Arkady Adamov bibliography. Arkady Adamov - ...With many unknowns

Arkady Grigorievich Adamov(July 13, 1920 - June 26, 1991) - Russian Soviet writer of the detective genre. Son of science fiction writer G. Adamov.

After demobilization, he studied at the history department of Moscow State University and graduated in 1948. At the same time, he was engaged in literary activities, experimenting in various genres: the story “Shelikhov on Kodiak” (1948) and the collection of stories “On Unknown Paths” (1948-1950) about travel and the adventures of a Russian explorer, navigator and merchant in Russian America, the story “Vasily Pyatov” (1952).

The writer could limit himself to conversations with investigators, operational workers and specialists from the scientific and technical department. But maybe A. Adamov understood that it was impossible to write a good book after such conversations, or maybe he was simply fascinated by the specifics of investigative work, the combination of logic and risk, objective scientific data and bold logical constructions. One way or another, A. Adamov, fortunately, did not limit himself to conversations. He went on operations, participated in searches and ambushes, was on duty at night at the MUR and went with task forces to crime scenes. In short, he doesn't know things from stories. He survived, like his heroes, tense hours in ambush, when you can neither cough, nor smoke, nor move. I sat at operational meetings. Participated in searches when it is known for sure that a major criminal is hiding here, in this room or in this apartment, but it is not possible to find him.

Working on the first story The case of the “motley” was completed in 1956. But refusal after refusal followed from the editors. The everyday life of the police was considered a topic unworthy of literature; a robbed ordinary person was not the hero of a proper plot. Valentin Kataev, editor-in-chief of Yunost, spotted possible reader interest. In this magazine in 1956, Adamov made his debut as the founder of the genre of the new Soviet detective story. Thanks to both the interest of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at that moment in promoting the positive image of a policeman, and the success of “The Motley Case” among readers, in 1957-1958. The story was filmed, becoming one of the first Soviet detective films.

Adamov published about 30 of his works, including journalistic notes “My favorite genre is detective” and studies on foreign detective literature.

Adamov was awarded the All-Union Literary Competition of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR, the Union of Writers of the USSR and the State Committee for Publishing of the USSR, dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Soviet police in 1977. The trilogy “Inspector Losev” was awarded the Gold Medal named after Hero of the Soviet Union Nikolai Kuznetsov for the best heroic adventure work of 1981 , established by the joint venture of the RSFSR.

Criticism and reviews

List of works

Shelikhov on Kodiak (story, 1948)
Along unknown paths (stories, 1950)
Vasily Pyatov (story, 1952)
The Case of the “Motley” (story, 1956). Filmed in 1958.
Black Moth (story, 1958).
The Last Business (story, 1961)
Personal search (story, 1963)
"Trace of the Fox" (story) (1965)
Flock (story, 1966)
With many unknowns (story, 1968)
Circles on the water (story, 1970)
Corner of a White Wall (story, 1970)
With an Evil Wind (novel, 1975). Filmed in 1982.
Loop (novel, 1975). Filmed in
One o'clock in the morning (story, 1976)
My favorite genre is detective (1980)
Evening Circle (story, 1981)
To the Free Space (novel, 1982)
A manhunt is underway (novel, 1985)
Swamp grass (story, 1986)

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Excerpt characterizing Adamov, Arkady Grigorievich

