To Catch A Butterfly You Need A Net

by Gabriele Phillis

  I was stunned. Who was he? Why did he want me to find Jules? What reason could he have? He called three times so far and every time I was alone. Had he been watching me? For the first time I was scared. Should I contact the police? Would they be able to find out who the caller was or would they send me away like the one in Malanda? I had even less chance here. Would they send me away; say that hundreds of people get these kinds of calls? This was different. If I told them everything from the beginning, would they help me? I was on my own. As much as I thought about it, it was better not to contact them.

  I went through everybody I knew here, but could not think of anybody who would do this. It did not make sense. I could not tell Roman or Monika about it either. They were too busy with their wedding preparations, not understanding anyway so I decided against it.

  I cleaned up the kitchen as quickly as possible to take my mind off the call. My hands shook so much that I nearly dropped a plate. I had to leave, now.

  It was a nice day, blue sky and not a cloud in sight. I rolled up the sleeves of my jumper and walked to the Hercules building. A few times, I looked over my shoulder to see if someone followed me but I could not see anything suspicious. There were many people; anybody could have been the caller. I saw the beginnings of the high rise in the distance. What would I do once I got there? How was I supposed to find him among the thousands of people who lived in the building? I ran the last three hundred meters. If somebody followed me, he had to have to run, too. I hoped I was a lot faster than he was.

  I walked inside a MacDonald’s Restaurant and left through the back door. Another time I hid behind a large dumpster. “Can I help you?” a council worker asked when he saw me hiding behind a container.

  I looked embarrassed. “I am looking for a toilet. Do you know if there is any?”

  He looked at me strange.

  “The public toilets are over there,” he said, pointing to the nearby park.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “This way,” he called when I went into the opposite direction. Focus Allie, I told myself. Everything will be fine. Maybe there is no one who is following you.

  vv

  The door of the elevator opened. The young attendant smiled at The Say and asked him which floor he wanted. He was in his early twenties, thin and bony - easy to discard. Judging by his appearance, he would not give him much resistance. He did not look like he was doing karate or Tai Kwon Do. He was one of those lazy students who tried to earn a little money to support their useless studies in earth environment or psychology, how to save the world, idiots. When would they finally understand that the only way to save the world was The Say’s way?

  The Say knew he had to work fast to get his plan in action before they reached the next floor. Allie was probably on her way by now, no time to waste.

  “Last floor,” The Say said.

  The doors closed quietly behind him. He was the only one in the elevator.

  The Say reached into his pocket. Then everything went very fast. The boy tried to brush him off but was not quick enough. The silenced gunshot of the low velocity bullet thudded into the back of his head. He slumped hard against the wall. Before the elevator reached the next floor, The Say pushed the stop button. He wiped the blood with a cloth and took a plastic bag out of his pocket. A dumpster was nearby; he knew exactly where it was. Quickly he took of his brown–and–white baseball cap and changed his polo neck sweater and grey slacks for the boy’s blue uniform. Then he pulled the bag over the body and pushed the button that said basement. He left the elevator key in the lock. Nobody could use it until he came back but he had to be quick. He dragged the body across the garage to the dumpster where he threw it. There was a little bloodstain on his uniform; he tried to wipe it out. Then he went back to the lift, straightened up his uniform, turned the key, and pushed the button to the lobby as if nothing had happened. He was completely in control. By the time, they found the body he would be gone. He laughed inside.

  When the elevator arrived at the lobby and the door opened, everything looked the same. Nobody would suspect anything. Ah, there she was, the pretty face, heading straight towards the elevator, good timing!

  vv

  I finally reached the Hercules building. Would I get closure today or was it just another vain attempt to find Jules? Whatever happened was better than, nothing at all. I ignored my fast heartbeat while I waited outside. A few people went inside. I mixed with them.

  A different person sat behind the reception. He pushed the button and the door opened. I followed the people to the elevator and cleared my throat.

  “Excuse me; I am looking for a man, short beard, blond, tall, in his thirties. He lives here. I saw him yesterday using the elevator. Do you know what floor he normally gets out?” “Many people fit that description, but let me think,” he said.

  He pushed the button and the door closed. The elevator fitted approximately twenty people, it looked bigger because of the mirrored walls.

  His voice sounded a little familiar.

  A few people left at the second floor. The doors closed again. “There are a couple of people I can think of. One man fits your description. He uses the elevator fairly often.”

  “Are you sure?” I asked.

  They stopped at the next floor and the rest of the people left. “Do you know which floor he normally leaves?” I asked. He shook his head.

  “I can’t remember. Why don’t you start at the top level and work your way down?”

  That would take ages, but it was my only chance. At least he would not ask any questions when I used the elevator. How nice of him. We reached the top level, the door opened. “Good luck,” he said. “Let me know when you find him.” “Thank you.”

  I counted at least ten apartments after I stepped out of the elevator and that was only on one side. I took a deep breath and knocked at the first door. An elderly woman opened. “I don’t want to buy anything,” she said in an unfriendly voice and before I could say anything, she slammed the door in my face. I was shocked, hoping I would not get that kind of reaction from everybody.

