– But I didn't get the whole story. I mean, his dad, his grandfather - do you think necrophilia is hereditary? It's hard to believe that heredity affects this... are you sure?
– I didn't specialize in mental disorders myself... but it's well known that a tendency to similar mental disorders can be traced back to relatives." In the history of crime many examples, you've probably heard... Well, sexual abnormalities are due to the state of mind, it's not pure physiology... besides, I proceeded from the facts.
- So there were other cases? Did you see him again…
The tortured tube burst at the seams, and glue splattered on the table. Pavlov looked at him with distaste and threw it into the basket.
– Yeah. Even while working here, I began to notice that Rosenthal often stayed overnight at the Bureau. It was my job to work with the bodies first (I was better at that, by the way), and then, when he appointed me to this position, I began to do administrative work. The main task of the Director - is to obtain large orders, contracts with the city administration, with suppliers of various small things, the purchase of land rights, tax, bandits. All this work is done during the day. Rosenthal often and nights spent here, and he preferred to stay single... it Got to the point of absurdity. I had a lot of work to do, and I was willing to stay for a few hours without any overtime pay, but he would kick me home at the end of the day, sometimes quite rudely.
For a long time I could not understand what he was doing here. I had my suspicions, of course, but I found them hard to believe. And then one day, when I left my house keys in the study and came back here about an hour later, I found him.
The technicians were not working that night, and no one was supposed to be in the office. I went in through the service entrance (I have the keys to the Bureau on the same ring as my car keys, which I always have with me), looked into my office, and was about to leave when I noticed that the freight Elevator to the basement was downstairs. Why? There's nothing to do in the basement, just refrigerators full of bodies. Usually, if someone's there, they take the Elevator back upstairs. When no one is downstairs, the cabin is on the ground floor, not in the basement – we always check when we leave, so as not to mistakenly lock those who do not have their keys.
I was surprised, and decided to go down to the basement. But I didn't take the Elevator…
- "Why not?"
- Pavlov was confused:
- – I don't know, it seemed to Me that in this situation it is better to do it silently. The Elevator's noisy.
- Anyway, I took the stairs. There was a light downstairs. And when I got to the open door ... I tried to leave just as quietly. Rosenthal wasn't alone... and he was also alone.
- – He didn't see you?"
- – No. He was busy.
- – Were there any other cases?"
- "I think so." But it was more guesswork, not explicit…
- "I see... Oh, by the way. How long ago did you catch him?"
- "A few months ago."
- – You've been in trouble. Did you catch him before or after?
- Pavlov looked at me in surprise.
- – Until. It was quite a long time ago, I think, in the spring. But what does it matter?
- "Nothing. Just asking.
- "But tell me-have I answered your questions?"
- - Yes, you told a lot of interesting things.
- – Do you understand why I told you all this?"
- – No. Why?
- – I am convinced that the lack of information may lead to rumors that are worse than what actually took place. I hope that... well, some amount can keep you... for a while... from publishing all this?
- "Depends on the amount." Do we really look like Rosenthal's biographers?
- Pavlov gave a strained smile.
- – I have some guesses - But I think you know best."
- – Logically. We'll discuss the amount later. We'll call you."
* * *
We drove half the way home in silence.
I'm curious: what Rosenthal so got his Deputy that he the first comer tells about him such nasty things?
– Why not?" Not to herself... And then, he explained – we are not something they made up... "Lack of information can lead to rumors.»
- No, you think about it in situation. He told us all this just so we wouldn't print it. Or rather, in order to pay us for it. That's idiotic!.. Do you still believe him?
"Mmm... No, I don't think so now. In any case, Rosenthal has a talent for endearing people. And in this office, in my opinion, all a little crazy.
"Perhaps... Then again, what he said about' similar mental disorders in relatives ' is science – like nonsense." I can carry one myself for hours... I would never believe in hereditary necrophilia
Part 8