Blue Blue Eyes: Crime Novel (38 page)

”Just touch him again.” Carlos held his hand over the pistol and looked at Daphne warningly.

”You’re bloody sick in your mind, do you know that? Monsters like you shouldn’t be allowed to exist. Go get the first aid box in the car instead.” Daphne looked rebelliously at her boss and pressed both hands against the pulsating wound as hard as she could. The cloth was soon soaked through and the blood started pouring between her fingers.

The sirens from the ambulance echoed between the mountains and the sound got louder and louder.

Carlos was sitting in the police car, sulking. He was the one making the decisions. Couldn’t the others get that? Irritated he called Maria at Forensics and got even more irritated over her questions.

”Make sure you pack your gear and get here. It’s your bloody obligation.” He hung up and already started making plans for his badly trained employees.

Saturday June 15th

It was tough seeing Linn watching over Patrik and Nikki was relieved when she closed the door behind. It was less than pleasant to see her closest friend feeling so bad and she prayed to the higher being that soon there would be a positive change to Patrik. Linn had been beside herself with worry when Nikki had limped in through the hospital door and had wondered what crazy maniacs were free on the island. Nikki had not exaggerated what happened but she knew that she would have nightmares after this. On the other hand Linn didn’t really react when Nikki told her they had arrested Petros. Her only wish was to see her husband get well. Nikki knew what she meant but had expected a little bit more of a response.

When Nikki staggered out of the hospital it was afternoon. She sighed happily when she felt the wind fluttering in her matted hair and she carefully breathed fresh air into her lungs. The pain from her broken ribs shot through her body like a fire and she weakly leaned against the sun-warm house. A little later she carefully sat down in the ordered taxi, gave the address and tiredly leaned against the head-rest.

She knew she’d been protected by angels out there in the wilderness but she couldn’t quite understand how David was involved in it all. Nikki would call him later, right now she couldn’t cope with any calls. She just wanted to be left alone and pull herself together. That it was her landlord that had carried out the kidnapping that morning was more than Nikki could take in. She had thought he’d been so nice. And then he turned out to be a maniac, a psychopath who didn’t mind killing. Nikki was damn sure it had been him snooping around in her flat when she was out.

Her big toes were throbbing and hurting tremendously. She had had them bandaged and was ordered to change the dressing every second day. The other injuries were minor according to the doctor, even though she was in pain. Her lung had just about been spared and it would take time for the ribs to heal. The strong pain-killers would help her breath more or less normally, but laughing and coughing was out of the question. A couple of minutes later the driver thanked Nicky for the tip and she felt relieved being home again as she saw the yellow block of flats with the balconies pointing in four directions.

That the flat belonged to Theo was something she just had to ignore, she’d be going home to Gothenburg soon anyway. On the last step Nikki tried retrieving her keys and regretted turning Daphne’s offer for help down. Every step she took hurt and she was out of breath and exhausted. She just wanted to go to bed and sleep, but that would have to wait. She had to get back to the station as soon as possible. Nikki opened the door and looked around at what had become her home for the past few days. It was clean and neat, no dishes by the sink. The beds were made and everything was in order.

Her body felt heavy and tired when she stood in the shower. The hot water massaged Nikki’s stiff muscles and her head-ache eased a bit. She couldn’t stop thinking of how close to death she had been earlier that day and she didn’t know how to thank Xristos. Nikki couldn’t recall ever having had a similar experience at work before. And today she had been bloody lucky. Carefully she rinsed out the conditioner and increased the heat once more before reaching out for the towel. Her ribs were excruciatingly painful.

Pulling a face she tore off the tape from the plastic bags she had around her feet and was grateful that the bandage around her big toes was still dry. A shrill ring made Nikki jump and she shouted aloud. After a quick look under her bust she could see that she would look like a colour palette for another few weeks. She carefully wrapped the towel tightly around her body before opening the door and didn’t’ care that her hair was wet through and leaving drips behind her.

”Oh, is it bad?” Daphne looked with compassion at her colleague and came into the hallway.

”No, it’s OK”, Nikki lied trying to look as if everything was alright.

