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I'm sorry if I am distracting you. I need you.

What for?

-You want confessions? All right. -Will you really come clean?

You may not believe me about that business with the debt.

Why, I could believe something else? Or are you going to surprise me?

-I've already surprised even myself. -I'm afraid to even guess.

Your Anna, she didn't go to St Petersburg for some reason.

So it was you? What did you tell her?

I don't know when you're going to muster up the courage to be with her,

but it's definitely going to happen.

Don't worry, I wasn't so direct with her.

It's just, you were in a state where you could throw yourself under fire.

And with your job, it's very easy to end it all.

I'm sorry, I have to understand it all.

She's waiting for you.

But you value your freedom too much.

See, I get you better than anyone.

You always have.

One,

two,

three,

four, five.

Ready or not, here I come.

ANNA, THE DETECTIVE

COLUMBINE'S SOLITAIRE EPISODE 33

Good day, Anton Andreievich. Will Yakov Platonovich be here?

He will. Later.

So, the body of the owner of the house, Karavaev the merchant,

was found by the servant at 5 AM in his office.

-The ball was in full swing. -Have you canvassed the guests?

Of course we have. We've been here since dawn.

Right.

By the way, Dr Miltz is here already.

-Good day, Your Nobleness. -Good day.

Why do they keep killing each other, Ulyashin? Tell me.

Anna Viktorovna.

Anna Viktorovna, please let me have a few minutes.

My name is Kunitsyn. I really have to talk to you.

Of course. Have a seat, please.

-Good morning, doctor. -Oh, right, it's morning already.

And we only have one body.

The morning really is good, how else could it be?

-By the way, where is Yakov Platonovich? -He will be here later.

-Ulyashin, report. -Yes, sir.

Around 2 in the morning, according to guests, Karavaev left the hall.

-No one heard the shot. -How come?

Karavaev has no family in Zatonsk. He is single. Lived alone.

From what his companion Mr Kunitsyn says, he had no debts.

Well, what I can say is this.

The bullet entered from the right, about 2 cm below the temple.

And it exited 3 cm below his left eye.

So the wound tract direction is inclined. In other words, he was shot from above.

Yes... so it was a suicide.

And the inclination... well, I suppose his hand shook at the last moment.

That's right. A suicide. He took a sin upon his soul.

What a deadly aura pierces our town.

And imagine, they're telling me he shot himself.

As the party was in full swing.

-My God, what a tragedy, what a... -Excuse me, Kunitsyn...

Aleksandr Petrovich Kunitsyn. Merchant of the Second Guild.

Aleksandr Petrovich, was he related to you?

-Who? -Well...

Karavaev? No, he was my partner. Wholesale trading, Karavaev&Co.

Aleksandr Petrovich, you have my condolences,

but I cannot help you.

Anna Viktorovna, well, maybe using your gift you could understand

what really happened there? Who did it?

Aleksandr Petrovich, dear, you haven't come to the right place.

You should come to the police instead.

Anna Viktorovna, it is known that sometimes you take up some,

let us say, complicated, most complicated cases.

I used to, I did, but I don't anymore. Do you understand?

I don't do that. Please excuse me, I have to go.

Excuse me, Anna Viktorovna, wait a second.

Aleksandr Petrovich, I just don't do that anymore, do you see?

-I don't! -I'm begging you. I'm begging you.

Aleksandr Petrovich, dear, please understand...

Finally. I thought you would sleep until the evening.

I have already had my coffee.

Get up. We're going to have breakfast.

Your coffee is cold already. I asked them to bring the breakfast here.

I'm sorry, I have to go. I'm already late to work.

Right. You have a job, too.

My job didn't use to bother you.

I wish you would come back to St Petesburg so much.

You know that's impossible.

I didn't think you would hold onto this place so hard.

-Is it far? -Keep rowing. It's close, I'll say when.

Right. You said an hour ago it was close.

You row, too.

Get a move on.

Watch you don't drop it into the water.

We got some great stuff this time.

