Bella Italia (16 page)

But he didn’t do it. He might accidentally give himself away. Thankfully, his ego and fantasy were no match for his sense of reality. He was a professional who knew how to find his way around the Internet better than anyone else. For years he excelled in this area, and he could honestly say that he was one of the best around. But he never stopped reminding himself that his opponents were keeping up with the latest technology just like he was. They were in a different category, bought out by the various governments across the world. People like him were considered to be one the greatest enemies of society. If you had a sexual abnormality like he did, then you would end up on a blacklist fast. He always remained painfully aware of this.

The fact that he wasn’t on a blacklist yet he owed to his own vigilance and knowledge. He was ruled by his imagination, but couldn’t share his thoughts with anyone. For years he had managed to satisfy and control himself. But eventually something snapped inside. The thought that he would never experience the ultimate orgasm before his death became too much for him to bear. You couldn’t ask that from anyone, not even someone with an unacceptable sexual preference like him. What he did, society considered unacceptable, punishable by law even. But he had no choice in the matter. If he didn’t act on his impulses, the moment would come where he couldn’t go on any longer, with all the grave consequences to follow. In order to stay alive he had to choose for himself.

He closed his eyes and brought back the glorious moment in his mind. He wasn’t exactly sure why, but it had felt far more intense the last time when he had reached his ultimate climax. Before he had forced his will onto the first boy, he had already been through a lifetime of longing for that sublime moment. Everything was new now, from the long preparation to the very last moment where he applied all that pressure around that pale white throat, followed by the total surrender and the moment where his eyes let go and he blew out his last breath. He had enjoyed it thoroughly. The feeling of having absolute power over someone was an experience that had up until that point been unparalleled; at least that’s what he thought then. But that orgasm wasn’t nearly as intense as it had been with his last partner. He had literally blacked out for a moment. It was hard to fathom that he would ever get to experience anything so amazing. The need to experience it again soon grew stronger each day. For years he had lived like a monk. But one day he would make his fantasies a reality. That thought alone had kept him going. Maybe this second experience had been so much better because there had been no surprises; he had been completely alone with the boy. With his first partner, the German boy, everything went according to plan at first. He had waited patiently in the bushes and when a suitable partner was finally presented, he had struck right away. But then that other boy appeared. At first he was shocked to find out someone else was watching, but when he saw that it was another boy, he couldn’t believe his luck. But it had still made him nervous, and he didn’t dare stay any longer than what was absolutely necessary. He had threatened that other boy and had felt so powerful when he stared into his petrified eyes. Even if the boy did talk, they would never find him anyway. He had left no traces behind. His gloves had immediately disappeared into a hidden backpack, which he had taken with him when he left. All the clothes he had worn and the things he used were destroyed the next day so that no evidence could ever be found. Because forensics would comb through every inch of the area, he couldn’t leave even the smallest trace behind. Especially no bodily fluids, because then they would have his DNA in hand.

His mission had succeeded on all fronts. He had made no technical mistakes, and the one witness had not given him away. Or, wait, he actually didn’t know that for sure. But it didn’t matter; he felt more powerful knowing that even with a witness, he managed to get away with it. He smiled at the thought. Losing his virginity had set him free. After that heavenly experience he couldn’t understand how he had managed to live like a monk for so long. He began to prepare his second time about three months later. While he worked out his next plan to the last detail, he knew that the first real opportunity to execute it would be around Easter. The start of the summer season. When that opportunity came, he had acted immediately. The urge to fulfill his lust was far greater than his own self-control. Thankfully, he had prepared everything perfectly again.

He pushed his desk chair back and stood up. It was time to start preparing for the next one. Spring break was right around the corner. He was certain now. His addiction screamed for more. The time of waiting was over. Soon he would strike again.

Hans raised his glass and said, “Cheers! To Niels, our brave boy.”

Petra tapped his glass with hers. “I’ll toast to that!”

Niels held up his bowl of ice cream to participate in the toast.

“What a day,” Hans continued. “It’s still a little surreal to be back here, but in a way, it’s good to combine the pleasant with the unpleasant.”

He took a sip of his wine and looked around. Arturo, the undercover policeman who had accompanied them here, was also eating somewhere. Full protection had been an absolute condition for coming back here, but detective Martuccia had agreed immediately and had even insisted that they would do everything they could to make their stay as safe as possible.

When they contacted the Italian police, Martuccia had urged them to travel to Italy as soon as possible. They had taken some time to think about that. Did they really want to do that? Return to the place where Niels had experienced such a big trauma? Moreover, there was the possibility that the murderer was still there, walking around freely. Could they take that risk? How could they combine their sense of responsibility to their child and to society? How great was the risk that something would happen to them? Or that Niels would end up even more damaged by returning to this place? And what would their role be in this investigation? Could they prevent more murders from happening? Could they live with themselves if they didn’t take that responsibility?

The next day all three of them stayed home. The school was informed that Niels didn’t feel well and their colleagues made it possible for them not to have to come to work. Niels had been quite defensive about the idea. As far as he was concerned, he had told his story, and he was going to talk to Irene about it. He didn’t even want to think about returning to Lake Garda. What if that killer was still there?! Why couldn’t he just answer all those questions from home? Wasn’t that what they had phones and Internet for? They had understood his reaction completely and decided to speak to the Dutch police and Irene first. Besides the Italian police, everyone else also advised them to go, as long as they were protected and assisted properly. Irene even believed that the whole confrontation might actually do Niels some good because he had a tendency to repress everything. She didn’t give this advice often, but a guided confrontation could help him get over his fears in this case. This had already happened when they received the news of the second murder, but returning to the scene of the crime was obviously a different story. When all of their conditions were met by the Italian police, they explained to Niels in the best way possible that this was the best thing to do for everyone involved. That this would really help the parents of both boys and that instead of always feeling scared, he would feel brave from now on. That it was very possible that they would catch the killer and that he was the only one who could recognize him. They promised him that they wouldn’t lose sight of him for even one second and that they would return home again as soon as they could.

