Blue Blue Eyes: Crime Novel

by Helena Anderson

  ”How often do you come here to Cyprus?”

  ”Karl and I are here... or were here as often as possible. Karl was still working a bit and on occasions had to be at the head-office. But at least once a month we came here and always between April and July. ” Barbro looked out over the sea and seemed to be lost in thoughts.

  ”And how often do you come here, Therese? And your siblings?”

  Therese thought about the question and answered in an uninterested way. ”A couple of times a year. Usually during summer.” She pulled up her legs in the big rattan armchair and looked out over the shimmering sea.

  ”What do you do when you’re here on the island?” Nikki carefully looked at Barbro and Therese.

  ”Well, what do we actually do?” Barbro looked down at her well manicured nails and thought for a while before answering. ”I love to potter around in the garden and I can tell you that it needs plenty of time to keep it maintained. Mondays we usually play golf…” Barbro quickly looked down on her lap. Her chin was trembling and her mouth was moving. She picked up her serviette, held it in front of her mouth and started crying violently.

  Therese went to her mother and put a comforting arm around her shaking, thin shoulders.

  ”I’m sorry but I miss Karl so much and can’t really fathom that he’s not here with me anymore. You know it’s so empty without him.” Barbro sobbed and blew her little pointed nose.

  ”Do you really have to disturb us anymore?” Therese looked across at Nikki and looked annoyed. ”You can see how upset my mother is with all your questions.”

  ”I’m sorry and I truly understand that this isn’t an easy situation for either of you”, Nikki answered sincerely. ”But we need to know all the details around your father’s disappearance and that’s why we need to be a bit hard and ask difficult questions while it’s all fresh in your minds.” Therese didn’t answer but it was obvious from her body language what she felt about it all.

  ”By the way, did you know Sten Arvidsson who lived here on the street?”

  ”Of course we do. We associate quite a bit when we’re here. He’s a sweet widower and also loves flowers and gardening. Sten usually joins us for our Monday golf and there are not many who can beat him. What a swing he has.” She lifted the thin coffee cup to her mouth and seemed to be thinking of something. ”But strangely enough I haven’t seen him for a week or so, maybe he’s gone to Gothenburg for a while.”

  Nikki fidgeted and felt really bad when she had to inform them both that Sten Arvidsson was dead.

  ”But dear child, what are you saying? Dead?” Barbro’s hands started shaking again and her face went all pale. Big tears found their way down her sunken cheeks and her eyes were filled with great sorrow. Nikki gave Barbro her serviette before continuing.

  ”Tragically he died in a similar way to your Karl’s. That’s why it’s so important for us to know as much as possible about what you were doing here in Cyprus and who you were associating with.”

  Barbro’s shoulders were shaking. Therese continued holding a protective arm around her mother and whispered comforting words in her ear.

  ”I don’t know what to say...You’d better ask your questions and I’ll try to answer them as well as possible.”

  ”Had you been fighting or had any disagreements before Karl disappeared?”

  ”Damn it, can you stop asking your stupid questions now, or what?” Therese interrupted and gave Nikki a hard look. ”Can’t you see how my mother is suffering. Show some respect, please.”

  ”You know what Therese, my job is to find your Daddy’s murderer. To be able to do that I need to ask some unpleasant questions. The quicker you let me work, the quicker we’ll be finished.” Nikki tried sounding professional and in a way she understood the daughter wanting to protect her mother.

  ”But make sure you’re bloody quick”, Therese answered back.

  ”Therese sweetheart, the police are only doing their job. Let them continue.” Barbro stroked her daughter’s cheek with her hand and smiled weakly. Therese knelt down, getting closer to her mother on the sofa without removing her defiant glance from Nikki. Daphne gave Nikki a questioning look and wondered what was going on but Nikki calmed her by doing a thumbs up on the side. The atmosphere was tense and Nikki once again resumed her serious look and pulled herself together. She turned a leaf in her notebook, put the pen in her mouth and knew that this was a difficult situation for the family. Barbro seemed to have shrunk on the sofa but still looked elegant. She was in a class of her own. Nikki broke the silence with yet another question. She wanted to move on so that they could visit Sten’s house before returning to the station.