  A couple argued and a baby screamed behind the next door. I decided not to knock and walked straight past. At the next one there was nobody and the one after that a handsome man with a towel wrapped loose around his waist. He pulled his towel higher when he saw me. I did not know who was more embarrassed, him, or me.

  “Excuse me I am looking for a man with a blond beard in his thirties, tall, handsome. Would you perhaps know him?” I asked.

  “Sorry, I’ve just moved here. I don’t know anybody in the building.”

  At least he did not slam the door in my face.

  I knocked on doors for two more hours my hopes began to fade. I asked myself if it was such a good idea to come here. Nobody seemed to know anybody. There were many more apartments; the thought of an unsuccessful day here was like a heavy burden. I wanted to cry.

  A cleaner vacuumed the carpets in the hallway. She looked at me curiously while I was standing in front of the next apartments, not sure whether to give up.

  “Are you looking for somebody?” she asked.

  I wondered if she knew anything. I asked her, she thought for a moment.

  “I saw him yesterday. He looked like the man you’re describing.”

  I could not believe my luck.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I am. I remember a man, helping him carry a box. It looked like he was moving out.”

  I could not believe what I heard.

  “They were in a hurry. Normally he always says hello but this time he did not say anything. I was right in front of him.” I just stared at her.

  “I am sorry that I can’t be of more help”

  “Do you know what time it was?”

  “It was in the afternoon, just before I finished my shift.” I was so angry of myself that I did not get back here yesterday. That was all Roman’s fault. He insisted on me to stay home. I would possibly know more
by now. That is not true. That did not necessarily mean I would have run into him.

  Disappointed I pushed the button of the elevator. The door opened and the same attendant as before looked at me. He asked me if I had found him.

  The door closed quietly behind us.

  “The cleaner said he moved out yesterday.”

  The attendant did not say anything.

  As soon as we reached the bottom floor he shouted, “Get out of my way, bitch,” he shouted and pushed me aside. I fell against the mirrored wall. My head hit the ground hard. Then everything went blank.

  Chapter 27

  vv

  “What did you do to your head?” Roman asked me the next morning.

  His head popped up from behind the newspaper. I had tried as best as I could to hide the blue and green bruise on my forehead but no make-up worked. I yawned, trying to make it look as if it was not a big deal.

  “Oh, that!” I touched the bruise with my hand. It hurt. “Let me have a look,” he insisted. “What happened?” “I bumped my head on the wall, no big deal.”

  “That looks more like somebody hit you.”

  “Is anything interesting in the paper?” I changed the subject and thought about yesterday.

  I fainted and when I woke up the man from the reception was kneeling next to me. The pain in my head was unbelievable. I was bleeding on my forehead.

  He wanted to call the police but I refused.

  “A lift operator was killed in the Hercules building,” Roman said.

  My eyes nearly popped out.

  I took the paper out of his hand.

  “Elevator attendant found dead in trash in Hercules Building,” I read.

  “The police are asking for witnesses who may have seen anything to come forward.” Roman said, “You never know what is going to happen next. That is why I always say, enjoy every day. Situations can change from one moment to another. I wonder why he was killed.”

  I read the whole article. The murderer took the identity of the real attendant and dumped the body in the dumpster. Black and white circles appeared in front of my eyes. That was not possible. Why did he kill that boy? That was crazy! I had spoken with him!

  “What’s wrong, Allie? You’ve gone white in the face.” I put the paper aside, staring into nowhere.

  “Allie?”

  “I was there,” I said.

  “You were?”

  “I was in the building and spoke with the elevator attendant.” Roman looked at me.

  “You spoke to him?”

  “I asked him if he knew somebody who fitted the description of the guy with the beard,” I explained.

  “What guy with a beard?”

  “The one I thought it is Jules.”

  Roman eyes widened. “Are you out off your mind? Why on earth did you think he knew him?”

  “I saw him inside the building. The man at the beer house, Roman, I believe it was Jules. I am sure he dyed his hair, and was wearing a fake beard. I followed him to the Hercules building.”

  Roman stared at me.

  “You followed a stranger?”

  “He was not a stranger to me.”

  “Sorry, Allie, but I think I’ve lost you. If it was him why would he dye his hair and wear a fake beard?” Roman asked. “I wish I could answer that.”

  “I don’t know, but something is not right.”

  “That’s for sure. I am trying to work it out.”

  I could see my brother’s brain ticking. He thought I was crazy. “If it was him, and I don’t think that, why would he do something like that? It doesn’t make sense.”

  He was right - it did not make sense - but how could I explain the rest?

  “I have no idea, either,” I said. “My instinct said to follow him.”

  “That’s ridiculous. Have you forgotten that he broke up with you? He is probably in Australia enjoying himself with another woman... It’s not him.” For a second I believed him. “I can’t believe you followed a stranger. Do you know how dangerous that is? Did he notice you?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “You don’t think so?”

