‘So you thought that she’d left you forever? Is that why you didn’t report it?’
‘No, she’d already walked out on me before. Sometimes she’d disappear for a few days; other times, for a couple of weeks... I would wait for her, not knowing whether I wanted her to come back or whether the nightmare was over for good... But she would always come back in the end, and I’d forgive her every time.’
‘Do you know the name of the female friend she’d arranged to meet up with?’
‘Yes: Sandra, but I don’t know her surname.’
‘Don’t worry about that. Now you’re going to speak with a medical examiner who’s going to ask you about any distinguishing features of your wife that could help us to verify whether the body we’ve found is hers. If that is the case, we’ll need to search your flat and question you again. Are you willing to co-operate?’
‘Of course. If some son of a bitch has killed my Andrea, I want him caught, and for him to pay for it.’
Carlos nodded and left the interview room. Now it was Natalia’s turn to ascertain whether the unknown body belonged to Andrea Martínez, but he was not going to stop and wait for that confirmation. He was certain that it was her; her husband had recognised her, the dates tallied... Now he had the name of another victim, places to investigate, people to question, dates to check... At last, he was a little closer.
CHAPTER NINE
Carlos pulled in to the industrial estate situated on the outskirts of Gallarta where Andrea had worked. The woman had been the owner of a business dedicated to door-to-door delivery. He proceeded to drive along slowly before encountering the pavilion. In spite of the weak rain that fell without pause, there was a woman out by the door, smoking a cigarette whilst she waited. Carlos parked and got out of the car.
‘Good morning,’ he said as he went up to her and took out his badge. ‘I’m Inspector Carlos Vega, from the Ertzaintza homicide department. I believe we spoke a short while ago on the phone.’
‘Yes, that was me you spoke with.’ The woman held out her hand. ‘I’m Marina, the secretary for Superbuzón. Well, was the secretary. I imagine that with Andrea’s death, all of this is finished now.’
The woman pursed her lips and breathed deeply before gesturing for him to follow her inside the pavilion. Carlos went in and stood still for a moment looking at the place. It was a grey building, with unpainted walls. Almost the entire area was covered by tall piles of advertising leaflets. At the back of the unit could be seen a glazed room that had to be the office. Marina walked towards it, and Carlos followed her. There was nobody else in the warehouse, and their footsteps echoed loudly in that dead space.
‘Aren’t there any more workers?’
‘No, there’s nobody left. Door-to-door delivery is not a profession where people last a long time as a general rule, but, on top of that, when October started and Andrea didn’t return to sign the payslips, everyone left.’ The woman took a wad of keys out of her pocket, opened the door to the office, and invited him to enter. ‘Andrea and I shared this office. That’s her desk. It’s exactly as she left it.’
‘Thank you very much.’ Carlos sat down and began searching through the drawers.
‘Do you need anything else? Do you want a coffee?’
‘No, thank you. If I need anything from you, I’ll call.’
Marina nodded and left the office, leaving him alone. Carlos began checking all of the documents on the table. There were account books, dispatch notes, invoices... He did not understand any of all of that, so he would have to take it to headquarters. They did not have any suspicion that the motive for the crime might be financial, but he preferred not to leave anything un-investigated. He picked up a cardboard box from a corner and began putting all of the information inside.
Once he had emptied out the drawers, he began checking the victim’s desk. In addition to a laptop, a jar full of pens, and a cup which read “To the best boss in the world”, he came across Andrea’s diary. He went through the pages, which were full of order notes and appointments with clients, before arriving at the date on which she disappeared. In addition to the appointments during the day, all of which related to work, there was an entry for nine o’clock at night. It was a single word, without any further explanation: Azkar. The name rang a bell in Carlos’s mind. He took out his mobile and called Sebas.
‘Hello, Carlos. Whereabouts are you?’
‘I’m at the workplace of the first victim, checking through her diary. Would you be able to do me a favour?’
‘Of course, whatever you want.’
‘Do you have the dossier on Carmen Ortega’s case to hand?’
‘Yes, give me a second.’ Over the phone, Carlos heard the sound that his partner made as he shuffled through various papers. ‘I have it here. What do you want to know?’
‘We made some photocopies of Carmen’s diary. Could you read me the notes from the day of her disappearance?’
‘Of course... Let’s see: 11.30 Courtroom in Barakaldo. Manuel Ercilla case. 14.00 Lunch with Esther Ruíz. 16.30 Meeting with Alejandro Varela. United Consulting case. 20.00 Azkar.’
‘Azkar? Are you sure?’
‘Carlos, dude... I’ve got it in front of me. Of course I’m sure.’
‘Yes, of course, I’m sorry... Does it say anything else?’
‘No. Neither a place, nor any other explanation. Why? Is that word important?’
‘I think it is. I don’t know exactly what it is, but I think we could have found the alias of our killer.’
*****
Carlos went into Natalia’s office carrying an enormous box in his arms. Without even greeting her or asking whether he was bothering her, he put the box down on the table.
‘What’s all this supposed to be?’ she asked.
