Raskolnikov se réveille allongé sur son divan, transi de fièvre et secoué par des frissons violents après sa léthargie. Des bruits de rue le rappellent à la réalité et il réalise soudain qu'il est dix heures du matin, se remémorant avec effroi les événements de la veille. Paniqué à l'idée d'avoir commis des oubliens, il inspecte frénétiquement ses vêtements, découvrant des taches de sang séché sur ses franges de pantalon, une poche doublée, et le devant de sa chaussette gauche. Il tente de cacher les objets dérobés dans un trou du mur derrière le papier peint déchiré, puis déchire et cache les pièces à conviction restantes sous son oreiller.
Alors qu'il se débat avec son délire et la peur croissante de perdre la raison, Nastassia frappe à sa porte en compagnie du portier pour lui remettre une convocation du bureau de police. Persuadé qu'il s'agit d'un piège et que tout est découvert, il prend néanmoins la lettre, fourre les chiffons tachés sous son manteau et se rend à pied au commissariat sous une chaleur étouffante. Durant le trajet, son esprit vacille entre la terreur d'être arrêté et le désir que tout se termine au plus vite.
Dans le bureau surchauffé et encombré, Raskolnikov se présente au secrétaire et observe l'atmosphère ambiante avec anxiété. L'arrivée arrogante de l'adjoint du surveillant du quartier ravive sa peur, mais le secrétaire lui tend rapidement un registre en lui expliquant qu'il s'agit d'une assignation en paiement pour dettes. Soulagé de découvrir qu'il n'est pas soupçonné du crime, Raskolnikov ressent un immense apaisement, avant de se rebiffer brièvement face aux reproches de l'officier concernant son retard.
Police Interrogation And Sudden Collapse
Raskolnikov finds himself clashing with the aggressive lieutenant Ilia Petrovitch in the police bureau over a debt assigned by his landlady. While attempting to defend himself, he is interrupted by the loud arrival of Louisa Ivanovna, a flamboyant woman complaining noisily about a rowdy writer who caused chaos in her establishment. Raskolnikov watches the ensuing theatrical dispute with a mixture of amusement and detachment, though his primary relief stems from knowing he is not suspected of his crime.
The station's kind supervisor, Nikodim Fomitch, steps in to calm the atmosphere and speaks sympathetically to Raskolnikov, who seizes the moment to explain his impoverished student status and his complicated history with his former landlady. However, as the secretary dictates the formal financial agreement for him to sign, Raskolnikov is suddenly struck by a chilling wave of complete isolation and emotional alienation. He feels an overwhelming sense that he can no longer communicate with anyone, realizing that even if his closest family were present, he would remain entirely cut off from human connection.
Just as he nears the brink of confessing everything and leading the authorities to the hidden stolen goods, he overhears Nikodim Fomitch and Ilia Petrovitch discussing the ongoing murder investigation. They analyze how the killer miraculously slipped past the witnesses on the stairs and escaped during the confusion. Hearing the chilling details of the crime spoken aloud proves too much for his feverish mind, causing Raskolnikov to faint. Upon regaining consciousness under the watchful gaze of the officers, he answers their sharp questions with cold composure before being dismissed and rushing urgently back into the street.
Surging Paranoia In The Streets
Raskolnikov races back toward his lodging with intense urgency, driven by the absolute certainty that a search of his room is currently underway. His heart races and his terror flares up anew as the initial relief of leaving the police station gives way to overwhelming dread. The suffocating heat, the dust, and the oppressive sights of the city amplify his feverish panic as he hurries along the familiar streets.
Upon reaching his destination, a sudden wave of fresh terror overtakes him completely from head to foot as he realizes the horrifying truth. The concluding realization hits him with crushing force that the authorities suspect him after all.