  All of a sudden, I felt a slight cramp in my stomach. I placed my hand on it.

  “Have you forgotten how dangerous life is here? You are not in the Australian rainforest now where you can walk for hours without seeing anybody. This is Germany and we have a lot of crime.” He pointed to the paper. “This is the best proof of it. A murder just happened in front of you.”

  I was not listening.

  “Do you think I should go to the police?” I whispered. “You stay out of it, you hear me. You haven’t seen anything.” He ran his fingers through his hair.

  “He seemed to be so nice, until he pushed me out of the way and I fell against the wall.”

  “You fell over? So the bruises came from that?”

  “Roman, I have to go to the police.”

  “No way, for heaven’s sake! Stay out of it. You are lucky to be alive. This lunatic could have killed you.”

  “He wasn’t after me. He was after Jules.”

  “Allie, it wasn’t Jules. Get this out of your head. Whatever he was after he didn’t find it.”

  “He killed the real attendant to have control over the elevator. He knew the reason why I came and needed me to find Jules. As soon as I told him, he moved out, he had no more reason to be there. He killed the poor boy for nothing. That is why he encouraged me to find him. I am sure the anonymous caller was the same guy.” My stomach turned.

  “What caller?”

  “I didn’t tell you that someone called here a few times. He said to follow my instincts. He knew I was looking for Jules and was using me as bait.”

  I was so uptight now that I could hardly speak. My words were not making much sense. The look on Roman’s face explained it all: he thought I lost it.

  “Allie, calm down.” He put his arm around my shoulder and poured me a glass of water. “Here, drink this. You’re confused.”

  “I have to go to the police, Roman.”

  “No, I don’t want you to be involved in a murder case.” My hands were shaking as I reached for the glass. I wondered what the murderer would have done with Jules if I had told him where he was. Would he have killed both of us? “Roman, I have to find him before the killer does.” I yelled. “Listen, Allie…”

  “He took the boy’s identity to trick me. But how did he get rid of him so quickly and how did he know I was coming?” Then it struck me, of course! He had followed me. Maybe he wants to kill me now, too. Oh, Roman, what am I going to do?” I started crying.

  “Allie, Allie, relax,” Roman said, taking me by the shoulders. “I don’t know what’s going on with you at the moment, but I am sure it has nothing to do with Jules. Nobody wants to kill you. Come over here to the sofa.”

  “The murderer knew I was coming. The phone calls. He had it all worked out.”

  “Stop it, Allie. Stop it! You are imagining things. I do not want to hear any more about it. Do you hear? You’re making yourself sick.”

  I felt disappointed, realizing that talking to Roman was useless. Of all the people in the world, I thought he was the only one who would understand me. How wrong I was! I felt alone.

  “Have a rest. I have noticed since you have been here you are not yourself. Maybe you had the stress in Australia. Whatever is going on with you at the moment, we’ll work it out.” I wished he were right. He pulled me to the sofa, made me lie down, put a couple of pillows under my head and took my sneakers off.

  “Do you want me to stay home today with you? I can take the day off,” he said.

  I wanted him to say that he would go with me to the police and help them to find the killer, do not worry about the wedding that can wait.

  “No, Roman, I don’t want you to take the day off. Besides, I don’t need a babysitter.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Positive.”

  “I don’t want to leave you alone.”
>
  “I’ll be fine, really.”

  He gave me a couple of tablets to calm me down. I swallowed them with a glass of water. I felt so desperate I wanted to slam my head against a wall but at the same time, I felt drained of strength and completely helpless.

  “Close your eyes. Try not to think for a moment,” Roman said, sitting down next to me.

  “Will you please call me if you need anything? I hate leaving you alone like this. It must have come as a shock to you when you read the paper. Is there anything else you want me to do before I go?”

  I shook my head.

  He left, but not before he made sure, I promised to ring him if I needed anything.

  After a while, the pain in my head eased. I lay, listening to the traffic noise outside. I found it hard to believe what was happening to me. I could have been dead by now if the killer had found what he wanted. I thanked God I was still alive. I could have ended up in the dumpster like the young boy. A shiver went through my body. It felt trapped in something and could not get out.

  I nodded off for a while and when I woke up again I felt better, although my face was still hurting and the bruising seemed to be worse. I left a message on Monika’s answering machine that I would call her later. I had to take care of something.

  Chapter 28

  vv

  The officer showed no emotion as I told him everything that happened in the Hercules building. Now and then, he made notes. I told him the story about Jules. When I finished I felt relieved for the first time not only because somebody actually listened to me but also because someone took me seriously. Agent Woods from the FBI had joined us. I wondered what the FBI was doing here.

  The whole story was out now: why I had come to Germany; why thought it was Jules; the mysterious calls; and the suspicions I had. It felt good finding somebody who was interested in my story - not like the police officer in Malanda who told me to go home.

  They had listened carefully and did not ask many questions. Agent Woods asked me if I could identify the subject from photographs. He gave the other officer a sign to hand me a folder.