Linkov was sitting in a small and light-filled room of personnel department and talking to a Valentin Temin’s friend — with the one Edik Konovalov, who so well spoke about specifics of the Institute of Time and mysterious time zones. However, when Linkov hinted at this time zones, Edik stated, that Valya Temin is certainly a good guy, but does not understand the jokes and that he must get rid of this defect as soon as possible. Linkov doubted whether it would be possible to get rid of, even in an indefinite period of time, but Edik was full of optimism.

— And what’s the matter? He’ll work on himself — and that’s it! — he said, then sighed heavily and complained to Linkov: — You see, we lived quite-normally, that’s all we needed — and here we go! Now there is so much paperwork — where, why and what for … Well, it’s okay. On Friday returns from vacation Sergei Ivanovich, he is superior, let him carry the ball. And I immediately will take my vacation! You know, I think about going to Baikal. There the suitable company is getting together, we’ll take the guitar, radio … And last year I went on a hiking trip with our guys from the institute — well, it was a bore! They wouldn’t see or listen to anything around them, they were all droning on about their physics. They wouldn’t let me turn on the radio: it bothers them. What the point of going on a hike then? Just sit at the institute and talk as much as you want!

Edik stood up to his full heroic height and stretched sweetly. “One meter ninety, no less — estimated Linkov, — weight eighty-five, and in general … a dazzling individual!”

Edik was truly dazzling. His impossibly white nylon shirt, divided in the middle by a red tie, shined on his wide chest, his trousers hang at a sharp angle over his mirror-like shining shoes, and he was all shining and radiating.

— So that’s how they live! — Edik continued with triumphant contempt — They sit in laboratories without leaving, without fresh air, without any movement. And what is the result?

— You think, that Levitsky’s death was the aftermath of neglecting sports, as well as a lack of fresh air? — inquired Linkov with exaggerated seriousness and demonstratively opened his notebook.

Edik became a little embarrassed, sat down at the table and said, glancing at the notebook, that he did not consider this the main reason, but since a healthy mind resides in a healthy body …

— Well, would a normal person … I mean the right routine plus, of course, moral firmness, a healthy mentality and so on — well, would such a person poison himself? And where? — right at his workplace! So that, you know, there would be more trouble for others! Well, take me, for example …

Linkov sighted slightly and inquired what, in comrade Konovalov’s opinion, was the main cause of the incident. It turned out, that comrade Konvalov had no definite opinion on this matter.

– Not yet! – Edik confidently clarified. – But I can find out everything in no time. There’s no point in making a fuss about it!

— Maybe it’s really not worth to make a fuss, as you put it, — Linkov answered, looking at Edik with languid interest, as if he were a museum exhibit. — But the matter is still not entirely clear. And besides, this specificity of yours…

— Exactly! This specificity rides freely on my humpback! – Edik tapped with the edge of his palm on his powerful neck. — You see, there are no laws for them. The workday is over, and they don’t care. They sit there until late, as if glued. And why do they sit, one wonders? Purely out of laxness, I think.

— They are the researchers, you know … — Linkov muttered reluctantly. — Their day is not standardized…

— That’s exactly it, it’s not standardized! If it were standardized, then it wouldn’t be a big deal to restore order. And here… — Edik waved his hand and continued calmly, with a businesslike intonation: — What I’d advise you to do for now is to feel out some of the institute people. First of all, Struzhkov. And Nina, of course.

— What Nina? — Lnkov asked with some interest, seeing that Edik’s eyes seemed to cover with oily film when saying that name.

— Well, Berestova Nina! There was a tricky bit on private business. There was a friendship, the two stuck together like glue, but when Ninochka appeared, that was the end of the friendship!

– Are you saying, that Levitsky and Struzhkov quarreled with each other because of Berestova?

– They didn’t quarrel openly, — objected Edik, smiling foxlike. — People here are cultured after all, it wouldn’t come to bashing someone's face. But if you look at the root of it — are they people or not? Someone is stealing a girl from under his nose, and he must just stand there blinking dumbly, because someone who is stealing her is his friend? And especially when it is such a girl! Ninochka Berestova — she’s such a character, w-well! As soon as she showed up in the accounting department, everyone there immediately had some kind of business! People were making two or three visits a day, literally everyone, including the married ones. Well, then Levitsky decided to permanently reside near her, and then the others lost all hope. Levitsky, he was actually … — Edik nodded approvingly, – he was okay in these things, understood them. He was only too principled about work. As soon as he had a gap, he would organize himself a new girl, and certainly at the highest level! And then the rush would start again, so he would sit in his laboratory for good — and that’s it! There was a girl — there is no girl, no more. That also, of course, is abnormal, I think!

– But if Levitsky was so frivolous about girls, then he didn’t quarrel with Struxhkov at all? — Linkov said languidly.

— No, with Nina Berestova it’s a different matter, — objected Edik. — Physical characteristics — it goes without saying. But plus she has a strong character! A strong-willed girl, — Edik said approvingly, – I value such ones! Well, and still, joint work, common interests, a team…

— Is a collective also active in this question? — Linkov asked melancholically. — No, it all looks frivolous. Suicide because of love in our days … You don’t suspect anything else?

