The scent of bergamot

Рита Тальвердиева

The written story is acting in unison with the reality!

Summer of 2009. Professor Mikhail Marmarov, magister in astrology, investigates a very complicated murder of a movie star. The murderer doesn't sharpening his knives and doesn't watch after his victims through an optical sight. His weapon is resonance flashes: he releases trigger, which is pressed on by us. By our own dimness or ignorance, but by us.

Making sure that the virtual method works, the villain, making god of himself, tries to apply his methods to the members of 2009 G-8 summit. The story ends on that note. However, Mikhail Marmarov presents to the reader an antidote.

It is curious, but in few following years the majority of participants of the 2009 G-8 had been involved into most outrageous scandals, grotesque accident, natural disasters or were kicked off their office chairs or… their own lives.

Novella was written in 2009 – one month before prime minister of Japan Taro Aso's total defeat at the elections. Ten months prior to prime minister of the United Kingdom Gordon Brown's resignation.

The story was in print four months prior to scandalous Berlusconi's resignation, three months prior to death of Qaddafi, ten months before Sarkozy's election campaign failure.

Till now Angela Merkel is chased by ridiculous rumors and anecdotes doing injustice to her position. Even thou Obama had won elections with tiny margin in votes, yet didn't enjoy his victory with following natural disasters.

This story is not another horror tale about Apocalypses. В«Often the real power of villain is not in his personality, but in our unawarenessВ» considers Mikhail Marmarov. He has given the В«antidoteВ» against invisible killer's hand not only to high-ranking individuals but to all of us.

Rita Talverdieva

The scent of bergamot

And Then There Were None

В В В В Agatha Christie

Under disguise of the myth

…There were rumors in the circle of some very high and respectable class of people: some guy works in the network as a «flying killer». Nickname is Maestro. Term of order execution is six months.

The price issue?

Warning: mere mortals couldn't afford that.

Ilya Zvezditsky was mortal, but not a simple one, he was a movie star! By his talent he is married to his audience, by certificate – to Inessa.

В«Married to the capitalsВ», as paparazzi sting him.

Yes, he's on a short leash made of diamonds. It scratches his skin, controls insane impulses. So what is Inessa, his pretty wife? Mistake?! Not at all. Inessa is his only chance! Warranty from sudden defaults and problems, free pass to a ball of carefree life. Perhaps, he will take his guest mask off very soon? The status of the host looks better. Almost. Just the diamond collar gets on the way…

But he pecked on a super cool thing of Maestro : impunity was marketed as guaranteed. Myth? A publicity stunt? A trick?!

Suspicion calmed down by starting terms : Maestro works without deposit and even without any advance payment. Tempting…

But actually there was one little problem, just one little point in an escape clause : not a single day for delay, work is done – you pay! Instead of Black Mark he sends a death.

That's right, nodded Ilya, one good turn deserves another.

So there's hope. The dream was coming true, emerging through scabs of the time. He outlined the terms of these rumors and … dare: whatever works! He will find Maestro.

…Well-known killer is really invisible : he got his order over the Internet and vanished. Now one must to wait for months. Or was it bluff? A sick joke of a network moran? We'll see…

Premonition whispered: under the disguise of the myth there was Maestro's playground.

Ilya

Moscow, two months later, January, 2009.

A sparkling bathroom in retro style : white, without frills, tile; stylish tub on bronze lion's paws. The scent of bergamot in water sets your mind to an easy dreaming.

Completely nude, with a fringe designed