the key was in the lock!”
“Ah, you’re the last!” Lida looked at her. “That means you have locked the door and took the key!”
“Arthur, I can’t.” Vera turned back to him. “You’re the man, say something!”
He tried to open the door.
“It’s such a heavy door!”
“Yes, it’s iron.” Ivan signed. “It’s like in the bank. An absolute safe guarantee.”
“And they say the advertising lies!” Zhanna complained.
“We see. That’s not right. Have a look.” Arthur said again still breathing hard.” Well made!”
“Wait.” Ivan said suddenly. “Why are we going to break the door? I think it is better to use the elevator!”
“Let’s try.” Vera said angrily.
Angelica had already unsuccessfully pressed on the button of the elevator. She turned back and asked.
“Why isn’t it working?”
“Darling, it does not work.” Vera noticed.
“What’s the matter? Why?”
And they all looked at Ivan. He shrugged shoulders.
“I don’t remember it had happened before! It worked!”
“Perhaps, it was made by the murderer?” Lida blinked.
”How?” Arthur asked. “Cut the wires? If you know the technology then you will understand that it is impossible. The elevator’s board is below. Nobody from us went down.”
“But what happened then?” Lida asked. “It couldn’t be the fate. The door on a staircase is locked and the lift does not work. The phone is off and mobiles phones are gone. What is it?”
“We still have the balcony.” Ivan reminded. “Аngelica, what is there on the balcony?”
“A handrail.” she was surprised.
“The real woman…” Arthur hemmed.
“As far as I know there is a hatch there.” Ivan said slowly. “And a fire ladder in case of the evacuation. It is possible to go down to the next floor below. There the door on a staircase is open.”
“Well, thanks God!” Zhanna signed. “That’s the way out!”
Ivan was the first to go. The others followed him. Two men Ivan and Arthur went to the balcony. The last bent down over the hatch and tried to open it. It was as heavy as the door. In a minute Arthur said hardly breathing.
“It is closed from outside!”
“From outside?” Angelica echoed him.
“Yes. Someone blocked the hatch from the other side. That we could not go down through it.”
“May be, it was made by tenants?” asked Lida.
“I have already said that the ninth floor is empty!” Ivan was irritated. “Nobody lives there.”
“Then who closed the hatch? The murderer?” Lida was afraid.
“Аngelica, was it made by you?” Arthur addressed to her.
“How could I do that?” Angelica asked.
“You went down on the ninth floor and blocked the hatch.”
“With such high heels?” Angelica screamed.” It’s impossible!”
“If you’re a good climber.” Zhanna said.
“Yes!” Vera added. “The mountain climber!”
“Tell me that I am a man.”
“May be.” Seva shrugged shoulders.
“What nonsense! Shall I take my clothes off?!”
“No need to do it.” Ivan was tired.” Let’s return to the reception and think about it.”
“It’s cold there too!” Angelica reminded.
“I did not go down! I am not mad!”
“Why did you come here if you do not suffer a neurosis?”
“A neurosis! Such people could kill!” and she suddenly looked at Lida.
“I?” Lida was frightened. “How do you think I was able to do it?”
“We shall see!” Arthur was excited.
“Wait…” Vera looked up. “There is the hatch in the ceiling! Perhaps, it is opened.”
“It’s hardly ever.” Arthur shook the head.” I have checked. It is also closed from the other side. But if you want I shall check up again.”
He went to a fire ladder and climbed upwards. Then with an effort he pressed on the hatch trying to lift it. After some attempts Arthur jumped off from the ladder and said cleaning his hands.
“It is useless. I think it’s something on the hatch. I do not know who did it, the murderer or builders but we shall not get out this way. It is useless.” he repeated.
“It is better if we all shall return to the reception.” Ivan reminded. “And we shall discuss a situation. The main thing is to keep together. Nobody knows about the plans of the murderer.”
“Plans?” Zhanna asked. “Do you want to say that … By the way, why was Sergey killed?”
“That should be find out.” Ivan summed up.
He left the balcony the last following Arthur and accurately closed the door.
“So, we shall return to an initial point.” Arthur gloomy joked. “Let’s go back to the reception.”
Angelica headed the procession. She was mad because of her accusation. Her stiletto heels were clicking down the floor.
The Poisonous Arrows
So, people cut off from the continent on the tenth floor had nothing to do than to return to the reception room to discuss a current situation. Seva passing through the hall murmured.
“And nevertheless: why is the water here?”
The others were too nervous to react to any pools with water in the hall.
