Vanished Without A Trace

by Nava Dijkstra

  A short phone call to Benjamin informed him Gideon was in New York and Benjamin even gave him the call filtering code of Gideon without any problem.

  Amos sat in his office trying to figure out what Gideon was possibly hiding. If the things he heard from Gideon’s wife about Kowalski were right, then why wouldn’t Gideon or even Daniel force Kowalski to do a test? On the other hand, now that the child was already grown up, they could not force Kowalski or his son Naor to do the test. Amos smiled to himself. He knew as a journalist, he was in a better position to pressure Kowalski especially when there was suspicion of murder. Amos was not worried about Kowalski. Actually, he did not think for a moment there was a chance Kowalski murdered Daniel’s mother, but he realized this was an interesting story and he was almost sure Kowalski could explain it. In any case, Gideon would not lose anything from the investigation, to the contrary, Gideon would be grateful.

  He called Kowalski’s house. The answering machine came on, and Amos left a message. After an hour, Kowalski called him. "Mr. Amos, how are you?" Kowalski’s voice was pleasant. "What’s going on? Why are you looking for me?"

  "I want to verify something from you before I publish it in the newspaper." Amos replied.

  "What is it?" Kowalski asked.

  "Not on the phone."

  "Honestly, I am pretty busy," Kowalski said, trying to find out what this was all about.

  "When will you be free?" Amos asked.

  "Not in the next coming days."

  "Okay, I guess I will just publish what I was told without getting your opinion but I think you won’t like this."

  "Why do you sound like you’re in a hurry? If this is something that can’t wait then I will make an effort to meet you today. But it will only be possible during the late hours of the day," Kowalski said.

  "I don’t have a problem, whenever you want to."

  "At my place, at eleven o’clock in the evening."

  "Is it not too late?" Amos asked.

  "I’m sorry. I told you that I’m busy."

  Amos arrived at Kowalski’s house at eleven. Kowalski opened the door. No one was home. "Is there no one in the house?" Amos asked.

  "No, my wife has been with our son in the United States for a couple of months. What do you want to talk about?"

  Amos sipped from the glass of coke. "Look, Moshe, I am really doubtful if these allegations are true, but I will not let a story like this slip away from me . So I’m here to give you an opportunity to comment and give you a chance to shed light on the situation."

  "What story?" Kowalski was curious.

  "In fact, I don’t have the whole picture. My friend, Gideon, from the Gideon Granot Intelligence Agency is refusing to give me information, but I was informed about the subject of his investigation. There is a man who hired him for an investigation. The man apparently claimed you are his grandfather and you murdered his mother because you did not want anyone to find out your son had an illegitimate child. Well, I don’t believe in the story, but I want to hear your side."

  Kowalski was in shock. He couldn’t believe this was the purpose of Amos’ visit and this story continued to chase him. It didn’t even cross his mind, but he recovered quickly and laughed. "You are all crazy. Do you really believe I would murder someone just because she is the mother of an illegitimate child?" Kowalski continued to laugh.

  "Then why did you kill her, if that’s not the reason?" Amos ignored the irony in Kowalski’s words and focused on the murder.

  "I didn’t kill any woman!"

  "There is a body, Mr. Kowalski." Amos gave him the newspaper print and Kowalski read the article. He knew the body was Julia, but still nobody could prove a thing that would link him to the story. "So?" Kowalski said.

  "Okay, look Mr. Kowalski, Gideon is in the United States. I believed he went to see your son and talk with him about Daniel, his son- your grandson. You need to cooperate and I will even promise to be your supporter. I’m ready for you to sell me your version and I will write it just as you say it. I promise."

  Kowalski’s face ran out of color. He was definitely worried about the fact a known investigator bothered to go all the way to the United States and dig up his past. The fact that Gideon was there specifically for the investigation, was already scary. Things were out of control. He wondered how two people, whose existence he wasn’t even aware of a few days ago, were threatening his life, dragging him into a corner and forcing him to get rid of them in any way he could. He wouldn’t let anyone ruin his life.

