The Body on the Beach

by Anna Johannsen

  ‘Closure evening number two?’

  Erck said nothing, drained the last drops from his cup and placed it down in the sand. ‘Can I come under your blanket?’

  Erck gently ran his hand over Lena’s stomach. After an hour in the beach chair they’d gone back to Lena’s accommodation, and after a brief interlude in the kitchen had ended up in bed.

  ‘You’re so beautiful,’ he said. ‘Even more beautiful than back then.’

  ‘Don’t talk nonsense. Have you forgotten how old we are now?’

  ‘You make it sound like we’re about to go into retirement. We’re in the prime of our lives.’

  ‘No more silly ideas in our heads, you mean?’

  ‘Did we have those before?’

  Lena shrugged and snuggled up closer to Erck. ‘I can’t remember. Repressed memory or something like that.’

  ‘Sure, that makes two of us. We should team up – we’d be unstoppable!’

  ‘At repressing things?’

  ‘Yes; our past would be completely erased and we could start afresh.’

  ‘Nutcase,’ Lena mumbled.

  ‘I’m serious. I mean, what’s stopping us from starting over?’

  Lena sat up. ‘I thought this subject was off limits?’

  Erck pulled Lena back down and kissed her on the mouth. ‘Are you afraid I’ll move to Kiel with you?’

  ‘No, you’d never leave the island. Why should I be afraid of that?’

  ‘Do you have a boyfriend there?’

  Lena hesitated. At last she said, ‘Yes, kind of.’

  ‘What does “kind of” mean? Is it a dog or a cat?’

  ‘Joe. His name is Joe. He wants us to move in together and have children. He’s a colleague from the Kiel constabulary.’

  ‘You forgot about getting married.’

  ‘True. That’s supposed to happen between the two other things.’

  ‘And what do you want?’

  ‘None of the above.’

  ‘Then you should tell him.’

  ‘I know I should. But you know me, I’m not good at those things. Plus, our relationship would almost certainly be over if I did, and maybe I don’t want that.’

  ‘What’s the big but? I don’t know this Joe, but it sounds awfully like you’re playing with him, and that’s not fair. The Lena I know is always fair.’

  Lena said nothing. She knew Erck had hit the nail right on the head. Then again, her relationship with Joe was none of his business. It had been a mistake to answer his question.

  ‘Also off limits?’ asked Erck, almost as though he’d read her thoughts.

  ‘Am I that easy to read?’

  ‘Perhaps I just know you too well.’

  Wasn’t that precisely why she felt so comfortable around him? Was that what she missed with Joe? Or were her feelings for Erck purely nostalgic, based on nothing but happy memories?

  When Lena didn’t reply, Erck said, ‘I always wondered why every woman I met after you felt so distant. I’m not saying I was thinking of you all the time when I was with them, and I didn’t compare them with you either. There’s no point in that, because everyone’s different. Still, there was always that something missing. Maybe it has to do with the fact that you and I both grew up here. You know what Amrum means to me, to us, and if things had been different, you wouldn’t have run off the way you did, or at least you’d have come back sooner or later. D’you understand what I’m trying to say?’

  Lena kissed him passionately. ‘You do realise that was a declaration of love, don’t you?’ When Erck didn’t reply, she added, ‘But that was one of the loveliest I’ve ever heard.’

  ‘That’s a start,’ he whispered and held her more closely to him.

  Lena opened her eyes and looked into Erck’s smiling face. ‘Have you been awake long?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Did you sleep at all?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Can you say anything other than “yes”?’

  ‘No,’ he said and kissed her. ‘Have you got time?’

  Lena looked at the clock. It was just after six. ‘An hour at least.’

  ‘Perfect,’ he said, covering her body in kisses.

  Beke paused and looked in wonder at Lena as she opened the door. A huge smile on her face, her niece ran her fingers through her hair and asked, ‘Is something wrong?’

  Beke closed the door behind her and hugged her. ‘No, not at all. You just look so happy. Have you caught the murderer?’

  Lena turned quickly towards the car and muttered, ‘No, not quite.’

