Blue Blue Eyes: Crime Novel (30 page)

Petros looked at Daphne with irritation. ”Of course. Here is the number of the family where I had dinner and my daughter can confirm that I was at home at eleven and slept the whole night in my bed.”

”And the other two dates?”

Petros continued looking at the calendar. ”Last Friday I was busy with a board meeting the whole day and in the evening we all had dinner together. I came home around 23.30 that night and slept as usual at home the whole night. My daughter can confirm that I was at home and here is the number for one of the board members.”

”Then I’d like to know what you were up to the night before the day before yesterday.” Daphne changed position. The chair wasn’t at all as comfortable as it seemed.

”Sleeping of course, what else?” Petros put a chewing gum in his mouth and started chewing rapidly. His jaws were really tense.

”And your wife?” Daphne asked, putting one leg over the other.

”She tragically died in a car accident a little over a year ago.”

”Oh, I’m so sorry”, Daphne said a bit embarrassed.

”Are you satisfied now?” The accountant seemed to start getting up, putting his hands on the armrest.

”Both yes and no.” Daphne closed her notebook and noticed how Petros sank back against the chair. His face showed that he’d rather wanted them to leave, but Daphne still had some questions she wanted answers to. ”Nobody can testify that you’ve slept in your bed the whole night, for I presume your daughter doesn’t share a bedroom with you?”

”Now you are going too far”, Petros said strongly and stood up. He pointed with his whole hand toward the door and hissed:”You have taken up too much of my time already. Now could you please leave me alone.”

Nikki and Daphne looked at each-other with a questioning look and slowly got up.

”One last question before we leave. What was Patrik Kroona doing here last Saturday?”

Petros’ reaction wasn’t slow. His look was furious and redness spread up from his collar and up his neck. It seemed he was going to make a mistake but the only thing he could say was: ”Go to hell you disgusting vultures.”

1981

During the autumn Father had made a decision that would change the boys’ future forever. After all these years in Sweden he wanted to move back to Cyprus. The boys didn’t protest but a small hope had been lit in their lifeless brown eyes.

The winds of change had given them a chance and the brothers hoped they could start afresh in Pafos. The boys soon found security with their grandmother, where they lived with the father. Their skinny bodies had finally started growing again. The father couldn’t continue with the torture in their new home and the boys made sure they were close to their grandmother as much as possible. The old woman with white hair had been a tough woman and nobody could rule her, not even her own evil son.

The grandfather, who had been a tyrant as well, was locked up for life in one of the island’s prisons for many years. He wasn’t missed by anyone not even the boys who had never seen their own grandfather.

The brothers’ lives changed radically by moving to the Mediterranean. One day the grandmother caught her son while beating the children and made him pack his things and leave the farm. Since then none of them had seen the evil father and nobody knew where he lived or what he was doing.

The brothers developed. They finished school with reasonable grades considering the circumstances. After military service they started working and could finally feel relieved that their hell of a childhood was over. One day they would get revenge. One fine day.

Thursday June 13th

Outside the Old town’s market there were several tourist coaches parked. The tavern on the top of a building was more or less full with happy pensioners with their cameras around their necks. Nikki and Daphne finally found a free table in the shade and ordered an ice-cold chai frappé each. Sweaty and tired they sat in silence and admired the magnificent view over Pafos’ town. The sound of Nikki’s mobile startled both the women and after the third ring she heard David’s voice in the phone.

”Both Olof and Petros have just opened the messages which I sent the other day so quite soon I’ll go through their mobiles and see if I can find anything useful.”

”I knew it”, Nikki said happily and pushed a strand of hair away from her eyes. ”Both of them went for it. Thanks for helping.”

”It’s just fun to be able to help. Is the investigation going forward?”

”I hope so. Now I really look forward to you finding something valuable from their mobiles. Both are hot suspects in the investigation.”

”I’ll do my very best. Do you have the same heat wave as us by the way?”

”It’s 38 degrees in the shade”, Nikki panted and put the straw in her mouth. The drink was cool and tasted heavenly of oriental spices.

”It’s the same here in Tel Aviv so I’m staying indoors. Now I’m going to a meeting but as soon as I have more information about the gentlemen’s mobiles I’ll be in touch.”

”Thank you David. I really mean it. Speak to you later”, Nikki concluded and hung up. She waived the mobile in her hand and felt warm at heart. David really was somebody you could trust. Stable and secure like few others. Nikki was more than grateful that in addition he was intelligent and had access to the most incredible systems at his work. He had saved many investigations when she got stuck. Her thoughts were interrupted by a beep from the mobile and Nikki curiously opened the message.

”Just wanted to tell you that you are more beautiful than ever. Yours David.”

With the sun shining in their eyes Daphne and Nikki drove through the Old town and continued to the harbour. They were enjoying the cool air inside the police car and didn’t ever want to step out into reality again. It was four o’clock and Nikki hoped that Linn’s day at the harbour had been fine. She took it for granted that her friend didn’t have any revolutionary news since her mobile had been quiet the whole day. Nikki was just about going to dial Linn’s number when she saw her boss’ serious picture on the display. She answered curiously and put the headset in one of her ears.

