Storm

Angelica was waiting for Sergey and Arthur in the dark corridor.

“Don’t you mind to join my company?” she asked looking straight to Arthur. “Let’s go to the balcony.”

“But you know I do not smoke.” he smiled.

“Will you breathe fresh air with me?”

“I want to look at the wall-papers in the next apartment and the ceiling. I began to repair my own flat I had from the grandmother in an old house but I had some problems. There is such a big choice of the wall-papers I can’t imagine what to choose. It’s expensive. And the owner boasted that he had found wonderful wall-papers. The ceiling the masters had made excellent. It was cheap because everything they brought from work. I have to look at. And the door is open. I shall go.”

“Why is it open?” Angelica was surprised.

“You may don’t know.” Arthur looked at Sergey. He made a sign and Arthur said. “The owner bought all the apartments at the floor. Four apartments are in this section. There is no need to lock them. What for? “

“Great! “ Angelica whistled. “The whole floor! I think it’s a big deal. Is he crazy?”

“May be he loves loneliness.” Sergey shrugged his shoulders.

“Or he is going to marry.” Arthur grinned. “And have a lot of kids.” “Are we alone here?” Angelica asked.

“Absolutely!”

“Wow, let’s go to smoke.” the woman shook her platinum curls. And with an obvious hint she said. “I know that you smoke, Sergey.”

“Yes, I smoke. “

“Will you join us?”

“In five minutes. I want to speak. ”

“What about? Are you good friends?” the woman asked suspiciously. And she looked at them firmly.

“We have got the same business.”

“To say truthfully we work together.” Arthur added.

“Aha, here you are! “ Angelica connected them by her sight. “It seems very interesting! Open your cards. The comedy is over. I also want to speak to Sergey. That is a good time.”

“I don’t understand.” Arthur was surprised.

“What don’t you understand? Not only you have secrets. That’s my turn.”

“Well.” Sergey answered. “I shall be in two minutes. “

“I am waiting for you.” Angelica sang like an actress and opened the door close to the lifts.

When she disappeared Arthur asked seriously.

“What have you got with such a woman?”

“Nothing.” Sergey answered.

“But you have invited her here! Am I right?”

“I repeat nothing.”

“Nothing serious?” Arthur asked with irony. “Will you explain then?”

“Later. That’s not the time. Okay, what do you think about all these?” Sergey asked after a small pause. “Have you got any thoughts about it?”

“No, nothing. Only guesses.”

“I think you’re clever! Well, watch, think. And …” Sergey again made a small pause. “Take on a note. It can be useful to you. “

“Do you want to add it to my debt?”

“Let’s not speak about it.”

“No, wait. I want to know what to wait?”

“Later.”

“Today, Sergey. Now.”

“Do you really want to look at the repairing works?” Sergey changed the theme.

“Why not? I told the truth about my apartment. I repair it really.”

“I believe you, one drop of the truth!” Sergey burst out laughing.” I have already got confused!”

“You may go to watch.” and Arthur nodded to the door behind which Angelica disappeared.

“I repeat for the third time that’s not you think about.”

“Then what is it?”

“I shall tell. Later.”

“All right. I shall wait. How much?”

“About three hours.” Sergey said indifferently. And he opened the door to go out to the staircase. He hesitated. Then he turned back.

Arthur went to the door to the next apartment. He also turned and they changed the glances …

… The break came to an end when from the corridor they heard the female shout. The woman shouted so desperately that even Angelica who was at the balcony that moment heard it and rushed back. Very strange that she was the first to react to these shouts. She ran into the corridor and saw the body on the floor. She stupidly looked at it and asked.

“What happens? “

“And you … you … don’t you see?” said Vera stopped shouting. “He is dead! Sergey! Sergey is dead!”

Angelica bent and stared at the body on the floor.

“And really … he did not move. May be, the heart?”

“What?!” Vera cried. “That’s the murder! Blood! The blood is on the floor!”

“Why are you so nervous? Why are you shouting so loudly?”

“And you … you … aren’t you afraid of?”

“I have seen a lot.”

And Angelica removed her boot from a pool of blood. Then she complained.

“It is so dark here!”

At that moment the door of the next apartment opened and Arthur came in asking.

“What happens? Who shouted?”

“Sergey … He is dead!”

“What?” then he added. “I can’t believe.”

“Are you both mad? He is dead!“ Vera shouted.

“Why could I feel sorry?” Angelica said.”I have not even known him!”

“Stop lying.” Arthur said angrily. “Have ever known!”

At that time Zhanna and Lida came from the other room. Lida began to cry. Zhanna tried to calm her. Seva came to them and finally Ivan went out from the room where he put the box with the letters.

“What’s the matter?” Ivan asked watching people around the body as he could not see it.

They moved back and Seva said.

“Well. That’s…”

“May be, he is alive!” Lida fell down on her knees and tried to find Sergey’s pulse.

“Stop!” Ivan stopped her. “I shall do. I am the doctor. Step apart.”

Vera moved strangely to close the body but then stood up. Ivan came close and bent down above Sergey. After the pause Ivan said.

