Chapter 23

- How did it disappear? What does it mean? Are you joking?

Only at the very first moment, the words of the attending physician shocked Matvey Vlasovich. Inside, everything went cold, the legs became cottony. Common sense kicked in next.

And where could he have gone? We didn't take him. So he was supposed to be in the hospital, under your care.

The Doctor chose his words carefully.

— Yes, of course it is. But you know yourself - anything can be expected from teenagers. Therefore, I would like to know if your grandson could leave the hospital himself. To friends, for example, to a girl?

“And how far, do you think, could he have gone with a broken leg, on crutches?” Besides, he still hasn't mastered them properly.

From the very first words of Matvey Vlasovich, the house became quiet. All that could be heard was the boiling water in the pan, and the wind whistling outside the window. Evdokia Alexandrovna was the first to come to her senses. She ran her hand over her suddenly pale face, as if removing disturbing thoughts, prompted:

- Ask if his things are in place? Or did he go somewhere on crutches and in hospital pajamas? In the cold, in the snowdrifts.

- His things are in the room. That's why we assumed that you took him away by car, - the doctor answered, clearly not believing his own words.

“We’ll arrive right away,” Matvey Vlasovich interrupted the dialogue dryly and hung up.

“We must tell Matvey's parents,” the middle son suggested. Artyom.

But his father, without hesitation, stopped him:

- No need. Not yet. So they got it these days. Igor is holding a big meeting at work today. Yes, and Lyudmila has not yet recovered from night shifts in the hospital. We'll go ourselves. Let's figure it out. If we don't find out anything, we'll call in an hour and a half.

Evdokia Alexandrovna supported:

- Most likely, after your educational conversations, he returned to his habits. Found an interesting book, huddled somewhere in a secluded place to read. Well, or dream. The hospital is huge, getting lost there is not a problem.

The road to the city took a little time. The blizzard has clearly exhausted its strength, no new snowdrifts have appeared, and the old road workers have been moved to the sides during this time. At the same time, however, the highway finally turned into a tunnel with dazzling white high walls. In some places they almost closed overhead. But this did not interfere with the passage.

They drove in silence. Everyone silently pondered the message from the doctor, looking for a reasonable answer, what could happen in the hospital. Indeed, without a good reason, its leaders could not sound the alarm. But it was impossible to believe that Matvey really slipped away from the hospital. Why? Where? And How?

Finally, Artyom turned to his father:

- What do you think? Is there any connection between all this?

I don't know, but it's possible. It is clear that after the accident something happens to us. Another question - what is it connected with?

- You don't believe in coincidences?

- I can’t completely deny them, and, in fact, there was nothing to worry about yet.

“Well, then, we’ll have to deal with everything.

Father's taciturnity, concentrated imperturbable face. All this was familiar to Artyom from childhood. Behind this there was always a deep immersion in thoughts far from what was happening. He seemed to be trying to see the big picture. And now Matvey Vlasovich recalled the day of the accident, the strange donor, the appearance of alien traces around their estate, and now also a message from the hospital. Random events? Coincidences? Artyom adopted a lot from his father, learned to keep his cool in any situation. This helped him more than once in the service in special forces. After retiring, he lived a normal life. He enjoyed farming. His cheese factory was known throughout the district. Only his fellow soldiers, the survivors, and his family knew about his military past. But he fully retained his army skills. So far, however, they have not been useful to him.

At the entrance of the hospital, the chief of security was waiting for the Butakovs. He tried to appear calm, but it was difficult for him to do so. Finally confessed:

“I can't understand how this could happen. This is the first time in my practice.

Matvey Vlasovich, assessing his age, asked not without irony:

And how much practice do you have?

He, embarrassed, confessed:

- It's not a year yet.

The department where Matvey was treated was unusually crowded. People in white coats and without them scurried along the corridor, patients now and then looked out of the wards, animatedly discussing the incident. Only two policemen, who were in the office of the head physician, maintained their usual efficiency. Yevgeny Pavlovich answered the silent question of the elder Butakov:

“I had to tell the police. The case is exceptional. It's good that they reacted immediately. They'll help you figure it out.

- Seeing the Butakovs, the police were distracted. Hello. Then one of them explained while showing a video:

“We've already received confirmation that you didn't take the patient with you. Here you go together. You, your wife and, as the doctors explained to us, your son, the patient's father. You can take a look yourself.

Were there any grounds for doubt? - not without sarcasm, Matvey Vlasovich dropped only a glimpse of the record.

The policeman, ignoring his tone, explained:

We had to make sure.

- And besides this, did you manage to check something else?

- Oh sure. The security guards and medical staff guarantee that your grandson is not in the wards, nor in the procedural rooms, nor in the utility rooms. All these premises have been thoroughly searched.

– What exactly is being done now? He must be somewhere, if it is already clear that he did not leave the building. Not with us, not with anyone else. Are there security cameras in the ward, in the corridor where we said goodbye to Matvey?

The head of security, not without regret, admitted:

“There are no cameras there. There are in operating rooms, in some treatment rooms, at a nursing post, but that's all. We do not have the ability to conduct video surveillance on every meter of the department.

