"Night Predator" by Artur Makarov, summary Automatic translate

Artur Makarov’s detective novella was published in 1983. The book stands out from the crowd of typical Soviet prose. Set in the secretive world of the international fur trade, the plot captivatingly reveals the dangerous secrets of the export business and shady dealings.

Theft at a fur warehouse

Preparations are underway in Leningrad for an international fur auction. Foreign businessmen are inspecting samples. Elegant models are displaying expensive furs to foreign guests. Swedish businessmen Edström and Lundqvist are motorboating along the bay with their employee, Elena Rusanova. The foreigners’ attention is focused on a large consignment of valuable furs. A Swedish official instructs Edström to illegally purchase the furs from a trusted source in Leningrad.

Events take a criminal turn. A large-scale robbery occurs at night at the warehouse of the All-Union Association "Soyuzpushnina." The criminals carefully disable the complex alarm system. The robbers make off with five thousand select marten pelts. Police Lieutenant Colonel Tabolov arrives at the scene. Inside the empty warehouse, detectives find the body of an unidentified man. The security guard, Markin, disappears.

The Ministry of Foreign Trade demands that the stolen goods be promptly recovered. The marten shipment was advertised in advance to foreign buyers. Auction chairman Kharlampiev publicly promises to put the fur up for auction. Failure to complete this major transaction would bring enormous shame on the state.

Search for suspects

Tabolov’s investigative team begins a search. Forensic expert Kostin establishes the identity of the murdered man. The deceased turns out to be a multiple-convict thief named Shmelev, a criminal nicknamed "Bumblebee." Detectives Tagantsev and Sagaradze are on the trail of his accomplice.

Detectives set up an ambush in Zinaida Gogoleva’s apartment. The blonde was attempting to sell marten pelts at a consignment shop. Police apprehend seasoned offender Alexei Cherenkov, known in the criminal underworld by the nickname "Lyosha the Impudent." The criminal jumps out of a second-story window, but Sagaradze skillfully knocks him down.

During interrogation, Cherenkov confesses. He stole a fur from a government warehouse. The case was suggested to him by a casual drinking buddy at the Priliv beer bar. The mysterious acquaintance turns out to be the missing guard, Markin. Cherenkov assures investigators of his innocence of premeditated murder. He accidentally pushed Shmelev against a brick wall while fleeing in panic with the heavy loot.

Tabolov orders an investigation into the missing guard’s past. The information center uncovers a terrible secret. Markin’s real name is Grebennikov. During the war, he served the occupiers. After serving his prison sentence, the traitor simply changed his documents.

Secret Inspector Pioneer

Investigators are questioning all Soyuzpushnina employees. They are identifying the connections and motives of each employee. Senior merchandiser Vladimir Barkov becomes the prime suspect. He has direct access to the premises and frequently interacts with foreigners. Barkov’s situation rapidly deteriorates. The merchandiser finds a bag of stolen pelts in the trunk of his car. A frightened Barkov takes the pelts to the police.

Tabolov unravels a cunning ruse. The real organizers of the theft are trying to divert suspicion from themselves. Major General Zakharov demands that Grebennikov’s capture be expedited. The best inspector, nicknamed "Pioneer," is recruited for the secret operation.

The inspector operates independently, disguised as Moscow journalist Viktor Shuvalov. The journalist attends press conferences and skillfully evades provocative questions from American journalist Barbara Crankshaw. Shuvalov regularly socializes with fashion models. Soon, the detective becomes close to Elena Rusanova. She tells him about the guard’s strange behavior the day before the robbery.

Exposing the organizer

Shuvalov secretly follows the head of the advertising department, Leonid Vasin. This official lives a luxurious lifestyle and throws lavish banquets. Vasin is dating the beautiful model Margarita. She turns out to be a direct relative of the fugitive Grebennikov. This coincidence gives the inspector an excellent lead. At a fashion show, Shuvalov witnesses a heated argument between lovers. Margarita becomes hysterical upon learning of Vasin’s impending marriage to the daughter of a wealthy man.

A journalist unravels Vasin’s cunning plan. The advertising executive had arranged with the Swede Edström to illegally sell all the martens. Vasin personally arranged for Grebennikov to be hired as a guard. The official blackmailed the old man with his war crimes. The terrified guard was forced to organize a nighttime theft.

The final battle takes place in the apartment. Shuvalov catches Vasin packing the stolen fur. The advertising executive pulls out a compact pistol, ready to shoot the detective who’s interfering with his plans. Shuvalov suddenly throws himself at Vasin’s feet and knocks the dangerous weapon away. Rusanova runs into the room. The woman watches in horror as the brutal brawl unfolds. Vasin lies breathing heavily on the floor amidst broken dishes.

Results of the investigation

The stolen furs are returned in full to government warehouses. The best martens are put up for auction. The scandalous reputation sparks a frenzy among foreign traders. Prices for the pelts soar to incredible heights.

The arrested Vasin awaits a harsh trial. The corrupt official feels no remorse. He proudly defends his right to a life of luxury. Shuvalov pockets his pistol and interrupts the official’s monologue. The inspector predicts a miserable fate for Vasin. The operation is successfully completed — the criminal network is dismantled.

That evening, a tired Shuvalov comes to see Rusanova. Elena is sitting alone in the dimly lit office. The detective asks permission to stay with her and walk her home. She looks at her visitor silently, a soft smile appearing on her tired face.