”I’ve been calling and calling but then I realized you don’t have any mobile phone.” Daphne threw up her hands as if she was apologizing for butting in.

”We need you at the station so I’m actually here to pick you up. Do you need help with anything?”

”Thanks, you can be the dresser. There is no chance in the world I’ll get my top on by myself.”

Little fluffy clouds were slowly moving over the sky and the afternoon sun was hot. Daphne opened the passenger door and helped Nikki get out of the car when they arrived but she didn’t get far before Sam came running out and wanted to help. They both carefully assisted Nikki into the conference room and pulled out a chair for her to sit down. Nikki was pale but tried keeping up her facade even though every little movement hurt.

”In my bag there are some painkillers. Could somebody get the bottle and give me some water please?”

Sam came first. He almost looked like a father when giving Nikki the white tablet together with a glass of water. Everybody was sitting in silence around the conference table looking at Nikki’s every movement.

”Sorry but I’m not about to die. I’ve just broken a few ribs and have a couple of injured toes. Nothing life-threatening, it just hurts bloody badly. So stop staring and treating me as if I am about to die, please.” She sounded harsher than she had meant and smiled broadly. ”OK, where are we with the investigation?” The silence in the room was embarrassing.

”Sorry but we’ve not got over the macabre situation when we found you in the mountains.” Sam was guiltily moving around while looking down at the floor.

”I say we try to focus on the investigation instead. I’m alive and had protection from above and I’m grateful to you all for finding me. Now brief me instead about the cases.”

Carlos who was rocking the Panther as a baby in his arms cleared his throat and started speaking.

”Wasn’t it bloody unnecessary letting yourself get into Theo’s hands? You exposed us all to danger.” He stroked the black cat over the back and tried getting backed by the others. ”Don’t you agree? We could all have been killed today, because of it?”

”You know what, Carlos”, Nikki said and looked at him with daggers. ”There’s nothing wrong with your mouth. You’re always the first to say something without using your brain. And I’m bloody tired of your shit so if you don’t mind I wonder if somebody else could be so kind as to update me about your conclusions. And you Carlos, you’ll shut up if you don’t have anything useful to add.”

The Chief’s face turned bright red. He wasn’t used to being corrected in front of everybody in this manner. He was just about to stand up and confront the harsh critique when Sam stood up with authority and defended Nikki.

”Carlos, it would be best if you kept quiet for a while now. Daphne and I will tell Nicky what’s happened.”

”Excuse me, but who is the Chief of Police, hah? Who has the most responsibility here? Yes, it’s me!” Carlos shouted and shook his fist.

”Get lost”, Sam continued with the same calm voice.”We are all police sitting around this table and so you’ll behave like one. Either you’ll leave this room or behave as a Chief should do.”

Carlos looked stressed and got up from the chair.

”I’m bloody going to report you all for subordination.” He left the room with the windows rattling loudly.

”A psychopath can’t stand resistance”, Daphne said with clenched teeth.

”He is lacking in both empathy and shows a lack of self-control and that’s exactly what the basic psychology course says.”

Sam started laughing, he couldn’t stop it. And he wasn’t the only one.

”Bloody genius! What a perfect picture of our boss you painted Daphne.”

Nikki put both hands on her stomach and tried to laugh as carefully as possible.

”Ouch, stop it, I can’t take anymore. Please. It bloody hurts too much so back to reality now. Tell me, has anything new occurred since we met last?”

Sam and Daphne gathered themselves together and straightened up on their chairs.

”OK, time for a serious update”, Sam said and pulled his thumb and index finger through his black three-day old beard. ”Forensics has finished at the crime scene where we found you. They have also confirmed that it must have been there that all the victims were killed. But we will not be 100% sure until we get the analysis back from CSCP. None of you are in doubt of it being the so called sacrificial place, though?”

Daphne and Nikki shook their heads in unison.

”Listen up”, Nikki pointed out carefully. ”Theo revealed that Petros had joined him in killing their father but then Theo sounded if he’s been the one who had tortured the others to death.” Nikki moved further off the chair, a bad habit she’d always had. As if she was ready to flee.

