"And this is irreversible?"
"Almost," Viktor smirked again. "But sometimes the tape wears out. There are… interferences."
Anna gathered her papers, preparing to leave.
"If you remember anything else—an address, names of Berkut's accomplices, other details—report it immediately."
Viktor nodded. When Anna was already at the door, he called out to her:
"Detective! Be careful. He's not just a criminal. He's… a creator of monsters."
Leaving the detention center, Anna immediately called Dorokhov.
"I need everything available on Doctor Alexander Viktorovich Berkut. And check all psychological centers and clinics in the city, especially those working with children and teenagers."
"Already on it," Dorokhov's voice sounded excited. "We have something interesting. A psychological center called 'New Life,' very prestigious. And guess who runs it?"
"Berkut," Anna was already getting into her car. "I'll be there in twenty minutes. Gather everything you can find: the center's history, list of employees, patients. And check if Sophia Velichko was ever their client."
"Already checking. But there's something else—a woman came to us. Says she has information on the case. Claims she knows Viktor Rogov and Igor Sokolov. Or rather, Igor Vasilyev, as he was previously called."
Anna froze with the ignition key in her hand.
"Who is she?"
"Klavdia Mikhailovna Petrova. A former music teacher from Tver. You need to hear this, Anna."
"I'll be there in fifteen minutes."
In the rearview mirror, the detention center flashed by—a gray building, behind whose walls she had left a man who was simultaneously a criminal and a victim. A monster and a puppet.
And somewhere in the city, in an unknown location, Doctor Alexander Berkut was preparing to turn Sophia Velichko into the same kind of puppet. And the time to save her was running out.
Chapter 8: Mosaic of Consciousness
The police headquarters greeted Anna with the muffled hum of voices and ringing phones. Dorokhov intercepted her in the corridor.
"Klavdia Mikhailovna is waiting for you in the third office. Meanwhile, I've prepared information on the 'New Life' center," he handed her a folder. "Everything we could find."
"I'll speak with the woman first," Anna nodded, taking the folder. "Then we'll look into the center together."
In the interrogation room sat a middle-aged woman with a tired face and wary eyes. When Anna entered, she stood up, nervously clutching a worn bag.
"Hello. I'm Klavdia Mikhailovna Petrova."
"Anna Sviridova, investigating officer in Sophia Velichko's case," Anna shook her hand. "My colleague said you knew Igor Sokolov and Viktor Rogov?"
"Yes. Except back then, Igor was called Vasilyev. Igor Vasilyev. I worked with them at the music school in Tver twenty years ago. I taught violin," she paused. "When I saw the news about the missing girl and Sokolov's photograph… I realized everything was happening again."
"Tell me from the beginning," Anna took out her notebook.
Klavdia Mikhailovna took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts.
"Tver, 2004. Glinka Music School. I had been working there for several years when new teachers appeared. Viktor Rogov—piano class, Igor Vasilyev—physical education and choreography. Both young, talented. The children adored them."
"And what happened?"
"At first, nothing special. Regular work, concerts, lessons. But then a new school psychologist appeared—Doctor Alexander Berkut," Klavdia Mikhailovna swallowed nervously. "He very quickly became close with Viktor and Igor. They often stayed after classes, talking about something. Sometimes until late at night."
