A person who loves the rain - стр. 8

The old man adjusted his shirt, ran his hand through his still somewhat full, not entirely gray hair, and looked at his grandson with a smile.

– Once I get some new teeth, you’ll have a grandpa who’s as good as new… Or at least decent, – the old man added with a grin. – Let's go chop some wood, I need strong hands.

– Grandpa, let’s go. – The boy rolled up his papers and set off with his grandpa. It was a good day outside, the sun wasn’t too hot yet, the air smelled of grass, a light breeze was blowing, and the dog barked, circling the two of them. The boy hugged her, and the young shepherd dog, in her typical passionate way, started licking him.

– Alright, grandson, I’ll grab the axe. – Grandpa Trofim turned around, only to see a man in uniform approaching the gate.

– I’m Alexei, from the prosecutor's office!

– No need to shout, come on in, good man. – The old man walked over to the gate and opened it. Alexei stepped inside.

– I’d like to talk to you. Are you Trofim?

– We’ll talk, come to the gazebo, – the old man gestured where to go – Have a seat, and I’ll bring you some milk, – offered Grandpa Trofim.

– No need, don’t trouble yourself, – Alexei shook his head side to side, but arguing was pointless. The old man disappeared, then returned with a pitcher and two cups.

– It’s nice and cold, – he commented, setting the pitcher on the table and sitting down beside him.

– I’m Senior Investigator Alexei Martynov, – he took out his ID. The old man glanced at it and called his grandson to play with the dog while he talked. Then he fixed his gaze on the visitor.

– They found two bodies… – Alexei began.

The old man said nothing, just nodded.

– Do you know anything about it?

– Yes, – the old man sighed – that’s an old story. There was an incident here…

It wasn't so good about thirty years ago. There's a forest ranger's house nearby; it used to be swampy around there, and there was no place to build, so they built it… pretty much on the swamp. There was a couple that used to come by, they would always come to me for milk. They went there on dates; she was beautiful, that woman of his. And the guy, he was decent too, you know… Can we switch to 'you'?

Aleksey nodded.

– Yeah, like two halves of one whole, like they were made for each other. But then something happened, and they stopped coming by. One time, he came alone, really upset. There was a heavy downpour then, and I asked him, 'Where's your beloved?' And he was so sad. 'She got married…' And then later, he came running, all cheerful… poor guy! – at these words, the old man became upset, laid his head on his hand, and nearly cried – 'She’ll come!… Ah…'

– So, what? – Aleksey made a face, as if asking, "What happened next?"

– There was shooting next – the old man understood his reaction. But what happened exactly isn’t clear. There was a forest ranger, I think he rented them the house.

– Do you remember the ranger? Sorry to interrupt.

– Yeah… halfway, kind of. So many years have passed. I remember the couple well, they're still in my mind, but the ranger… no, probably not, I don't recall.

– I see. Trophim Matveevich, do you know the local area well?

– Well, I've lived here all my life. How could I not know it, my good man?

– I'll stop by if I need you to show me around?