Martuccia had made it very clear to them that it was of great importance that they came as soon as possible.

This morning they had gotten on the first flight to Milan, where they were met by a black car with tinted windows. The driver took them straight to Verona. It felt very reassuring to them that no one could see them. Although Niels was still quite nervous, he also seemed to find it a big adventure.

Fortunately, they were welcomed by familiar faces: Detectives Carlo Martuccia and Filippo Tardelli and the Dutch interpreter Karin Goudsbloem.

They really gave Niels the feeling that he was very important and that they were very grateful to him for offering to help them. They would never forget it.

Niels had taken it all in stride. He seemed to become braver by the minute. This time, he didn’t crawl back into his shell while he told his story.

After the interview, food was brought in. Everyone made sure that all the Kolwijns’ needs were taken care of. The mood remained good after a police sketch-artist joined the group. It was an exciting moment. It was also a little bit scary, because Niels wasn’t sure if he could give a good description and was a little afraid of seeing that frightening face on the paper in front of him. But they took their time and encouraged him to give the artist as many details as possible. By the end of the afternoon, they had a face on paper that, according to Niels, resembled the face of Mats’s murderer quite well.

Before they left, the detectives had taken Hans and Petra aside for a moment. They apologized for the trip’s inconvenience and reassured them that if they had any needs or questions they should not to waste a single second and just let them know. They were Italy’s honorary guests, and they would do whatever was needed to make their stay as pleasant as possible.

They also explained, once again, why they had insisted that they all come to Italy as soon as possible. It was incredibly important that every single clue be taken under the loop. They admitted that their contact with the other European police agencies was excellent. But in this very special case, they simply couldn’t risk any mistakes being made. So, therefore, it was very important that they interview Niels themselves, as he was the one and only witness, and to have their own sketch artist do the composite drawing. Sometimes it was the smallest of details that solved a case, so they wanted to stay right on top of it. Then they shook hands and left.

Hans and Petra agreed that they would stay around for a few more days and that they would stay in contact daily. The police finally had something to go on, and so it would be better if Niels remained in the area, in case it came down to having to identify the killer. Everyone agreed.

Fifteen minutes after they left the police station they were dropped off in front of Hotel La Ninfa. The hotel was on the two-way street that ran between Verona and Peschiera. It was a middle-class hotel with five floors where the Italian Justice Department had booked a room for them. Their temporary home was room number 38 on the third floor. It was a spacious room with a fridge, TV, a double bed, and a single bed for Niels.

After consulting with the police officer who accompanied them, they decided to go and eat something in Peschiera that evening. They hotel was safer, but it also made them somewhat claustrophobic. A little distraction would do them some good.

Hans had felt a real sense of relief when they left the hotel. During the quiet moments on the flight and in the hotel room, he kept being confronted with the fact that he had sent an innocent man to his death. Not intentionally, and obviously he hadn’t known that the homeless man was innocent at that moment, but the fact remained that he chased the man to his death. Only some serious distraction could quiet the angry and accusing voices in his head now. They had also taken Hans aside today after their talk with Niels and explained to him what the consequences could be if this story came out. He could be charged, but they would do everything in their power to prevent that from happening. Better yet, because of his cooperation in solving this case now, it would probably never go that far. Hans didn’t feel very reassured and remembered his nightmares. The fear he felt in his dreams wasn’t all that far from the truth. But he had to trust in the police. It would all work out somehow.

“I think it’s quite busy here for this time of the year,” Petra said. “You only expect to see this many people here during the high season.”

Hans glanced across the long rows of people seated at their tables. The restaurant had even turned on the patio heater, as it had cooled down quite a bit at night. Because of the excellent street lighting and the display lighting in the shops, which were almost all still open, the visibility was nearly as good as it would be in broad daylight.

“Now that you mention it: the streets are jam-packed. I can’t reiterate it enough, how surreal it feels to sit here now.” He placed his hand on Niels’s shoulder. “What impressed you the most today? The black car and tinted windows?”

Niels shook his head. “That car was really cool. As if you’re a very important person. But I wouldn’t want to drive in it every day. I thought that the man who made the drawing was really amazing,” Niels continued. “It was really awesome that he could draw exactly what I had in my mind, or that he could change it with some small details and make it even better. It was like he had seen the man himself.”

Hans nodded. “I looked at it with pure amazement, too. How he could change something with just one line or accentuate it. Really brilliant.”

Petra grabbed a napkin from the table and leaned forward and wiped some ice cream from Niels’s T-shirt. He didn’t move and looked down.

“You couldn’t see it,” Petra clarified. “It was right at the edge of your collar, right below you chin.”

“Is it bad?”

Petra shook her head. “You can barely see it. Besides, tomorrow you’ll just put on another one. I brought plenty of them.”

Slightly embarrassed that his mother had cleaned him up like he was a toddler, Niels looked around. Suddenly, his face lost all its color and his eyes widened while he stared straight ahead, as if he saw a ghost.

“Okay, all done. Anyone want some more water? Niels?” Petra asked. Only then did she see his face. “Niels, honey, what’s wrong … ?”

“That’s him!” he said, his voice breaking. He pointed in the crowd. “There he goes!”