Another hussar also rushed to the horse, but Bondarenko had already thrown over the reins of the bit. It was obvious that the cadet spent a lot of money on vodka, and that it was profitable to serve him. Rostov stroked the horse’s neck, then its rump, and stopped on the porch.
“Nice! This will be the horse!” he said to himself and, smiling and holding his saber, ran up onto the porch, rattling his spurs. The German owner, in a sweatshirt and cap, with a pitchfork with which he was clearing out manure, looked out of the barn. The German's face suddenly brightened as soon as he saw Rostov. He smiled cheerfully and winked: “Schon, gut Morgen!” Schon, gut Morgen! [Wonderful, good morning!] he repeated, apparently finding pleasure in greeting the young man.
- Schon fleissig! [Already at work!] - said Rostov with the same joyful, brotherly smile that never left his animated face. - Hoch Oestreicher! Hoch Russen! Kaiser Alexander hoch! [Hurray Austrians! Hurray Russians! Emperor Alexander, hurray!] - he turned to the German, repeating the words often spoken by the German owner.
The German laughed, walked completely out of the barn door, pulled
cap and, waving it over his head, shouted:
– Und die ganze Welt hoch! [And the whole world cheers!]
Rostov himself, just like a German, waved his cap over his head and, laughing, shouted: “Und Vivat die ganze Welt”! Although there was no reason for special joy either for the German, who was cleaning out his barn, or for Rostov, who was riding with his platoon for hay, both these people looked at each other with happy delight and brotherly love, shook their heads as a sign of mutual love and parted smiling - the German to the cowshed, and Rostov to the hut he occupied with Denisov.
- What is it, master? - he asked Lavrushka, Denisov’s lackey, a rogue known to the entire regiment.
- Haven't been since last night. That’s right, we lost,” Lavrushka answered. “I already know that if they win, they’ll come early to brag, but if they don’t win until morning, that means they’ve lost their minds, and they’ll come angry.” Would you like some coffee?
- Come on, come on.
After 10 minutes, Lavrushka brought coffee. They're coming! - he said, - now there’s trouble. - Rostov looked out the window and saw Denisov returning home. Denisov was a small man with a red face, shiny black eyes, and black tousled mustache and hair. He had an unbuttoned mantle, wide chikchirs lowered in folds, and a crumpled hussar cap on the back of his head. He gloomily, with his head down, approached the porch.
“Lavg’ushka,” he shouted loudly and angrily. “Well, take it off, you idiot!”
“Yes, I’m filming anyway,” Lavrushka’s voice answered.
- A! “You’re already up,” Denisov said, entering the room.
“A long time ago,” said Rostov, “I already went for hay and saw the maid of honor Matilda.”
- That's how it is! And I puffed up, bg "at, why" like a son of a bitch! - Denisov shouted, without pronouncing the word. - Such a misfortune! Such a misfortune! As you left, so it went. Hey, some tea!
Denisov, wrinkling his face, as if smiling and showing his short, strong teeth, began to ruffle his fluffy black thick hair with both hands with short fingers, like a dog.
“Why didn’t I have the money to go to this kg”ysa (the officer’s nickname),” he said, rubbing his forehead and face with both hands. “Can you imagine, not a single one, not a single one?” "You didn't give it.
Denisov took the lit pipe that was handed to him, clenched it into a fist, and, scattering fire, hit it on the floor, continuing to scream.
- Sempel will give, pag"ol will beat; Sempel will give, pag"ol will beat.
He scattered fire, broke the pipe and threw it away. Denisov paused and suddenly looked cheerfully at Rostov with his sparkling black eyes.
- If only there were women. Otherwise, there’s nothing to do here, just like drinking. If only I could drink and drink.
- Hey, who's there? - he turned to the door, hearing the stopped steps of thick boots with the clanking of spurs and a respectful cough.
- Sergeant! - said Lavrushka.
Denisov wrinkled his face even more.
“Skveg,” he said, throwing away a wallet with several gold pieces. “G’ostov, count, my dear, how much is left there, and put the wallet under the pillow,” he said and went out to the sergeant.
Rostov took the money and, mechanically, putting aside and arranging old and new gold pieces in piles, began to count them.
- A! Telyanin! Zdog "ovo! They blew me away!" – Denisov’s voice was heard from another room.
- Who? At Bykov’s, at the rat’s?... I knew,” said another thin voice, and after that Lieutenant Telyanin, a small officer of the same squadron, entered the room.
Rostov threw his wallet under the pillow and shook the small, damp hand extended to him. Telyanin was transferred from the guard for something before the campaign. He behaved very well in the regiment; but they did not like him, and in particular Rostov could neither overcome nor hide his causeless disgust for this officer.
- Well, young cavalryman, how is my Grachik serving you? - he asked. (Grachik was a riding horse, a carriage, sold by Telyanin to Rostov.)
The lieutenant never looked into the eyes of the person he was talking to; his eyes constantly darted from one object to another.
- I saw you passed by today...
“It’s okay, he’s a good horse,” Rostov answered, despite the fact that this horse, which he bought for 700 rubles, was not worth even half of that price. “She started falling on the left front...,” he added. - The hoof is cracked! It's nothing. I will teach you and show you which rivet to use.
“Yes, please show me,” said Rostov.
“I’ll show you, I’ll show you, it’s not a secret.” And you will be grateful for the horse.
“So I’ll order the horse to be brought,” said Rostov, wanting to get rid of Telyanin, and went out to order the horse to be brought.
In the entryway, Denisov, holding a pipe, huddled on the threshold, sat in front of the sergeant, who was reporting something. Seeing Rostov, Denisov winced and, pointing over his shoulder with his thumb into the room in which Telyanin was sitting, winced and shook with disgust.
“Oh, I don’t like the fellow,” he said, not embarrassed by the sergeant’s presence.
Rostov shrugged his shoulders, as if saying: “Me too, but what can I do!” and, having given orders, returned to Telyanin.
Telyanin was still sitting in the same lazy position in which Rostov had left him, rubbing his small white hands.
“There are such nasty faces,” Rostov thought as he entered the room.
- Well, did they tell you to bring the horse? - Telyanin said, getting up and looking around casually.
- I ordered it.
- Let's go on our own. I just came in to ask Denisov about yesterday’s order. Got it, Denisov?
- Not yet. Where are you going?
“I want to teach a young man how to shoe a horse,” said Telyanin.
They went out onto the porch and into the stables. The lieutenant showed how to make a rivet and went home.
When Rostov returned, there was a bottle of vodka and sausage on the table. Denisov sat in front of the table and cracked his pen on paper. He looked gloomily into Rostov's face.
“I’m writing to her,” he said.
He leaned his elbows on the table with a pen in his hand, and, obviously delighted at the opportunity to quickly say in words everything he wanted to write, expressed his letter to Rostov.