  Beke followed behind her. ‘Are we in a hurry?’

  Lena slowed down now she had her emotions halfway in check again. She hadn’t wanted to show Beke how much her comment had taken her by surprise. Her aunt would have guessed in no time that her beaming smile was because of a man, not her job. And who else could that man be other than Erck? That aside, Beke had to be wrong. She felt exactly the same as any other day. Well, nearly.

  ‘I’m sorry, I was daydreaming,’ she said, taking her aunt’s arm.

  A short while later they were chatting over cappuccinos in a small café set in a traditional Frisian house. Beke told Lena about her two best friends, who had both lost their husbands within months of each other the previous year. Beke was helping the women get back on their feet and together they were volunteering for the local church and had created a small children’s library. They went to concerts at the local hall and enjoyed a small tipple in one of Norddorf’s many restaurants afterwards.

  ‘Sound like you’re three busy ladies,’ Lena said.

  ‘Yes, you could say that.’ Beke turned serious. ‘Your father came by yesterday. Someone told him you’re on the island.’

  Lena groaned.

  ‘He asked me to put in a good word with you and—’

  ‘Well, now you have, Beke,’ Lena said, cutting her off.

  ‘He’d really like to see you.’

  ‘Sounds lovely. Then I can finally meet that fantastic woman – she must be, or else he’d hardly have cheated on Mum and driven her to her death.’

  Lena had spoken quietly but her eyes blazed with fury.

  Beke placed her hand on top of Lena’s. ‘I just didn’t want to keep it from you, my love. Of course, you must decide these things for yourself.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Beke, I didn’t mean to snap at you, but for me this business is done and dusted.’

  Her aunt said nothing.

  ‘Let’s talk about something else. But next time my dear biological relative pays you a visit, tell him what I just said – that’s my final word on the subject.’

  For a moment it seemed the mood between them had turned, but then Beke pulled Lena into her arms. ‘Deern, I do understand, you know. Your mother was my beloved sister.’

  Lena kissed Beke’s cheek. ‘I know, my darling. I know.’

  ‘And I don’t mean to get involved, but when he was standing right there in front of me . . . Never mind. You’re my last living relative and there’s no way I’m going to lose you.’

  ‘You won’t. We’re sticking together, you and me.’

  Her eyes swimming with tears, Beke fished for a tissue in her handbag. She seemed suddenly to remember something and pulled out a pill organiser. ‘Oh, I’d almost forgotten.’

  Lena stared at the container. It was a box with separate compartments for each day, each one filled with loose pills.

  ‘What’s the matter, child? You know I need to take these for my digestion. The doctor says they’re completely harmless.’

  Lena nodded, deep in thought. She’d seen her aunt’s pill organiser on her first visit and it hadn’t registered, but now she was hit with the realisation that this was precisely the piece of the puzzle she’d been looking for. She leapt to her feet.

  ‘Beke, I forgot something really important. I have to run.’ She pulled a note from her wallet and placed it on the table in front of her astonished aunt. ‘Will you pay for me, please? And do
stay and enjoy the breakfast!’

  ‘What happened, deern?’

  ‘I’ll tell you tomorrow.’ She gave Beke a quick kiss goodbye and rushed out of the café.

  Johann called while she was en route to the children’s home, launching straight into his report. ‘I’ve spoken with three colleagues, two of them retired. I’ll email you the full report this afternoon, but I thought you’d want to hear the headlines straight away. There was an investigation into the home – allegations of sexual abuse against children and teenagers. The retired detective I spoke with last night was extremely forthcoming. An anonymous complaint was made during the time Florian Müller was at the home, and a cautious investigation was launched. The home had powerful benefactors and the investigating officers had to proceed very carefully, but they quickly hit a brick wall. The detective I met carried on, on his own initiative, and met up with a boy from the home. This boy hadn’t himself been affected, but what he told the detective fitted the bill. Before he’d gathered enough evidence, however, all three children in question were moved on to different homes. The man was certain that Florian Müller was one of them. He handed over all his findings to his boss, but the whole affair was quietly hushed up and he was told to shut up or face a disciplinary. He gave up at that point, but – and you won’t believe this – he passed on copies of all his findings to me. Our victim quite definitely played an active part in the proceedings back then.’

