— I’m alright. Didn’t sleep, but I’m alright.
— We’re getting ready. We’ll be leaving in an hour. Slavik already called his parents, they’re expecting us. Maxim doesn’t understand what’s happening, he’s asking why we’re going to see his grandma so suddenly.
— Tell him you decided to visit them on a whim. No need to scare the child. Mom, are you sure you’ll be okay alone?
— I will be, Irishka. Don’t worry about me. The most important thing is that you all are safe.
They talked a bit more, Valentina forced herself to speak calmly, confidently, so her daughter wouldn’t worry. When she hung up, her hands started shaking again, and she nearly dropped the cup.
The day dragged on endlessly. Valentina tried to do her usual chores: washed the dishes, dusted, did the laundry. But she did everything mechanically, her thoughts were far away. Scenes from the previous night replayed in her mind, Gennady’s words, his face when she opened the door to the police.
Around noon, she got a call from the police station—the female investigator from the night before. She asked her to come in tomorrow at ten in the morning: to give a statement, sign some more documents.
— And where is my husband now? — Valentina asked.
— In a temporary detention facility. He was interrogated and gave a full confession. A decision on his pretrial detention will be made tomorrow.
— What does that mean?
— He might be released on his own recognizance. Or his detention might be extended. It depends on many factors.
— I see.
— One more thing. Those people he owes money to. We’ve passed the information to the organized crime unit. An investigation will be conducted. But it will take time. So it really is better for you to be careful. If you notice anyone following you, or suspicious people near your house, call immediately.
After the call, Valentina sat on the sofa for a long time, staring at one spot. So the danger was real. Those people could come here, looking for Gennady, demanding money. But he wasn’t here. And the money was gone.
She stood up, walked through the apartment, checking the locks on the door and windows. Everything was locked. Then she remembered an old baseball bat that had been lying in the attic since Irina’s youth. She got it out and placed it in the hallway, behind the umbrella stand. Just in case.
In the evening, Irina called again: they had arrived safely, everything was fine, Slavik’s parents gave them a warm welcome, and Maxim was already running around the yard with the local kids.
— Mom, what about Dad? Do you know anything?
— He’s in custody. Tomorrow they’ll decide what to do with him.
— Are you going to see him?
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