Arkady Grigorievich Adamov(July 13, 1920 - June 26, 1991) - Russian Soviet writer, author of detective stories. Son of the writer Grigory Adamov.

In 1952, he contacted the leaders of the Moscow Criminal Investigation Department with the wish to give him the opportunity to study the work of the criminal investigation department and, based on the collected materials, prepare literary works that would shed light on the tasks and methods of modern police in a new way. The facts of political repression, which received the widest publicity after Stalin's death, created the most negative attitude in society towards employees of internal affairs bodies. The situation needed to be corrected, and Adamov received permission to obtain all the necessary information. A well-known commentator on A. Adamov’s books, Evgeniy Ryss, recalls:

Adamov published about 30 of his works, including journalistic notes “My favorite genre is detective” and studies on foreign detective literature.

Adamov was awarded the All-Union Literary Competition of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR, the Union of Writers of the USSR and the State Committee for Publishing of the USSR, dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Soviet police in 1977. The trilogy “Inspector Losev” was awarded the Gold Medal named after Hero of the Soviet Union N. Kuznetsov for the best heroic adventure work 1981 year, established by the joint venture of the RSFSR.

Criticism and reviews

Anatoly Korolev, writer, for RIA Novosti: “Arkady Adamov formed the golden template of mass literature and mass spectacles, where there must be a mistaken hero, a young man with a feeling of involuntary guilt, and at the same time necessarily in love with a girl who was briefly carried away by some unattractive type ; where the love of two hearts must be linked to a desperate battle against a cruel underground world, where there is everything: gold, power, secrets, money, blood, betrayal, crime, but only pure beautiful love.”

