Makartsev, who has served his sentence for theft, suddenly confesses to having committed a murder many years ago. He gives the names of the victim and witnesses. An investigation begins, during which it is discovered that all the participants in this murder have long since put their criminal past behind them and have become completely different people who obey the law. It is true that two of them categorically deny having participated in the crime, and Edgar and Tonia are not afraid to tell the truth. Investigating judge Sukhareva only has to gather the evidence and the investigation will be over. But then it turns out that the murder victim, nicknamed "Barja" ("the Barge"), whom everyone thought was dead, is alive. Now Sukhareva must decide whether to prosecute the accused murderers if the victim is not dead, while they have broken with their criminal past and are now useful to society...