Lend me a hand, why don't you?

We should have asked for a bigger cut and left sooner.

-Where's the coach? -It'll be there.

Their dogs are really loud. Like roosters.

And their police grab you like dogs. A moment too late and goodbye, freedom.

Hello, prison life. Come on, come on.

Anna!

Masha! I haven't seen you in an eternity!

-Since the gymnasium, I think. -Four years have passed.

An entire life. You don't get out anywhere.

Yes. I have to work a lot, raise the sisters...

-I work at Karavaev's company. -Karavaev? The same one?

Yes. As a housekeeper. And my father is a steward.

Kunitsyn sent me to you.

You said no to him, and he found out we went to school together...

I... I understand.

Please understand, I have no say here. He really counts on your help.

And he's terribly scared, threatening to fire Dad.

All right. I'll try, for you.

Really? Thank you.

I am practically sure that the shot was made from a distance.

-Why? -There is no burn.

If the gun were touching the temple, there would be a burn, but there is none.

Right. And also the direction points to the shot being made from above.

-Unnatural for a suicide. -Quite right.

Then why did you tell the district policeman the opposite?

Zatonsk is a very small town and rumors travel fast.

I didn't want the perpetrator to know he was being looked for.

That makes sense, Anton Andreievich. You're making progress.

About a month ago, there was a similar occurrence in the neighboring governorate.

There was a ball. Suicide.

Except the bullet entered through the neck.

And the shooter was a lady, imagine that.

It's good that you read the memoranda.

No, memoranda have nothing to do with it. Reports, memoranda... No.

I read it in the Zatonsk Telegraph.

Looks like I'm going to have to subscribe.

What I think is that Karavaev's suicide was staged, too.

-Check if he had any competitors. -Yes, I'll find that out.

And if he did, then Kunitsyn might be in danger too.

Or the perpetrator was Kunitsyn himself, seeking to get Karavaev's share.

We need to check their company's financials, too.

Do you think that the case from the neighboring governorate

and this one might be connected somehow?

-By what? -Not by what, but by who.

The perpetrator. And his compulsion to kill.

That is, he chooses his victim according to some characteristics,

and then he stages it all as a suicide.

You sure do like dead-end theories, Anton Andreivich.

Yakov Platonovich, you said yourself that we need to check all theories.

Well, check it, then. Send a request to the neighboring governorate.

We need details for comparison.

-Up to the old tricks again? -I found it.

I found it in my suitcase, can you believe it?

-I wanted to throw it out. -Let me throw it out.

Sit down. I'll show you a magic trick.

Pick a card. Any card.

Any card.

Remember it. Do you remember it well?

Yes.

How much have you lost over your life? A million?

Maybe a million. Maybe two. But that's all in the past.

It's all mistakes of my youth.

Mistakes of my youth.

-Is this it? -No. It's not it.

-It's not? -No.

Have you heard about what happened at Karavaev's ball?

I've heard of it. Everybody has.

Since lunch, that's all they're talking about.

All the rumors are about that. Is this it?

No, it's not it. And what do they say?

They say he... se suicid?. A duel with himself. Well?

No, this isn't it. Why do they say that?

Because that's the official version the police gave them.

Why are you interested?

Because Karavaev's companion came to me, Kunitsyn. Came for help.

-That's not it. -So what did you tell him?

He just doesn't believe it was a suicide. He thinks it was staged.

-One more time. Another attempt. -It could have been his competitors.

I see that.

My dear Pyotr Ivanovich,

first you muddy my daughter's head with spirits,

and now I can see you're introducing her to your passion for cards?

Come now, Mariya Timofeevna. You saw it yourself, just a magic trick.

Nothing more. Just harmless fun.

I know what your harmless fun is like.

Don't talk like that or my beloved niece will think God knows what about her uncle.

Come on, Uncle. I love you despite all your flaws.

There. Which are practically nonexistent.

Right.

In his soul, he's a pure angel, an innocent babe.

I must admit that sometimes Mariya Timofeevna seems

to possess qualities very similar to exceptional perceptiveness,

I must say...

