AFTERWORD FROM INVESTIGATOR PETROVICH

The events described in this book may seem incredible. Yet for me, they became part of daily work—no different from thousands of pages of reports, interrogations, and forensic analyses. I was merely fulfilling my duty, and it so happened that I was the one to uncover the threat that could have destroyed our Motherland.

When the Chechen militants attempted to destabilize order, I was assigned a difficult role. Not bullets, not grenades, but the exercise of intellect and endurance determined the outcome. Several days of sleeplessness could have broken anyone. I prayed, and in those prayers I found the strength to endure. It was then I understood: the life preserved for me belongs to God and to service.

Their Imperial Majesties deemed it appropriate to acknowledge my efforts. I am not fond of grand words, yet I admit — I accepted state awards as a sign that I was entrusted with more than to be a mere corrupt cop.

Do not tell anyone, but I am conducting a private investigation into His Most Imperial Majesty. Evidently, he intends to establish a secret school. And this is no ordinary elite institution for rich kids. Only those with dual citizenship or at least a residence permit in another country will be admitted. You understand what I mean? I am an ordinary Russian, but I really need to get there.

Much remains unknown to me. Witnesses disappear, leads vanish. But I feel that all that has happened so far is only a prologue. If I uncover even a fraction of the truth, the next book in this series of adventures of Putin’s double will be a sensation.

For now, I continue my service. Paper endures everything, but conscience demands that life stand behind the lines. And I am ready to stake my own.

— Petrovich

Margin note: “Who did he call a corrupt cop? I'm as good an investigator as him!”

— Semyonich