Blue Blue Eyes: Crime Novel (20 page)

Monday June 10th

Theo had had his sixth cup of coffee and the day had hardly begun. A churning pain in his stomach made him alert. He suspected it was the chronic gastritis making its presence felt. The strong painkillers made the pain from his broken fingers lessen but maybe they affected his stomach more than he thought. Twenty minutes later he kissed his wife Pauline good bye and promised both kids they would go to the water park in the afternoon.

The air was stifling when he sat down in the car and there was not that much traffic despite it being the beginning of the week. Just before the office a speeding pick-up truck drove out in front of him. Theo stood on the brakes and swore aloud as the truck’s driver was unaware he had almost caused an accident. There were four big Rottweilers panting on the back of the lorry and Theo couldn’t help smiling at the dogs’ flapping ears and tongues. He greeted his secretary happily before walking up the stairs to his office.

It would be a good day. Theo had a good feeling in his body and was in a good mood despite the black-mail and the pain from his broken fingers. Last night he had had a positive conversation with Vladimir Butonov. He and Oleg would meet to discuss the Golden Coast. Theo knew that the Russian Mafia had more friends who were in a desperate need to launder their money again. I wonder how many houses and flats I’ll sell today? Theo thought expectantly while putting on his computer. Sometimes it was good having dealings with the Russian Mafia and today was one of those days.

Some days, however, weren’t as good like the day he had been on the boat. He looked down on the bandages covering his fingers. He would need to keep the splint holding his fingers for at least another two weeks before going back to the doctor for a new evaluation. Whistling he looked toward the white IKEA book-shelf where he kept his secret safe. The Mafia would be greatly surprised to know that he had hidden a copy of the recording from the ‘Money Talks’ when they were beating him up.

Sweet revenge, Theo thought spitefully and put the blueprints of the Golden Coast on the big conference table. The dream project had cost him both pain and happiness. Of course there was a lot to do before the Golden Coast could be finished, several restaurants and bars had to be built and Theo even had plans to put up a luxury boutique hotel. ”Four bloody million Euros you have cost me you Russian bastards”, Theo muttered angrily. ”Protection money, sure.” What if I had been able to invest the four million in the Golden Coast instead, he thought and dreamt of the possibilities.

The fact was that Theo was short of cash. A lot of the money in the company’s bank was secured for the staff’s salaries and pension funds. In Cyprus the government didn’t automatically make sure that employees in the private sector got their pension but the employers had to set aside the pension money for their employees themselves. Luckily he had been able to sell some plots of land lately so now finally the build was going to get started again. With a great feeling Theo put on the TV hanging in the corner of the white-washed wall, took out his lunch-box and sat down. The news had started as he took a bite of the creamy omelette. When the news presenter started talking about Laiki Bank Theo immediately started listening carefully. Had he really heard correct? Worried he raised the volume while the well-dressed reporter repeated:

”So Cyprus doesn’t have any money left to save Laiki Bank and the Troika has decided to declare the bank bankrupt. This means that those of you who have your savings in the Laiki Bank unfortunately are going to lose all the capital over the guaranteed level which is 100,000 Euros. Everything over 100, 000 will disappear with the Laiki Bank’s bankruptcy.”
Theo became breathless and stared apathetically into the air. His heart was beating fast and the dark spots under his shirt sleeves increased in size. Something exploded inside his head and he slumped down over the desk shouting like a dying pig. The words of Laiki Bank’s bankruptcy were echoing in his head. In slow-motion he grabbed the arm rests and sat up again, pulling his hands through his hair while closing his eyes.

When Theo finally opened his eyes he saw the neatly stacked files on the shelf. With legs like jelly he went up and pulled out the file marked Laiki Bank. Frantically he started leafing through all the papers but didn’t really know what he was looking for. His eye-lids started twitching and his vision became blurred. He felt faint. Feverishly he looked through the files again and sighed with relief when he found the documents dated May 16th. He rubbed his eyes and hit his cheeks, he had to be focused. Then he read the documents line by line.