“Please.” Arthur had gallantly passed forward Zhanna was going after Angelica. Zhanna looked at him suspiciously. “Are you afraid to turn to me?” Arthur grinned. “Don't be afraid. If I am the murderer, the maniac that's not time to kill you.”
“It seems not the right time for jokes, isn't it?” Zhanna asked.
“Will you order to begin sobbing?”
Without answering she went in the reception room. The other islanders followed her.
“Look! That’s his ashtray!” Lida exclaimed. “It is here and he… is dead.”
“Well, cry over stubs.” Arthur was laughing. Lida looked at him angrily but did not answer she put the massive ashtray from dark glass on the table where the totem was.
“I am sure I will find the decision.” Ivan addressed to everybody falling to the armchair. “That's not time to panic.”
“Agree.” Arthur was calm. “It is necessary to search for variants. The lift will be not eternally off!
“And if for that time while it is off, the murderer will kill us?” Zhanna asked.
“We are all together.” Ivan reminded. “And I do not see aggression in anybody.”
“Wow, you're the psychologist! “ Angelica sniffed flopping herself in the armchair. “I am sure your science is a fiction. And you are kidding us!”
“Sergey is killed!” Vera reminded falling into the armchair. “Whether is it an aggression sign?”
“But the murderer won’t show off.” Ivan answered. “So, he is an excellent actor. That’s so smart to hide the chisel in the basket of paint after the murder.”
“By the way, why did he kill?” Zhanna asked.
“It's easy to find out.” Ivan answered.
“And how?” Angelica asked with astonishment. Everybody were sitting and waiting for the explanations from Ivan. He looked at "the totem" which was in the centre of the table and said.
“What was the reason? That’s Sergey's story. I saw that it was hurtful to everybody. Without an exception, no need to say anything. But it touched everyone. After that we had gone to write notes. By the way, how could I forget!”
Suddenly he slapped himself on the forehead and jumped.
“What is the matter?” the islanders started to exchange glances.
“I have a mobile phone! And I did not put it in the box! It is in the room!”
“Well, thanks God.” Lida exclaimed.
“Too early to joke.” Angelica grinned looking as Ivan was running for the phone.
And she was right. A minute later he returned and said.
“My phone disappeared. From my table.”
“And what did you expect?” asked Angelica.” If the murderer climbed down through the hatch he would forget about your mobile phone… Do not make me laugh!”
“But I do remember.” rubbing his forehead Ivan said. “When I brought the totem box in the room I put the phone on the table.”
“And I do remember.” Seva supported Ivan. “I have paid attention because I thought to buy the same model. It is the new one with a lot of functions.”
“But I remember nothing.” Arthur declared. “I haven't seen any phones. Seva, were you the last to see the phone?”
“What do you mean?” worried Seva.
“I did not pay attention.” Zhanna complained. “If there was phone on the table or not.”
“I didn’t either.” Vera nodded.
“We are like all women absent-minded.” Angelica complained pulling out from the pack a cigarette.
“And I say that there was the phone!” Vera declared. “I wrote my fear on a sheet of paper the same time!”
“You are telling that because of Angelica, aren't you?” Ivan said softly.
“On the contrary!”
“We won't find the ends.” Vera began to smoke. “It's easy to open the totem box and…”
She was afraid of her words.
“What is it, darling?” Angelica asked. “Are you afraid? What have you written?”
“I am against opening the box.” Zhanna said. “We didn't agree to do that!”
“Wow …” Arthur was astonished. “I would never think you said it!”
“So, as far as I understood you are for the reading of the contents, aren’t you?” Vera asked looking straight to him.
“And who is against?”
“I am.” Seva answered. “Handwriting is different, of course, but …”
“But suddenly the others will know the truth, won’t they?” Arthur asked. “Will then the note with the obvious motive of Sergey's murder appears yours? By the exception principle. And despite the changed handwriting the unattractive truth will appear. Do not worry: judging by a look of our beauty.” and he nodded towards Zhanna.” Angelica was offended – such note will be not the single one. Open the box!”
“And why are you telling for the rest?” Vera protested. “I for example can see that Lida is against.”
“I?” Lida was frightened a little and became red. “In general, I am again in minority …”
“We haven't got the other variants.” Ivan summed up. “We should know who had made it. Or the murderer himself stands up?”
Death silence was the answer.
“I am going to open the box.” Ivan said taking the box.
Then he pressed on a tiny latch and "the totem" bottom leant back. The white envelopes fell down on the table. All of them have not been sealed.
“Oh! What a surprise!” Arthur moved forward.