  "Well, I’m ready to tell you my story," Kowalski said, "but I also want Mr. Gideon here. I will share my story with both of you, but promise me everything you hear in this room will stay here. I want you to call Gideon and ask him to come to me as soon as possible and I will give you my statement. Honestly, it is far simpler than what you are thinking, however, for a man of my status, this can definitely be embarrassing. Call your friend while I go make something to drink and arrange a day both of you can come to me." Kowalski said.

  Amos was happy. He succeeded where Gideon had failed – to acquire a promise from Kowalski for an exclusive story. He called Gideon and got hold of him while he was with Benjamin, on their way to the elevator. "Gideon, this is Amos."

  "I know." Gideon said angrily.

  "Don’t get mad at me, especially after what I did for you. I took your investigation a few steps forward. I made an arrangement for a meeting with Kowalski. He is ready to tell us everything." There was silence from the other end of the line. Gideon was shocked. He was boiling with anger. He apologized to Benjamin he couldn’t eat with him today and went back to his room to meet Alon. He was glad Benjamin did not pressure him.

  "Listen, Alon, the two-headed snake called me. He planned a meeting with Kowalski."

  "What?" Alon burst.

  "I’m telling you, this is a man when you shake his hands, you need to count how many of your fingers are left. He informed me on the phone that Kowalski wants to meet me regarding to the case. He wants to tell everything."

  "But we don’t need him." Alon said.

  "Exactly, but this will distract the attention of Amos the snake and his cobra friend, Kowalski, until Mr. Fisher would be kind enough to get back to us."

  "You can’t leave everything now. There are more important things here."

  "Look, this way, we can distance Amos from the investigation on why we are here. Honestly, I am worried if Kowalski finds everything out, he can sabotage the whole investigation. It’s enough for him to call Fischer and invite him for a long vacation, or tell him something about us, something that could make Fisher believe in him, I don’t know. In any case, there is a need to give Kowalski a feeling we don’t suspect anything except the fact that Daniel is his grandson. The moment Amos turned to him, Kowalski won’t let us work, that’s why I need to go and calm down the things by giving Kowalski a feeling all we suspect is Daniel is the son of Naor. It’s not also good for Kowalski, but the truth is worse for him.

  "I still think it is better for you to stay here. In a few days, everything will be over." Alon insisted.

  "Your presence here is enough, I trust you. Besides, perhaps Kowalski will reveal the story of the kidnapping. Until now we don’t have anything for sure which will link him to the kidnapping. Even if we find out Fisher is Daniel’s Father, we still can’t prove the connection between Kowalski and the case. Anyway, based on what we have right now, it seems Fisher is not ready to do any test. This way, we can at least hope to extract some confirmation from Kowalski about the family relations that can possibly lead us to Fischer."

  "Yes, there is something to what you said, but it’s not worth risking our lives for this." Alon threw a look of concern to Gideon. "It can be dangerous."

  "I don’t think Kowalski would do anything to me."

  "Gideon, he kidnapped a child, he murdered Julia. You are the first to admit he is dangerous. We know this too well. Don’t rationalize this. Don’t be stupid."

  "Yet, I don’t
think he is going to murder every person who stands in his way. Everything will be alright, Alon. I’ve been in this business for years. If we hadn’t been a few steps forward, we would perhaps welcome this move from Amos."

  "I don't agree with you. From the moment Kowalski finds out you have a case, he will have nothing to lose anymore. He will kill you. You know that it’s your life or his life. I think we have to involve the police."

  "Don’t worry, I know a senior officer from central headquarters. I will not go there without backup. I will draw a confession from Kowalski, but I need to tell the police everything I know, I don’t have a choice. That’s the only way I can get backup from the undercover unit so they will take care of wires and everything."

  "I hope nothing goes wrong. Your life is more important to me than any stormy investigation case. Make sure your friends from the police force will take care of you."

  After an hour, Gideon called Amos.

  "Where are you?"