‘All of the documentation I have collected in Andrea Martínez’s office. They’re record keeping papers and the like. I don’t understand any of it. I’ll take it later to the section for financial crimes, to see whether they can find anything.’
‘I don’t think this is going to be of any use to us. I know you don’t want to accept it, but you know I think that, judging by the rituals carried out on those bodies, we’re looking at a serial killer. Those people don’t kill for money.’
‘I’m in agreement with you... Not about the serial killer...’ Natalia made a grimace of vexation. ‘Don’t pull that face at me. For as long as there aren’t any more victims, you’re not going to convince me. I’m in agreement about the fact that the motives don’t appear to be financial ones, but I prefer not to leave any loose ends. In any case, I think I have something that could certainly narrow things down for us.’
Carlos opened the box and took out two laptops. As there was no more space on the table to leave them, he kept them in his hands until Natalia snorted, picked up the box, and deposited it on the floor, leaving him free space on the table.
‘Thank you very much. These are the computers belonging to Andrea and Carmen. I’ve tried poking around a bit, but they’re both password protected.’
‘And what is it you hope to find on them?’
‘The final note both victims made in their diaries was the same name: Azkar. Sebas has been searching on the Internet, and there’s a transport company with that name, but their businesses don’t work with hers.’
‘So what do you think it is then?’
‘Do you remember back when we were investigating Charon?’ Carlos waited for Natalia to agree. ‘On the chat program she used to contact her victims, they used false names, pseudonyms... Damn it, I can’t remember that weird English word Gus used.’
‘Nicknames,’ replied Natalia.
‘Yes, that’s it. I think Azkar could be the nickname of our killer. Maybe he contacted them via some Internet program. For that reason, I want to gain access to their computers.’
‘How strange! You say you don’t think it’s a serial killer, but you’re already thinking about catching another Charon. Azkar could be a
nything...’
‘I think I’m right. I can feel it in my gut,’ said Carlos, shrugging his shoulders.
‘I’m not going to be the one to dispute your gut. If you think we should investigate this, we will do. Are you going to take it to the IT department?’
‘Well, I had been thinking that if the case ends up leading us to having to go through a heap of emails and chat threads, we know the perfect person.’
‘Gus? But you’re always complaining about how he’s a right pain and that you can’t stand him.’
‘I know, but I’m willing to sacrifice myself,’ Carlos shot her a smile and took her hand. ‘Are you all right with the idea? Do you want me to talk to Aguirre?’
‘No, I’ll do it.’
‘And why’s that?’
‘First of all: because it’s supposed to be me who’s heading this investigation. Secondly, it’s because, although you have many virtues, negotiation skill is not one of them. And thirdly, it’s because, although Aguirre doesn’t know it, he owes me one.’
CHAPTER TEN
When she heard Aguirre’s voice inviting her to come in, Natalia opened the door. The sergeant indicated to an empty chair opposite him.
‘Good morning, Miss Egaña. I’m really sorry for not having been able to see you earlier, but I hade to attend to some authorities and give a press release. The journalists have already started with their hypothesis about how we could have a serial killer on the loose, and people are getting nervous.’
‘It isn’t so absurd a hypothesis. After all, you’ve entrusted this case to Carlos and I because you believe it could be true.’
‘You can never take too many precautions, but believe me when I tell you that I pray everyday that we’re wrong.’ Aguirre finished tidying the papers on his desk, laced his fingers, and sat looking intently at her. ‘Tell me, how can I help you? Have you managed to move forward in the investigation?’
‘We have several routes open, and it’s due to one of them that I’ve come to see you. I need to ask you for a favour.’
‘Anything you need, as long as it’s within my power.’
‘We believe that this case could have similarities with the Charon case, in the sense that the victims were able to contact the killer through some blog, forum or messaging program. We’ve requisitioned their computers in order to check it, but they’re password protected.’
‘Take them to the IT department. I’m sure they’ll be able to help you.’
‘We don’t want to take them to the IT department. We want someone who’ll collaborate with us twenty four hours a day, who’ll get stuck into the investigation like one of us.’ Natalia took a breath before she continued speaking. ‘We want Agustín Guevara.’
‘The geeky lad who always manages to get himself into trouble?’ Aguirre shook his head. ‘We have great IT experts here at headquarters. I cannot justify recruiting anyone external.’
‘You will have noticed that my father and I do not get along too well, am I right?’ commented Natalia.
‘Yes, I have realised. What does that have to do with now?’
‘I had asked to collaborate with Dr Ugalde and, nevertheless, you hired my father.’
‘I already told you that Dr Ugalde is in Burgos, working on the identification of corpses in mass graves. I tried to convince her to come for a few days to collaborate on the facial reconstruction of the first victim, but she categorically refused. I didn’t really understand her all that well. She said something about having had bad past experiences...’
‘That doesn’t matter. You brought in my father, whom I hadn’t spoken to for years, and whom I don’t even want to see. You will have realised that I did not protest, nor did I refuse that he collaborate with us. Do you know why I didn’t do that?’ Natalia waited for Aguirre to shake his head. ‘I didn’t do it because I want the best working in my investigation, and I know that my father is that. And Agustín Guevara, too. I want him on my team, and I want you to hire him and to pay him a salary as an external collaborator.’