There was one million six hundred thousand Euros in the account. Damn it. He might as well burn the money. Without thinking Theo made a fist with his hands so that his nails cut into his palm and then he slammed his fist as hard as he could on the table and screamed. The bandage twisted and he looked with big eyes at his broken fingers. They hurt. In despair he sunk down on the floor and Theo started to understand that it was all over. Over as a business man.

The shrill sound of the phone ringing added to his distress and he got up and angrily walked over to his desk to answer it.

”Is everything OK?” When Elena didn’t get a reply she continued stiffly. ”You have two gentlemen here, should I let them in?”

”Give me ten minutes.”

Theo tried saving the situation; he combed his grey hair and straightened his light suit. He tidied up the mess on the desk, switched off the TV and rinsed his mouth with some ice-cold water. Automatically he rubbed his sweaty hands down his suit trousers before opening the door with a fake smile.

”Welcome, please have a seat.” Theo falsely put on a happy voice and he pointed at the big conference desk with his good hand indicating to where Vladimir and Oleg could sit. ”You’re doing well here, nice office”, Vladimir complimented while his falcon eyes went around the neat room.

Theo noticed that Oleg as usual wore a steel-grey suit with the jacket hanging over his shoulder. His white shirt with the long lapels was opened down to his navel and the thick gold-chain around his neck was shining. He smelled of cigars and expensive men’s perfume. As usual Theo felt scared in the presence of these men but tried hiding it as well as possible. The thought of the news caught up with him and he couldn’t really grasp that he had just lost one and a half million Euros.
Focus now and put on the mask.
Nervously he dried the sweat on his upper lip and then put the handkerchief back in his front pocket.
Stay cool and move the pawns well and you’ll get a number of houses and apartments sold.

”Would you like something to drink?” Theo tried smiling but failed and his eyes fell on the file instead.

”No thanks”, Oleg replied for both of them.

”So then”, Theo said and sat down opposite them. ”You wanted to discuss the Golden Coast.”

Vladimir nodded contentedly and let his gaze stay on Theo’s fingers. ”How are they doing?”

”Oh, they’re fine”, Theo lied nervously and pulled his healthy fingers over the distorted bandage.

”Good. Well, we’ll get straight to the point then. We have brought a deal which we want you to sign.” Vladimir took out a blue plastic folder from his dark briefcase and pushed it across the table.

”A deal? What kind of a deal?” Theo gave Vladimir a haunted look.

”We are going to buy the Golden Coast.”

”Buy the Golden Coast?” This was the second time in a day when he thought he must have heard wrong.

”Read the deal. It’s really advantageous.” Oleg stroked his newly shaved head with his hand and smiled crookedly. His tattoo was shifting with different shades of blue and green and Theo wondered how you could actually have a large spider tattooed on your head.

”Oh Lord this is not happening”, Theo mumbled and got a bad feeling in his lower back. ”But I thought you had customers wanting to buy property?”

Vladimir laughed out loud. ”We want the Golden Coast. Read the deal and sign. We pay well.”

Feeling resistance stirring inside Theo took out the documents and started reading. His heart was beating so hard his throat was throbbing.

”Five million Euros? But that’s just a fraction of what I have invested…” Theo’s chin was trembling when he looked at Vladimir with despair.

”Don’t forget your bank-loans. Both with us and with the Bank of Cyprus. You’ll get rid of those.”

Theo swallowed carefully. ”But why should I sell my life’s work for such a low price at all? Do you know how many years I’ve wanted that beach property?” He sighed and pulled his hair hard.

”You are going to sell because we want it. Simple.”

Theo groaned and almost stumbled on the words. ”Never, not at that price.” He stared at the men with disgust and clenched his fists under the table.

”Unfortunately we don’t accept that answer.” Vladimir’s wolf smile was both scary and dangerous.

Theo thought frantically while pulling his sweaty hand through his dark grey hair.
I will never sell my life to the Russian Mafia. Never.
Theo’s eyes grew dark and his eyes were now only narrow slits.

”No, I can’t afford selling the Golden Coast at the price you are offering me.”