  "I’m still at Kowalski’s. You know, drinking and talking about politics."

  "Okay, I got a hold of a flight only in two days. Therefore I think it’s better to arrange a meeting in the following evening, any place Kowalski wants to meet."

  "But that’s in four days’ time." Amos was disappointed.

  "What can I do, I don’t have a private plane."

  "Wait a minute," Amos said and turned to Kowalski who was in the kitchen, "Gideon said he can meet us in four days."

  "No problem. He can come to me on the yacht at eleven o’clock in the evening," Kowalski said.

  "He said that you can go to his yacht in Hertzelia on Thursday at eleven o’clock in the evening."

  "Is it not too late?’ Gideon asked.

  "He is pretty busy," Amos replied without asking Kowalski.

  "Okay," Gideon said, "See you soon."

  Amos closed the phone. "Okay, I told him to come to your yacht in Hertzelia on Thursday."

  Kowalski didn’t reply, and served more drinks to Amos. Amos sipped away and after an hour he was already sedated inside Kowalski’s car. Kowalski entered the cemetery, grateful his house was nearby. He found some graves that were dug up that day, and the soil was still soft. Kowalski dug deep, removing the soil up to where the body was buried, and buried Amos in the same grave. "I hope you will feel better with company than all alone."

  He covered the plot with soil.

  50

  Karina was busy packing her suitcase. She was sad that she was more concerned about this whole story, than Mr. Fisher and Daniel who refused to extend his stay in the United States. That evening, she was supposed to go back to Israel, and Daniel would go back to Romania, and she probably wouldn’t see him in the near future. It was always hard for her to say goodbye to him. Suddenly, without realizing how it fell on her, she found herself sitting in bed and shedding tears. She wanted Daniel so much. She loved him. This week, he told her how he tried to convince Neta to break up with her husband, and she was sorry that he did not convince her of the same thing. She wouldn’t think twice. But Daniel didn’t ask her. Actually, he never showed any hint or spark of love. When he told her about his love of Neta, she realized she was so far from being his love. She heard knocking at the door and found Daniel beside her. "The door was opened. Are you crying?"

  "It’s okay," she said.

  He held her face with his two hands and wiped her tears with his thumbs. "Something I could help with?"

  She shook her head. He looked at her with empathy, and she could swear he really cared about her.

  "I can pack for you if it is too depressing for you," He joked, and she smiled back.

  He lay on her bed staring at her while she closed the suit case.

  After she finished packing, they went down to the lobby to say goodbye to Alon and Gideon before leaving the United States. They found Gideon talking with his wife on the phone with a very serious face.

  "Has something happened?" Karina asked.

  "Gideon’s wife," Alon replied. "Amos did not come home last night. His wife tried to get him on his mobile, but there was no answer. We are afraid something happened to him. He went to meet Kowalski last night."

  "You don’t think ...?" Karina was amazed.

  "Yes. This is exactly what we think," Alon said, "Gideon is supposed to meet Kowalski on Thursday. I advised him to wear a wire."

  "I think that we're exaggerating. He wouldn’t kill Amos just like that. People knew he had a meeting with Kowalski," Karina said.

  "Okay, then what would be the alternative? Kowalski’s situation is already dire, and he is desperate. That’s why he is carrying out these kinds of actions." Alon kept quiet when he saw Gideon finish his conversation with his wife.

  "Listen, it’s even hard for me to believe Kowalski has something to do with Amos’ disappearance, especially since he knew I know he was the last one who saw him." Gideon said.

  "It’s actually because of the fact everybody knew about the meeting will clear him from any suspicion." Alon said. "Anyhow, if Daniel is the son of Fisher and Kowalski kidnapped him, Kowalski has nothing to lose. He apparently believed you didn’t get the whole picture and at this moment you are only suspecting him for killing Julia because of the illegitimate child, but he knew if we continue to investigate, we would find out the truth and he would be charged with the murder of Julia and then the whole story about Daniel will rise to the surface, and what do you think Fisher will think about it? Killing Amos is much more convenient for him. However, who would believe he killed Julia or Amos? And all this just because of an illegitimate child? Anyway, I’m sure he also has plans to get rid of you."

