Free Bearpit by Brian Freemantle Page B

from the main room into the bedroom,’ reminded Malik.
    â€˜I meant to convey there was no further conversation between us,’ said Panchenko. ‘There is a corridor leading to the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.’
    â€˜So without any further conversation between you, Igor Fedorovich Agayans walked from the living room, down the corridor and into his bedroom?’ Malik was not sure but there appeared to be a sheen of perspiration upon the other man’s forehead. Raising his voice to make the demand, he said: ‘The corridor is straight, from the main living area? With the bedroom at its far end?’
    â€˜No,’ admitted Panchenko, in further desperate concession. ‘The corridor bends, halfway along.’
    â€˜So you did not know if Agayans had gone directly into the bedroom?’
    â€˜There was only the bathroom or kitchen, as alternatives.’
    â€˜When you assembled your men on Verdandskovo you went at once to Gogolevskiy Boulevard?’
    â€˜Yes.’ In his caution Panchenko’s stance broke, the man’s head going slightly to one side in his effort to anticipate a new direction.
    â€˜Without any outside reconnaissance of the block? Obtaining plans, even?’ Like I did, Malik thought.
    â€˜There was no outside reconnaissance,’ conceded the security man.
    â€˜There might have been a fire escape from the unseen bathroom into which Agayans could easily have gone!’ said Malik. ‘A fire escape down which he could have fled. Is it normal for you, as an arresting officer, to allow a detainee to go out of sight?’
    â€˜No,’ said Panchenko, tightly again.
    â€˜Desperate enough, he could have returned instead to shoot all of you rather than shooting himself, couldn’t he?’
    â€˜I walked with him to the beginning of the corridor,’ blurted Panchenko.
    â€˜That isn’t in your report,’ challenged Malik at once. ‘You said: “I – and my squad – remained in the living room”.’
    â€˜I … we … did. I went with him to the commencement of the corridor: he went from there by himself.’
    â€˜Why walk to the beginning of the corridor and then stop?’ demanded Malik. He shifted, trying to alleviate the shoulder ache.
    â€˜He said he wanted privacy to get dressed.’
    â€˜A detainee giving an order to the arresting head of security of the First Chief Directorate!’ said Malik, allowing the incredulity.
    â€˜A mistake,’ admitted Panchenko, collapsing further.
    â€˜Twice you’ve told me there was no further conversation after Agayans asked to dress,’ reminded Malik. ‘That was a lie, wasn’t it?’
    â€˜It was not a lie,’ tried Panchenko desperately. Sweat was visibly leaking from the man now.
    â€˜But you said nothing about the request for privacy.’
    â€˜It did not seem important.’
    â€˜Not important!’ exclaimed Malik, incredulous again. ‘It allowed the most vital witness in an ongoing inquiry to kill himself! They were probably the most important words he spoke!’
    â€˜Probably,’ mumbled Panchenko, his voice difficult to hear.
    â€˜Isn’t it regulations, having once taken a person into custody, that that person shall remain at all times under observation, until placed in a cell?’ persisted Malik relentlessly.
    â€˜At that precise moment I did not consider I had taken Comrade Director Agayans into custody,’ avoided Panchenko, attempting to rally. ‘I was not formally in possession of any specific charge.’
    â€˜Don’t be pedantic,’ rejected Malik impatiently.
    â€˜That is the wording of the regulation,’ said Panchenko, achieving a small victory.
    Choosing his words carefully, Malik said: ‘Having been dismissed by an arrested man, what did you then do? Remain at the corridor mouth? Or return to your squad?’
    Panchenko’s face burned.