  ‘Great work, Johann – truly, well done!’

  ‘Thanks. But that’s not all. I went to the constabulary this morning and checked the records. Guess who the chief prosecutor in charge of the case was?’

  ‘Lübbers!’

  ‘Damn right. Bit of a strange coincidence, isn’t it? I spoke with two other detectives from that time, but they didn’t have a lot to add. You know what it’s like – no one likes to go out on a limb, especially not when all you have is rumours. I reckon we’ve got enough to ask Isabel Müller a few more questions, though.’

  Lena agreed and told him about her suspicion regarding the pill organiser.

  ‘Why didn’t we think of that ages ago?’

  ‘It’s just a hunch so far but I’m on my way to the home to check it out. When are you back?’

  ‘All being well, I should arrive back in Wittdün at two.’

  ‘Bring your car. I’ll text you where to find me.’

  I have to make a decision now.

  I promised him.

  They won’t get away with it.

  They can’t get away with it.

  It’s high time someone did something.

  I promised him.

  20

  Lena ran into Sabine Bohlen in the corridor. ‘Oh, for goodness’ sake, haven’t you finished with us all yet?’ the woman grumbled as she led the way to her office.

  ‘And a good morning to you,’ Lena replied. ‘When we first visited, you showed us your husband’s medication. Did he use a pill organiser?’

  ‘Yes, why?’

  ‘It’s important to our investigation. How long had he been using one?’

  ‘Well, he forgot to take his pills a couple of times and started having problems so I bought him the organiser.’

  ‘Did he refill it himself?’

  ‘No, I did.’

  ‘I assume you removed the individual pills from the blister pack?’

  ‘Of course, or they wouldn’t have fitted.’

  ‘Can I please see the organiser?’

  Sabine Bohlen nodded and stood up. She was about to open a drawer on the sideboard when Lena stopped her and, snapping on a pair of latex gloves, opened it herself. The container lay on top of a bundle of papers and was still half full of pills. Lena slid the box into a ziplock bag and sealed it.

  ‘What’s this all about?’ asked Sabine Bohlen.

  ‘I’m confiscating the pill organiser as evidence – my suspicion is that someone swapped your husband’s medication over a prolonged period of time.’

  ‘But who on earth would have done such a thing?’ Sabine’s voice cracked.

  ‘That’s what I’m here to find out. Did you touch this box again following your husband’s death?’

  ‘No – why would I? Are you accusing me of giving Hein the wrong medicine?’

  Lena gestured towards the table and chairs. ‘Let’s sit down for a moment, Frau Bohlen.’

  Sabine Bohlen took a seat without looking at Lena.

  Lena sat down with her. ‘Who has access to your office?’

  ‘I only lock it at night. In theory, anyone could come in during the day, although no one has any business being in here apart from my husband and me, and I’ve never seen any of our employees in here, nor the children.’ She looked up. ‘Are you trying to say it was me? That’s outrageous.’

  ‘I’m not trying to say anything. Is Frau Müller in?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘But?’

  ‘She’s on leave at the moment.’

  ‘Please, Frau Bohlen – what exactly do you mean by that?’

  ‘She came to see me yesterday and asked for a few days off. Her uncle died and she has to make all the arrangements. It’s extremely inconvenient, but what was I supposed to do?’

  ‘So she’s left Amrum?’

  ‘Unless the uncle happened to live around here, I guess so,’ snapped Sabine Bohlen.

  Lena rose to her feet. ‘Can you please give me Frau Müller’s phone number?’

  ‘I’m not sure she—’

  ‘Now would be good.’

  Stony-faced, Sabine Bohlen walked over to her desk and jotted the details down on a piece of paper. ‘There you go.’

  Lena called the number and left a message on voicemail before hanging up. ‘I’m going to order a search warrant for the home and for Frau Müller’s room: I expect it to come through within half an hour. I need you to leave the office now and ask you not to return to your flat. Do you understand?’