“Sorry. He is dead.”

“Oh, my God!” Lida signed.

“But … how did it happen? “Angelica asked.

“He is wounded in the back from the left side. Wait … it is dark here. There are two wounds. One above another. By a sharp object. Murder was about five minutes ago, blood still goes. Who has found the body?”

“I did.” said Vera. “Why are you looking at me so strange?”

“Call the police.” Zhanna said suddenly. “I am curious how he was killed.”

“There. Have a look.” and Ivan pointed to a basket with an oil paint with the chisel sticking out. “Somebody hit him in the back twice. And the instrument of murder that chisel the murderer had thrown in the basket with paint. Watch: only the edge sticks out. It’s dark here but I am sure there is blood on it.”

“Yes, blood.” Lida whispered. “I see. But why is it in paint?”

“It means that all prints of fingers are destroyed.” Ivan explained. “Great trick! To hide it in the basket with an oil paint! It’s impossible to identify them!”

“You must call the police.” Seva said. “ They will decide.”

“Yes.” Ivan agreed. “I think our session is over. On the background of this murder everything else is not important.”

“Wow!” Arthur said suddenly. “We both left for the corridor! Now you can say that I killed him!”

“The best defense is the attack, isn’t it?” Angelica blinked her eyes. “And in fact you are right! I have left you together and went to the balcony to smoke. I think it is clear.”

“But you invited him there.” Arthur answered angrily. “Do you remember?”

“By the way, I was waiting him in vain.”

“Who will prove it?”

“I shall go to call the police.” Zhanna said. “Don’t touch anything here and better to dismiss.”

“Dismiss?” Lida screamed. “But one of us is the murderer!”

“She is nervous.” Ivan said.”Not to dismiss but to go away from here.”

Meantime Zhanna went to the door. Nobody stopped her.

“As for the murderer.” Arthur crookedly grinned. “He is among us. I am sure it will be better to call the police.”

“Yes!” Angelica exclaimed. “I need the protection! I won’t stay alone now!”

“Let’s call immediately.” Vera said. “I am …” she added.”I feel terrible.”

“We should wait for them here.” Lida sobbed. “Close to the body! Oh, I am afraid!”

“I also feel bad.” complained Seva.

“I don’t know what to say about myself.” Ivan reminded. “My private practice will be closed then. Could you imagine – the murder happens during the session of psychotherapy! That’s a scandal!”

“Nobody will go to your sessions.” Angelica said. “Never!”

“I should say.” Ivan looked at her and continued. “One of us is the remarkable actor. Nobody protested against a call to the police. Not a single person. All were for the call but in fact someone plays! Lies! What do you think, who?”

“You are the psychologist and you will find who.” Angelica said suddenly. “What about acting …”

At that moment Zhanna who recently had disappeared behind the door rushed into the room and cried.

“Could you imagine? The telephone socket is broken! The wires are cut off! We have no phones!”

“We haven’t got phones, have we?” Vera asked.

“No phones?” Lida echoed her.

“Be quiet.” Ivan said. “We all have mobile phones. Don’t begin to panic.”

“Oh, my God!“ Zhanna shouted. “How stupid I am! Well, of course! The mobile phones!”

And she rushed back in the room. Everybody followed her.

Cut off from the Continent

“Be careful!” said Vera to Zhanna when the last slipped in a hall and was ready to fall. She picked her up by the elbow.

“Thanks.” Zhanna murmured and released her elbow rushing to the small table of the red color.

“Why is it water on the floor?” Seva asked in wonder.

“Oh,my God!” Zhanna shouted. And everybody forgot about the pools on the floor. “Where are our mobiles!”

“What?” Ivan asked tensely.

“They are gone! I can’t see them!”

“Where are they?” Arthur was surprised. Lida turned pale.

“Have a look!”

And Zhanna moved forward that box where they had put the mobile phones. She moved it up to the end.

Vera came the first to watch as she was standing close to and began checking by her hand on a bottom of the box hoping to find a hiding place in which mobile phones were. Then she said helplessly.

“They are gone.”

“Do you want to say that …” Lida put her hand on the chest. “Can we call the police? Oh!”

“We should go downwards and try to call.” Ivan said.

“Or ask the neighbors.” Arthur noticed.

“The neighbors?” Ivan thought. “As I know not a single apartment on that floor is sold jet. On the ninth floor there is a repair. Builders work there till six pm. The eleventh floor is empty too. Half of apartments are sold but there still nobody was there. I know that windows are light up on the fifth floor in the evenings. May be on the seventeenth floor.”

“How could you live there?” Arthur grinned.

“The apartments are expensive here.” Ivan justified. “I don’t know exactly on which floor people live. But if you want we can try to go down.”

“To my mind it’s easy to go down on the ground floor then to the street and ask somebody for the mobile.” Vera said and moved Ivan from her way. “I shall go.”

“A very self-confident woman.” Angelica noticed. “She had found the body! And she said that I am weak!”

“She is strong.” Arthur noticed coming out from the apartment.

“It is better for us to keep together.” Lida said seriously and followed him.

