Chapter 11. The fight. The one who attacks wins

 

Lena sat silently and looked at me, tears glistening in her eyes.
- I'm sorry, I was wrong. It all happened so suddenly, I didn't know what to think. I'm completely confused.
- There's no need to talk about it now, we need to act faster. I'm going to go and get the right device, and then we'll discuss the details. And you will call him. What's his last name, by the way?
- Egorov. He's a major. I know him through my husband's friend Pavlov, he is his boss. - Okay, wait for me, I'll be back soon.
- Take the money.
- Okay, that's all later. That's it, I'm off.
- Would you like some coffee?
- No, don't, I don't want to, — I said and left. After leaving the hotel, I took a bus and went to the city center and found the store I needed, chose the right device. Then I returned to the hotel, taking a bottle of vodka with me. I explained to her in detail how to use it, and after trying out the recorder, we hid it in a suitable place. Then they made a control recording and, after making sure that it was working well, the recording was going fine, they began to figure out a conversation plan.
- I think we need to come up with an excuse first. Why did you call him? It is very important.
- Well, I'll think of something.
- No, I won't come up with anything, Lena, but I need a strong argument to start a conversation and seize the initiative. So that you ask him the right questions, by the way, so that he doesn't suspect something is wrong, and most importantly, so that he doesn't get to you right away. Then fail, he will drag you into the bedroom or onto this sofa and will not tell you anything about the facts you are interested in.And then you need to send him out at the end of the conversation just as competently, and not give a reason for aggressive actions towards you.
- Yes, you're absolutely right, I somehow didn't think about it.
- I think that you should call him so that you are supposedly interested in his hints about your husband and want to find out more about what he told you about that bathhouse that they visit with their boyfriend. This is quite natural and the main thing is what we need. And at the end of the conversation, tell him to leave quickly, that you are waiting for a friend, and his Tamara, for example, to go shopping with her. He'll leave you right away.- Yes, you've come up with a great idea. I will do that.
- And to start the conversation, offer him vodka.
- I don't have vodka.
- But I have one. I said and took a bottle out of my bag. - I think it's a good plan and it should work.
- Yes, you've come up with a great idea.
- Well, there's nothing to delay, perhaps, call him. Maybe he'll come by now, and if he can't, find out when he can. And have a couple of glasses for courage, perhaps.
- I don't want to.
- Drink Lena, I'll support you, you need to relax and feel more confident. Let 's force it .  This will help you. Trust me. We had a drink with ny and I told her
 Set the table. Put some snacks on, the conversation will not be easy, you pour him more often to loosen his tongue. About ten minutes later, I told her.
- Call Lena, stop dragging your feet and let her come. Lena dialed his number and he answered immediately.
- Listen, we need to meet and have a conversation.Can you come now?
- he promised to come in about thirty minutes.Lena told me after their conversation ended.
"Okay," I told her. - If you don't mind, I'll go out on the loggia and smoke. She looked at me in surprise. Since when did I ask her permission for such a trifle. It feels like a black cat ran between us. There was a sense of alienation and tension in the conversation between them. I went out onto the loggia and looked at the beautiful view in front of me of the parks and the tall dense trees growing in it, its wide alleys framed by neatly trimmed shrubs and lush, bright flowers growing in large flower beds. I looked at the blue sea in the distance and wondered if she would be able to behave correctly, not to break off and no matter how this scoundrel started pestering her, then everything was gone.I stared at the wonderful view spread out in front of me for quite a long time, wondering what all this would lead to. Then I looked at my watch, I think it's time. I thought and entered the room. Lena sat thoughtfully at the table and silently looked at me. I gestured to her watch and went into the other room. Soon there was a knock on the door And I heard his ironic voice.Hello, Lenochka, my darling, why did you call me? Oh, I see you've even got the table set. You greet your guest well. Come on in, have a seat," Lena told him. Thank you, dear. I feel like we're going to have a serious conversation. Let's have a drink first. Come on, he agreed. And each for his own, Lena answered him. That's why I called you. I want you to tell me everything you know about my husband, and secondly, well, about that later. Reasonable, reasonable. You want to dig up dirt on your hubby, as I understand it. To equalize the positions, so to speak. Yes, you understood me correctly. You pour yourself a drink, vodka gives me a headache afterwards. And the wine is not X. So, I want to know when, with whom, where and with which Marusya he is having fun there. But this is confidential information. Don't be a fool, Egorov. I'm serious. I can even pay you for this information. Even so. But the Hussars do not take money from women. Only in kind. He laughed. But you're not a Hussar. So why should you be shy? Or are you a silver-free person? It's reasonable. And how much will such information cost? Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you. Have a snack, have a snack, here's a sandwich with caviar. What a hospitable hostess you are. I don't recognize you at all. Okay, pour yourself a drink and tell me what you know. Well, what can I tell you, your hubby got a good job there thanks to his friend. Outside the city, in a forest on the riverbank, he built an allegedly official summer cottage. For VIPs with a steam room, billiards and girls. And, interestingly, with some of his employees, whose asses are pretty and everything else bulges out of the uniform, and the secretary turns his ass there too. Well, he alternates them in turn: one today, then the other. For variety. Of those who make a career for themselves through this bathhouse. Promotion. An apartment there or an asterisk ahead of time for zealous service. He has other off-duty relationships. In general, a cheerful company gathered. And everyone is happy. There are even married ones. Well, how can you resist such a handsome man? And that they don't have enough prostitutes? Well, how to say it, it's more reliable. He has to fight prostitution himself. This Hauga. I built myself such a house. And he's also building on the sly near Moscow. And I bought apartments in different places for myself. And where did he get the money for this? He takes it on his paw, without hesitation. And she's floundering there with him. And you're saving everything for him. He laughed, obviously drunk. Why are you breaking down like that? Why don't you want to have fun? I'm a tough guy. And I have a feeling for you, you might say. Love, you can say, but how else, you are such a gorgeous girl. I know where your love and feelings are. You have them there, in your pants. Ha ha ha. You've definitely noticed that, Lenochka. That's where she is. For some reason, they are too shy to talk about this. If it's half past five, then there's no love. All this nonsense is about unearthly love. It ends when something is stuck there and does not rise. Then all love goes awry. Divorce and maiden name. And what's wrong with you, women? Yes, you can't live without it. For example, you didn't have time to leave home and immediately found yourself a boyfriend. And how does he suit you? Are you satisfied with your love? It was felt that he was drunk. So don't think you're going to buy me off with vodka. You got me into so much trouble back then. I barely got out of it. This is when you put an innocent man in jail, like he punched you in the head. He was going to be sentenced anyway. Volodka, the bastard, then wrung so much, I'll remember it for him, he'll dance with me when I get it for it. You can't get away with this, darling, you have to pay the bills. And how much compensation do you want? And here's how much. He said softly. Wow, Lena, your lip is not stupid. And what did you think, you would have said thank you to me back then, when I helped you out, when you fucked that idiot then, and then he chased you naked. Neither. By the way, how did you end up with him on the second floor? So, while your hubby was watching a concert in the hall, you went upstairs with this guy to fuck. Okay, I was on duty then and was making my rounds, checking security, and when I heard the noise, I went upstairs and saw you in all your glory, running away from him half naked, which you didn't share with him there. And when I knocked out this jerk, you so joyfully rushed to me, hung right around my neck, well, I'm not made of iron, went with you, and you found your dress, which was lying on the floor for some reason. It just fell off you. Well, I thought I'd continue with you, since you hugged me so fervently and almost kissed me. I was drunk then. And you hit me over the head with that glass ashtray. I thanked him, and even on the Day of the militia. Then I barely got out of it, and I had to cover myself with this chukhonets. I had to somehow explain to my superiors why I had such a lantern under my eye. We didn't have anything, my husband left then, and I got drunk with the girls at the buffet and was drunk. And this one offered to show me one thing, I knew him a little, we met at some party. And he took me upstairs and took me to some office and showed me this dress. It was really gorgeous, haute couture, and when I undressed to try it on, he attacked me, and I broke away and ran away from him, and then you, I was glad, I didn't know that you were the same. And where did you run half-naked, to the gym, or what? I wish someone could see you like this. Ha ha ha, he laughed. I had to let him go then, he turned out to be a major, the son of a certain figure. I helped you out so that the noise wouldn't rise, and you thanked me so much. So you owe me, and you're not just going to pay me back with money, okay? He told her loudly. Let's go flounder, why are you breaking down? You can't get away with it anyway. Apparently, he was pretty drunk after all. He's probably going to drag her over here or throw her on the couch right there. Get off me, Lena told him. We haven't finished yet. I want to tell you something important for you. Tell me later, darling, that's all later. There was the sound of a chair being pushed back. Let me go, Lena shouted, — they began to fight, apparently. And then she apparently managed to break free, and she apparently pushed him away. He could be heard sinking heavily back into the chair that creaked under him. I got ready to fight with him and was already quietly opening the door when Lena's voice rang out. Sit tight, otherwise I'll call security, see this button, if I press it, security will appear here now, and I'll tell them that you tried to rape me. Then you're in for a little trouble, okay, Kolya. And besides, your Tamarochka should be here soon. I called her to come to me, and we agreed to go shopping with her. She will find a good picture here. And you'll be in trouble at work after that. There was silence.
