”Yes,I agree that will be our task.” Daphne bit hard on the pen before continuing. ”Oh yes, I met Maria this morning and got the forensic report. My mother was going to look after her little one since she was a bit under the weather…”
”What the hell! You’ve been holding this information all this time without sharing it with me?” Carlos swore a long tirade, gesturing wildly.
”Calm down, there is no harm done. The report is here, it has not been stolen. Listen to what Daphne has to say instead.” Sam was not so pleased with Carlos continuous attacks on all female colleagues and always tried to keep an eye on them, especially Daphne whom the chief had chosen as his primary scapegoat.
As usual Daphne ignored Carlos and smiled triumphantly as she was taking out the transparent plastic file she’d been keeping.
”Well, let’s see what Maria and Stavros have found.” Daphne leafed through the papers and summarized the report: ”Sten Arvidsson was not murdered at the discovery location. In other words he had been brought there after death. The positive thing is that Forensics have found fingerprints on the victim, his clothes as well as on the black plastic sacks. It’s also a good thing they’ve found shoe prints, several of them as a matter of facts. The negative thing is that most of the fingerprints and shoe prints belong to one of our own.”
”Damn it, who could be so bloody stupid?” Carlos exclaimed and choked on the coffee. He coughed madly and for a while Daphne thought his lungs would collapse.
”According to Maria the fingerprints match your own, Carlos.” Daphne was smiling inside but showed a poker face toward her surprised boss.
Carlos and Sam were looking wide-eyed at Daphne.
”There must be some kind of misunderstanding” Carlos was shifting the blame.
”My fingerprints?”
”I know they are your prints, Carlos. It’s even clearly written here in the report. Are you so stupid you think that Maria and the rest made it all up? Besides I saw you tearing at the plastic bag and dragging the corpse when I was going down to the car to question the witness. I saw you stealing the wallet.”
”Are you accusing me of destroying the investigation? No, now it’s bloody enough.” Carlos slammed the coffee mug on the conference table, the dark liquid pouring over the rim, colouring the documents brown.
”What the hell, calm down”, Sam said annoyed. ”We’ll never find any perp like this. You know as well as us that you once again have crossed the boundaries. Forensics are not wrong, full stop. Daphne, continue.” Daphne gave Sam a grateful look. ”They have found skin under the victim’s nails and have sent it for analysis to the CSCP lab together with several strands of hair and fibres.”
”We’ll have to push CSCP in Nicosia”, Sam said and had a big bite of the cake.
”Forensics have analyzed the blood stains they found as well but unfortunately they don’t match anybody in our DNA-index. So we can’t decide now if the spots of blood belong to the victim or the perp but if I could guess I would say they belong to Sten Arvidsson. On the other hand they have found shoe prints size 43, which could be interesting to keep in mind. They also found a key with the letters LXCVP. I’ve got it here”, Daphne said showing the plastic bag. ”It was in the front pocket of Sten Arvidsson’s shorts.”
”Give it to me”, Carlos said annoyed. He turned and twisted the gold coloured key but couldn’t remember seeing anything similar before. ”Continue.”
”They’ve also managed to get some prints of tyre marks seemingly belonging to a four-wheel-drive.” Daphne put down the plastic file on the desk and tried to get a clear picture of it all while spreading out Forensics’ photographs.
Carlos snatched the report, quickly glanced through it while drumming his fingers against the chipped table top.
”Sam, you’ll check on the tyre tracks and you Daphne have to try to find out where the key comes from. I will call CSCP to check if they can hurry up with the DNA-analysis. Then I’ll contact Gothenburg to update them about the case.”
Thursday June 6th
Patrik felt the sweat dripping along his spine while fumbling with the wrinkled up letter which he probably had read hundreds of times. With shaking fingers he dialled the phone number on his mobile but hesitated for quite some time before pressing the call button. The knot in his stomach grew and the anxiety spread like a prairie fire when the signals got through.