Artyom Butakov, who had been closely following the conversation before, intervened:

— And how many sister posts are there in the department?

- Three.

- So, at least one of them Artyom should have passed. We need to look at these records.

Yes, we are busy with that right now. Here, see for yourself. One of them has nothing. This post is to the right of the chamber. Almost in the corner of the corridor. And here's the next camera. There is also a vending machine with drinks. Let's find the time when you should have passed him. Well well. Here you go. And this is your grandson. Buys juice.

- Where is he going now? What's there?

The head of security explained:

Apparently, he went to the shelf with books. Patients exchange literature, magazines. Sometimes they sit by the window on the sofa and read. But the camera does not capture this space. And Matvey never showed up at the next cell. It's like he's on that heel.

Artyom got up and opened the door.

- I'll walk down the hallway. I'll see what's what.

- Well, you can do it, but you understand that we combed everything up and down here.

Artem was unperturbed:

- Of course, we understand everything, but it's worth looking again.

Coming to the vending machine with drinks, Artyom looked around. He ran his hand over the surface of the table. There was a wet spot on it.

The head of security shrugged.

- This means nothing. He could, of course, sit here, drink juice. But someone else could do it too.

“But on the recording, we saw only my nephew here at this time.

Artyom looked around for the urn and looked into it. At the bottom lay a crumpled pack of juice.

The shelf with books also attracted Artyom's attention.

- Matthew hardly began to read all this.

But could you see it?

- Oh sure. He was most likely here. And, quite recently. But where does he go then? If he returned to the ward, then we would have seen it on the second camera, and if he went further, he would “light up” on the third one. So he went somewhere nearby.

“But there is only one room and toilets. We searched everything there.

Guards climbed the stairs from the first floor, inspecting the building from the street. Reported:

- No trace anywhere. Under the windows of his chamber there is a high snowdrift.

The security chief wanted to let them go, but Artyom clarified:

“There are no footprints right under the windows. A little further, about ten meters?

- There? We didn't look there. And what to watch? Along the entire building is a square covered with snow. How could he get there and why?

Artyom suggested to the boss:

- Would you like to walk with me?

- Of course!

Ignoring the deep snow and wind, the men went around the hospital building, passed under the windows overlooking the spacious square.

Below, along the wall, and in fact there were only fresh traces of two guards. But Artyom paid no attention to them. Immediately went through a deep snowdrift deep into the square. A minute later I found what I was looking for - traces of men's boots where Matvey's chamber on the second floor could be seen through and through. The owner of the boots had large feet.

- At least 46. And he was here recently.

“Do you think it has anything to do with your nephew?”

I don't know yet, but we'll try to find out. Where is your information service?

— On the first floor, an office next to the entrance.

In the information department, they found a policeman. The help desk employee was sure:

— Yes, a man asked about this patient twice. I just wanted to know his condition. Didn't ask any extra questions. He said that he was his relative. I explained that if the patient was transferred to a regular ward, then everything was fine with him.

Describe what the man looked like?

— High, even very. With a beard, in a shaggy hat. Like some lumberjack. It was immediately clear that it was not from here.

The girl was excited:

- Did I do something wrong? I didn't give any details about the patient.

- Everything is fine. Do not worry. Only one more thing - do you remember at what time he appeared here?

The girl named the time. Artyom exchanged glances with the head of security. It coincided with when the search for Matvey began.

In the chief physician's office, they were already eagerly awaited. After listening to the chief of security, Matvey Vlasovich looked expressively at his son. One of the policemen was clearly watching them and immediately demanded an explanation:

We understand your concern, so we are trying to cooperate with you. But it seems to me that you know more than you tell us. And this, by the way, hinders the investigation.

But Artyom was not so easily confused.

What the hell are you suggesting to us? Where is our native? We left him here and want to know where he is? That's why we're trying to help.

But you are hiding something from us. If you have something to say, it's better to do it now.

Matvey Vlasovich tried to convince his interlocutors:

We don't know more than you. You do not want us to share with you our experiences, conjectures. We need to do business, not to watch us. And also to blame.

The chief doctor tried to defuse the situation:

“No one is blaming you. We continue to survey the building. There is also a basement and an attic. But they can do it without you.

Matvey Vlasovich again felt a chill run down his back, his legs weakened. Artyom noticed how pale his father turned, offered him water. But the father pushed the glass away and stood up.

- What we can do? Let's not just sit here and talk.

The police also stood up, one of them suggested:

“Come with us to the ward where Matvey is being treated.

- Why?

“We need to make sure the things in there belong to your grandson. They were pointed out by neighbors, but they could be wrong.

- Okay, let's do it. By the way, when exactly did they discover the absence of Matvey on the spot?

“Almost immediately after you left.” The nurse came to give him an injection, but he was not there. And then it turned out that in the corridor too. Other patients claimed that he went out to see you off and has not returned since.

“So that was four hours ago, and you just told us now?”

“But he could be somewhere in the foyer, in the buffet, go into another room for a chat, as is sometimes done. They informed me when it became clear that the situation was not quite normal, - the attending physician patiently explained.