List of works

Shelikhov on Kodiak (story, 1948)
Along unknown paths (stories, 1950)
Vasily Pyatov (story, 1952)
The Case of the “Motley” (story, 1956). Filmed in 1958.
Black Moth (story, 1958).
The Last Business (story, 1961)
Personal search (story, 1963)
Trace of the Fox (story) (1965)
Flock (story, 1966)
With many unknowns (story, 1968)
Corner of a White Wall (story, 1970)
One o'clock in the morning (story)
Circles on the water (story, 1970)
With an Evil Wind (novel, 1975). Filmed in 1982.
Loop (novel, 1975). Filmed in
My favorite genre is detective (1980)
To the Free Space (novel, 1982)
Swamp grass (story, 1986)
Evening Circle (story, 1982)
A manhunt is underway (novel, 1985)

Notes

Categories:

Personalities in alphabetical order
Writers by alphabet
Born on July 13
Born in 1920
Born in Moscow
Died June 26
Died in 1991
Died in Moscow
Knights of the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree
Knights of the Order of the Patriotic War, II degree
Knights of the Order of Friendship of Peoples
Recipients of the medal "For Military Merit"
Recipients of the medal "For the Defense of Moscow"
Russian writers of the 20th century
Writers of Russia of the 20th century
Graduates of the Faculty of History of Moscow State University
Writers of the USSR
Authors of detective fiction

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Adamov Arkady Grigorievich- Russian Soviet writer, author of police detective stories Arkady Grigorievich Adamov was born on July 13, 1920. The son of the writer Grigory Adamov. In 1941, while a fourth-year student at the Aviation Institute, Arkady Adamov volunteered for... ... Encyclopedia of Newsmakers

ADAMOV Arkady Grigorievich- (b. 1920), Russian Soviet writer. Detective adventure new. “The Motley Case” (1956), “Black Moth” (1958), “The Last Business” (1961), “Personal Search” (1963), “Trace of the Fox” (1965), “The Pack” (1966), “ With many... ... Literary encyclopedic dictionary

- ... Wikipedia

Arkady Grigorievich Adamov

Adamov Arkady Grigorievich (1920/1991) - Soviet writer, founder of the Soviet detective story. In 1956, the story “The Motley Case” was published, which was recognized as the first domestic detective story. In addition, Adamov has written literary studies of detective stories by foreign authors, as well as the documentary prose “My favorite genre is detective” (1980).

Guryeva T.N. New literary dictionary / T.N. Guryev. – Rostov n/d, Phoenix, 2009, p. 7-8.

Adamov Arkady Grigorievich - prose writer.

The son of the famous writer Grigory Adamov, author of the popular 1930s adventure novel “The Secret of Two Oceans.” In 1948 Adamov graduated from the Faculty of History of Moscow State University. The motif of adventure, the combination of scientific analysis of historical events with entertainment, manifests itself already in Adamov’s first works “Shelekhov on Kodiak” (1948), “The First Russian Explorers of Alaska” (1950). In the magazine “Around the World” in 1951 he published an article “The Truth about Russian Discoveries in America”, which was published by the department the following year. ed. In 1952, a story about the Russian inventor “Vasily Pyatov” appeared. The story “Shelekhov on Kodiak” and the historical essay “Grigory Ivanovich Shelekhov” appear as a fascinating story about someone born in Russia in the 18th century. plan for the development of the Pacific and Arctic oceans. About one of the authors of this plan, G. Derzhavin wrote: “Our Columbus Shelekhov hurries across the waters to unknown nations...” The hero’s activities appear romantic and exciting under the pen of Adamov: “Shelekhov’s commercial plans went very far. He dreamed of plowing the entire Pacific Ocean with his ships, establishing trade with China, Japan, India, Korea, the Philippines, and the Spaniards in California” (Adamov A. Russian Columbus. Kursk, 1948. P.89). The author shows the humanism of the Russian navigator, his kind attitude towards various peoples.

The romance of the search is also reflected in the works of the detective genre, to which Adamov was one of the first to turn in the 1950s. The novel “The Motley Case” (1956) was not immediately accepted for publication; it was believed that the topic of fighting crime did not deserve attention. Subsequently, the book went through several editions; a film was made based on the novel, which did not leave the screens for a long time. In Adam's subsequent books of the detective genre, the psychological picture became more complex, and the reconstructed criminal situations were subjected to deeper analysis: the stories “Black Moth” (1958), “The Last “Business”” (1961), “Personal Search” (1963), “Trace of the Fox” ( 1965), “With many unknowns” (1968). The author is interested not only in solving a crime, but primarily in the important question of the causes of crime and the possibilities of preventing it. The reader is presented with not just action-packed, entertaining reading, but literature with great educational potential, and this is its value.

