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Makar. You’re an experienced hunter. You hunted wolves and bears.

But have you ever seen...

that... Zatonsk werewolf?

Yes.

During the day he looks like a normal man, like you and I.

But at nights he turns into a huge wolf,

as big as a bear.

He walks on his hind legs and tears apart anyone who comes near.

Yegorych, do you really believe in these tales?

A werewolf! Right...

Why tales? People say they saw him.

Did they? I sometimes see things, too.

They saw him, eh?

OK, they heard him.

When that werewolf howls, blood freezes in veins.

Especially in spring, when it’s full moon.

Yegorych, I was born in the woods.

I know more about animals than about people.

I’m telling you it’s a wolf! A wolf!

All right, Makar, here’s it.

Privalov, my master,

promised an award to whoever kills that beast,

no matter if it a werewolf or just a wolf.

Is it true?

One,

two,

three,

four, five.

Ready or not, here I come

ANNA, THE DETECTIVE

THE ZATONSK WEREWOLF EPISODE 25

Ivan Silantyevich Veshkin.

He worked for me as a clerk for God knows how many years.

My manager, Nikishin, found him this morning.

Looks like it was torn out during the struggle.

The wounds on his body are lacerated.

Looks like they were inflicted by a large animal.

It’s wolf’s fur.

Are you sure?

We, the Privalovs, learn hunting when we’re kids. It’s a wolf.

These paw prints...

They look more like a bear’s. Too big for a wolf.

It must be the Zatonsk werewolf.

-Did you hear him howling at night? -I did. My skin was crawling.

God, this is awful. Oh God.

-My wife, Irina. -God...

Did anyone see the shouts at night?

Shouts, no. I heard howling. It sounded like a wolf.

-What time was that? -Late last evening. At night, too.

-You didn’t tell me. -Why would I? A wolf is a wolf.

Anton Andreyevich, finish it up here. Find a ranger for me.

Bring him to the morgue. Maybe he’ll tell us what this beast is...

If it is a beast.

I always said that werewolf existed.

They say he ate half his torso.

What was this horror story Gerasim was talking about?

The Zatonsk werewolf is back. Remember the legend?

-My nanny told me when I was little. -It’s not a legend but... the truth.

-Why? -It bit a man to death tonight.

-Whom? -Merchant Privalov’s clerk.

He was washing his face before going to sleep. It was late.

That was it. I went to bed.

He must have heard the werewolf and gone to check if the gate was closed.

Did anyone see clerk Veshkin after that? Alive, I mean.

Yes. There was blood on his towel.

I was collecting the laundry this morning.

Veshkin was at Tikhon’s and came back with a split lip.

That’s where the blood came from.

-Who is Tikhon? -Tikhon? The blacksmith.

Why did the clerk go to the blacksmith?

On business, I think. But something must have gone wrong.

It must have.

-Are you crazy? -You are the one I need.

-Do you need me or my dead body? -You.

A beast bit a man to death.

What do I care? I’m not a policeman.

We need your experience. Shtolman asked you to come.

Shtolman? Well, that’s different.

They say there is a werewolf roaming around.

A werewolf? These are old woman’s tales for kids and young ladies.

Tales or not, but try and be quick.

Shtolman is waiting for you at Dr. Milts’s.

What a bore! Why didn’t you come with me?

We could be strolling along Nevsky Avenue. Up and down...

I don’t understand why you changed your mind.

I had my reasons.

You enticed me! Yes, you did.

-I even packed my suitcase. -I’m sorry. Sorry, sorry.

I wonder what Nizhinskaya told you that night.

What changed your mind?

Enough. Come on, I’ll entertain you. Come on, come on.

What are these? Illustration for a fairy tale?

Almost. A legend, about a werewolf. I drew it when I was about 10.

My nanny told me this legend.

At first, the werewolf was an ordinary young man.

He had a fiancee, and they were going to get married.

But the girl was a maid at a wealthy household.

Her master set his sights on her... and disgraced her.

Is that what she said? Disgraced her?

The nanny said he put her into a dungeon. Having learned about it,

the young man swore he’d ambush the villain in the woods and take revenge.

But a wolf attacked him and bit him, and the young man became a wolf himself.