”You are not selling? That alternative is not part of the game, my friend.” Theo quickly got up from the chair and started pacing the grey speckled marble floor. ”Damn it, you have no right to force me to sell, do you get that?” His voice was desperate but deep inside he knew he didn’t have any choice.

”We want the Golden Coast which means you will sell the place to us, got it?” Oleg answered calmly and followed Theo’s steps with his evil eyes. ”You don’t want us to have to force you…like last time? Maybe you’ve already forgotten how painful it was?”

The red spots on his face were spreading down to his chest and Theo was frightened. The dizziness hit him from behind and his pulse increased rapidly. He had a problem breathing and had to sit down on the black leather couch.

”We don’t have the whole bloody day. Would you rather we forced you to sign it, or?” Vladimir was losing his patience and had raised his voice considerably.

The atmosphere in the room was thick and unpleasant. Theo looked up from the floor, blinking a few times. ”I’m sorry, but I can’t sell…”

”But don’t you understand what we are saying?” Vladimir shouted. ”You don’t have a bloody choice. If you don’t sign now I promise we’ll really harm your family. Your little whore of a wife might want to be killed after she’s watched us cutting out the tongues of your bloody kids. What do you say about that?”

Theo felt sick. He was sure he would faint any second now. His legs were shaking and the cold sweat was pouring down his back.

”Don’t you dare touch my family”, he hissed through his teeth.

”Hey you, it will be a true pleasure. Pauline is really good looking with her long blond hair. In addition I’ve always had a weak spot for thin chicks with clear blue eyes. To fuck her will be a real pleasure.”

”You’re bloody sick!” Theo shouted and looked at Vladimir with murder in his eyes. ”You can’t bloody threaten my family.”

”I can’t?” Vladimir took the mobile from Oleg and passed it on to Theo. ”Listen.”

”Do as they say Theo, please they are hurting us!” Pauline shouted desperately in her husband’s ear.

Pauline’s words echoed in his head and all the colour went from Theo’s face.

”You bloody blackmailers.” He should be immune about any threat from the Mafia by now but Theo was terrified. He tried thinking clearly but the only thing he had in his mind was his beloved family. ”There is a point missing in the deal.”

”And what could that be?” Vladimir stared at Theo and pulled his fingers so they cracked.

Theo shivered with disgust. ”That you’ll leave me and my family in peace in the future. I don’t want to see you or hear from you again. Never again. You will assure me and my family a secure future without your involvement.” Theo dried the saliva from the corner of his mouth and took a breath. ”There is nothing called protection money any more. Got it?”

Vladimir and Oleg looked at each-other for a long while. ”OK, but then your autograph should be on the deal within thirty seconds.”

”In addition the money should be transferred to my account in London today”, Theo said with a firm voice and look which he hadn’t had before.

His anger was bubbling like boiling water. Theo clenched his fists. He wanted to fight. Hit somebody or break something. Finally he took the vase with fresh lilies and threw it all into the concrete wall while shouting out his anguish. Out of breath he sat down on the edge of the desk when he suddenly remembered that he had to switch off the recording on the video camera in the ceiling.

”Sweet revenge you bloody bastards.”

Monday June 10th

Nikki nervously looked through the window at the police station as Linn paid the taxi-driver. Worriedly she wondered how it would be to see her old childhood friend after all the lies. Last time they had been together was the first week-end in December last year, which was far too long ago. But she could only blame herself. After turning herself inside out Nikki had decided not to tell the whole truth as to why she was in Cyprus. Why put salt on an open wound?

She gathered up courage and went out into the hot, stifling afternoon air, squinted at the strong light and shaded the sun with her hands. She met Linn’s desperate look and tried to smile amid the tears. A strong love came over her and not until now did Nikki understand how much she had missed her best friend, who was also like a sister to her. Without hesitating she ran over and hugged her warmly. They stood for a long time holding each-other until the sun’s heat got too much for them. Nikki had time to think how skinny Linn had become and that she looked tired. Worn-out. It was probably a combination of alcohol and Patrik’s disappearing, she sadly thought.