Adamov became one of the first who, in the post-war years, raised the authority of the detective story as a genre. Having worked in the criminal investigation department himself for several years, Adamov understood from the inside the “damned holy work” of his heroes Sergei Korshunov, Vitaly Losev and others. They are extraordinary, smart, experienced, devoted to their work, passionate about it. In the 1970s, the stories “By the Evil Wind”, “Square of Complexity”, and the novel “Loop” appeared. They also addressed moral issues. Adamov wrote: “It’s not as scary to be a bad turner as to be a bad person” (Aurora. 1982. No. 11. P. 140).

In the 1970s, Adamov continued to enjoy the friendly attention of readers and critics. Creative work becomes more and more intense; the stories “Circles on the Water” (1970), “The Corner of the White Wall” (1971), “Personal Search” (1974) were published; In 1978, the duology “Inspector Losev” was published. Adamov comprehends the creative experience of his predecessors; in his notes “My favorite genre is detective” (1980), Adamov subtly analyzes many works of Russian and world literature, writes about Edgar Allan Poe, Agatha Christie, A. Conan Doyle, W. Collins, G. Chesterton , B. Raynov, Y. Semenov; builds interesting historical and literary patterns in the detective genre.

In the 1980s, Adamov focused on a larger form - the genre of detective novel: “To a Free Place” (1981), “There is a Manhunt” (1985). The novel “To a Free Place” completed the “Inspector Losev” trilogy. A. addresses his books primarily to the young reader - “with the hope of awakening good feelings in him, teaching him something, warning him about something, instilling the qualities of a fighter” (Aurora. 1982. No. 2. P. 137). This is the writer’s credo, he reminds: “The most terrible thing in a person is the position “my house is on the edge”, indifference to someone else’s misfortune, to someone else’s life, sometimes very close, neighboring... The main thing is conscience and civic position” (Ibid. With 137, 140).

Adamov's books were published in large editions both in domestic and foreign publishing houses. Only in 1994 13 books were published, in 1997 - 23 books by Adamov. Numerous articles about him, for example, “A Detective Requires Attention” by N. Naumova, “The Heirs of Odysseus” by V. Nazarenko, etc., revealed the great educational significance of Adamov’s works: “We read between the lines: if everyone gives the other a piece of their heart, especially when this another young man, no one will say that there is no truth - it will be known. The truth of love, the truth of kindness...” (Aurora. 1982. No. 11. P. 139).

V.A.Shoshin

Materials used from the book: Russian literature of the 20th century. Prose writers, poets, playwrights. Biobibliographical dictionary. Volume 1. p. 17-18.

Essays:

Selected works: in 3 volumes. M., 1986;

Favorites. Chelyabinsk, 1995;

Shelekhov on Kodiak. M., 1948;

Along unknown paths. M., 1950;

Swamp grass: story, novel. M., 1990;

The case of the “motley ones”. M., 1994, and other editions;

Evening Circle. A search is underway. M., 1994;

Inspector Losev: trilogy. M., 1994; [Afterword] // Adamov G. Winners of the subsoil. M., 1989. S. 407-413;

Corner of a white wall. Personal inspection. M., 1994;

It's one o'clock in the morning. M., 1997;

A loop. M., 1997;

Pack. M., 1997.

Literature:

Ryss E. Books by Arkady Adamov // Adamov A. Circles on the water. M., 1970. P. 250-255;

Revich V. Declaration of love // Literary review. 1981. No. 11;

Sidorov E. A word about your favorite genre // Youth. 1982. No. 1;

Nekhotin V. Detective: Legends and Reality // Questions of Literature. 1982. No. 4;

Zakharov V. Study for a portrait. Creative biography of the writer A. Adamov // Aurora. 1982. No. 11;

Ryss E. [Preface] // Adamov A. The case of the “motley ones”. Black moth. M., 1991. P.5-10.

Arkady Grigorievich Adamov(July 13, 1920 - June 26, 1991) - Russian Soviet writer, author of detective stories. Son of the writer Grigory Adamov.