-I mean, a werewolf. Are you following? -Yes, yes, I’m listening.

Look. The werewolf caught the whiff of his master’s smell, found him,

and bit to death. And the girl kept waiting for her beloved.

But he never came, and she killed herself.

Annette... there is a grain of truth in any tale.

Yes. But a werewolf really is haunting Zatonsk.

-Well? -Well what?

Your clerk Veshkin is a fraud. He didn’t like to pay for work.

He didn’t pay me yesterday, too, even if I did my job well.

What job?

He wanted me to make a copy of the key he had brought me.

And then he said “I’ll pay you later”, like he always does.

I’m sorry, sir, but he was a bastard.

Is that why you started a fight with him?

What fight?

Ah, right. He had a split lip when he came.

I shouldn’t have given him the key until I got the money. Who’ll pay me now?

Did you make a wax pattern for the key?

Yes. Of course I did. How could I not?

He was in a hurry, because he needed to return it.

But he didn’t pay me.

-Where is the pattern? Let me see. -I threw it away. I don’t need it.

I see. Where were you last night?

I was here.

I was tired, so I went to bed early.

-Who can confirm it? -Who would confirm it? I live alone.

Don’t leave the city. I’ll call you if I need you.

Look at these hematomas.

We didn’t see them before because of the dry blood.

Someone beat him up. Maybe that was why he lost consciousness.

Maybe. But he died because of blood loss.

Look at these lacerations left by claws.

And the deepest ones, from the fangs of a large animal.

-Hello, officers. -Hello, Yermolay Alekseyevich.

-Hello. -Hello, doc. Did you call me?

Come in. We need your advice.

Someone bit a man to death. We can’t figure it out what beast did it.

Oh my God. Who is this poor guy?

Veshkin, merchant Privalov’s clerk.

I know Privalov but not the clerk.

Wolf’s claws aren’t this sharp. But the teeth imprints look like a wolf’s.

Just a second.

Here. Look.

I extracted this fang from the poor man’s body.

A wolf’s. It’s strange, too. I never saw wolves losing their teeth.

So, that’s how I see the whole picture.

The fight took place just before the wolf’s attack.

Someone hit the clerk on the jaw, and he fell down.

Then the wolf came, attracted by blood.

Where did it happen?

Near the Privalovs’ house.

So, the wolf was really hungry... that’s why he came so close.

Yes, that could be a wolf.

Well, thank you, Yermolay.

You’re welcome. The least I can do.

I’ll be right back.

Yermolay, I have a request to you, a sensitive one.

Do you live close to the Mikhaylov manor?

Yes. I heard about it.

A foreigner moved in there not long ago.

I know. They say he’s guarded by soldiers.

Yes. And so am I. As a part of my duties, but in secret.

I need a pair of eyes and ears there. I can’t send my sleuths, you understand.

The locals would notice strange people in the woods immediately.

If you could keep an eye on him and report to me...

Are you trying to make a spy out of me?

Not at all. Spies are spying against someone.

I’m asking you to watch him for his own safety.

You’ll notice at once if any strange people come to the woods.

Tell me if they do.

Vasilina. That’s an interesting name.

That’s why I remember this story.

It happened ten years ago.

I was a country doctor then, visiting villages.

So, this Vasilina took a rope,

tied it to a bough and hang herself.

Are there any records?

What records, Anna Viktorovna? I’m telling you, she hang herself.

The reason of death was obvious. I didn’t even do the post-mortem.

That’s why there are no records.

A statesman, you said. I’ll watch the manor,

but only because you saved me from the galleys once.

Believe me, Yermolay, you’re doing a good thing.

-All right. I’ll let you know. -Thank you.

For all my years in Zatonsk I don’t remember any cases... Thank you.

Any cases of wolves killing people.

This is where the legend steers away from the truth.

Doctor, but why did Vasilina hang herself?

Some say it was unrequited love, others say that’s cow dung.

It’s a legend. And legends, as you know, are supposed to be... beautiful.

What’s going on here?

In fact, nothing. Anna Viktorovna and I were talking about myths and legends.

You’ve chosen a nice place for it. Can I help you with something?

The doctor has helped me already. Thank you, doctor.

Anna Viktorovna! Are you doing post-mortems with the doctor now, too?