I know what to do. Lena said excitedly. I'll call Pavlov myself. I have nothing left to lose. And I'll tell you, I'll tell you how you drunkenly climbed up to me and, taking advantage of the moment, wanted to possess me. And I hit you in the head with an ashtray. I'll tell him everything. I will repent to him, as to the primate, that I cheated on my husband, and you tracked me down, and that now you are harassing me, blackmailing me using your official position, and threatening to tell everything to my husband. I understand perfectly well that if I had been afraid of your threats and given in to you, this would not have ended the matter. You would have continued to brazenly molest me further. And I'm going to ask him to help me get rid of you and cover for me. And I know that he will be very happy to help me. Even more, he will be very glad that I came to confession to him, and that thanks to me he will find out, Kolenka, about all your adventures. You know what will happen to you if I also tell him how you speak about your boss. And you know his tough temper. He'll turn you into a sheep's horn. And even if he doesn't kick you out with a bang, like a dog, he will send you to some hole by the precinct to keep you in sight and under his control. So that you don't talk too much.She, anyone and everything, and kept her mouth shut. Afraid that you will be trampled from the authorities before retirement, without being allowed to serve before it. And it will make you forget this story with me forever.. And you'll never get out of there again until your retirement. And now you can forget about your promotion and you won't get any more stars. Be grateful that you haven't had this one taken off yet. Trust me, he'll find a reason to take you away. He won't even do it himself. He will give instructions to some deputy and personnel officer. He will be very happy to agree to cover for me and get rid of himself, of your hateful muzzle, after learning from me this piquant detail about my husband that I cuckolded him, and if I tell him how you speak about your boss? By the way, you did a very stupid thing. That he told me about his boss. Why..And you spread gossip and rumors about him. After all, this is what you set yourself up for. Thinking that you ran into a fool who fell into your hands, unable to defend herself. You were very wrong about that, my friend. I'm surprised that you, as I was told by a very experienced operative, could slip up so stupidly. Didn't you realize who you were messing with? Who is my husband and what are my connections? Yes, even if you had blurted out to my faithful that I had cheated on him, he would not have given me a divorce. He values me and his child too much and won't want to destroy the family. And he's got a snout for a gun himself. Do you think I didn't know about his adventures? There are always enough well-wishers who are happy to spread gossip. Yes, I was even glad that he got to me less. Yes, it is not profitable for him for his career. Everything should be at the highest level. What kind of divorce are you talking about? I was afraid of something else. He would have made my life unbearable. He's already very jealous of me, and after this scandal, he would have locked me in a golden cage. Without letting me take a step, and I wouldn't have been able to go anywhere alone without him. He would have controlled my every move. Besides, he would have turned all my friends away from me. I've known for a long time that there are enough well-wishers, and I've been whispered in my ear more than once what they're doing there, but it was important for me to hear it from you. Because now I can with a clear conscience, without inventing anything, tell what you told me, my friend, to your boss, from whom you are now waiting for a promotion. By becoming his confidant in such matters that you are currently engaged in. And I'm practically not risking anything. You'll report me to him yourself, you bastard, to curry favor with him. Thinking that I would be silent like a fish on ice, afraid that my husband would find out about everything, and I would not guess that Pavlov knows everything about me. But, of course, he will keep quiet about it. And somehow he'll pin me against the wall. It's better with him. Consider it with the general, and he's also a very prominent man, and I've always liked him. A thoroughbred man with a character, not some kind of smudge. Than with you, Kolenka, the unfortunate major. In front of whom you go out of your way to please him. But when I ask him about it, when he finds out about everything from me, I think he'll really like it. After all, I have known him for a long time through my husband, he has friendly relations. We even sometimes meet with them at their place or at our cottage. And I know his wife pretty well. We are on friendly terms with her. She is an interesting, intelligent woman, has long guessed about her hubby's amorous affairs, pretending that she knows nothing. She's not stupid enough to make a fuss about it and divorce him. Why would she lose such a husband with his big shoulder straps and a position like his, and who will soon be given a general's position. A woman with two children should leave him. To destroy a family. To her, accustomed to a luxurious life. Leave. Where to? Into poverty? When a lot of people fawn over her and are very jealous that she has such a husband. Handsome and, consider it, a general. Yes, even if she had decided to take such a step, nothing would have worked out for her anyway, he would not have allowed her to ruin his career. And, most likely, he quietly put her in some kind of mental hospital. Away. And she would sit there