[ WP ] Write a story in which a `` Chekhov 's Gun '' is actually Chekhov 's Gun and a `` Red Herring '' is actually a red herring .

Dinner was, most days, a restful affair for Vadim Chekhov. A fan of good food, fine wine, and cheerful conversation, he enjoyed stuffing his face as his wife and daughter chattered at one another. 
 
 Tonight his roast was overdone. The wine had n't been properly chilled. And Anna glared at him from the far end of their formal table. His daughter, Diana, still sat at his side, chirping about her day. Somehow, tonight, her voice was as grating as the pull of his knife against their best china. 
 
 `` So, *moy syn*,'' Anna's father said. `` How is it going with your new employment?'' 
 
 Vadim scowled. On the surface, his father-in-law's question seemed innocent, even friendly. Vadim knew better. Every word weighed and measured so that only Vadim would recognize the contempt. The older man never spoke Russian anymore, and he'd damn sure never called Vadim `` my son'' before. 
 
 `` My *employment*,'' Vadim said, `` goes well. I was fortunate to find work again so soon.'' 
 
 `` Yes,'' said his wife's father. `` You were lucky to find work at all.'' 
 
 Vadim's hands slapped the table. This was too much. He started to rise. 
 
 `` -- in this economy.'' 
 
 `` Vadim,'' Anna chided, `` why ca n't you be civil at the table?'' 
 
 Vadim lowered himself back into his chair. `` Forgive me, Aleksander,'' he said. `` I thought you might have a bit of roast caught in your throat.'' 
 
 When dessert was on the table, and he could excuse himself without accusations of poor breeding, Vadim left the table. He paused only to kiss little Diana on the top of her head before striding from the room. 
 
 In his study, the only place he could be assured privacy this evening, Vadim poured himself a drink and began to pace. Aleksander had been a dreadful person, and a horrible father. Why could Anna not see it? He'd never thought Vadim was good enough for his daughter. This recent layoff had shattered what little goodwill he might have held for his grand-daughter's father. 
 
 Still, what could he do? This was still America. And it was n't as if Aleksander had any influence left. 
 
 Footsteps in the hallway. Feeling guilty and not a little ashamed for doing it, Vadim pressed his ear to the door. 
 
 `` -- would never accept it, Papa,'' Anna was saying. 
 
 `` He does not need to accept it. She is your child. You are her mother.'' 
 
 `` But her *father*...'' 
 
 `` He should not have been her father.'' Aleksander's voice rose enough that Vadim could have heard him even without eavesdropping. 
 
 `` Hush, Papa,'' Anna said. `` He'll hear you.'' 
 
 `` What if he does?'' Aleksander said. His voice faded as they continued down the hall. A door closed. 
 
 Vadim stood, mind reeling. Idly, he picked up a statuette from his desk, then threw it across the room. 
 
 `` Damn him,'' he cursed. It was obvious that Aleksander was pressing Anna to leave him. She had n't sounded too upset at the idea. 
 
 `` Damn them both.'' 
 
 He threw his hands in the air. If she wanted to leave, to hell with her. But she would not take Diana. 
 
 `` I need to calm down,'' Vadim told himself. `` I need to think.'' 
 
 Hoping to relax, he took a slim metal box from a shelf and drew out his pistol. The repetitive motion of cleaning it usually soothed him, but tonight it did not help. He set it back in the box and decided to take a walk in the evening air. 
 
 When he arrived home, he was still seething, and the next day did not improve his mood. He'd been well on his way to the top at his old firm. Here, he was another nameless, faceless drone. No matter how hard he worked to clear his inbox, the pile of work only grew. Vadim began to feel as if he'd never be able to please anyone. 
 
 At noon, he called home as usual to check on Diana. With school out for the summer and Anna at work, they'd had to hire a nanny. Vadim's reduced salary made the expense a burden, but what choice did he have? 
 
 The phone continued to ring. Unconcerned at first, Vadim went to lunch and called again when he got back to the office. 
 
 No answer. 
 
 *They've gone out shopping, * he told himself. *Or Diana's gotten into her paints and needed a bath. * 
 
 There were hundreds of reasons which could explain an unanswered call. Still, Vadim could not keep himself from imagining his wife had left him. Stolen away with their child. 
 
 He could n't stand it. He feigned illness, managing to keep a calm facade, but inside, his heart was burning. 
 
 He drove like a madman, too blinded to wonder that he had n't been pulled over, and made the hour long commute in just over thirty minutes. 
 
 He screeched to a stop in front of the house, not bothering to put the car in the garage. 
 