  Sabine Bohlen gaped in shock at Lena and eventually hissed, ‘I promise you now, there will be consequences.’

  DSU Warnke caught on quickly and promised Lena that he would request the warrant right away and get back to her in ten minutes. Sabine Bohlen had left the office cursing and was waiting in the common room. As soon as Warnke gave Lena the OK, she called Nebel police station and requested the assistance of the two constables. They turned up fifteen minutes later and Lena told them what to look for. She took on Isabel Müller’s room herself.

  It was a small, plain room, simply furnished. A narrow bed stood along the right-hand wall below the only window, with a wardrobe alongside it. On the opposite wall stood a desk and chair, beneath a shelf with a few books and a small box. A laptop sat on the desk. Lena started it up and breathed a sigh of relief when it didn’t ask for a password. She pulled out her phone.

  Leon didn’t pick up for a long while. ‘Are you crazy? It’s early!’

  ‘I’m sitting in front of a laptop. I’m in, but I need to find something quickly. Can you help me, please?’

  Lena followed Leon’s instructions to install TeamViewer software and granted him access. ‘I’m looking for any clues that she tried to find out about medication to lower blood pressure. And anything else weird that might come up.’

  ‘Sure . . . weird. Do you have any idea how weird most people are?’

  ‘Talk to you shortly, Leon,’ Lena said, ignoring his question, and hung up.

  She did a systematic search, starting with the wardrobe. It contained the type of clothing you’d expect to find in a young woman’s room. Lena emptied one shelf after the other but found nothing suspicious. Finally, she pulled the wardrobe away from the wall to check behind it. She was about to push it back into place when she noticed a small plastic bag taped against the bottom of the wardrobe. Lena unpeeled it carefully and held it up to the light. The bag contained a handful of white pills, very similar to those in the organiser.

  Before continuing with her search, she rang DSU Warnke and asked him to pinpoint th
e location of Isabel Müller’s phone. Next she searched the desk, but found nothing of interest. On the bookshelf she came across several letters written by Florian Müller. Skimming through them confirmed Lena’s suspicion that he was in psychiatric treatment because of something that had happened during his time in children’s homes as a boy. He never said so explicitly, but it was clear that it must have been something dreadful.

  Lena called Leon again. ‘Found anything?’

  ‘Oh yes, there’s always something to find.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘She did extensive research on beta blockers via patient forums, among other places. She wanted to know how they worked and what experiences users had with them. She also visited the Dark Web, but didn’t get very far. And she’s a member of a secret online group for victims of those dirty bastards.’

  ‘Victims of paedophiles, you mean?’

  ‘What else? She asked a lot of questions and people asked her things in return. The name Lübbers mean anything to you? Chief prosecutor in Kiel.’

  ‘Can you write me a quick report on that?’

  ‘Link’s on its way,’ he said, hanging up.

  Lena continued her search, sealed off the room and then went to help her colleagues investigate Sabine Bohlen’s private quarters. After another hour she concluded the search, sealed off the office and told Sabine Bohlen she could return to her flat. The crime scene investigators from Flensburg would come tomorrow at the latest to examine the sealed rooms more thoroughly. If Isabel Müller ended up in court and did not confess, the prosecution would need to be based on circumstantial evidence.

  Lena was startled when she checked the time. It was nearly two. She sent a quick text to Johann, asking him to come straight to their house when he arrived back on Amrum. Next, she gave the two constables a photo of Isabel Müller and sent them off to the ferry terminal, one to question the staff and the other to check every passenger leaving the island. Lena had also put in a request for two more constables from Föhr, who’d be arriving that afternoon.

  ‘So we’re zeroing in on Isabel Müller?’ asked Johann when he joined Lena at the kitchen table.

  ‘I doubt she’ll be charged with more than manslaughter, though. I suspect she lowered the dose very gradually and it wouldn’t have come to a heart attack without external influence. If he’d been with his wife at the time, he might have been saved.’