by Hylton Smith
Chapter 8
Elle Butragueno was moved by Manuel Salina’s capitulation to his lachrymatory glands. He was gripping the side of the morgue drawer so tightly that his white fingers craved circulatory relief. The trickle of salty fluid down his cheek was the solitary catalyst to his self-awareness. “I’m sorry Detective, but could you give me a minute?”
There was something about the intensity of his grief which she hadn’t expected – it was mixed with anger. She adjourned to the next room and observed the full emotional release. He angled his own head to alignment with his brother’s and appeared to be asking him a question. Then he suddenly broke away and paced around the drawer, gesticulating with both arms. Finally he bent over the body and kissed the forehead. The contact lasted an extraordinarily long time. He stood expressionlessly and in silence for a further few minutes, then he walked quietly out of the room. “Thank you for your sensitivity. What happens now?”
“Chief Inspector Duarte – my immediate superior, is on his way to see you. He has things he wants you to see and would obviously like to discuss the events leading up to Konrad’s death.”
“Good, I have to know more about the circumstances. You see, we spoke regularly at one time, but about six months ago I must have sounded unsympathetic to his claims, and that was the last time I heard from him. We had always been very close.”
She noticed a close resemblance of Manuel to his father, except for the latter’s grey hair. Salina junior was a very striking individual in all respects. He was tall, had an athletic build and was strong-featured. When this was complimented with a speaking voice which oozed presence, she wondered if he was married. She was admitting to herself that he was very attractive, but snapped out of that pleasurable trance as Duarte barrelled into the room.
“Snr. Salina, I apologise that I wasn’t able to meet you upon your arrival. Can I suggest we go back to my office and there I can tell you what we know about Konrad’s demise?”
“Of course, er - Inspector...?”
“Another apology is warranted, I’m Chief Inspector Duarte. D.I. Butragueno will join us as she was the last known person to speak with your brother, so she will take us through the footage we have.”
Elle was quite pleasantly surprised that she was going to be involved. They were about to leave as Duarte mentioned that Manuel would need to ask his father about certain personal effects he had already passed on to him. “It’s mostly to do with Konrad feeling he was somehow being watched or manipulated. We have no proof that his claims were of substance, so you may be of help to us in closing the case with respect to actual cause of death.”
Butragueno winced after what she had just witnessed with the body. Manuel shook his head. “I’m not able to converse with my father, but if you can arrange for the items to be temporarily returned to your keeping I will gladly go through them with you. I was just telling D.I. Butragueno that Konrad and I had discussed this at length until a few months ago, so I may be able to throw some light on the details. In view of this I’m surprised that you appear to have come to such a speedy conclusion that it was simply suicide.”
“Maybe I should explain our position more clearly. Unless we have evidence or other compelling reasons to think of the death as suspicious we have to return a verdict of suicide. You really must see the footage before we get too far down the conspiracy theory route. I’m not saying this has been discounted, I am saying that at present we have nothing which supports it, other than your brother’s actions. Without being insensitive, some authorities would wish to include mental illness in the equation. I’m just as unconvinced about that as I am about anything else which is devoid of reckonable evidence.” They left for Duarte’s office, and Butragueno suggested Manuel would find more leg room in her car. She was trying to avoid him sitting on an embarrassing piece of pizza or something worse, and being judged herself by association. Duarte got the point and returned the acknowledgement by letting her see that he knew she fancied him. Arriving after the short ride gave time for her to recover sufficient composure to wag her finger at her boss while Manuel availed of the sanitary facility.
When he witnessed the video call to Butragueno and then Konrad’s own recording, Manuel’s eyes misted up, but there was no repeat of the stress at the morgue. “I can imagine how the stuff you found in his deposit box doesn’t strike you as reliable. However, there is something vaguely familiar about that tattoo and the code, and indeed the sequence of numbers in the ascribed time of death. I can’t bring this to mind at present but it will come back to me, I’m sure. I must also state right now, and that is whether or not you get my father to part with Konrad’s effects, I am not satisfied that there is no more to this case than suicide. Six months ago he threatened to do something which would achieve what I had advised him he needed as a tangible starting point. I said he needed to begin to unravel the agenda he raved on about, by a substantiated revelation. This is what he has done. He knew the publicity it would attract due to my father’s position, and now he has me involved. That’s what he begged for at the time, but I politely shunned him. I’m not going to mount an investigation purely as a result of your verdict Chief Inspector, for which I can understand your reasoning. I’ve been approached by someone to conduct it on their behalf, and that is sufficient to convince me that there is a darker aspect to Konrad’s decision to terminate his own life. He wanted to drag in the protesters’ deaths which preceded his own.”
Duarte and Butragueno were processing this, but from different perspectives. She could see it meant that he would not just disappear after the funeral. Duarte realised this would potentially complicate his clandestine association with Pierze, with whom he had to share this additional spice which had been added to the brew. Before that, he decided to ask Antonio Salina for temporary return of the effects in order to let Manuel peruse them. It was just possible it would jog his memory with respect to the tattoo, code and date. If that was the case he wanted to be in pole position with the information. As he departed he could not resist a question. “Is this story really big enough to interest your publication in Uruguay? I can’t remember any of the deaths being linked with Southern Iberiana.”