Adamov published about 30 of his works, including journalistic notes “My favorite genre is detective” and studies on foreign detective literature.

Adamov was awarded the All-Union Literary Competition of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the USSR, the Union of Writers of the USSR and the State Committee for Publishing of the USSR, dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the Soviet police in 1977. The trilogy “Inspector Losev” was awarded the Gold Medal named after Hero of the Soviet Union N. Kuznetsov for the best heroic adventure work 1981 year, established by the joint venture of the RSFSR.

Criticism and reviews

List of works

Shelikhov on Kodiak (story, 1948)
Along unknown paths (stories, 1950)
Vasily Pyatov (story, 1952)
The Case of the “Motley” (story, 1956). Filmed in 1958.
Black Moth (story, 1958).
The Last Business (story, 1961)
Personal search (story, 1963)
Trace of the Fox (story) (1965)
Flock (story, 1966)
With many unknowns (story, 1968)
Corner of a White Wall (story, 1970)
One o'clock in the morning (story)
Circles on the water (story, 1970)
With an Evil Wind (novel, 1975). Filmed in 1982.
Loop (novel, 1975). Filmed in
My favorite genre is detective (1980)
To the Free Space (novel, 1982)
Swamp grass (story, 1986)
Evening Circle (story, 1982)
A manhunt is underway (novel, 1985)

Notes

Categories:

Personalities in alphabetical order
Writers by alphabet
Born on July 13
Born in 1920
Born in Moscow
Died June 26
Died in 1991
Died in Moscow
Knights of the Order of the Patriotic War, 1st degree
Knights of the Order of the Patriotic War, II degree
Knights of the Order of Friendship of Peoples
Recipients of the medal "For Military Merit"
Recipients of the medal "For the Defense of Moscow"
Russian writers of the 20th century
Writers of Russia of the 20th century
Graduates of the Faculty of History of Moscow State University
Writers of the USSR
Authors of detective fiction

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Smolensk-Severny (airfield)
Zur (disambiguation)

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Adamov Arkady Grigorievich- ... Wikipedia

Arkady Grigorievich ADAMOV

...With many unknowns

THREE PASSPORTS FROM BORSK

A dense crowd was gradually drawn onto the escalator and slowly crawled up in a long, colorful ribbon. And a stream of faces descended towards us, very different: young, pink from the frost, smiling, and middle-aged, thoughtful, sleep-deprived, with traces of worries and worries. Sergei loved to peer into these faces floating by, trying to grasp something important in them, something different from others, and sometimes chuckled at his unexpected little discoveries.

A minute later, he mechanically stepped from the tiles that were disappearing from under his feet onto the marble floor of the lobby and, carried away by the flow of people, climbed the wide steps to the steam-shrouded exit from the subway.

Finding himself at last in the square, he took a deep breath of the fresh, frosty air and, out of habit, looked at the clock, the gray circle of which hung in the center of the square on a high mast. “So,” he noted to himself, “despite the frost, the snowstorm and Vitka’s geography, we are moving normally, according to schedule.”

The winter this year was a great success; for two months now the frost has not subsided, and a lot of snow has piled up. Yesterday, Sunday, he and Vitka skied along Izmailovo for four hours. And the little devil is not tired, rushing from the mountains like a catechumen. Sergei, having climbed to the top, was still figuring out how and where to go down, he was still gathering his courage, and Vitka was already rushing down like a small blue ball. And Sergei, ashamed, flew headlong after him. And Vitka rolled head over heels for the last meters, screaming with delight.

On Sunday they always dined with the old people. Lena came there after the morning performance.

And this morning Vitka coughed something, and Sergei and Lena exchanged worried glances. “Here are your skis,” Lena said angrily. “I won’t let them in alone anymore.” But Sergei knew that most of all she was afraid of the flu every winter and skiing had nothing to do with it.

Sergei and Vitka always left the house together. Along the way, “geography” began. Grandfather recently gave Vitka an atlas. He studied maps all day and amazed his parents with his discoveries. So it was this morning, on the way to school.