”Vingresor, Anna Fransson.”
As soon as he heard the voice he regretted it, cancelled the call and anxiously bit his lip. Was it really my daughter answering with that sweet soft voice? Damn it, what a coward you are, he was thinking and looked at his hands shaking. How the hell will I deal with this? Patrik left the questions un-answered but knew that time was short. Soon he’d be in Gothenburg again and if he wanted to see Anna in real life he just had to grab the bull by its horns while he was here. The shaking increased and suddenly he realized that he hadn’t taken his medication as he should. With a deep sigh he tried to open his briefcase but his trembling fingers made it all more difficult. He had to take the medicine before the shaking escalated. When the lock finally opened with the well-known click the tension subsided and Patrik could start breathing again. He tried to remember when he’d taken the tablets last time but couldn’t remember the exact time. How the hell could he forget this? He cursed to himself while trying to open the lid of the white container. His fingers were buzzing, they were beginning to grow numb. Fumbling he put the tablets in his mouth, swallowed them with the saliva he had been keeping the last few minutes. For a while Patrik had felt the panic taking hold of his body but now he could start relaxing a bit. He didn’t’ have any energy left to call Anna again. But tomorrow, tomorrow I’ll try again, he thought and let his head rest against the neck support. Patrik was wondering how on earth he would manage to continue keeping the sickness secret. Eleven months ago he had gone to the doctor since he had been feeling strange and shaky for quite some time. The verdict of having Parkinson’s had dropped as a bomb and until the very last he had refused to accept it. Nobody knew about it and that’s how it should remain, he had decided.
Patrik felt an emptiness even though he knew he shouldn’t. He was betraying his wife and knew that he was behaving like a real pig. He himself used to despise unfaithful bastards and suddenly, without knowing how, he himself belonged to this group. Was it to pay her back with her own medicine? Patrik admired Nikki for ending their love story. He was well aware of it not lasting in the long run. Damn it, Nikki and Linn were soul mates and this past year they had really drawn apart. And it was his fault. His thoughts drifted back to the day when Linn in shame had admitted she’d had an affair with a younger guy a few years ago. Patrik generously thought he had forgiven her because in a marriage you stuck together, in good times and in bad. They had turned themselves inside out and realized that they both loved each-other, but they needed more grown-up time together since the years of raising children had taken most of their energies. Now Patrik had yet another secret, the possible daughter. What would happen if that turned out true? While closing his eyes he felt the medicine start working and he put away all his secrets in their hidden place for the moment.
An hour later Patrik parallel parked the convertible Mercedes, top down, in the shade outside the hotel’s grand entrance and went into the lobby. The meeting with the accountant was usually held in Petros Christous’ office or at different hotels in Pafos, but this very day his accountant had another matter to tend to in Ayia Napa. They had made an appointment in the five-star hotel situated by one of Cyprus best beaches, Nissi Beach. While Patrik corrected his shirt collar he looked around in the half full foyer. Petros happily waved when he saw him. Patrik smiled and nodded and went up to the dark rattan group on the terrace under a large white umbrella.
”Long time”, Patrik said stretching out his hand.
Petros greeted him politely. His handshake was f
irm and the hand dry despite the oppressive heat. Patrik dried his forehead, sat down and quickly looked around. Children crying and shouts were heard from the gigantic pool and the queue was long to the ice-cream stand. On the beach people were lying under colourful umbrellas and the sea was full of people bathing.
”Great seeing you again.” Petros smiled while correcting his toupee. ”How was the flight?” he asked and motioned to the waiter.
”We had a quiet flight. Not like last time when there was thunder and turbulence half of the time.” Patrik studied Petros and notice that he looked worn out. The lines were deeper than he remembered and the hair was now all grey. He must have changed toupee or there was something else that had changed about him but Patrik couldn’t quite figure out what.