The policeman intervened:

“By the way, we heard about your concern about the strange behavior of a teenager, so we assumed that he could leave the department on his own.

Matvey Vlasovich looked at the doctor. He spread his hands:

- Yes, I understand that you shared with me, so to speak, personal experiences on confidentiality terms. But in this situation, I had to report everything. Please understand me correctly.

— Yes, it doesn't matter. We need to find him, and all my experiences, as you say, are sheer nonsense.

Artyom looked at his watch, then at his father. As time went. Soon Matvey's parents should return home. If they are not informed about what is happening before, then they will have the right to demand an explanation from the elder Butakov. And it won't be easy. Matvey Vlasovich sighed heavily:

“Nothing remains, you have to call your parents.

“Wait a couple more minutes,” the head of security suggested. “If my people don't find him in the basement or in the attic, then...

“And what do you think a guy with such an injury would be looking for in the attic?”

The policeman answered for the head of security:

“Believe me, what seems completely unreasonable and impossible for us, looks completely different for boys at sixteen.

The things that hung in Artyom's closet belonged to him. Convinced of this, everyone went out into the corridor. It was time for dinner. Some patients went to the dining room, the second ate right in the wards. Matvey Vlasovich nodded to Artyom:

Call Igor. Let him decide when to notify Matvey's mother.

Artyom, even more pale, took out his cell phone and dialed his brother's number. At that moment, suddenly, as if on cue, the conversations of the police and hospital staff subsided. The unaccustomed silence also attracted the attention of the Butakovs. Looking around, they saw how in almost complete silence, not very confidently leaning on crutches, Matvey was walking towards them. Alive and unharmed.

“And what are you doing here?” Would you like to have a rest here with me?

Artyom heard his brother's voice on the phone. He had no choice but to hand the phone to Matvey with the words:

— Hello, Igor. Here your son wants to say a few words to you.

Handing the mobile phone to his nephew, he demanded:

“Just tell your father that you are fine and wish him good night.”

The bewildered teenager obediently did so.

- Here, wished. And now I can go to the dining room.

The policeman gently suggested to him:

“Come on, at first you will stay with us for a while, and your food will be left for you.” Then eat in the room. Is it coming?

Matthew looked at his grandfather. He nodded his head.

- Of course, we will all go together now to Yevgeny Pavlovich's office, we need to talk.

The Butakovs did not interfere in the teenager's conversation with the policemen, but they listened attentively.

You haven't been in the room for a long time. The nurse was looking for you. I wanted to make an injection. Did you leave the hospital?

Matthew laughed.

- Where would I go? Even here, I still don’t really know how to move on “three legs”.

— Where were you?

- Yes, he went out into the corridor for about fifteen minutes. I drank juice there. I read it. I found an interesting book about travel. I wanted to finish it to the end, but the dinner began. I had to leave her. Maybe no one will need it until tomorrow.

Hearing this, Artyom left the office and went to the bookshelf. Here lay a small volume in a blue cover. "One woman who survived the polar night." When they were inspecting the books half an hour ago, she wasn't here.

Meanwhile, the policeman continued talking. The teenager's bewilderment was sincere and grew with each new question. He turned to his grandfather:

What did I do wrong again? Can you explain to me?

- The fact is that you were not in the ward for a long time. Everyone was worried.

— How long is that? I say fifteen minutes, maybe half an hour I was gone. I would have read now, but I didn't want to miss lunch.

Are you sure it's lunch? Not dinner?

The teenager was really upset. Blushing, he almost turned into a cry:

"What do you all want from me?" I can't make noise in the ward, I can't walk down the corridor. Maybe just tie me to the bed?

Yevgeny Pavlovich, the chief doctor of the hospital, decisively interrupted the conversation:

It's time for the patient. Ask him all questions tomorrow and only with my consent. Matthew, calm down. Everything is fine. Go to dinner. You can read before going to bed in the ward. We'll talk a little with your family for a while, and then it's time for us all to rest too. Yes, and the police have other things to do.

- Policemen? You and the police were looking for me?

No, they just happened to be here. Go to the canteen, eat, or they will bring food to your room. As you wish.

A dense twilight had already descended on the street when the Butakovs returned home. The wind was picking up, a new blizzard was approaching.

The house was empty. Only the lights were on in the kitchen.

— Where is everyone? Matvey Vlasovich asked Evdokia Alexandrovna, who met them.

- Artyom was not there. I had to help Zina with the housework. Igor and Lyudmila went to feed the cows and horses. They called that they might be late. Looks like the calving is about to start. This year our cows decided to please us earlier than usual.

Did you tell them about the hospital?

No, they didn't ask. After all, Matvey, it seems, talked with his father.

Yes, I spoke. Made sure everything was fine. We'll have a quick supper, go to the cowshed. But then we all need to get together. There is something to think about, think about.

“Well, it’s necessary, it’s necessary,” Artyom agreed. - Mom, you get us a bottle, please, red. - There is a reason to drink.

“Yes, we obviously can’t fall asleep without this today,” Matvey Vlasovich laughed. Only now, feeling how, finally, it became easier on the soul.