”Goran has checked out who inherits Karl Hofvenskold and there is nothing strange in the will”, she said with a stressed voice. ”Barbro and the children inherit, just as it should be.”

”Good, then we can exclude that from the investigation”, Nikki replied. ”I just have such a problem imagining who would want to see Karl Hofvenskold dead. I wonder what kind of maniac he has encountered?”

”Yes, well we are all wondering that”, Kerstin answered pensively. She paused as if she was thinking of how bizarre the situation of Karl Hofvenskold being murdered actually was. ”By the way, while I still remember. I had a surprising fax from the Chief of Police in Coral Bay.”

Nikki sighed deeply. ”Sorry, but before starting with the sermon you’d better know he’s a bastard.”

Kerstin laughed heartily in the phone. ”He wrote that you are destroying the ongoing investigation and that I should send somebody else down immediately. He insisted that it should be a man. What actually happened?”

Nikki told her about the evening in the harbour. She also explained everything else going on around the mad Spaniard and didn’t spare any negative superlatives.

Hogstrom laughed loudly and heartily. ”That explains quite a lot. I was surprised and had to read the fax several times before realizing that the man must be mad. Carlos kept on calling me Mr. Hogstrom and wrote a lot of nonsense about us men sticking together and that female police didn’t have any place in the force. But he didn’t mention a word about you beating him up.”

”No, wouldn’t think so. I embarrassed him really badly you understand. A woman beating up a male chauvinist like the Chief…he would never admit to that. You should see his bruises.”

”Don’t worry, I’ll take care of Carlos”, Kerstin said in between laughing. ”Continue as usual and I’ll take care of any consequences.” Nikki updated her boss about the visits to Barbro Hofvenskold and Petros Christou before smilingly hanging up.

Fifteen minutes later the two detectives entered the Mafia’s restaurant in Pafos harbour. Thanks to the heat the bar was quiet. A few regulars were having large glasses of ale and talking about the problems in the real estate market. Daphne nodded at Nikki who went up to the bar and asked for Oleg. The young waitress, who was too thin and made up and had a too deep neckline, showed them upstairs. In the corner of the upper floor two muscular men in tight suits were sitting. Nikki and Daphne showed their police credentials and then sat down opposite them.

”So ladies, how can we be of service?” Vladimir said and touched his enormous wart to the right of his nose.

”We don’t have to beat around the bush since we know about your business”, Daphne said straight out and pulled the chair closer to the table. ”We were just wondering if you knew a Sten Arvidsson? He had his boat here in the harbour.” She nodded toward the window facing the piers. Vladimir and Oleg looked at each other long and remained quiet for a while.

”You mean the Swedish old man?” Vladimir said in surprise. ”Him with the white and green motorboat?”

”Yes, unless there are any more Swedes with that kind of boat down in the harbour.” She calmly waited for his reply while studying both of the men. They looked really mean and Nikki didn’t want to get on the wrong side of them.

”Knowing and knowing”, Vladimir continued without looking at her. ”He’s a little jerk who provides weapons to the rebels in Syria. That’s the only thing we know about him.”

Daphne and Nikki nodded at each-other in confirmation. ”You didn’t feel he was a threat when it came to selling weapons…?”

Vladimir laughed out loud. ”That little sparrow is no competitor if that’s what you think.”

”Why not?” Daphne shook her head at the waitress who asked if they wanted to order anything and then turned her attention to Vladimir again.

”Young lady, that little old man doesn’t sell great quantities you see. So we let him continue since we knew about his aim.”

”Which is?” Daphne pretended to be stupid and set up an innocent face.

”Haven’t you heard that Sten’s wife was killed by the government troops in Syria a couple of years ago? That’s why he is supplying the opposite team with weapons. Revenge sweetheart. We are talking about revenge.” Vladimir lit a cigarette and put the pack back in the front pocket of his shirt.

”Oh, shit.” Daphne pushed her chin out while a few pieces of puzzle fell into place. ”Now this weapon smuggler has been found murdered. I wondered if you know anything about that?”

”Dead? Shit, is the Swede dead?” Vladimir scratched his chest and shook his head. ”No, damn it. We had no idea.” He sat quietly with his head leaning in one of his hands and Daphne could see how he was thinking. ”Who the hell will take revenge for his wife’s death now?”

Yeah, that’s a good question, Daphne thought and glanced at Nikki. Or he’s already got his revenge. ”When did you see him last?” Vladimir shrugged. ”About a week ago or so.”

”Have you seen this man by any chance?” Daphne gave Vladimir and Oleg a picture each of Patrik.

”No, should I know who it is?” Vladimir casually raised his hand to one of the well-built waitresses to motion for a refill.