”We?” Petros asked, curious. ”So you finally managed to bring Linn? How nice for her with some sun and beach, I assume the season hasn’t started yet in Sweden. By the way, how is your pretty wife?” Patrik didn’t know if he should lie or not but chose to let Petros think that Linn was with him on the trip. He had to try and avoid any potential dinner if the topic came up. Sweating he took off the thin summer jacket, hung it on the armchair and corrected his tie before answering:
”Linn is just fine, and so are the kids even if they had to stay at home with grandma and grandpa this time.” He ordered a double espresso and a Coke while Petros was satisfied with a cup of black tea.
”How is Sophie, has she got a boyfriend yet?”
”Ah, you know how teenage girls are, they can never make up their minds. It’s not like when I was young. I met Daniela when I was 17 years old and two weeks later I had proposed. I just knew that she was the love of my life. Unfortunately I didn’t get to keep her since God had other plans but she’s always in my heart.”
Patrik could see the pain in Petros’ face even though more than a year had passed since the horrible car accident. He poured the Coke in the glass and drank it in one go. The heat was tangible and he wasn’t dressed for it. After a short exchange about their respective families and how they were doing, Petros took out different plastic files filled with notes from his dark-brown briefcase, as well as documents.
”There are a number of papers you need to sign since it’s been a while since we met. A lot happens during a year.” Petros put up a perfect pile of papers and a pen. ”The AGMs and final accounts have to be signed for each company and there are two copies each.”
Patrik signed the documents and put them back in a neat pile. They went through a few things about each company and while Petros explained about new laws which had come into force at the start of the year, Patrik’s thoughts went to Anna. He wondered what she was doing and how she looked until he was interrupted by the waiter asking if they wanted something else to drink. Patrik ordered another espresso and a Coke.
”By the way, I’d like to move one of the companies to Malta instead”, Patrik tentatively said and took a mouthful of black coffee. ”One of my business acquaintances gave me a tip when he moved his companies there. I thought of starting with the smallest, then if I’m satisfied I may transfer the remaining nine.”
”Why do you want to do that? I thought you knew your companies are locked here in Cyprus?” Petros’ eyes had gone a shade darker and he was staring straight into Patrik’s surprised face.
”The tax laws are better in Malta and what are you talking about? I’ve never heard you say that my companies are locked in Cyprus, that’s the most stupid thing I’ve ever heard.”
”If you’re using our accounting firm the companies can only be kept in Cyprus.” Petros was touching his grey moustache while continuing to study his client.
With a growing sense of concern Patrik took out his plastic files and got the folder out marked Ixus Ltd. He decisively handed over the papers. ”This company will be transferred to Malta, can you help me or not?”
”No, it can’t be done”, Petros calmly answered.
Patrik thought he hadn’t heard it right. What was wrong with the old man he wondered and emptied the bottle’s dark contents into the new glass. ”I don’t quite understand what you mean. You’ve always said you’d help me with a company in Malta, when finally I ask you it’s turned down. You’ve bloody suggested it yourself several times to benefit from the tax-effect.” Patrik started losing his patience and was raising his voice. He quickly took back the plastic folder from Petros and banged it on the glass table. ”Explain to me why?” Some stubborn drops of sweat were pouring down his cheek but Patrik didn’t notice them, he was too upset.
”The companies you have in Cyprus must stay here on the island. Everything is clearly written in the Articles of Association”, Petros confidently answered with a twisted smile.
”Damn it, the Articles of Association are in Greek and no I haven’t read them and you know that damn well. It was you who so kindly told me that I didn’t need to have them translated. I bloody trusted you…”
”I’m sorry, but I can’t help you. If I were you I’d be very careful not to try moving the companies with the help of another accountant.” Petros gave Patrik an ice-cold look, took some money from his pocket, put it on the table while getting up, and put the signed documents in his brief-case. ”Good-bye, I’ll be in touch.”