So what about Kunitsyn?

-Did you call me, Aleksandr Petrovich? -Yes I did, Porfiriy Semyonovich, I did.

Come in. Do you know why I called you?

I cannot know, Aleksandr Petrovich.

Then let's speak frankly. Although you're angry with me, of course.

God be with you. I've served you for so many years, gladly and...

Well, Karavaev and I weren't very pleased with your attitude towards the business.

But to be honest, we couldn't find a decent replacement for you.

Thank you, Aleksandr Petrovich.

I have always been loyal to you, and the departed.

If you would give me a chance, I promise I will be better.

All right, all right.

Let us forget our differences, get back to work.

Yes, I...

-Wait, wait, wait. -Yes?

Where were you last night, in fact?

God is my witness, Aleksandr Petrovich, I was home with my daughters. Where else?

Well, that's it, that's... Yes, yes, yes... Go, go.

Go already, go. Go.

Anna Viktorovna! I've been expecting you, I have!

Go already, please, go.

I knew you would respond to my asking. Please...

This is only because Masha Solonitsyna and I went to school together.

Well, yes.

Well, tell me about it.

-Tell you what? -Well, how did it happen?

Karavaev threw a costume party for his anniversary.

Well, he was 45 already.

-45? -Yes.

Well, that's not really a round date.

He just needed an excuse. You know?

Nikolai Ivanovich, he was larger than life.

He liked to party, was full of love... He really loved women, you know, yes.

So he really loved life, he really did. He couldn't have killed himself.

It wasn't in his nature.

-When and where was it? -Was what?

Well, shooting himself.

Oh, it was in his office. Towards the morning, they say.

We all drank a lot, you know, had fun, all that...

we were together the whole time.

But then I let him out of my sight. It was a very complicated night, you know.

That suicide... you know, it was staged.

No one heard the shot?

No. There were a lot of people, music, fireworks...

-Did Karavaev live alone? -Yes.

-And there's nobody at home right now? -Well, if the police are done...

If the police... Give me the key.

But... You want to... I got it.

I got it. Here. If you need me, I'll come with you.

No. There is no need for that.

Well, as you wish, as you wish.

-And the man who... -Who was leaving? Solonitsyn. My steward.

Mariya's father, by the way. Why?

Nothing.

Anna, you... Why are you here?

I came to see Kunitsyn. He gave me the key.

Why are you here?

I'm here to see what needs to be fixed up.

The thing is, Kunitsyn is selling this house.

Hey, have you... seen him already?

Who?

Well...

Karavaev. Has he come to you?

I know, it's none of my business.

But I'm just curious. It's spooky.

Were you at the ball yourself?

No. Although Karavaev did invite me.

How strange. Why didn't you come?

It's not proper, dancing with your masters.

Bad for you in the long run.

All right, I won't get in your way.

Thank you.

You promised me something, Nikolai Ivanovich.

You shouldn't lie to ladies.

Tell me who you are first.

My letters don't reach you, or you don't read them.

Are you ignoring me?

Who are you?

You keep talking about your love conquests everywhere.

You should be careful!

Is that you or...

Anna Viktorovna!

Anna Viktorovna, what's wrong?

Yakov Platonovich... We danced.

It's a good thing that Kunitsyn said you were here.

Kunitsyn? What Kunitsyn? Oh, right.

I'm sorry, it's just... stuffy in here.

-Did he call you here? -They invited me, I couldn't say no.

I see there is no way to keep you away from police business.

I'm not doing it on purpose. It just works out that way.

Well, yes. My business is with the dead. Your business is with them too, in a way.

-We walk the same path. -Yes, just on different sides.

We butt heads often. I propose a pact.

-Of non-aggression? -Of respecting borders.

I never violated your borders.

Well, I have never invaded your life either,

but why are we at war?

I'm not at war with you.

Great, then. Let's discuss neutrality.

Let's. Besides, I've always treated you neutrally.

