The Northern Cross (A Baltic Sea Crime Novel Book 2)

by Hendrik Falkenberg

  “Maybe he wanted to alter the dosage? It might not have had the desired effect the first time.”

  Despite the new info, they couldn’t bring him in. Meister had gone on vacation for two weeks and had disappeared without a trace—just like David Bach. Everyone had the unsettling fear that he would pop back up at a new crime scene.

  Hannes found himself in the visiting room of the prison that Tuesday morning.

  “Were you jumped?” he asked Fritz in disbelief.

  Fritz’s left arm was bandaged and in a sling. His face looked beat up, and he was limping more than usual.

  “Oh, just a little prison fight,” Fritz joked. “Some angry skinhead went after an African. The poor guy would have been ripped to shreds by the time the guards got there. So I stepped in.”

  “Stepped in? It looks like you were caught in the crossfire of a gang war.”

  “The warden’s very grateful that I prevented a death. It’s likely to help my situation here.”

  It seemed this was true; visiting restrictions had been eased. It was a good thing, since it took Hannes a while to update Fritz on the recent developments.

  “Carlos di Santo’s behavior’s strange,” Fritz said. “Of course, Bach and Meister got a lot of info from this Rebecca and sniffed out the rest. But there may have also been a second informant. Someone who hates New Way, but is familiar with the group. Since di Santo’s unable to work, he probably invested all his energy and time into the group. Then they just kicked him out.”

  “But why would he ally himself with religious fanatics? He complained that New Way was getting too religious.”

  “That may be. But whether or not he’s capable of an objective opinion is anyone’s guess. Besides, there are always different factions in groups like these.”

  “Di Santo was forced out in March. He might hold a grudge against New Way, but definitely not Alexander Kramer, who only joined the group this past summer. It’s highly unlikely they knew each other.”

  “Valid point.”

  “Unless . . . We found Kramer’s pornos in Lück’s apartment. If di Santo and Lück actually were a couple and kept in touch after the breakup, it might make sense.”

  “So di Santo saw the DVDs at Lück’s, or perhaps Lück told di Santo that Kramer had joined. Di Santo realized Lück was attracted to the young man and assumed they were in a relationship. Maybe he even considered Kramer the reason for their breakup.”

  Fritz still doubted di Santo was involved. He noted that the detectives had lost sight of Matthias Böhm. After all, it was conceivable that Böhm wanted to take revenge against New Way. His marriage had deteriorated over the last few months, and he must have learned a lot from his wife about the members. However, there was no indication that he was in contact with the Church of the Creator. The focus of the investigation was obvious to Fritz: David Bach and Frank Meister had to be tracked down as soon as possible.

  A few hours later, David Bach was back in the picture—quite literally. The detectives watched as the fugitive appeared in the slightly grainy footage of a surveillance camera. Although he had pulled his hood over his head when entering the gas station, it had slipped down as he brandished a knife in front of the cashier. Marcel paused the video at the moment Bach looked into the camera.

  “That’s him. He took 300 euros from the cashier, then tied him to a rack of shelves. On his way out, he stuffed food and drinks into his backpack. Wherever he’s hiding doesn’t seem to include board.”

  “Which would explain why we haven’t been able to flush him out,” Clarissa said.

  “The gas station’s located in a small town toward the coast,” Marcel said.

  “There have been reports of break-ins and shoplifting in the area over the past few days,” Federsen said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Bach’s to blame.”

  “The terrain’s pretty open there,” Isabelle said. “I go for rides around there in the summer. Mostly fields, sometimes you pass through small villages. If he’s hiding in a forest, a nature preserve would be the only spot.”

  Per was skeptical. “In this weather? It was below forty last night. I don’t think he’s staying outside. Even in a tent he’d freeze his ass off.”

  “Bach’s not a wimp like you,” Hannes said. “There are things like thermal sleeping bags, and besides, there are a lot of cabins along the coast. It’s only a few miles from the gas station. At this time of year, most of the houses would be empty. No one would notice if someone were squatting.”

  The others nodded. The area was touristy in summer and offered an array of accommodations.

