Islanders. Наталья Андреева

…”

      “But suddenly the others will know the truth, won’t they?” Arthur asked. “Will then the note with the obvious motive of Sergey's murder appears yours? By the exception principle. And despite the changed handwriting the unattractive truth will appear. Do not worry: judging by a look of our beauty.” and he nodded towards Zhanna.” Angelica was offended – such note will be not the single one. Open the box!”

      “And why are you telling for the rest?” Vera protested. “I for example can see that Lida is against.”

      “I?” Lida was frightened a little and became red. “In general, I am again in minority …”

      “We haven't got the other variants.” Ivan summed up. “We should know who had made it. Or the murderer himself stands up?”

      Death silence was the answer.

      “I am going to open the box.” Ivan said taking the box.

      Then he pressed on a tiny latch and "the totem" bottom leant back. The white envelopes fell down on the table. All of them have not been sealed.

      “Oh! What a surprise!” Arthur moved forward.

      “Look!” Lida opened her mouth.

      “There are eight …” counted Vera.

      “Well and what's from that?” Angelica was calm.

      “You are bad at mathematics, darling.” Lida told her. “We are seven.”

      “Then has anybody thrown two envelopes?” Zhanna asked. “But why?”

      “To be sure.” with a smile Arthur said. “Well? Shall we read them?”

      Ivan took the first envelope. Everybody looked at him. The first note dropped out. The letters seemed small. Ivan took the note in his hands and read.

      «I love Sergey».

      “Oh!” Arthur was surprised. “That's the brave woman!”

      “And why do you think that it was written by the woman?” Ivan looked at him.

      “But who else?”

      “It could write the man, too.”

      “Do you want to tell that I or Seva … Or someone from us can be the gay? The gay? Do not make me laugh!”

      “It can be.” Lida said.”I am not the gay!” Arthur shouted.

      “We do not need proofs.” Ivan noticed. “But it could write both the man and the woman.”

      “I am not the gay! Did you hear?” Arthur did not stop.

      “And why are you shouting?” Seva noticed.

      “Who could think …” Angelica said sarcastically. “Such a pleasant young man … Though …”

      “Are you deaf? I am not the gay!”

      “Okay, calm down already.” Lida became angry. “You’re not the gay…Well.”

      “Stop talking about that!” Arthur returned back to his arm chair. At that time Ivan unpacked the other envelope and read.

      “«I envy Sergey». Will you say again that it was written by the woman, Arthur?”

      “Why? It was just written by the man.”

      “And why cannot the woman envy Sergey?” Zhanna asked.

      “Well.”

      “May be she envies his professional career. May be, his money at last.”

      “I accept.” Ivan agreed. “As well as it can be the motive for the murder. It’s a strong feeling.”

      “I doubt.” Seva said.

      “Was it written by you?” Arthur looked at him. “Am I right?” “If you wrote the first note…”

      “I am not the gay!”

      “Silence!”

      “Shut up!”

      Ivan opened the third envelope and the absolutely clean paper dropped out. Everybody looked at it with astonishment.

      “Did someone fake?” Zhanna asked.” And forgot to write the fear?”

      “I will confess.” Ivan signed. “I did it. I put the clean envelope in the box.”

      “But why? “ they looked at him with the surprise.

      “I would like to take part in the game too. But I am neutral. That's why I sealed the clean paper. I have already burnt all my fears.”

      “At least, one problem is gone.” Arthur shrugged his shoulders.

      “Let's continue.” Vera nodded.

      And Ivan opened the next envelope.

      «I want Sergey» he read.

      “Wow! You are very brave!” Angelica burst out laughing.

      “It's not.” Lida frowned.

      “Darling, have you written it?”

      “What?”

      “You are not married. And you want the big strong man …”

      “Are you mad? I could not write it.” Lida became red.

      “Among us there is the loving woman.” Arthur said watching the women sitting in armchairs. “It is interesting, who is she?”

      “That's another question.” Zhanna said angrily. “If the woman constantly wants sex she is ill. And what about the man?”

      “He is always the man.” Arthur said. “That's his natural state.”

      “And if he is the gay.“ Zhanna asked innocently looking at him.

      “Why are you looking at me?!”

      “Zhanna wants to say that the note was written by the man or by the woman.” Ivan interfered.

      “It's a madhouse any way!” Arthur complained.

      “Do not forget that among us there is the murderer.” Vera reminded. “And it is not simply a madhouse. It is the madhouse where one of the patients is the most dangerous. By the way, it is the reason to write «I want Sergey». The murder was jealous.”

      At that time Ivan opened the next envelope and said.

      “Have a look!”

      Through the paper by huge letters was written: «I AM GOD».

      “It was written by the madman.” Zhanna said in a low voice.

      “It’s an addiction.” Vera added.

      “Sure. The maniac.” Arthur nodded.

      “Comments do not require.” and Ivan put the note aside.

      “Unless the woman would not write «I am Goddess»?” asked Angelica.

      “You – I do not doubt.” Arthur grinned.

      “Silence. Next.” Ivan stopped them. And he opened the next envelope. His face became strange. Then Ivan read. «I will kill Sergey today».”

      There was a long pause. After it Arthur asked.

      “That’s the worse than «I AM GOD», isn’t it?”

      “This note is about the murder.” Zhanna said slowly.

      “It is necessary to find the one who wrote it.” Vera said firmly.

      “Is it a joke?” asked Angelica.

      “You have got strange jokes!” Arthur answered.

      “But this note is direct.” summed up Ivan.

      “And no need to open the other envelopes.” said Vera.

      “Oh, no!” Seva protested. “Let’s do it!”

      “And who argues?” Arthur was not against. “Finally, we will open