  ”Were there any threats against Karl or anybody else in your family?” Both Barbro and Therese shook their heads.

  ”Are you really sure?”

  ”Yes, at least nothing that we’ve noticed and Karl had not been behaving strangely or anything lately.”

  ”When did you realize that Karl had disappeared?”

  Barbro thought and answered honestly: ”Karl went to a meeting straight after breakfast last Friday. It was around half past eight when he left. I know that since I was listening to the weather forecast on the radio as he was closing the door.”

  ”Do you know who he was meeting?”

  ”Sorry, I don’t have a clue. Do you think that…?” Barbro never finished the sentence but looked around with fear.

  ”I don’t think anything. What did you do Friday morning?”

  ”After Karl had left I took my car and drove to Pafos to have my nails done. It was just before ten o’clock. Then Karl and I were supposed to meet up at the Zeus restaurant in the harbour to have lunch together. But as I mentioned he never showed up.” Barbro turned around and looked out over the beautiful garden with her trembling mouth closely shut.

  ”That’s your white Mercedes SLK standing outside the garage?” Barbro silently nodded in reply.

  ”Do you have any more cars in your family?”

  ”Sure, Karl had one too. I usually drive the white one. I pointed out to the Chief of Police that Karl’s car had disappeared so I hope it’s been found.

  Nikki looked carefully at Daphne and made a mental note to ask her to check it out with Carlos.

  ”What kind of car did he drive?”

  ”He was driving a black BMW 740. But I’ve already told you that. The Chief even got the number plate.”

  Nikki sighed within herself and wrote down the information in her notebook. ”Do you know if Karl was involved in any business here in Cyprus?”

  ”Karl was an amazingly gifted businessman. Some were trying to persuade him to participate in different projects but he almost always declined. Of course my husband got curious sometimes and went to a meeting or two but usually the result was him rejecting the ideas. You see…Cyprus was Karl’s oasis. He just wanted to be left in peace here.”

  ”Who do you associate with when you’re here?”

  ”We usually come here to get some peace and quiet. Karl works incredibly long hours at home. But now he is passing most of it on to our eldest son, well at least he was doing that. So the answer to your questions would be not so many. Some from the golf club as well as a few of the neighbours here on our street.”

  ”I see”, Nikki replied. She felt there was a flow now in the questions so she continued. ”Did Karl have any computer or mobile phone or anything else which you think could be of interest to the investigation?”

  Barbro’s hand once again touched the necklace while she was thinking.

  ”I haven’t seen Karl’s mobile and I’ve even tried calling it a few times without having a reply. I suppose it’s missing or in the car. But his computer is here.”

  ”Is it OK if we take it with us to have a look? We’d also like to have Karl’s mobile number.”

  ”Of course. I’ll write down his numbe
r while I get the computer.”

  ”No, Mummy, you stay. I’ll get it and write down Daddy’s mobile number so these cops might finally leave.” Therese quickly got up and knocked over her coffee cup on the glass covered table. Barbro looked at her daughter lovingly and put a few forgiving paper serviettes over the dark brown liquid.

  ”Here, is my number”, Nikki said and gave her a business card.” Call if you have any questions or if you think of something. It can be anything even if you think it’s insignificant but which actually could be useful for us. And of course any time of the day. Can we do anything for you while we’re here?”

  ”Thanks for your offer, but I think I’ll be alright. My daughter is a great help even if she’s a bit rude to you. She is really mourning her father. Karl and Therese were very close. Please excuse me. Barbro unsteadily got up from the sofa and went into the enormous house.