  “He wouldn’t have gotten a hotel room,” said Clarissa. “Too risky. But it would be a hassle to comb all the empty houses.”

  “But we can’t rule out the possibility that he pitched a tent somewhere,” said Isabelle. “The cashier said Bach took off on a bicycle. The guy must be running on empty. Robbing a gas station in broad daylight, then fleeing on a bike sounds like desperation.”

  “We’d need hundreds of people to scour the area,” Marcel said. “Unless we can rule out the open countryside and the forest area quickly. Since the trees are bare, you could get a good overview from the air. On the ground, we could focus on the buildings.”

  He looked at Federsen, who was furiously scanning the map. “If we start now, we run into darkness. Bach would have an easier time escaping because we’d be unable to conduct the search without being noticed. Alternatively, we can hope he feels safe in his hiding place, especially now that he’s got supplies. We prepare for the search now and start at first light. What do you say, Henning?”

  “Damn it,” said Federsen. “I hope you all realize what a clusterfuck this manhunt will be if the guy changes hiding spots. Someone’s going to have to take the fall.”

  “Since he’s riding a bicycle, I doubt it,” Clarissa said. “He wouldn’t spend hours riding through the countryside after robbing a gas station. He’s not completely stupid.”

  “But he’s got money now,” Federsen said. “All he had to do was head to the train station, and he could be anywhere. The robbery was over three hours ago.”

  Hannes turned to the map. “The nearest train station’s actually not too far. From there, the trains either head back to the city or farther east.” He quickly pulled up the train schedule on his smartphone. “There’s a regional express every hour.”

  “If he bolted, he’s already gone,” Clarissa guessed. “If not, he’s likely to spend the night in his hiding place. So we’re not risking much by waiting until the morning.”

  “He could have hopped on a bus too,” said Federsen.

  Marcel shook his head. “Bus drivers are more likely to remember a face than a train conductor. You need to make a decision now, Henning. We’ve never been this close to catching him. Maybe Frank Meister’s with him. We should at least try.”

  Federsen grimaced. He fumbled through his pockets and lit a cigarette. No one dared remind him of the smoking ban. Short of breath, he shuffled to the window, opened it, and tossed out the butt.

  “Steffen should decide. He’s the chief,” he said as he left the conference room.

  Steffen Lauer’s decision took ten seconds. He was desperate to move the investigation forward. It’d been made easier for him by the fact that the getaway bike had been discovered in a bush by the side of the road. Apparently Bach had been heading toward the Baltic Sea and had ditched the bike halfway to his destination. Steffen Lauer preferred risking an expensive bust over being accused later of hesitation.

  The conference room now looked like a command center. Hannes had never experienced such an operation before. Lauer had drummed up several specialists who prepared for the manhunt with military precision. Two helicopters would scout the area, while four hundred officers would be deployed on the ground. A twelve-mile perimeter was drawn around the site where the bicycle was found.

  The Baltic Sea formed a natural boundary to the north and west. Search teams would comb the terrain f
rom east to west and south to north in a semicircle and draw the noose tighter. Boats would patrol the coastline. Hannes was impressed with the detailed planning: not a single aspect had been overlooked. A strategy for dealing with the press was also devised. Hannes felt a bit useless in the preparations and got the sense that he was in the way. Marcel apparently shared the sentiment and took him aside.

  “There’s not much we can do at the moment. We won’t play much of an active role tomorrow either. We’ll search the site in pairs. If we notice anything, the SWAT team will be on standby.”

  “What should we do in the meantime?”

  “Everything’s being taken care of. You’ve suggested that Clarissa should pay another visit to the Argentinian. It wouldn’t hurt. Why don’t you see if you can make him talk?”

  Getting Carlos di Santo to talk wasn’t particularly difficult, at least not for Clarissa. Hannes watched her pace around the living room. Di Santo squirmed on the leather sofa. The curtains were still drawn.

  “Let’s go over this again,” Clarissa said. Her copper-colored earrings jingled. She never wore the same jewelry two days in a row. “Your relationship with Benjamin Lück was purely friendly, correct? Several people told us there was more between you.”