In the corridor where Sergey's body was she screamed and began to shiver.

“Well, well, calm down.” Ivan came after and hugged her. “Do not look there, Lida.”

“What happens here?” suddenly they heard the woman’s shout again from the elevator’s platform. Ivan with Lida then Seva and Zhanna rushed there. Angelica was the last to leave the apartment.

On a platform they saw Vera pulling the handle of the door to the stairs.

“Don’t do it so hard.” Arthur told her.” It’s locked from within.”

“It can’t be locked! “ Angelica said. “I have come here the last and saw that the door was opened and the key was in the lock!”

“Ah, you’re the last!” Lida looked at her. “That means you have locked the door and took the key!”

“Arthur, I can’t.” Vera turned back to him. “You’re the man, say something!”

He tried to open the door.

“It’s such a heavy door!”

“Yes, it’s iron.” Ivan signed. “It’s like in the bank. An absolute safe guarantee.”

“And they say the advertising lies!” Zhanna complained.

“We see. That’s not right. Have a look.” Arthur said again still breathing hard.” Well made!”

“Wait.” Ivan said suddenly. “Why are we going to break the door? I think it is better to use the elevator!”

“Let’s try.” Vera said angrily.

Angelica had already unsuccessfully pressed on the button of the elevator. She turned back and asked.

“Why isn’t it working?”

“Darling, it does not work.” Vera noticed.

“What’s the matter? Why?”

And they all looked at Ivan. He shrugged shoulders.

“I don’t remember it had happened before! It worked!”

“Perhaps, it was made by the murderer?” Lida blinked.

”How?” Arthur asked. “Cut the wires? If you know the technology then you will understand that it is impossible. The elevator’s board is below. Nobody from us went down.”

“But what happened then?” Lida asked. “It couldn’t be the fate. The door on a staircase is locked and the lift does not work. The phone is off and mobiles phones are gone. What is it?”

“We still have the balcony.” Ivan reminded. “Аngelica, what is there on the balcony?”

“A handrail.” she was surprised.

“The real woman…” Arthur hemmed.

“As far as I know there is a hatch there.” Ivan said slowly. “And a fire ladder in case of the evacuation. It is possible to go down to the next floor below. There the door on a staircase is open.”

“Well, thanks God!” Zhanna signed. “That’s the way out!”

Ivan was the first to go. The others followed him. Two men Ivan and Arthur went to the balcony. The last bent down over the hatch and tried to open it. It was as heavy as the door. In a minute Arthur said hardly breathing.

“It is closed from outside!”

“From outside?” Angelica echoed him.

“Yes. Someone blocked the hatch from the other side. That we could not go down through it.”

“May be, it was made by tenants?” asked Lida.

“I have already said that the ninth floor is empty!” Ivan was irritated. “Nobody lives there.”

“Then who closed the hatch? The murderer?” Lida was afraid.

“Аngelica, was it made by you?” Arthur addressed to her.

“How could I do that?” Angelica asked.

“You went down on the ninth floor and blocked the hatch.”

“With such high heels?” Angelica screamed.” It’s impossible!”

“If you’re a good climber.” Zhanna said.

“Yes!” Vera added. “The mountain climber!”

“Tell me that I am a man.”

“May be.” Seva shrugged shoulders.

“What nonsense! Shall I take my clothes off?!”

“No need to do it.” Ivan was tired.” Let’s return to the reception and think about it.”

“It’s cold there too!” Angelica reminded.

“I did not go down! I am not mad!”

“Why did you come here if you do not suffer a neurosis?”

“A neurosis! Such people could kill!” and she suddenly looked at Lida.

“I?” Lida was frightened. “How do you think I was able to do it?”

“We shall see!” Arthur was excited.

“Wait…” Vera looked up. “There is the hatch in the ceiling! Perhaps, it is opened.”

“It’s hardly ever.” Arthur shook the head.” I have checked. It is also closed from the other side. But if you want I shall check up again.”

He went to a fire ladder and climbed upwards. Then with an effort he pressed on the hatch trying to lift it. After some attempts Arthur jumped off from the ladder and said cleaning his hands.

“It is useless. I think it’s something on the hatch. I do not know who did it, the murderer or builders but we shall not get out this way. It is useless.” he repeated.

“It is better if we all shall return to the reception.” Ivan reminded. “And we shall discuss a situation. The main thing is to keep together. Nobody knows about the plans of the murderer.”

“Plans?” Zhanna asked. “Do you want to say that … By the way, why was Sergey killed?”

“That should be find out.” Ivan summed up.

He left the balcony the last following Arthur and accurately closed the door.

“So, we shall return to an initial point.” Arthur gloomy joked. “Let’s go back to the reception.”

Angelica headed the procession. She was mad because of her accusation. Her stiletto heels were clicking down the floor.

The Poisonous Arrows

So, people cut off from the continent on the tenth floor had nothing to do than to return to the reception room to discuss a current situation. Seva passing through the hall murmured.

“And nevertheless: why is the water here?”

The others were too nervous to react to any pools with water in the hall.