  Nikki’s thoughts were swirling around her head. The feeling that she had missed something came over her again. She tried to catch the fleeting thought which disappeared as fast again. Her vest was sticking to her torso and Nikki didn’t want to know what she looked like. Sweat was one of the worst things but at least she wasn’t smelly yet.

  ”Here you are”, Therese said grumpily and handed over Karl’s Mac-book Air.

  ”As far as I know there shouldn’t be any passwords on it. Here is Daddy’s mobile number. He only had one contract and it was Swedish.”

  ”Thank you”, Nikki said. ”When did you come to Cyprus by the way?”

  ”Last night.”

  ”How long will you stay?”

  ”For as long as it takes. I bought a one-way ticket.”

  ”Good, that’s very considerate”, Nikki replied kindly. ”We’ll let ourselves out and thanks for your time.”

  1978

  Little Brother still had nosebleeds all the time this year. Every time the father had seen any little drop of blood Little Brother had got a real punch. Big brother had hidden their mother’s medicines and tried shaking her back to life but without success. The brothers had also noticed how their mother was full of bruises this winter. Big brother had continued training in secret. Big brother’s desire for revenge had started to take shape, just like his puberty, despite the fact that he was small and skinny.

  This summer Little brother turned eleven years old. He’d had one sickness after another and he had developed severe asthma. The father naturally had refused to let him to go to the hospital in Visby, but Big brother had been there for him with steaming hot water and a cuddle. Little brother’s thin body had become even thinner since their mother had stopped cooking. They’d eaten yogurt and crisp bread which had been on the dining table as the fridge and pantry were completely empty.

  This summer Big brother was subjected to the worst abuse. The Father had forced Little brother to sit during the nights in the damp barn to look at Big brother’s body being in spasm from all the electrical shocks. Any little noise from Little brother led to a slap and finally Little brother had stopped talking completely. When Big brother’s voice of puberty broke the father had taken the knife out of its sheath and pressed it hard on his Adam’s apple.

  ”No bloody women’s voices in my house.”

  Their mother’s rheumatism had improved a bit in the summer heat and the brothers had some little hope about getting their old happy mother back again. But her gaze became more apathetic and empty from all the tablets and all the violence her husband subjected her to. The mother’s desire to live had slowly, but surely, disappeared as the bruises and injuries on her body increased.

  The nights were the worst. Many times the brothers were lying down in the same bed staring out into the darkness waiting. Sleep became a lacking commodity and their black hollow eyes were empty and tired in their sunken faces.

  Sunday June 9th

  He only slept now and then since he had to change position every half hour as the pain was unbearable on the hard floor. The night had been a real hell as the anguish had been pulsating together with the immense pain. Once again Patrik tried to scream, but only a hoarse whisper came out of his dry throat. He had screamed his voice away in vain without being heard. The fear had become intense during the night and Patrik wondered if it really was worth it refusing to sign the bloody documents. One second he would do anything to get out of here and the other he felt stubborn as a mule.

  Why should Petros have his assets? The walls were moving too fast, as well as the plastic looking ceiling. The nausea was moving in Patrik’s stomach. He turned around and threw up on the meshed wooden floor. Over and over again he tried to find a way to dry his mouth but both hands and feet were bound. The strong taste was burning his throat while his temples were hurting. The heat in the little room made him suffer even more. It felt as if the oxygen would disappear any second and his thirst was enormous. The panic would soon get a hold of his beaten body and he tried to ignore his wheezing heavy breathing by thinking of his children instead.

  The narrow slits of eyes managed to catch the light which trickled in through the narrow openings up by the ceiling and he realized that it was morning. Carefully he rolled over in his own vomit and felt how the clothes sucked up the smelly mess. Sticky and disgusted Patrik tried shuffling backward against the wall in an attempt to sit up. The pain shot up like arrows through his body and the plastic cable ties were cutting like knives into his wrists and ankles. Out of breath he leaned his aching head against the wall and felt how the nausea once again got the upper hand. He just about managed to avoid vomiting on himself and the orange cascade fell next to him instead.