Well, that's great. You should continue doing it.

Let's just stay friends.

Why, was there ever anything different?

Nothing, thank God, nothing.

Are you trying to hurt my feelings?

How would I do that?

If I hurt your feelings somehow... I'm sorry.

Let's start anew.

Start what?

Sparing each other's feelings.

-Peace? -I never declared war on you.

I will you ask you for a favor.

If your urge to help people leads you onto my turf, don't do anything without me.

-I need to be next to you for... -My own safety's sake.

Any my nerves'. Do we have a deal?

Now let's talk business.

Karavaev danced with several women at the ball.

-And they all wore Columbine costumes. -How many were there?

I don't know, I couldn't count. Maybe that's what made my head spin.

-So you think a woman killed Karavaev? -I don't know.

But it's strange that several women ordered the same dress.

When I find that out, I will tell you.

I would appreciate it.

The ace of hearts was played already.

Was it now? When?

You redheaded bastard.

Come on, then.

What, Redhead, you scared? Being yellow? Come on!

All right, all right, that's quite enough.

Quit playing with knives.

Right, then. Stay here, quietly.

Don't show your face outside for two or three days.

I'm still the steward, thankfully. So it's safe here.

You could die from boredom in here.

Once you leave, have whatever fun you want.

Eat each other if you want.

But I don't need a circus in here.

What's the matter? The thing is done.

There's no money yet. There's no selling the goods, either.

The police are snooping around everywhere, and the clients are laying low.

What does the boss woman say?

I'm not your boss, then?

You are. But I need her word.

Her word...

Her word is, lay low, don't show yourself while the police are sniffind around.

Got it?

Don't be cute with us. We've done time.

Are you trying to scare me? Huh, Gray Hair?

-Where'd you get it? -Gray Hair brought it. Give me.

What do you need it for?

You're going to get me in trouble yet.

Good day.

Good day. How can I help you?

Hello. You know, some wonderful Columbine costumes were made for a ball recently.

-Were they made here? -Yes, that's my work.

That's what I thought. Your shop is considered the best in town.

Thank you. But what can I do for you, specifically?

I would like a costume just like that.

-You have some sketches left, right? -Of course.

Sketches. Here, take a look.

I want a dress exactly like that. Who ordered them?

Lady Podnozova, Lady Streltsova and Lady Alekseeva.

I'll be, all three had the same costume.

Exactly. I was surprised myself.

Did they explain it somehow?

Yes, they said they wanted to play a joke on somebody at the masquerade.

It's amazing how much time you waste on this pointless hobby.

Bird watching calms you, trains your attention and patience.

Wonderful. You're going to need all that.

-What happened? -I am sick of being idle.

This talking to Brown.

All this paperwork stolen from the engineer at such pains.

-What comes next? -All in due time.

Look, that's a starling.

He's curious about what's happening inside my window, too.

The rascal, he's watching us.

-I don't like birds. -You should.

Tell me, what does Brown say about that fog?

It's poisonous gas rising from the swamp.

-That's what he said? -In as many words.

The swamp has always been here, but there weren't any poisonous fogs.

They appeared along with Mr Brown.

-What are you trying to say? -I'm just thinking out loud.

Go home, my good man. There's a coach waiting for you.

-What shall you have? -Some vodka with lemon.

And something to go with it.

-Bon appetit. -Thank you.

Looks like you don't have any more money, Your Nobleness.

Golden. The chain is golden too. Family heirloom.

It costs twice as much as everything on the table.

I am ready to offer it at half price. I offer to go all in.

Nice canary, but patched.

Where's the family name?

There, on the rim. If you look closely, it's engraved there.

Fine.

The ace of hearts, it was played.

-Was it? When? -Last round!

Hello, Your Nobleness.

Yakov Platonovich! Good morning.

We have been expecting you, Pyotr Ivanovich and I.

He's in the holding cells, let's go see him.

Why don't you offer me some tea first, at least?

-Who is that Pyotr Ivanovich? -Anna Viktorovna's uncle.