”Come on, I’ll help you with the luggage. We’ll put it in my car and go straight to my place.”

”Thank you”, Linn whispered and dried the tears that were running down her cheeks. ”I have to know if you’ve found Patrik yet?” Linn looked with blood-shot eyes, pulled her hand under her nose and swallowed. Nikki unhappily shook her head and looked deep into her eyes.

”Linn, I understand that you are just as worried as I am but you must be positive. If he doesn’t show up by himself the police will find him eventually. I promise.” Nikki studied her friend’s face. She had dark rings under her eyes, her cheeks were sunken and her skin pale despite having been on the island for a few days. Nikki helped her into the car, then started up the engine and drove down the hill toward the beach of Coral Bay. Linn looked searchingly at Nikki and clasped her fingers on her lap.

”How come you are here on Cyprus?”

A vague expression spread on Nikki’s face but she quickly pulled herself together. ”My boss’ orders. I’m helping out with a murder investigation… Karl Hofvenskold has been found murdered.”

”What, Karl is dead? I’ve totally missed that.” Linn looked dead serious. ”What happened?”

”I’m afraid I can’t give any details but he has been murdered.”

”Murdered? Who would want to murder Karl? Linn’s tone of voice was both honest and surprised.

”It’s hard to believe, isn’t it? But that’s why I’m here.” She carefully exhaled and felt she had come up with a fairly trustworthy explanation. She wasn’t completely wrong since her boss actually had asked Nikki to stay on the island because of Karl’s death. Nikki stopped at a crossing and turned to her friend. She actually had a thousand questions to ask but knew that she’d have to tread carefully.

”So you managed to get somebody to look after the kids and come to Cyprus?” She smiled nervously and felt disgustingly false.

”Well, not quite, but the kids are with their grandparents in Marstrand.”

”Did you tell them that Patrik is missing?”

Linn looked as though she’d seen a ghost and silently shook her head.

”But if he doesn’t turn up soon they should be informed”, Nikki continued seriously.

Nikki turned left into the courtyard, parked the car in the shade and got out. The light yellow block of flats was surrounded by different kinds of fruit trees and soon it would be time to pick the passion fruit Nikki helped Linn put her luggage into the lift and then she ran up the stairs to the fourth floor.

”Would you like something to drink or are you perhaps hungry?” She asked after showing Linn around the flat.

”Some water would be nice, thank you.”

”Come, let’s sit in the shade on the balcony. The view is fantastic.” Nikki carried a tray with a pitcher of ice-cold water with cucumber in it, two large tumblers and a plate of fresh pineapple. ”Tell me, what actually happened. How come Patrik is missing?” She sat down in the soft deck-chair and poured water into the glasses.

Linn told her about the last few days while the tears were streaming down her cheeks.

”Do you have any idea as to where he could be?”

”No.” She dried her face and had a sip of water. ”He came to Cyprus to see his accountant, I don’t know anything else.” She sobbed and her lower lip started trembling.

Nikki had a flash-back of Patrik coming back to the Grecian hotel after a meeting with his accountant. He was in a terribly bad mood and according to him the meeting hadn’t been that good. Carefully she made a mental note to check out the accountant, maybe even showing up at his office without previous notice. Nikki continued questioning Linn until she felt sure that her friend had given her any important information she had. She put a warm hand on Linn’s shoulder and dried a few tears resting on her cheek.

”Unfortunately I have to go back to the station for a few hours. Make yourself at home. You’ll find a few things in the fridge if you get hungry. Please go down to the pool if you like, the afternoon sun is gorgeous. By the way, you’ll find clean towels in the bathroom.” Nikki turned around and realized that Linn hadn’t heard a word she’d said.

”I behaved like a pig and now it’s my fault that Patrik is gone.” Her eyes overflowed and Linn started crying loudly. Nikki went up and gave her a long hug and comfortingly stroked her bony back with her hand.

”Hush, you’ll see he will soon be back.”
Did I really believe that myself?