— It’s most likely a medical poison in microdoses. Old school.
— Who are you? — Katerina asked.
— Galina Sergeevna. — The woman gave a bitter smile. — Former PhD in Chemistry. Former head of a laboratory.
They sat on a bench in the park. Galina told her story. Sparsely, without emotion. A fire in which her husband died and all her documents were burned. Depression, which she drowned in alcohol. The loss of her job and the street.
— It’s easier to pretend to be crazy, — she said. — It scares people, and they leave you alone. And I’m just living out my days. Only my chemistry skills remain. I smelled that scent from your bottle a mile away. A sweetish, almond-like smell.
— Galina Sergeevna, I need your help. — Katya took her dirty, chapped hand. — I’ll get that bottle. There’s still some left at the bottom. Can you do an analysis? Unofficially. Just to know the formula.
— Hmm, I don’t have a laboratory. Only a \”young chemist’s kit\” in the basement where I sleep. Just for fun.
— I’ll buy whatever you say. Reagents, flasks, please. They want to get rid of me.
Galina looked at her for a long time. Then she sighed and nodded.
— Alright, I hate poisoners. The most despicable kind of murderers. Bring me your water, and I’ll write a list.
Katya took Galina to the supermarket. She bought her a full basket of groceries. Sausage, cheese, bread, fruit. Galina cried, clutching the bag of food to her chest. And at that moment, she looked nothing like the town eccentric.
It was quiet at work, like the calm before a storm. Katya went to her desk, trying not to attract attention. She just wanted to grab her personal belongings and leave, but she didn’t get the chance.
— Soboleva, to the boss’s office! — called the secretary, who had always been envious of her.
In the office of Semyon Borisovich, the CEO, sat not only him, but also the head of security, and the system administrator Oleg, who always blushed at the sight of Zhanna and followed her around like a puppy.
— Have a seat, Katerina. — The boss’s voice was icy. — Can you explain what this is?
The boss turned his monitor around. On the screen was a bank statement.
— Yesterday at 2:30 PM, a transfer of three hundred thousand rubles was made from your corporate account to the account of a shell company. The IP address is yours, and so is the password.
— Semyon Borisovich, this must be some mistake. — Katya jumped up. — I wasn’t at my computer at that time yesterday. I was in the archives.
— There are no cameras in the archives, — Oleg interjected, not looking her in the eye. — And the system logs don’t lie. The login was from your terminal.
— Oleg, what are you talking about? You know I couldn’t have…
— I see the facts, — he grumbled.
— We won’t file a police report for now, considering your past merits and the difficult family situation that Zhanna Arkadievna told us about. She asked us not to ruin your life, — the boss said, wincing. — She says you’re having a breakdown. But you can’t work here anymore. You are suspended pending a full investigation. Hand over your pass.
— Zhanna? — Katya whispered. — Of course.
She placed her pass on the desk. It was useless to argue. They had her cornered like a wolf. Katya left the office with a cardboard box in her hands. It started to rain outside. She was unemployed, broke, with a con-man husband and the label of a thief.
And at home, her husband gave her an exemplary dressing-down.
— What have you done? Zhanna called me. You were fired for theft? Have you completely lost your mind?
— I didn’t take that money.
— Don’t lie! — Her husband clutched his heart. — Oh, what you’ve driven me to!
Katya looked at him and felt only disgust.
— You need money? — she asked quietly.
— Of course, I need it! I’m dying, and you… You’ve deprived us of our last income! — Igor shrieked. — Go to your parents. Right now. Let them sell the house, borrow from the neighbors. If there’s no money by the end of the week, I’m filing for divorce. What other choice do I have?
— Alright, — said Katya. — I’ll go. — She picked up her bag.
— Right now? — Igor was taken aback.
— But you said so yourself. I’m going to the station.
Katya walked out of the apartment, knowing she would never return.
Andrey opened the door immediately, as if he had been waiting for her right there.
— Katya, you’re shaking all over. Come in, quick.
His apartment was a small studio, cluttered with computer parts, wires, and books.
— They fired me, — Katerina said, sitting on a chair and staring into space. — They framed me for theft. Now I’m completely at their mercy. I don’t even have money for food.
— You have me. — Andrey placed a cup of hot tea in front of her. — And we’re not letting this go. Galina called. It’s a good thing you gave her a phone. We’ll have the results by evening. And as for a place to live… stay with me for now. I’ll take the sofa, you take the bed. And no arguments.
But Katya couldn’t sit still. She needed to think, to be alone.
— I’m going for a short walk. Don’t come with me. I need some air.
— I’m coming with you.
— Please, no. I really need half an hour of quiet. I won’t run away, I promise.
Andrey reluctantly agreed…