  “They’re all lying.”

  “Plenty of witnesses have confirmed you were a couple.”

  “Impossible. We took special care not to . . .” Di Santo fell silent.

  “You were never seen together,” Hannes said. “But do you really think Mr. Lück didn’t tell anyone?”

  Di Santo gave up. His shoulders slumped. He looked forlorn.

  “He promised he would never tell anyone . . . it was supposed to be a secret,” he muttered.

  Clarissa sat down. Her voice was a touch softer. “Why would it have been so bad if it got out?”

  “I was ashamed. It’s not natural. Two men together . . .” He shook his head.

  “Where did you get that idea? Wasn’t New Way open to everyone? Mr. Lück didn’t experience any problems.”

  “If only you knew.”

  “What?”

  “Some thought it was okay, but I heard others make fun of him behind his back. No one knew about me.”

  “But at least no one attacked him.”

  “Attacked? No, that’s what the others did.”

  “Which others?”

  “Guys from the Church of the Creator attacked him, cut off his ponytail, punched him. I was there. But they didn’t know about me.”

  “Did you recognize who attacked him?” Hannes asked.

  “Absolutely. Those two friends kept making trouble. Had fun doing it too.”

  “Who are they?”

  “I don’t know their names. One is thin, pale, wears round glasses. Has his hair combed to the side. He’s always talking with their pastor. The other guy’s younger. Tall, muscular, with ears that stick out even worse than yours.”

  He pointed at Hannes, who felt the blood rush to his ears. Clarissa snickered. The description matched David Bach and Frank Meister.

  “Did you know Alexander Kramer?” Clarissa asked. “He joined New Way after you left and was nailed to a cross a few weeks ago.”

  “I read about that. He was the first sinner.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He made pornos. I met with Benny a few times. He thought he was cool.”

  “How was he the first sinner? Were there others?”

  “There are many sinners. Everyone’s a sinner, some more so than others. Sylvia killed a child, for example, and now she’s dead. But the real sinners are the others.”

  Clarissa and Hannes tried to get more information from him, but the questions seemed to tire him. After ten minutes, they gave up. Di Santo’s description of the attack on Lück had given them an important link in the chain of evidence against Bach and Meister.

  Anna and Hannes cuddled on the sofa. He was amazed at how much he had been able to unwind that evening at Anna’s apartment. She had a very positive effect on him.

  Hannes leaned forward and took a sip of wine.

  “Hey, take off your sweater and T-shirt.”

  Hannes didn’t need to be told twice, and he excitedly began to undo his belt too.

  “Hold on,” Anna said and laughed. “You can take your pants off later. I just want to show you what I learned in my massage class yesterday.”

  While on her big trip, Anna had enjoyed many cheap Thai massages and was now taking a course. Hannes lay facedown on the floor and looked up at Anna over his shoulder.

  “Why couldn’t we have met ten years ago? It would have saved me a lot of time. You’re a catch.”

  Flattered, Anna began working on his back muscles, and Hannes soon realized that a Thai massage had a painful side.

  “Are you sure that’s right?” he groaned as she pulled his arms back and stretched his spine.

  “You’ll feel like a new person afterward,” she said. “Besides, you’re extremely flexible. You won’t believe what you’ll be able to do later.”

  With that in mind, Hannes endured the pain, and Anna further distracted him with a recap of her day. She had applied to several jobs in the area, but one company in particular had caught her attention. LightFire specialized in selling stylish ecofashion produced according to strict ethical standards, and they were looking for a sales manager to start on February 1.

  “I’m not a fashionista, but I think their business model’s pretty cool. And I’d be working toward something. The company’s only been around for a year. Ines knows a project manager there from school. She’s going to pass my résumé on to her friend. Maybe I’ll have a better chance of getting a job that actually sounds interesting.”

  “Didn’t Ines say there was an opening at the Red Cross?”

  “It’s just a temp job for a year. They need someone to cover for a woman going on maternity leave. By the way, she asked if we wanted to go to the Christmas market on Saturday.”