  "Yes," Gideon said, but now I have two reasons to go and see him. First, if he killed Amos, we will not be able to get any information about the case, unless I go and meet Kowalski personally and tell him everything I know. Only then, will we be able to extract the evidence on what he did. Second, I want to hear a confession from him about the kidnapping.”

  The disappearance of Amos and Gideon's expected departure created a gloomy atmosphere. Everyone was thinking about failure, each in his own way. Fisher refused to take the matter seriously, and Daniel's departure signified the end of the case. Without Daniel, the case was lost. The ringing of Karina's mobile broke the silence.

  "Yes?" Karina answered.

  "This is Mr. Fisher’s lawyer speaking. This is in connection with the conversation you had with Mr. Fisher yesterday. If you are interested, I can give you an address where you can go and do the test tomorrow." Karina was flooded with joy. "The two of them will do the required test separately. If it is proven there is a match, the two will meet. If there is no match, each one will go their separate ways and no one will hear about it any further. If the story gets leaked, you will regret at all you dared to meet Mr. Fisher."

  "What leak are you talking about? if it will be proven there is a match, we intend to be the first to give details to the media. My friends worked hard for this, they don’t want anyone to take that away from them." Karina said.

  Alon nodded. He was pretty satisfied Karina was protecting their interests.

  "I’m talking about a leak in case the story is proven wrong. I don’t want the media to know about this. I know how much pain it would cause my client and I certainly do not want to make a joke out of him."

  She hung up the phone. Tears of joy washed over her face, relief from stress of the last couple of days. "I’m very sorry my friends, these are tears of joy. I’m excited, I just can’t believe we received the call we’ve been waiting for just at the moment when we all felt defeated."

  Everyone was clear what the conversation was all about. There was no need to ask Karina, but with the happiness and joy, they did not notice the tension in Daniel’s expression. So far his prayers had been answered. He hoped Mr. Fisher would send them away and he wouldn’t need to do the test anymore. When he joined the trip in the first place, it was to spend a few days with Karina, but now there was no escape.

 
He refused to join Karina, Gideon and Alon at the coffee house to celebrate and to raise a glass to the event. He preferred to stay in the hotel room. His thoughts did not stop bothering him. He understood Gideon and Alon had something to cling to which made them believe Fisher was his father, but he thought of the embarrassment if it turned out Fisher was not his father, and most of all, what would happen if it turned out Fisher was his father? How would his life be from now on? He needed to say goodbye to his old identity and wear another identity, to be part of the family. This seemed too far from reality for him.

  He opened the internet and searched for Tom’s site, Fisher’s abducted son. On the welcome page there was a picture of the whole family, everyone was smiling, and next to it was a picture without Tom that taken half a year after the kidnapping. The parents were sitting with small children and they were not smiling. Next to the picture was the story of Fisher's acquaintance with his wife Mary. They met in university, and two years after, their first daughter was born. Tom was born after her and later another daughter was born.

  Daniel clicked on the additional links on the site. One of them was intended for giving donations for unfortunate families and children. There were courses named after Tom Fisher for sports, music, education and more. Another page was designed to deliver information, in case someone heard something about Tom. Daniel went through the windows. One of them was a photograph from the kindergarten where Tom attended. There were also pictures drawn by his friends from kindergarten. Daniel clicked on the photo album, and looked at the photos of Tom from his birth to the time of the kidnapping, images from the moment he came into this world, the period of infancy, with his parents and sisters and many more. There was a picture of Tom at thirteen. It was an image created by an expert through a computer. Daniel looked at the picture and found similarities of himself at this age. Daniel moved to another page and there were some details about Tom, the date of his birth, in what hospital he was born, how he celebrated his birthdays, things that he loved. There was a request and means of identification in case someone encounters him, He speaks English and some French.