  As an experienced sailor Patrik had figured out that he was captive on a boat but he still didn’t know where. The trip between Petros’ office and the boat was as dark as night. He supposed that he had been drugged. At times he wished to put back the time so he wouldn’t go to Petros’ office but on the other hand he wanted his money back. Should I give away my 30 millions to a maniac without putting up a fight? His pocket was flat and suddenly Patrik knew that he had lost both his mobile and iPad. How the hell would he be able to call for help? His shoulders slumped and he realized that he was trapped.

  I wonder what Linn and the kids are doing? Damn it, I must try and save our marriage. Sorry Linn. Sorry for behaving like a bloody pig this past year. Salty tears were pouring down his cheeks and it hurt. Hurt his soul. Hurt his heart. Damn it, I have to get out of here. Patrik tried looking around but the room was as empty as before. The only way out was the door to the cabin.

  ”Damn it”, he wheezed while panic overwhelmed him. He started shaking and Patrik didn’t know how to handle the situation. He was scared. Scared of dying. Would it really be worth signing those bloody documents anyway? But what if they kill me after I’ve signed them? The questions were many and he decided not to sign any papers despite the pain and the fact that he was playing Russian roulette. Then he suddenly heard some keys in the lock and the dark mahogany coloured wooden door was opened.

  ”What a stench, what the hell have you done?”

  Patrik didn’t answer but instead made sure to fill his lungs with the fresh air coming through the door. His heart was beating fast and he thought of something he’d read once. ”The mirrors in your mind can reflect the best in you but also the worst in your enemy.”

  ”It’s completely up to you how long you want to stay in this stench. As soon as you’ve signed the papers for our extra little dividend you’ll be a free man.” Petros’ laughter echoed in the hot little galley before he locked the door behind himself.

  I’ll bloody not sign your papers Patrik thought as he realized something. His medication. He didn’t have any medicine.

  Sunday June 9th

  Daphne switched off the engine outside Sten Arvidsson’s splendid villa. Amazed she listened to Nikki who carefully updated her on what Barbro and Therese had said during the brief visit. When they ope
ned the gate they saw that Sten’s garden was as meticulously looked after as that of the Hofvenskold family. The jasmine’s light flowers spread a pleasant scent which reminded Nikki of a shower gel she used to have.

  Nikki went up and knocked on the big oak door while looking around in her handbag which was hanging comfortably across her shoulder. When nobody answered the door she picked up a bunch of pick-locks in different sizes and looked inquiringly at Daphne.

  ”Wait, first I have to check if Carlos really has got the decision of the DA. But, don’t you think we should call a lock smith instead?” Nikki laughed a little and dangled the pick-locks in the air.

  ”When I have these? Don’t think so. But call Carlos while I try the lock.”

  Daphne went back to the police car, took out two pairs of plastic gloves as well as shoe protection while waiting for Carlos to answer. Five minutes later they were both inside the door in a big entrance with white booties on their feet.

  ”That wasn’t the first time you opened a door with the help of that bunch. Is that what you do in Sweden every time you have a problem?”

  Nikki gave a tricky smile and didn’t quite know how to deal with the sensitive question. ”No, only when it’s an emergency.”

  Both started smiling widely and laughed while putting on the latex gloves, walking straight into the hallway which was decorated with oriental carpets in muted colours. Surprised, they saw how different kinds of cloth were mixed in a sea of silver- and gold coloured lanterns in different sizes.

  ”Come and have a look”, Nikki said fascinated. ”It feels like being in Morocco.”

  ”Wow, look at the colours. Have a look at the wardrobe. You can’t imagine it being so big in here when the doors are closed.”

  ”Yeah, by the way, had Carlos got the search warrant?”

  ”Do you really think I would have let you finish fiddling with the lock otherwise? The district attorney Carlos usually contacts is his uncle. I do have to commend Tristan Papandreou because he’s usually very quick and accommodating to us.”