“It is not my newspaper editor who has offered the investigation to me Chief Inspector.”
“Oh, well I suppose we may run into you again.”
Manuel shook his hand and said, “That is almost certain. I failed my brother once, it won’t happen again.” He wasn’t going to divulge any more, but this was enough to produce a wave of pleasant anticipation for Butragueno.
*
When he arrived at the Riu Principal, Salina and Olmeda were locked in a heated discussion in the main lounge. Duarte circled around and between the other residents, hoping to catch some of the content of the spat. All he was able to pick up before they spotted him was Salina’s insistence that Olmeda should return to Madrid now that the suicide verdict was official. “Ah Chief Inspector, please take a seat.” Salina seemed to have had a personality transplant. “We were just discussing the logistics surrounding the funeral arrangements. Can you tell me when you and the coroner will release my son’s body?”
Duarte sat without removing his undersized pork pie hat and Salina grimaced at this lack of etiquette, but actually mused that it looked even more ridiculous when he was sitting rather than standing. However, the moment prolonged his contrived affability. It changed abruptly when the request was delivered on Manuel’s behalf.
Salina growled, “If he wants to avoid us let him come and say that to my face. This is not a time for raking over past disagreements, it is pathetic.” Fortune intervened in the form of Senora Salina arriving. Duarte was not the only one taken aback by the vitriolic rebuke.
“Antonio. That is enough. You always manage to make things worse than they need to be. You will not spoil this particular reunion, even though it will be so painful. Chief Inspector, please tell my son I would like to deliver the items personall
y, and I’ll come alone, if he can agree to that.” Duarte affirmed he would pass on the message. The temperature went up another notch when Olmeda took advantage of the fragmented accord.
“I have witnesses. I’ve just been informed of my enforced return to Madrid.”
*
On his way back to update Manuel Salina, Duarte received a call from Pierze. “You will be pleased to know we have the first real breakthrough, and you will be astonished at the second emerging in a rather freakish manner. You need to meet me at the plaza again. It involves paperwork, so let us take in refreshment at the Coffee Break; it’s on the northwest corner.”
Duarte agreed. “I know it. I also have something to report which may muddy the water. I can be there in fifteen minutes.”
*
Manuel Salina made the call. “Snr. Gretz, I would appreciate a face-to-face discussion in order to hear your concept of the investigation. It would allow me to ask the questions which would enable a quick decision.” The reply was encouraging.
“I will fly to Londonis. I have an apartment there which is secure and technically equipped to address any questions you may have. It will also allow you to see, rather than listen to my assurances, and what resource would be available to you. I can revamp my travel plan to be there in two days. Does that fit with your own schedule?”
“That’s fine. It gives me time to determine whether something I have in mind to ask you is as relevant as I think it could be. Please send the address of your apartment to my communicator.”
“It would be better if I just send a car to a public pick-up point of your choice. These communicator networks are not as secure as our own system and I need to keep my address private.” Manuel suggested they met at the airport and cut out any second rendezvous location. It was agreed. Gretz would forward his flight arrival time when it was known.
*
Duarte arrived to join a beaming Pierze. “I have ordered. What would you like?” Before he could reply Pierze lowered his voice and declared, “We should talk this through and then I will return your DNA data for your files. You will need to open a new file and keep it very safe.”
“Mmm.” He waved the waitress over. “Espresso please – double.” Pierze resumed.
“It was indeed a long shot but we hit the jackpot with the comparison. The dead Africana’s DNA was in Salina’s apartment. It proves nothing else as yet but it confirms a link because our spy-bubble had visual and audio indication of his presence many times over the last few months. We now need to see if we can put him there on the night of the suicide. We have voice presence of someone talking to Konrad that evening, but nobody in the picture, which is frustrating as it matches the Africana’s voice. It would be a big step forward if we could prove that the voice was in the apartment rather than coming from a hands-free phone.”
“You think he was the person running from the scene?”
Pierze nodded. “It is a possibility. Anyway, your people didn’t have reason to investigate the other matter, but we just had to check on something we have suspected for a while. The DNA samples you took from the Salinas indicate that Konrad is probably Antonio’s son, but the mitochondrial check says Senora Salina is not his natural mother.”
“Does this help us?”
Pierze nodded again. “I believe so. We have to ask Manuel to volunteer to have his DNA checked, to determine whether either or both of his supposed parents are genuine.”
“Yes, but I’m not getting how it helps us progress the case.” Pierze spoke quietly and deliberately.
“Believe me, if this assists me getting official approval for, or as a last resort forcing Salina to waive any objection to Konrad undergoing a thorough post-mortem, it will be a breakthrough.”
“You’re holding something back Pierze. I’m experienced enough to see the signs. If we are to cooperate it has to be fully or not at all. Remember we both have a lot to lose. I would like to share something with you but if you haven’t finished, excuse the interruption.” Pierze winced. He thought, while the waitress attended to Duarte’s anticipated weakness.