  “Is it that time again?”

  “Sunday’s the first day of Advent. We could go to the Christmas market at city hall. It’s always the prettiest.”

  “And the most crowded,” said Hannes. He suddenly realized they would soon have to discuss how they wanted to spend Christmas. “I have my boating test on Saturday.”

  “All day?”

  “Yes, the written test is in the morning, and the portion on the water takes place in the afternoon. That reminds me, I need to study.”

  “You can do that tomorrow night,” Anna said and moved her hands slowly to his waistband. “So what do you say? Should I tell Ines we’re coming?”

  She slid her hands seductively under his waistband. There was no winning against this tactic. Just then, his cell phone rang, and Anna stopped.

  “Ignore it,” Hannes said.

  He rolled onto his back and pulled Anna down toward him. As their lips touched, the phone stopped, and she undid his belt. He gently caressed her stomach as he lifted her T-shirt. She reached to unbutton his jeans, but the phone rang again. Hannes slid a hand under her bra. Anna laughed, but before the mood was totally killed, the ringing stopped.

  “I have something waiting in the bedroom,” she whispered.

  “Can’t wait.” Hannes grinned and ran his fingers down toward her pants.

  The phone rang again.

  “Damn it.” Hannes sat up.

  “Go answer it. It must be important. I’ll be waiting in the other room.”

  Hannes watched as she walked into the bedroom. When the door had closed, he looked at his phone. He didn’t recognize the number.

  “Yes?”

  “Um . . . hello?” The voice sounded vaguely familiar. “Is that you, Detective Niehaus?”

  Hannes groaned to himself. Carlos di Santo. It was nine o’clock. What could he want?

  “Yes, speaking. Mr. di Santo? What can I do for you?”

  “You said to call if I could think of anything else.”

  “So what is it?”<
br />
  “I’m not sure yet.”

  “Then why are you calling?” he asked in a barely restrained voice.

  “I don’t know, but I have an idea. Can we meet?”

  “Now?”

  “No, not now. I need to double-check first. But I’m probably right.”

  “Then tell me. What is it?”

  “I’m meeting someone soon. I might know more then. The victims . . . it all makes sense. Can you come tomorrow at nine o’clock?”

  Hannes thought about the forthcoming manhunt. “I’m sorry, but I’m busy tomorrow morning. Just tell me what you—”

  “Then in the afternoon?”

  “I don’t know when I’ll be free. It may take some time.”

  Apparently di Santo couldn’t be persuaded to speak freely yet. However, the search for David Bach was expected to be over by nightfall. Either he would be found by then, or he wasn’t in the area.

  “I could come see you around seven.” Hannes gave himself some extra time just in case.

  “That works. I’ll wait for you at home?”

  “Yes, I’ll come to your place. But Mr. di Santo, could you just tell me—”

  Di Santo had already hung up. Hannes stared at the phone, wondering whether he should inform Marcel or Federsen about the strange call. He decided to call his boss, who wasn’t pleased.

  “The guy’s been spouting nonsense the whole time. Go and see him tomorrow after the manhunt, but I’m sure it will be a waste of time.”

  Hannes shared this fear, even though he had a bad feeling about di Santo being left to his own devices until the next evening. But he couldn’t do anything more than express his reservations to Federsen. He switched his phone to silent and placed it on the small coffee table. He took another sip of wine and cursed Carlos di Santo. Why didn’t he tell him that afternoon what was burning him up?

  Hannes was still curious what Anna had planned, so he crept to the bedroom door and opened it. One look, and he immediately forgot about Carlos di Santo and the investigation.

  CHAPTER 22

  The waves lapped against the hull of the small ferry which shuttled back and forth between the mainland and the peninsula. The crossing only took a few minutes, but the captain was still waiting for a container ship to pass through the fairway. Per joined Hannes by the railing, and they stared out onto the open sea. Since the sun had yet to rise, they did more imagining than viewing. A few gulls circled above them. It was drizzling, and Per pulled up the hood of his jacket. That early in the morning, there were few cars on the ferry and even fewer foot passengers.