They told me at the precinct I could find you there.

And?

I have reasons to believe that this murder is connected with one girl’s suicide.

What girl?

There is a Zatonsk legend about a girl named Vasilina.

But the doctor used to know the real Vasilina.

She hang herself 10 years ago.

I’ll have that in mind. Wait!

Are you avoiding me after that regrettable tiff?

Me, avoiding you? It’s you who’s avoiding me.

Me? I didn’t know if you’d want to see me after all that.

I had no chance to explain myself.

It doesn’t matter now.

No, I apologize for my stupid behavior. I don’t know what possessed me.

It doesn’t matter anymore.

Anna Viktorovna, do you forgive me?

I forgave you by staying.

-Staying? -Staying in Zatonsk!

Yakov Platonovich, you should have realized that was my forgiveness.

But you behave as if I offended you.

No, no. I just don’t understand... I’m confused.

You? Confused? Is it a vaudeville?

You are the one who asked me to stay. You chose an extravagant way to do that.

-What way? -Enough. Just forget it.

Tell me about the fight.

There was no fight.

Privalov’s clerk and manager had a quarrel in the street.

They were arguing.

And then Nikishin hit him in the mouth with his fist.

Just once. And then they both went their own ways.

Are you sure it was Nikishin?

Maybe you didn’t see him clearly from that distance?

How can I not recognize him when he comes to us every day for a drink?

Was blacksmith Tikhon at the pub last night?

No. He’s a rare guest.

He’s a serious and virtuous man.

Do you remember the clerk’s name?

Of course I do. It’s my job. It’s Veshkin.

Thank you, brother.

You said Veshkin hadn’t been to the pub last night.

You also didn’t mention the fight.

I’m sorry.

I was scared that you'd think I killed him.

Why did you hit him?

He was a bad man. He started lecturing me, so...

I couldn’t help myself.

So you claim you didn’t send anyone to the blacksmith or order a key copy?

Yes, I do. Why would a clerk need a copy?

He has keys to all doors...

Except for this one.

The money was here just yesterday!

I swear on my crucifix, I didn’t take the money!

I have no idea where... I haven’t even seen it before!

You bastard! Where is the rest? Where is it?

Calm down. We’ll find out where it is.

Where is the money? This is only a small part.

Take him away.

-What’s the fuss? -He robbed us, the thief!

Anton Andreyevich, get him to the precinct.

Take the constables. God forbid he escapes.

Wait! Where are you taking him?

Zakhar Yegorovich couldn’t do it. He’s the best manager in the area.

Someone must have planted this money to set him up.

Wait. Where were you on the night of the murder?

Where was I? Here, of course. Where else would I be?

Is he telling the truth?

How would I know?

So, nobody can confirm that you were here.

It’s possible, then, that Mr. Nikishin and clerk Veshkin were accomplices,

and they robbed you together.

But then they fought over money. The clerk probably wanted a bigger cut.

That’s why you fought the other day; that’s why you killed the clerk

and took all the money.

That’s not what happened.

Anton Andreyevich, take him away.

We’re investigating a murder. I advise you to think about it.

Easy, easy. Stop, Zador.

Whose print is this? Weird. Do you think it’s a wolf?

No. This one looks more like a bear’s.

What do you think? Don’t patronize me.

I’ve seen more wolves than you have, because I’ve been alive longer.

And this is a bear’s paw.

Or a werewolf’s? What do you think? Come on, come on.

Let’s go check. Easy, easy.

Vasilina’s spirit, present yourself. Vasilina’s spirit, present yourself.

Vasilina’s spirit, present yourself.

Annet, what’s wrong?

I’m fine.

Here. I bought it by an occasion. It’s a rarity.

It explores the werewolf phenomenon in great detail.

I thought you might use it.

Uncle, this is exactly what I need right now.

Thank you so much.

-I want to ask you a favor. -Yes?

Don’t chase this werewolf by yourself.

-Let Shtolman do it. -Do you think he can handle it?

Are you disappointed in his abilities?

Disappointed... but not in his abilities.

You know what?

This murdered can be just... sick.

A madman who believes himself a werewolf. It’s possible.

Remember the girl who had spent 7 years in the cellar?