“Yes, I will – one of these pastries please.”
“Chief Inspector, I don’t want to submerge you in speculative or circumstantial conclusions, please take it from me that if we succeed in getting the go-ahead despite any objection from Salina, I will add our suspicions to your knowledge, but not in writing. If we have to coerce him to concede we will need you to be ignorant of those suspicions for your own good. If that causes you to withhold your news, I will accept your judgement.”
“Fair enough, Manuel Salina is being recruited to conduct a private investigation for someone other than his newspaper. I don’t know who it is but we ought to find out by tailing him.”
Pierze lowered his head and uttered something inaudible. Duarte let it pass but suggested Pierze took care of the surveillance. “With Butragueno going to Barcelona, and my caution about bringing anyone else into the case, I’m going to be pretty stretched.”
“Very well, I have cleared the path for DI Butragueno, but she must observe the need to have the local police in attendance if she interviews witnesses. It is non-negotiable.”
Duarte was a little disappointed but not surprised. “Ok, I’ll now return to ask Manuel Salina for DNA and fingerprints, to eliminate him from the remaining forensic work.”
*
He caused some disappointment himself when he asked Butragueno to give them some privacy. “I’m sorry to burden you with this request Manuel. You may of course refuse, I would respect that.” Duarte was not going to make this request on the basis of elimination as he had told Pierze. “We know that Senora Salina is not Konrad’s mother.” He waited for the shock or denial. It did not come, but what followed fashioned disbelief in Duarte’s facial expression.
“You want me to add my DNA to the mix Chief Inspector. I could save you the trouble but I’ve carried this burden for a long time. I never thought I would have an opportunity to unload it in this way. You see, it gets me off the hook. Put your request in writing please and make sure it states the purpose as eliminating me from the scene. A hint that it would look strange for me to refuse would also be welcomed. As soon as I have your official request I will comply.”
Duarte had to recall Butragueno and ask her to do the typing. “I don’t want anyone else involved. Please do this immediately.”
Duarte then delivered the message from Senora Salina regarding her intent to deliver the personal effects. Manuel nodded and asked, “Where?”
“I don’t know that, she is awaiting your response. I can ring her at the hotel if you like.”
“Please do. I would like to speak to her before going to the lab.” Duarte obliged and handed over the communicator.
“Mother?” Duarte thought it a pity he could only hear one side of the conversation. However, after genuine pleasantries Manuel asked her to bring the items to the precinct. “I’ll be in the lab.” There was a silence and then he told her not to worry, it was just a routine the police had to go through. “Thoroughness is important, I know this only too well from my own work. I’m really looking forward to seeing you Mama.” Duarte had the confirmation that Manuel’s problem was only with his father.
Chapter 9
On the way to the lab Butragueno asked Manuel if he was happy about this. “It’s your decision, I’m sure Chief Inspector Duarte made you aware of this.”
“Yes he did. I’m happy to cooperate. As you know I am to begin my own investigation and I don’t want to close any doors.”
She asked if he had decided where he would start. “Not yet, I want to be a little more certain of the objective of my sponsor. I’ll tailor my approach to that. Even though I thought your department had concluded their involvement, having all but declared a verdict, I’m now asked to give DNA. It can only mean the case hasn’t been slammed shut by everyone. The more I think about it, the more I believe Konrad was right.” Butragu
eno had to avoid personal and professional conflict. She would have liked to disclose her trip; they might have actually been able to help one another. She didn’t rise to the bait. They had only just completed the requested tasks when Senora Salina entered the lab. She embraced Manuel and they were both overcome with emotion. Butragueno felt that she was in the way, but didn’t want to interrupt the reunion. They held the embrace for at least two minutes before Manuel was asked how long he would be staying after the funeral.
“I don’t know. I’ve accepted a request to investigate Konrad’s claims, so I’ll be in this hemisphere for some time, but I can’t say exactly where the enquiries will take me.”
“You must be careful Manolo; you are a journalist you know, not a policeman. I suppose you realise this will annoy your father intensely.”
“I’m not doing it for him or indeed to rile him; it is purely for my own sake. I had the chance to help Konrad before he died, but I didn’t take his allegations seriously enough. It’s the least I can do now that the police have said it was routine suicide.” Butragueno decided to intrude.
“Please excuse me. I really need to get back to my desk. I can see that you have much to catch up on.” Senora Salina forced a smile but it didn’t endure, because Manuel asked Butragueno if she was able to meet him in the evening.
“It would just be for coffee. There are some recollections I have of my last discussions with Konrad and some questions you may be able to help with as you were first on the scene.”
She stalled. “I would have to clear that with Duarte. You should really be having coffee with him.”
“No, that would be second hand observation. It was you who saw the apartment before the forensic people were called.” She nodded.
“I will get back to you.” She couldn’t help but notice the anxiety on Senora Salina’s face. It would have been interesting to be a fly on the wall. She left, knowing there would be a chance to ask about it that evening – whether it was her or Duarte.