“Look!” Lida opened her mouth.
“There are eight …” counted Vera.
“Well and what's from that?” Angelica was calm.
“You are bad at mathematics, darling.” Lida told her. “We are seven.”
“Then has anybody thrown two envelopes?” Zhanna asked. “But why?”
“To be sure.” with a smile Arthur said. “Well? Shall we read them?”
Ivan took the first envelope. Everybody looked at him. The first note dropped out. The letters seemed small. Ivan took the note in his hands and read.
«I love Sergey».
“Oh!” Arthur was surprised. “That's the brave woman!”
“And why do you think that it was written by the woman?” Ivan looked at him.
“But who else?”
“It could write the man, too.”
“Do you want to tell that I or Seva … Or someone from us can be the gay? The gay? Do not make me laugh!”
“It can be.” Lida said.”I am not the gay!” Arthur shouted.
“We do not need proofs.” Ivan noticed. “But it could write both the man and the woman.”
“I am not the gay! Did you hear?” Arthur did not stop.
“And why are you shouting?” Seva noticed.
“Who could think …” Angelica said sarcastically. “Such a pleasant young man … Though …”
“Are you deaf? I am not the gay!”
“Okay, calm down already.” Lida became angry. “You’re not the gay…Well.”
“Stop talking about that!” Arthur returned back to his arm chair. At that time Ivan unpacked the other envelope and read.
“«I envy Sergey». Will you say again that it was written by the woman, Arthur?”
“Why? It was just written by the man.”
“And why cannot the woman envy Sergey?” Zhanna asked.
“Well.”
“May be she envies his professional career. May be, his money at last.”
“I accept.” Ivan agreed. “As well as it can be the motive for the murder. It’s a strong feeling.”
“I doubt.” Seva said.
“Was it written by you?” Arthur looked at him. “Am I right?” “If you wrote the first note…”
“I am not the gay!”
“Silence!”
“Shut up!”
Ivan opened the third envelope and the absolutely clean paper dropped out. Everybody looked at it with astonishment.
“Did someone fake?” Zhanna asked.” And forgot to write the fear?”
“I will confess.” Ivan signed. “I did it. I put the clean envelope in the box.”
“But why? “ they looked at him with the surprise.
“I would like to take part in the game too. But I am neutral. That's why I sealed the clean paper. I have already burnt all my fears.”
“At least, one problem is gone.” Arthur shrugged his shoulders.
“Let's continue.” Vera nodded.
And Ivan opened the next envelope.
«I want Sergey» he read.
“Wow! You are very brave!” Angelica burst out laughing.
“It's not.” Lida frowned.
“Darling, have you written it?”
“What?”
“You are not married. And you want the big strong man …”
“Are you mad? I could not write it.” Lida became red.
“Among us there is the loving woman.” Arthur said watching the women sitting in armchairs. “It is interesting, who is she?”
“That's another question.” Zhanna said angrily. “If the woman constantly wants sex she is ill. And what about the man?”
“He is always the man.” Arthur said. “That's his natural state.”
“And if he is the gay.“ Zhanna asked innocently looking at him.
“Why are you looking at me?!”
“Zhanna wants to say that the note was written by the man or by the woman.” Ivan interfered.
“It's a madhouse any way!” Arthur complained.
“Do not forget that among us there is the murderer.” Vera reminded. “And it is not simply a madhouse. It is the madhouse where one of the patients is the most dangerous. By the way, it is the reason to write «I want Sergey». The murder was jealous.”
At that time Ivan opened the next envelope and said.
“Have a look!”
Through the paper by huge letters was written: «I AM GOD».
“It was written by the madman.” Zhanna said in a low voice.
“It’s an addiction.” Vera added.
“Sure. The maniac.” Arthur nodded.
“Comments do not require.” and Ivan put the note aside.
“Unless the woman would not write «I am Goddess»?” asked Angelica.
“You – I do not doubt.” Arthur grinned.
“Silence. Next.” Ivan stopped them. And he opened the next envelope. His face became strange. Then Ivan read. «I will kill Sergey today».”
There was a long pause. After it Arthur asked.
“That’s the worse than «I AM GOD», isn’t it?”
“This note is about the murder.” Zhanna said slowly.
“It is necessary to find the one who wrote it.” Vera said firmly.
“Is it a joke?” asked Angelica.
“You have got strange jokes!” Arthur answered.
“But this note is direct.” summed up Ivan.
“And no need to open the other envelopes.” said Vera.
“Oh, no!” Seva protested. “Let’s do it!”