”I don’t know”, Daphne said without moving her gaze a millimetre. But she didn’t see any change or shadow passing over Vladimir’s face. She tried another track. ”Do you know another Swede by the name of Karl Hofvenskold?”

”What is this? A cross examination? No, we don’t know any Karl Hofv...something”, Vladimir answered irritated and took a frappé from the red haired waitress.

”Karl Hofvenskold’s car was found in the harbour last Monday and we also have proof that Patrik Kroona has been around here or at least his mobile has. And then it’s not so strange if we think of you guys. I mean, maybe you had something against these gentlemen?”

”You’re speaking in the past tense.” Vladimir carelessly put the straw in his mouth and looked inquiringly at Daphne. ”Are Patrik and Karl also gone?”

”Yes, all three are gone but Patrik could still be alive if we find him in time. You didn’t have any business with these gentlemen?”

Vladimir laughed hard. ”No, we knew who Sten Arvidsson was and it’s tragic that he has passed on. But the other two we unfortunately never got the chance to meet.” Vladimir smiled sarcastically and put the glass down on the lacquered table.

This wasn’t exactly the information the detectives had expected. They were stupid enough to think that the Mafia had something to do with the murders or Patrik’s disappearance.

”OK, then I have one last question. What were you doing on these dates and times?” Daphne listed the times of the murders and leaned back in the white armchair. It was way more comfortable than the hard chair in Petros’ office.

Vladimir smirked. ”My dear detective…Daphne”, he read on the name tag on the light blue blouse. ”It doesn’t matter what we were doing on these dates because we can always get an alibi. If we had wanted to get rid of these gentlemen it would have been very easy for us. But now we haven’t done that and you and your little chicken colleague just have to take my word for it.”

Daphne sighed out loud. ”But if you say you’re innocent maybe you could tell us what you were doing on these dates?”

”Are you daft or what? We didn’t have anything to do with those murders. But if you don’t stop being so bloody cheeky maybe your boss will have another murder to solve.”

Daphne gave in and the said thank you. She took a quick trip to the Ladies while Nikki continued down the stairs. A pleasant scent of garlic filled Nikki’s nostrils the closer she got to the entrance and she supposed the kitchen was somewhere around there. At the same moment as she picked up the mobile from her handbag she saw a very familiar face. She did all she could to hide her identity but knew it was in vain.

”Hey you”, she heard the man shout. Nikki ignored the call and was just about to open the door when she felt somebody taking hold of her from behind.

”You little rat, don’t think I’ve forgotten you.” The man hissed the words in her ear and pulled her arms harder behind her back. ”How the hell did you manage to escape from Money Talks?”

Nikki couldn’t say a word while the man asked the question again. Now the guard from the yacht put a knee in her back and Nikki panted with pain. Her heart was beating hard but she wasn’t afraid. She just felt surprised. If she wanted to she could take him down any time but she didn’t want to create another situations.

”Answer me!” The gorilla shouted irately.

Nikki opened her mouth and was just going to start shifting the blame when she saw a shadow in the corner of her eye.

”Let go!” Daphne shouted loudly and put her hand on her gun. ”I’ll fire the weapon if you don’t let go now!”

The Money Talks’ guard eased his hold and turned around.

”Violence against an official will put you behind bars you bastard!” Daphne continued shouting. She still had her hand on her service gun and stared at the grotesque man.

”Official? That little whore?” The man laughed viciously and looked at Nikki. ”Be really careful. Next time you’ll be mine and then you’ll not have anybody backing you up.” He let go of Nikki and gave her a poisonous look before he started walking up the stairs.

Oleg and Vladimir who had run halfway down the stairs were like two question-marks, looking at the scene.

”Did you get out of bed on the wrong side of the bed?” Oleg asked the guard.

”It was that little whore sneaking around our yacht the other night. Believe it or not but she beat up both me and Antonov.”

”There was a bloody cop onboard our boat?” Nikki heard it at the same time as Daphne hurried to open the door.

Once out on the harbour area again the detectives sat down in the shade at an outdoor cafe’ far away from Zeus. They both ordered a freshly pressed juice and a bottle of water.

”What was that all about? Who was that giant anyway?” Daphne opened the bottle and filled their glasses to the rim. Carefully Nikki swallowed some water and then rinsed her parched mouth.

”What he said was correct”, Nikki said clearing her throat. ”To make the story short, I also beat up a guard on Money Talks. Of course it was self-defence.” She put her hands out in front of her and looked in shame at Daphne.

”You’re bloody mad, do you know that?” Daphne looked in amazement at her colleague and could hardly believe what she heard.

”Yes, yes you’ve told me that a number of times now. It’s nothing special but I had to defend myself.”

”Do you want to have the Mafia looking for you now too?” Daphne continued and didn’t know if she should laugh or cry.

”Take it easy, they don’t care a shit about me.” Nikki was hoping she was right but deep down she was not too sure. She knew what the Mafia could do and didn’t feel like getting under their scrutiny. But maybe that was already too late.