How It All Goes Down
Southeastern Rostov Oblast, The Sea of Azov, 4 July
- The Nesterov family is enjoying a sunny beach day. Wait—what? As it turns out, Nesterov is using a personal vacation as a cover for his investigation into the murders.
- After Varlam Babinich's execution, Nesterov's "sense of pride" is shattered by this clear miscarriage of justice (4.32.7). After discussing it with his wife, he decides to help Leo.
- Without telling Leo, Nesterov starts contacting his colleagues across the country, subtly prodding them for info on similar murders. It's a slow process.
- Finally, Nesterov presents his findings to Leo: there are similar murders taking place all across the Western half of the country. By his calculations, Arkady had been "child 44" (4.32.12)… as in, the forty-flippin'-fourth victim of this serial killer.
- Nesterov wakes from his beachside nap. His son, Efim, has just returned from playing in the water, but his younger son is nowhere to be found.
- Assuming the worst, Nesterov and his wife separate, frantically searching for their son. In particular, Mrs. Nesterov acts like a crazy lady until Nesterov returns with their son in tow.
- Meanwhile, an MGB officer writes their license plate number in her notebook.