“And who argues?” Arthur was not against. “Finally, we will open all the envelopes!”
“I agree there won't be worse.” Vera was pale.
“Who knows?” Zhanna asked slowly.
Ivan opened the following envelope and read.
«I hate Sergey». Not by the printing letters but it seemed by the left hand. An inclination of letters showed it.
“That's the same as «I will kill Sergey today»” Zhanna noticed.
“Nothing similar!” Arthur said sharply. “In my opinion «I AM GOD» is the most important!”
“Well, let's open the last envelope.” Ivan reminded. “I am curious what is there.”
“Yes.” Angelica said firmly.
And the last note had fallen on the table. Ivan took it and read like an actor.
«I am with Sergey in sex relations».
“Will you insist that it was written by the man?” Arthur was indignant.
“I do not say that all three notes «I love Sergey», «I want Sergey» and «I am with Sergey in sex relations» are written by the man.” Ivan answered. “But only one is. Is it important?”
“So who among us is the gay: me or Seva?” Arthur asked.
“I would think that you are, darling.” Angelica sang.
“Is it because I guessed that you went down in the hatch and closed the door?” Arthur asked angrily.
“Come on, darling.”
“By the way, you insulted me!”
“By the way, you are talking too much and Seva is silent.”
“That doesn't prove anything!”
“Calm down.” Ivan again stopped them. “Let's sum up.”
And he accurately put all eight notes on the table. The clean one was above and then he read.
«I love Sergey»
«I envy Sergey»
«I want Sergey»
«I AM GOD»
«I will kill Sergey today»
«I hate Sergey»
«I am with Sergey in sex relations»
“So.” Ivan said. “Except me, does anybody wish to make a confession?”
“We have forgotten one thing.” Vera said slowly.
“What is it?” everybody turned to her.
“What has Sergey himself written?”
“You're right!” Arthur cheered her. “Absolutely right!”
“In all the notes the name Sergey is mentioned.” said Lida. “He could not write about himself, could he?”
“You're right.” Arthur praised her. “But one moment: the name isn't everywhere. How do you find the note «I AM GOD»?”
“He was the madman, wasn't he?” Zhanna asked.
“Anyway there is only one note where there is no name Sergey.” Ivan noticed. “I had the idea that Sergey had written it. Though there are maybe variants.”
“It's interesting, what variants?” Seva looked at him.
“For example: «I will kill Sergey today». What if he decided to commit suicide?”
“Fine!” Angelica supported Ivan. “He is right as the psychotherapist!”
“And why isn't he writing that he'll kill himself?” Arthur objected. «I will kill myself today».
“Don't turn it upside down.” Vera said. “You may say "I am with Sergey in sex relations." as making sex with himself.”
“Vera!” Lida was embarrassed.
“What is it? We are adults. And these are not toys any more. And you, Lida, suffer by yourself.”
“She is old-fashioned!” Angelica sniffed. “By the way why the dead could not write, for example «I love Sergey»? That's not strange that he loved himself. We all love ourselves.”
“I personally come to the idea that Sergey wrote «I AM GOD».” Seva signed.
“Did you know him so well?” Vera looked mad.
“He didn't seem to me so mad.” Angelica shrugged her shoulders.”Anyway we never know what exactly he had written.” Zhanna said. “Because … because he … he died. And he wouldn't tell anybody anything.”
“We do not know if only the others do not say what each had written.” Ivan noticed. “Then by an exception we’ll find Sergey's note. We should confess.”
“But at first we should find a way to get out from here.” Seva said. “I would prefer to call the police.”
“I thought you’re bad, Vsevolod,” Arthur said.”I even guessed that you're the gay. I was mistaken in you!”
“Personally I find some aggression in him.” sang Angelica. “If to speak by Hippocrates language…”
“Where did you find these words, darling?” said Lida. “It seems you even haven't got the diploma, have you?”
“She is the different one.” Arthur noticed.
“What do you want to say?” Ivan moved forward.
“When we left in a corridor, she told Sergey she would wait for him on the balcony. They wanted to talk. And I understood they had known each other.”
“Lovers?” Vera moved.
“Nothing similar!” Angelica was indignant.
“What were you going to tell him?” Lida asked.
“That's my business!”
“But we want to know.” Ivan reminded. “I start to believe that you went down through the hatch on the ninth floor and closed it. And then rose by the lift and locked the door. As well as Arthur said.”
“Yes, I was on the balcony but it doesn't mean anything! And where, by the way, were all of you?”
And Angelica looked around. They didn’t move and she said.