Over the years of service, Ivan Dmitrievich saw dozens of corpses, but whenever possible he tried not to touch them, especially with his bare hands. He squatted down next to Kukolev, trying to see his face, half buried in the pillow. Only tangled hair on his temple, one closed eye and one nostril were visible.

Ivan Dmitrievich automatically noted that his right arm was hanging from the bed, on which something seemed to be missing. What?..