“My death—so to speak—was a good acquaintance of mine,” Orlova’s voice trembled noticeably. “A war veteran. He was killed. The evening before yesterday—on the eve of Victory Day. And they killed him in a very strange way… I think I should entrust you with this case. I can feel it: your qualifications will be needed here. We must catch those villains!”
Pyotr Nikolayevich rubbed his forehead above his eyebrows. Gurov and Kryachko exchanged looks: they knew what lay behind that characteristic gesture. General Orlov was nervous…"