Aguirre remained silent for a few seconds, reflecting. Natalia allowed him to think without pressuring him. Finally, Aguirre emitted a long sigh and nodded:
‘Fine. I know that my refusing it would be of no use anyway. He always ends up getting involved in the investigations, whether you lot have my permission or not.’ In the face of Natalia’s expression of joy, Aguirre raised his hand, gesturing to let her know that he had not finished speaking. ‘You have my permission for him to help you on the IT part of the case, but no working in the field. If the lad ends up in the hospital again, as always, you’ll both be accountable to me.’
‘Don’t worry sir. We won’t allow him to put himself in danger. Don’t take this the wrong way, but we’re even more afraid of his mother than we are of you.’
‘All right. I’ll tell admin to prepare his papers.’
Natalia stood up and left the office before Aguirre could think it over. She went down the corridor and, as soon as she turned the corner, she took out her phone and called Carlos, who answered after a couple of rings.
‘I’ve done it, Carlos,’ she announced, triumphant. ‘Aguirre’s given the go-ahead.’
‘Tell me now how you managed to convince the ogre.’
‘Do you want me to call him to give him the news, or do you think it’ll be better to tell him in person?’
‘I’ll tell him myself right now. I’m at the door to his faculty.’
‘And what are you doing there?’
‘I was confident that you’d manage it. When you get an idea in your head, it’s very difficult to say no to you. I’ll pick him up and we’ll be on our way.’
*****
The lecturer in Knowledge Management continued talking about ethical and administrative aspects whilst Gus took advantage of the time to draw a dragon on his notebook. He did not like how it was turning out. Rather than a dragon, it looked more like an overfed bat. He scribbled it out and looked at Joseba, who was taking notes as if his life depended on it. He would ask him for them later. He did not have the least bit of interest in this subject. He did not understand why they had to go around wasting time on such a thing instead of having a keyboard in their hands.
A couple of forceful bangs on the door caused the lecturer to pause in her discourse. All of the students looked up from their notebooks, feeling grateful for that interruption. The lecturer called out “come in”, inviting the person who had knocked to enter, although judging by her furrowed brow one could guess that the interruption did not go down well with her at all. When Carlos appeared in the threshold, Gus dropped his pen in shock.’
‘Good morning,’ greeted the lecturer in a dry voice. ‘How can I help you?’
‘Good morning. I’m sorry for interrupting, but this is regarding an urgent official matter.’ Carlos took out his badge and showed it to the lecturer and the students in the first few rows. ‘I’m looking for Agustín Guevara.’
The whispers travelled through the class like a wave, whilst everybody turned to face him. That was just what he needed to ruin his reputation: for everybody to start viewing him as a potential psychopath.
‘Has he done something?’ asked the lecturer, startled. ‘What is he being accused of?’
‘Nothing, madam,’ Carlos reassured her. ‘Mister Guevara has collaborated with us in the solving of several important cases, and we need him to help us again. Do you mind if I take him?’
The whispers resumed again, growing ever louder, but the looks on his classmates’ faces had changed. They no longer looked at him with fear, but with something akin to admiration. Gus put the notebook in his backpack, picked up his jacket, and headed towards the exit with his head down whilst trying to decide whether he ought to hate Carlos or thank him for having made him the centre of attention. A tug on his sleeve made him stop. Lorena, the posh blonde girl he’d been crazy about ever since first year, was trying to catch his attention whilst smiling at him like a fool:
�
��Do you know how long it’ll be before you get back?’
‘No idea. It’ll depend on how important and difficult the case is. It could possibly take me weeks...’
‘Well, if you want, we could meet up on Saturday so I can give you the notes,’ she suggested, whilst dedicating him a spectacular eyelash flutter, and twirled a tress of hair with her finger.
‘I don’t know, I might be really busy,’ he said, playing hard to get. ‘Call me on Friday and we’ll talk.’
He carried on walking ahead, focussing on not jumping for joy, whilst the whispers around him increased. When he arrived at Carlos’s side, the latter gave him a couple of pats on the back before leaving the class. Once they were outside, Gus turned towards Carlos with a smile that went from ear to ear:
‘Bloody hell, dude... How did you come up with the idea of doing that? You’ve just turned me into a kind of national hero. If I’d known they were going to take it like that, I’d have asked you to come and get me out of class years ago. Besides, that subject is a pain. I’m going to have to take you out to say thank you.’
‘Stop; save your money for taking out the blonde girl. It’s Lorena, the girl you liked, right?’
‘Nothing escapes you.’
‘That is why I’m an inspector and you’re a simple civilian,’ said Carlos, winking at him. ‘Well, a civilian collaborator with the Ertzaintza, if you want.’
‘Oh, so that wasn’t a joke? I thought you’d come because you missed me and wanted to go for a bite and talk about stuff.’
The White Corpses Page 6