-Alice. -Yes. What happened to her?

-She is in the mental hospital. -How is she doing?

I don’t know.

What a horrible fate. So, Annet, can I rest assured

that you’ll take with you at least Korobeynikov for this werewolf hunt?

Uncle, you’re so nice. You’re the only person who understands me.

Zador, why are you so sad? Never mind it.

You’re a big and wise dog.

You don’t believe these tales about werewolves, and neither do I.

I’m sure it’s not a wolf’s paw.

I told the doctor the fang was a wolf’s.

Is our wolf losing his teeth?

He must be very old.

Yuck. It tastes like poison.

The hut looks freshly-made.

Is this the key?

Yes. The one I made a copy of.

And where is this copy?

How do I know? As I told you, sir, I gave it to Veshkin.

Bastards!

They didn’t just pick my pockets but slapped me in the face.

Maybe Nikishin is innocent.

Maybe the clerk planted the money.

We were robbed, and you’re worried about Nikishin?

He’s a decent man.

They shouldn’t charge him with something he didn’t do.

How do you know?

Hello, Alice.

Do you remember me?

-She doesn’t talk. -Does she at least hear?

I think so.

Can I stay for a while?

-If you want to. I’ll be around. -Thank you.

Alice, do you recognize me?

I’ll tell you a story.

Look at these.

Once upon a time...

...the master found out that his maid was in love with a young man.

He became jealous and ordered to snatch the maid and cast her to the dungeons.

She was crying all the time, because she couldn’t see her beloved.

Alice, may I go on?

Meanwhile, the young man turned into a wolf and killed the villain.

Alice, don’t be upset. It’s just a story.

“Empty woods, night and fear. Voice, howl, path through darkness.

Bottomless scream, eyeless gloom... God without us...”

Where did it come from? Tell me. Have you just come up with it?

Alice?

Alice, do you hear me? Do you speak Russian?

Come here. It’s over. It’s over.

Goddamn it! Makar?

Makar!

Yermolay Alekseyevich, is that you?

Is it your household?

-Yes, it is. -Who was your visitor?

What visitor? Oh.

I don’t know; maybe a bear got lost.

A bear? Zador, I told you it was a bear.

See, the experienced hunters think so, too.

Why, Yermolay Alekseyevich?

Imagine, he didn’t believe me.

Good boy...

Makar, hurry up. It’s getting dark.

Your visitor might come back. Come on, Zador.

All right.

Where is the rest of the money?

I don’t know! I swear to God I don’t know.

Take a seat.

Where is the copy of the key to the safe? Where did you hide it?

I never even touched it.

Why don’t you believe me?

Because a man was killed, and you aren’t telling me the truth.

I didn’t kill him. And I didn’t touch the money.

Fine. Let’s try another approach. Write it down.

What was your relations with Privalov’s wife Irina?

She’s... my master’s wife.

I work for them. That’s it.

You can think it over in your cell. Orderly!

Take him back.

How nice. We have our suspect.

Not even one day has passed. And they said “werewolf”!

Anton Andreyevich, I don’t share your optimism.

There are more questions than answers.

And the major one is, was there a wolf?

Of course. We found traces of its fangs and claws.

I believe the clerk had been already dead or unconscious when the wolf appeared.

I don’t think so. It looks more like a carefully planned murder.

-Was the wolf planned, to? -Moreover, the wolf is an accomplice.

Look at that.

A statesman, an important person... guarded by soldiers.

But there’s no one but you and me to be his secret sentries. Yes...

I didn’t think I’d have to be a spy in my last years.

They left.

Let’s go, too. We’ve been here long enough.

What’s wrong with you? Are you sick?

My heart aches.

Take some medicine... or milk with honey.

It hurts because there is a load on my soul.

What load?

An innocent man is behind the bars. I could have saved him, but I was scared.

What were you scared of?

Your anger.

Forgive me for my sin, Lukyan Kuzmich.

I can’t stand it anymore. I’m sorry.

Nikishin was with me that night.

That’s how I know he didn’t kill anyone or steal anything.

I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

Irina! Irina, it’s me. Open the door.

Help me!

Come on!

It’s him! The werewolf!

THE ZATONSK WEREWOLF