”Oh damn it”, Daphne said. ”Unfortunately Petros is still keeping quiet but this information is really valuable and might make him open his mouth.” Daphne rubbed her nose and then clasped her hands above the head.

”Does Petros know his brother is injured?” Nikki seriously asked. Daphne nodded. ”Yes, I went in and updated him a little while ago.”

”How did he react?”

”With silence. But both his look and body language were revealing . He’ll talk, just give him some more time.” Daphne poured more tea in the mug and added a table spoon of coconut oil and stirred it.

”And Forensics have they completely finished with Petros’ office?” Nikki asked.

”Yes”, Daphne replied. ”All proof is with the DA.”

”Oh, I almost forgot. Has anybody informed Theo’s’ family?”

Sam wet his lips before answering.

”Daphne and I went there. It was anything but fun. Pauline had no idea of what Theo was doing. She’s completely crushed and the kids…ah.”

”I had to call Pauline’s friend, she’s with them now and is giving her support to the rest of the family”, Daphne continued with a sad expression.

”Oh, poor sod. I wouldn’t like to be her today. A real nightmare.” Nikki gave Sam and Daphne a long look while biting a part of her cuticle. ”How on earth did you manage to find me up there in the mountains? Did you have a tip or what?” Nikki changed position again and put her hands on the table.

Sam looked at Daphne and left the question for her to answer.

”Your friend David called. He was more than clear about us having to leave the station at once since your life was in great danger. He guided us all the way to the hiding place and meanwhile talked about some spy message he had sent to your mobile.” So that’s why he’d sent that message, Nikki thought and struggled with herself wondering whether she should love or hate him. He had taken the liberty to control her without her permission.

”Sometimes it’s good to have guardian angels and David is apparently one of mine. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for listening to him and doing what he asked you to. I don’t even want to think of what would have happened if…” Nikki’s eyes filled with tears and her stomach turned at the thought.

”Stop”, Sam said and raised his arm. ”Never think of that, promise us that. Now you’re here and it all went well. David is a hero and he guided us well, however he managed it.”

Nikki threw her sentimental thoughts aside and smiled brightly at them. ”OK, new focus. Have we got permission to search Theo’s house?”

Sam nodded and smiled understandingly. ”Yeah. The DA has granted this and Forensics are already there.”

”All of you- listen up.” Carlos’ voice sounded through the corridor.

”What’s up?” Nikki asked as she bumped into Sam in the kitchen. Sam threw up his hands and shrugged. ”I have no idea. Come on, let’s see if the bastard has anything to say.”

Sam opened the door to the conference room and Nikki went in and sat down next to Daphne at the large table. They all raised their eye-brows when Carlos came in with his arm around Maria’s shoulders.

”Wow, when did Maria get here and when did Carlos become so friendly?” Nikki looked at Daphne since Maria was her cousin after all.

”Don’t ask me, I didn’t even notice anybody coming in through the front door.”

Carlos leaned against the desk opposite the large conference table and raised one arm with a gesture to quiet the others down.

”Maria has something important to tell us.” He smiled smugly as if he’d been the one having something to say. Maria looked with wonder at Carlos and turned a slight pink colour. She wasn’t used to this kind treatment and wondered what happened to the Chief. She stepped forward, clearing her throat.

”As you know my team has been to Theo’s place of work to search it. After several hours of searching we thought it was strange that we didn’t find anything so we took the liberty to change around the furniture a bit.” She paused and looked at the others waiting for her to continue. ”Finally we found a little hidden treasure.” She bent down and picked up a couple of flash memories, a hard disc and a large, blue glass jar.

”We’ve just started looking at the contents and can tell you that you’ll like what you see. Here there is binding evidence against the brothers to more than please the DA.” She put down the hard disc on the desk and grabbed the glass jar. ”On the other hand we don’t know why this jar was in the safe…but something tells me that it’s important since it was locked in there. Somebody strong enough to help…the lid is stuck like glue.”

Everybody looked at Sam and he went up to it.

”I’ll give it a try but there is no guarantee.” He grabbed the jar and tried screwing off the lid while the others saw his muscles getting tense. ”I’ll be damned”, he said panting. ”Has he glued the lid or what?”