 `` Papa!'' Diana cried as he opened the door. She ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck. 
 
 `` Oh, you're early!'' the nanny said. 
 
 Feeling foolish, Vadim grinned. `` You did n't answer the phone,'' he said. `` I was worried.'' 
 
 `` Sorry,'' the girl smiled. `` We were out in the yard. I did n't hear it ring.'' 
 
 Vadim scrubbed at his face with both hands. He thanked the nanny and sent her home. As long as he was here, he'd spend some quality time with his daughter. 
 
 Vadim watched as she acted out one of her favorite stories, then took her to the farmer's market to pick out a treat. Diana got her face painted, and picked out two pies. 
 
 While they were wandering, Vadim picked up smoked herring for dinner. 
 
 `` Why's it red, Papa?'' Diana asked. 
 
 `` Something about the brine,'' he said. `` I'm not sure.'' 
 
 `` I do n't like it.'' 
 
 `` You can have chicken.'' 
 
 They wandered aimlessly for awhile before stopping by the park. It was one of the best days Vadim could remember. He could n't lose her. 
 
 After they got home, the day took a turn for the worst. Aleksander walked around with his nose sticking up and a thinly veiled air of contempt. Anna minced through the house with her'waiting for the right moment' face. It was all Vadim could do not to strangle them both. 
 
 *No, * he told himself, only half-joking. *There'd be too much evidence to dispose of. * 
 
 He forced cheer as they gathered around the table. 
 
 `` Tell him,'' Aleksander said, almost before they were seated. 
 
 Anna threw her hands up in protest. `` Papa, this is not the time.'' 
 
 `` Why not?'' said Aleksander. `` What time could be better?'' 
 
 `` Not in front of Diana.'' 
 
 `` Your fish is getting cold,'' Vadim said. Aleksander and Anna glanced at their plates. Vadim struggled not to stare at the herring. `` It's best piping hot.'' 
 
 They ate in silence for a few minutes. Vadim could n't take his eyes from his traitorous wife as she lifted one forkful after another. 
 
 Diana finished her chicken before they were halfway through, and asked for pie. For several minutes, the silence was broken by her happy exclamations. Too soon, she'd cleaned her plate. 
 
 `` May I be excused, Papa?'' 
 
 *No, * Vadim thought. *If you go, she'll try to take you away. * `` Of course,'' he said. `` Run and play.'' 
 
 Diana thundered up the stairs. 
 
 `` Now.'' 
 
 Vadim cringed. `` How is the fish, *Papa*?'' he asked. 
 
 `` It tastes awful,'' Aleksander said. `` You should fire that cook.'' 
 
 `` I made it myself.'' 
 
 Vadim returned Aleksander's scowl with a smile. 
 
 `` It's good for you,'' he went on. `` Fish has iron.'' 
 
 Aleksander's eyes locked with Vadim's as he took another bite. 
 
 `` Fine,'' Anna said. She pushed her empty plate away. `` Vadim, we can not go on this way.'' 
 
 Vadim dropped his fork. 
 
 `` We were barely holding on. Now you have this job which does n't cover the bills and --'' 
 
 `` She calls it a'job','' Aleksander snorted. `` Errand boy is not a job.'' 
 
 Vadim narrowed his eyes. `` Eat your fish, *Papa*.'' 
 
 `` Papa! Vadim!'' Anna lowered her head till it rested on the table. Then she began to cry. 
 
 He hated seeing her so upset. *No, * he clenched his fists. *Best to get it over with now. * 
 
 Anna went on, her words coming out in a mad rush. `` Vadim, we ca n't afford Diana's tuition this year. Papa does n't want her in public school. I know you do n't want to take his money, but --'' 
 
 Vadim froze. `` This is about a loan from your father?'' he said. 
 
 Anna nodded, biting a little at her lower lip. He'd always loved when she did that. 
 
 `` Oh Anna,'' he cried. `` I have been a fool. I thought you were leaving me.'' 
 
 `` Vadim!'' she said. `` Why would you ever think that?'' 
 
 `` He is an idiot,'' Aleksander chimed in. 
 
 Vadim rose to go to his wife. `` Anna --'' he began. 
 
 A loud pop rang through the house. 
 
 `` What was that?'' Aleksander shouted. 
 
 Vadim's blood ran cold. `` Oh no,'' he said, already running up the stairs. `` No, no, no...'' 
 
 The night before came back to him in perfect, horrifying detail. Pacing his office, cleaning the gun, setting it back in the case. The unlocked, open case, lying on his desk. And he felt it, before he'd even entered the room. 
 
 *Diana. *