“You won’t get much from Edik, but still.. — he thought, frowning. — We’ll let him to use his brain, if he has any”.

— What else can it be? … He seemed to have no reason... — Edik moved his thick wheat eyebrows, trying to figure something out. — What do you mean?

— Nothing special. I just don’t think that the question is solved. There is a fact of death, but everything else is unclear. How, why, what... and so on. It still has to be discovered…

That was a word, that Edik clearly liked.

— Discovered — that’s right! It must be digged out! The question is only — in which direction should we dig?

And suddenly it came to him.

— So you think, that we don’t know anything at all? — he asked in anticipation

— That is completely right, — said Linkov.

— Well, then... — breathed out Edik, admiring Linkov. — A specialty is a great thing! I, for example, can’t think of anything, but you'll solve this in no time! Who do you have in mind? You can share with me, we need to work together, in such a case! Now we’ll pull up the materials, analyze the documents, cross-check the facts really fast! Right?

— Right, — said Linkov with a heavy sigh, — but I don’t have anyone in mind yet, you’re exaggerating. I’m telling you - the question is completely unclear.

— Got it, — said Edik, frustrated, listened to Linkov’s thoughts. — The facts are definitely not quite here… But still nothing is known?

— Still nothing, — Linkov agreed

— Then get on with it! — graciously said Edik. — My support is assured for you. Have you had a conversation with Struzhkov? So you have a direct route to the reckoners, to Ninochka! — He blinked mysteriously.

Linkov stood up slowly. He did not want to go to this dazzling Ninochka, all he wanted is to sit alone on the bank of the river. Even if the fish will not be caught, let it be free, he just wanted to sit in the morning silence, blissfully choking and breathing in the cool of the river…

Linkov went around the corner and, sighing, reached for the door handle of an Accounting Department.
The room was divided in two by a computer engine. Small desktop computers huddled along the walls, and panels with oscilloscope windows stretched above rows of gleaming keys. There must be working no less than twelve girls, and they, interrupting each other, shouted back to Linkov, that Berestove would be back soon. Linkov already decided to wait for her there, but the girls were staring at the investigator so openly, laughing and whispering so vigorously, that he twirled in his chair for five minutes, pretending to study his notes intently, but couldn’t stand it no more and stood up.

— I have other things to take care of for now, — he said in an otherworldly tone. — If I see Berestova, can you tell me, how I’ll recognize her?

— She is so tall … Dark hair… and so long, straight, shoulder-length… Oh no, right down to her shoulder blades! — still, as if trying to outdo each other, chirped girls. — White sweater, blue skirt … gray eyes … she has green eyes, what are you talking about?!

And the little redhead, still briskly tapping the keys of the perforating device, resembling a treadle sewing machine, squeaked:

— You’ll recognize her right away! Don’t worry! It’s Berestova, and no one else!

It turned out, the redhead was right. Linkov spotted Nina Berestova the moment he stepped into the hallway, and immediately knew she was Nina Berestova, and no one else. He didn’t even need to notice, that she was wearing a white sweater and a blue skirt. And her hair might have been truly dark, but it shone and was casting a bronze glow in the rays of sunlight, that were slanted across the spacious hallway. The girls had probably described her accurately, and Nina indeed tall, bur to the lanky Linkov, she seemed … well, exactly what a girl should be. He immediately forgot at all about the fishing. On the contrary, he had to make a slight effort to greet Nina calmly and businesslike, as befits an investigative officer…
Their conversation seemed lively, but at first, LInkov seemed to absorb a little of it. He had to make another effort to properly pay attention. After that he finally could realize, already without any trouble, that Nina is bothered by something and also somehow not fully takes part in the conversation… She answered calmly and matter-of-factly, but she paused unexpectedly, seeming lost in thought. It didn’t seem like fear or a desire to cover the tracks — Linkov simply sensed more and more, with each passing minute, that his interlocutress was intensely wondering something related to Arkady Levitsky’s death, that it was tormenting and confusing her. And he was already having a hard time. The questions he had to ask Nina were rather indelicate: after all, he was essentially trying to find out, whether Nina thought, that Arkady Levitsky had committed suicide out of love for her.

Linkov paced slowly down the corridor, trying to think out the implications of the information he had receives from Nina Berestova.“She believes Arkady took their breakup calmly, that he didn’t love her, — that’s the first thing. Let’s suppose. Although, frankly, it’s a bit hard to accept. Second: Levitsky and Struzhkov remained on good terms, continued their joint research, but had nevertheless drifted apart somewhat. Well, of course! Third: Berestva saw Levitsky right after the end of the workday; he looked strangle and spoke strangely. Judging by her story, it is indeed strange! He was agitated, said he was terribly confused and that it was all his own fault. These statements are rather vague, but overall, they seem to support the suicide theory … Not much, but still something. Let’s talk to Struzhkov again now — maybe he’s already collected himself…”