until she came to her senses, or she would stay there forever, really going crazy in these terrible conditions. And as for me, I've known for a long time that he likes me as a woman, and he tells me about it more than once. But he's a smart guy, unlike some idiots, she couldn't resist pricking him, he has enough of his women, and he doesn't bother his friends' wives and pulls them into bed, knowing how it can end, and he doesn't need any extra problems. And he's not even averse to screwing with me. Among other things, I am an interesting conversationalist for him, sometimes he even consults with me on such and such issues, and then, sometimes, says: "Look at this. How witty, but I didn't think of that. What does a woman's mind mean. Lenochka, you are a smart woman and a great smart girl, you are my beauty." That's why I love you. So, my dear Kolenka. It turns out that his name is Kolya, this scoundrel, I thought, amazed at what I had heard. He will be very glad that he and I, it turns out, are two boots in a pair. He's cheating on his wife, and I'm cheating on my husband. And now we are like allies with him. We have our own secret in common. And it brings us closer. And now he will reasonably believe and not lose hope that one day I, tipsy, will agree to it.respawn with him. I couldn't resist his pressure and charm and as a sign of gratitude that he helped me get rid of you and covered for me. Who are you messing with, my dear. I would think with my head who you are and who I am. What kind of environment I am in and what circles I move in thanks to my hubby. He was silent, not expecting this turn of events at all. There was a puff of smoke again, he lit up again, apparently he got nervous, I sat amazed, listening to them almost with my mouth open. She, in fact, slipped out of the trap set for her by this scoundrel, and he himself fell into it. And she slammed the door. It turns out that he was already in her hands, I thought. He lost on all counts. I was amazed at her resourcefulness, determination and strength of character, who so bravely and coolly entered into battle with this scoundrel and now simply finished off her defeated enemy. — Well, Kolenka, do you want a commissar's body? She said with a grin. Yes, I thought, remembering this famous play in which these words were uttered by one of the heroines, a courageous commissar. You would have commissar's powers, like that heroine, and you would, just like her, without hesitation, put a bullet in your opponent. You'd probably have enough character for that. You wanted to get an asterisk, so here it is, your asterisk, it's in my hand. If I want it, you'll get it, if I don't want it, you won't see it. And you'll be grateful that this one of yours hasn't been taken off yet. Silence fell again. They were silent. Then the neck of the bottle was heard banging against the edge of the glass. Apparently, he was pouring himself vodka. Drink, drink, Kolenka, maybe this will help you come to your senses after our conversation. For getting excited, my dear. I didn't expect to slip out of your hands. You dug a hole for me and fell into it yourself, and I quietly pushed you there. Comrade future Lieutenant Colonel. Or maybe the captain. She laughed.
— You have a weak evidence base and a poorly constructed line of defense. You're just talking me down. Your arguments are built on sand. No court would take them into account. I could have filed a counterclaim against you for defamation. I listened with bated breath. That bastard, it seems, he's starting to get out of this situation. Ha ha ha! So that's how you started talking. What court? Don't you understand anything at all? Yes, if I tell Pavlov all this about all this, who do you think he will believe: For me or for you? That's the same thing, my dear. It's still a slander and a slander. You're trapped, and you're cornered, you're trying to grab at straws, not knowing how to get out of it. But nothing will help you anymore. Even if he realizes that you may be right about something, with a big stretch, he won't have any good reason to accuse me of anything. And he has known for a long time that they are talking about him there. And this is for him.Oh, before the lantern, darling. He has a powerful arm that pulls him up. So your pathetic bleating is worthless here. Wow, I thought excitedly, he wriggled out again, what a scoundrel. The bastard is well suited and he may be right. Lenka falls into a trap again. All these are empty words out of desperation. You got caught like a fool with your boyfriend. And you can't get out of it. I will note this in my official report, which I must submit to the top. And you can only wipe yourself with your arguments, dear. Did n slip out . This is a failure. She got caught. Their fight was somewhat like a biathlon, where the situation was changing by the minute. - But I have much more serious evidence than you think, Kolenka. And here your arguments are worthless. You're in deep trouble, as you told me back then, gogoshars. You need to talk less, darling. And don't talk too much. Do you think I can't protect myself? Cornered me like a mouse. Fuck you, darling. After a pause, he said sharply: "What are you, what are you? This can't be happening. You couldn't. Your boyfriend suggested it. The bastard. I underestimated him. I should have dealt with him right away and put him in jail for a day... by fifteen. Damn it! He raged. So that's why you called me. You bitch! He roared. Tell me where you hid it, I'll make you give it to me anyway. - Calm down, you idiot. Sit back down. I have my hand on the call button, and security is coming in here. Prick. If I press it.- Then the incredible happened....