“Dad,” Vitka began, “do you know how many Washingtons there are in America?” - and then blurted out: - Three!

- So, like three? – Sergei was surprised.

- Yes. The capital, and also in the state of Texas, and also in Oklahoma.

- Yeah. And also, you know, there are Moscow and St. Petersburg.

“Hmm, yes,” Sergei agreed bewilderedly, silently surprised at these discoveries.

“Dad,” Vitka continued, “why is there Orleans in France, but New Orleans in America?” And you also know...

“Don’t talk too much in the cold,” Sergei interrupted him. “And you’re coughing like that.”

Having walked his son to school, Sergei went further to the metro. He usually got off at Mayakovsky Square and then walked along Gorky Street, through Pushkin Square, down to the Central Telegraph, and then turned into the ministry. The whole journey was calculated in minutes, and at exactly nine he entered the echoing entrance. Having shown his ID to the sentry, Sergei, talking with his colleagues, took the elevator to the fourth floor.

Everything was the same this morning.

Entering his office, Sergei took off his coat and hid it in the closet. Rubbed my numb hands. Then he sat down at the table and smoked with pleasure. The first cigarette was always the most delicious.

But then suddenly one of the phones rang. “So it begins,” Sergei noted to himself and picked up the phone.

– I’m listening to you, Pyotr Ivanovich.

– Please come to me, Sergei Pavlovich.

Five minutes later he was already entering the reception area of the head of the department.

- One? – nodding towards the door, he asked the secretary

Sergei nodded understandingly in response.

In the spacious office of the head of the department, two people were talking quietly, separated by a large desk. When Sergei entered, both raised their heads at the same time.

“Have a seat,” the head of the department said leisurely, gesturing to the second chair near the table.

He was always reserved, emphatically calm and rarely smiled sparingly. Short blond hair, combed into a neat parting, hid thick gray hair, but the wrinkles around the eyes and in the corners of the mouth stood out sharply on his thin, ruddy face.

Svetlov was young, impetuous, a healthy blush played on his tight, plump cheeks, and in his large hand his black fountain pen looked like a burnt match.

In front of Svetlov, on a small table pushed up to the desk, stood a mountain of thick folders, the papers barely fit into them.

“Hello, Sergei Pavlovich,” he said. - Good weather to you. Perhaps you went skiing yesterday?

“I drove,” Sergei grinned good-naturedly.

– Vera and I went to Tourist. That's where the mountains are!

“Well, well, let’s go,” the head of the department grinned. - Let's get down to business. Report the whole situation first. And take your time. We will discuss.

Svetlov said as easily and freely as he spoke about skiing:

– We must start, Pyotr Ivanovich, with fraud.

- Well, get started.

- I obey. There are major scams around cars. Four cases.

“Three,” Sergei corrected.

“It’s already four,” Svetlov responded quickly. – Another orientation has arrived.

Sergei shook his head.

– A dangerous group is active.

“Exactly,” Svetlov picked up. – And one interesting circumstance is revealed. To be even more convincing, criminals leave passports in the hands of their victims.

“We know,” Sergei nodded.

Svetlov smiled slyly:

- You don’t know anything else. But first, let us note that all the passports were stolen, even the photographs were not re-taped. Designed for gullible people.

- We also know...

- Just wait. So, out of the four passports left behind, three were issued and registered in the city of Borsk. Do you know this too?

- Interesting…

- And you thought. Thread! And only the first one so far. Now, can we talk about sleeping pills, Pyotr Ivanovich? – Svetlov turned to the head of the department.

- Wait a minute. Do you, Sergey Pavlovich, have anything to add? Borek is in your zone.

“So,” Svetlov continued animatedly, “now the last thing.” On a long-distance train, the criminals met the victim - the man was planning to make a large purchase in Moscow - they added sleeping pills to the wine, then stole money, letters of credit and documents. This man died. – Svetlov raised his finger meaningfully. – And here there is one detail.

Sergei listened with growing interest. He knew about cases of car fraud, when criminals lured their victims to an institution under the pretext of selling a car there, posing as employees of this institution. But it turns out that the thread is reaching to Borek! And now with sleeping pills...