Mironov. He got into a fight at the tavern.

Who did he get into a fight with?

Well, then, tea? Keys.

Yakov Platonovich!

Yakov Platonovich! Yakov Platonovich, my dear.

Pyotr Ivanovich, my God. Pyotr Ivanovich.

Yes, yes, yes. Yakov Platonovich, three others were arrested with me.

-You don't say. -Yes. They... You should let them go.

-And me, of course. -Let them go? Why?

Well... Understand my situation. I wouldn't want it to be advertised.

Advertised and so on. I mean, no one is guilty.

Even letting you go isn't going to be that easy.

And you're asking for someone else to be let go, too.

I'm begging you. I am. Just let them give me the watch back.

Don't push me, I can walk!

Swallow? I don't believe my eyes.

Gentlemen, I present you a notorious St Petersburg card cheat,

thief, smuggler nicknamed Swallow.

Also known as Gray Hair, also known as Makar Yelistratov.

What brings you here?

I don't know what that one told you... But we're here for nothing.

-We're innocent. -Are you now?

Well, there was a game. The gentleman lost. So what?

Gambling isn't a crime.

You should understand a gambling debt.

Will you order a request to St Petersburg?

Certainly, and immediately.

And when they're done with the Bertillion,

Gray Hair and his accomplices are to be let go.

-What do you mean, let go? -Do we have any grounds to detain them?

So they had a fight in the tavern, to hell with it.

By the way, Pyotr Mironov doesn't have any qualms with them, either.

What if St Petersburg answers that Gray Hair is involved in some business

and there's a warrant out on him?

There probably is some warrant.

Another thing is, if he's on a business trip here,

we'll ruin it all if we keep him locked up.

I don't understand what you mean by "ruin it".

I mean that we need to know his criminal intent.

And we need his local accomplices, badly.

So we need to let him go and catch him red handed.

-We need to have him followed. -Exactly.

Who do we put on them? We only have a few men at our disposal.

Look at the reserves, Anton Andreievich. We need to trust the youth more.

Speaking of trusting the youth. You missed a print at the crime scene.

-What print? -A print from a lady's shoe.

It was left in the pool of blood.

Anna Viktorovna was right, the killer is a woman.

Come up here.

Put your hand here. Elbow, 18.5.

-Put your foot here. -Which one?

The right one.

Foot, 12.5. Come up here.

Height, 177. Go.

Eye color, green.

-Hair color, chestnut. -Red!

Belay that.

Thank you for coming.

-You look like you've seen a ghost. -I received a letter. Read it.

"You will not keep the company. Keep your head attached to your neck."

-I'm next. -What could they want?

They want me to sell the company. First Karavaev, now me.

A very simple solitaire.

Who do you suspect?

I got another letter before that despicable note.

An official one.

From a certain Muscovite merchant. He wants to buy the company, too.

Right... Let's meet in Karavev's house at midnight.

Once you're in, leave the back door unlocked.

I'll come in myself.

Don't light any candles so no one sees it. We'll meet in the departed's office.

What for?

We'll hold a seance.

We'll call his spirit and ask him two questions.

First, was he killed or did he take his own life.

Second, if he was killed, who did it.

God, I'll... I'll definitely wait for you there.

I wish it was resolved already.

All right, now listen to me carefully. Now you have to go to the police station.

To Shtolman. And you have to show him this letter.

This is imperative! What, did I say something funny?

Excuse me. I will definitely tell him. Shtolman called me in for questioning.

Tell me, do you trust that Shtolman?

Absolutely.

Midnight.

We checked your financials. And the company's financials.

-In what way, if I may ask? -The legal way, don't doubt it.

Well, I wasn't doubting that.

Now, concerning your financial state,

or rather your late companion Mr Karavev's.

He had a lot debtors. What do you know about it?

It's nothing. Many people, small sums.

And only one person owed him a significant amount of money.

For that kind of money,

one may even commit a crime, won't you agree?

Is that your note?

COLUMBINE'S SOLITAIRE