The Twelfth Department

CHARACTERS

Doctor Irina Azarova-Professor Azarov’s wife

Isaac Babel-famous author and also Korolev’s neighbor

Sergeant Belinsky-Militiaman in charge of the investigating uniforms (uniformed police) at Leadership House

Blanter-State Security operative working for the NKVD’s Twelfth Department

Doctor Zinaida Chestnova-pathologist and friend of Korolev’s

Count Kolya-leader of the Moscow Thieves

Danilov-in charge of the removals at the Azarov Institute

The Deacon-one of Count Kolya’s men

Dubinkin-a lieutenant with the NKVD

Nikolai Ezhov-General Commissar of State Security and head of the NKVD

Monsieur Hubert-a representative of the French embassy in Moscow

Captain Alexei Korolev-a detective with the Moscow Criminal Investigation Division

Yuri Korolev-Captain Korolev’s son

Kuznetsky-Militiaman assisting Korolev

Valentina Nikolayevna Koltsova-Korolev’s friend and neighbor

Natasha Koltsova-Valentina Koltsova’s daughter

Levschinsky-forensics specialist for Moscow CID

Lilova-maid to Dr. Shtange

Maria Lobkovskaya-Korolev’s elderly downstairs neighbor

Galina Matkina-maid to Professor Azarov

Menchikova-resident of Leadership House

Mishka-Count Kolya’s right-hand man

Pavel Morozov-responsible for the car pool at Militia headquarters and a friend of Korolev’s

Petya the Persuader-an informant

First Inspector Popov-Korolev’s boss

Priudsky-original doorman at Leadership House

Colonel Rodinov-a senior NKVD officer

Semyon Shabalin-a bank robber and gangster

Dr. Arkady Shtange-deputy director of the Azarov Institute

Anna Shtange-Dr. Shtange’s wife

Shura-maid to Babel and a friend to Korolev

Nadezhda Slivka-a junior detective with the Odessa CID

Spinsky-director of the Vitsin Street Orphanage

Svalov-State Security operative working for the NKVD’s Twelfth Department

Tambova-also known as “Little Barrel,” attendant at the Vitsin Street Orphanage

Timinov-replacement doorman at Leadership House

Ushakov-forensics specialist for Moscow CID

Vera-Valentina’s friend and a worker at Moscow Zoo

Doctor Weiss-neighbor and colleague of Professor Azarov

Captain Dmitry Yasimov-Korolev’s fellow detective with Moscow CID

Colonel Zaitsev-head of the NKVD’s Twelfth Department