”You can’t bloody walk away without explaining it. I have to know the rules, please explain!” Patrik was shouting at the accountant but realized he was yelling at deaf ears. His hands started shaking again. Trembling he repeated the procedure with the bag, washed down another two tablets and hoped the shaking would stop soon.
Thursday June 6th
Theo Aristou read the mail once more. He wiped away the drops of sweat on top of his lip with nervous fingers and felt how his heart was beating faster. His breathing was heavy when he raised the receiver to speed dial his secretary.
”Please bring me a bottle of mineral water. And please make sure not to forget the lemon.” His voice was unsteady and he was furious. Angrily he pushed the office chair and it hit the whitewashed stone-wall with a loud bang.
Elena, Theo’s secretary carefully knocked on the door before entering to put down the tray with the refreshing drink on the newly acquired conference table. When she saw Theo pacing to and fro, deep in thought, she quietly closed the door behind her.
In a cold sweat he eased his tie, went across the room to the book-shelf and removed all the folders from the middle shelf. Behind the neatly stacked files there was a secret compartment where Theo had installed a safe. Not even his wife knew about the hiding place where for the past two years he had kept the threatening letters, the USB-memory and the hard-disk. The bunch of keys rattled when he grabbed the long key to the safe and opened it. He gave the coloured glass jar a nod before taking out a USB-memory marked ”Mafia”. Without hesitating he put it in the computer and scrolled down among the different folders. The word ”Threat” flashed on the screen and with a click he opened the folder. His heart pounded with anguish when he browsed through the documents and the knot in his stomach grew harder. Finally he found what he was looking for. He nervously moistened his lips, read the letter through and emptied the glass in front of him. Then he buried his head in the hands and started crying uncontrollably. Damn it. Last year’s memories came back like a whiplash. Mafia. Threat. Crushed nose. Fear. Dread.
”Damn it!” He threw the pen holder at the wall. Pens as well as rulers and compasses flew all over the neatly arranged room. ”You bastards!” He was about to lose control. His body was shaking and he felt how the anguish was spreading to every little cell. Powerless he shouted, wondering how the family would be able to pay the enormous amount of money the Mafia was demanding. The big knot in his stomach got larger and he worried about how his wife Pauline would react. With hesitation he raised his eyes to the framed painting on the wall and felt something break within him. With determined steps he went straight to the wall and looked at his life’s accompli
shment, the Golden Coast. The painting had been given to him by the most prominent painter in Cyprus in connection with the inauguration. Bang! The deafening sound when the glass was crushed against the stone floor somehow came as a relief. Thousands of glass splinters were spread all over the floor and he felt something warm pouring down his wrist. Blood.
”What’s happening?” Elena came into the room and was terrified to see the destruction. Her face went all white as she saw Theo stamping on the painting and she was just going to open her mouth when he shouted:
”Out!”
Theo Aristou was 46 years old, happily married to Pauline and together they had two children, eight and ten years respectively. He was slim and youthfully built, normally wore a suit and gave the impression he was relaxed and in control. He was one of many developers in Cyprus, running his own company with 30 employees and had been severely affected by the financial crisis in Cyprus. He had barely survived last year and was grateful that the gorillas had left him alone for the past six months. The Russian Mafia, headed by Oleg, was not a joke.
Theo lifted his gaze from the screen, took his hands away from his face and shouted: ”What do you want from me, you bastards?” He was breathing heavily and tried re-gaining control of himself. Three deep breaths later he copied the latest threat mail and nervously took out the iPhone from the inside pocket of his jacket. When he heard Pauline’s soft voice he calmed down a bit.
”Hi, it’s me.” Theo tried sounding normal but he felt how stressed and out of breath he sounded. Quickly he drank what was in the glass and nervously paced around the office with long strides.
”Honey, is there something wrong?” Pauline asked while she looked at the children playing Nintendo Wii.
Blue Blue Eyes: Crime Novel Page 4