Oleg Andreyevich Volgin is an experienced police investigator in a provincial town. Together with his new partner, the young Ivan Kornilov, he is handling an almost hopeless attempted murder case. Maria Lyalina was attacked and stabbed in the throat, but no signs of rape or robbery were found. Nor have they been able to locate any witnesses. Their only hope is the victim herself, whom doctors are saving at the hospital. It turns out that Lyalina gave birth very recently, yet there is no information whatsoever about the child. Beginning with one investigation, Volgin becomes immersed in another grim and dangerous mystery. The search for the truth may cost the investigator himself dearly.
