The next page was much more interesting for Morozov. It said that Nelly Belov was Valentina Bykov’s close friend, that she was a frequent visitor at her home and even participated in family celebrations. But the most important thing was that Valentina Bykov’s father was the director of the Leningrad KGB office. It was he who made a request that Nelly Belov be enlisted here.
«A provincial girl to have such a friend? Quite weird. Where on earth did, they meet and become friends, one being from Ivanovo and the other – from Leningrad?» Morozov raised his head.
«Perhaps they met when Nelly was an intern in Leningrad. The girls worked together. Nelly seemed to win Bykov’s trust, visited her home.»
«But what does it change?»
«You read on,» Egorov retorted peevishly.
When Morozov resumed reading, he gave way to temper.
«It turns out that she wrote this denunciation of 15 September, on 16 September she and her fiancé filed a request to get married, which they did on 17 September, and on the same day they submitted a request for the fresh husband to be registered in Nelly’s room on Nevsky avenue. A very smart job, indeed! But what do we gain from this? We still can’t prove that Nelly tried to poison Svetlana with intent!» in Dmitry Morozov's voice there was disgust and indignation.
«That is not even the point. Bykov called me this morning. The Bykov from the Leningrad KGB office and the father of Valentina Bykov – Nelly’s close friend. As far as I can guess, Nelly asked her friend Valentina, she asked her father to press me to provide the newly-weds with good housing. And I can say that but for this denunciation I would have found them suitable accommodation even without Bykov’s call. Now you do understand that I have to do something. And it turns out, I have to fire Svetlana or throw this Nelly out! I suspect that she was frightened and turned to her friend's father for help not by accident,» sparks of anger flashed in Yegorov's eyes.
In the silence of the office, the cries of seagulls outside the window began to be heard.
«So I understand you believe me?» Morozov uttered almost in a whisper.
«Of course! We’ve been working side by side for ages. And I know Svetlana from cradle. There is nothing to say here, all is clear.»
The men looked at each other in silence for a while.
«Here’s what I think,» Egorov took another file and opened it, «this is Victor Tabunov’s personal file. There is nothing special in it, but once the situation has turned this way, I have made a decision to demobilize Tabunov! Look, here is the doctor’s report that Tabunov has had several blood pressure jumps. And you cannot allow a person with high blood pressure serve on a submarine. As he has just married, his wife will go with him to the place of residence registration, namely – to the city of Ivanovo.» Egorov sneered at Morozov, «how do you like this gambit?»
«That’s why you are the boss and I am your deputy.»
«Dmitry, please, ask Svetlana to prepare all the necessary documents as soon as possible. The newly-weds need a vacation to go on honeymoon, and their move to Ivanovo will take some time.»
«Of course, I’ll deal with it at once.»
