The Northern Cross (A Baltic Sea Crime Novel Book 2)

by Hendrik Falkenberg

  Hannes had to provide the coordinates of the vessel. In the second part, he had to explain that a marking on the chart signals the presence of a shipwreck at 56.3 meters below sea level. After calculating and charting a true course, describing a light buoy, and computing the travel time, he leaned back in his chair. The first six parts of the problem were done, and once he had answered the seventh part correctly, it was smooth sailing. Shortly before the hour was up, he laid down his compass and scribbled his answer to the ninth part, which had asked him to find out the so-called dead reckoning position.

  Hannes walked outside and strolled down the quay toward Lena. She was one of the last boats still in the water, and he reverently ran his hand along her railing. He found it hard to believe he would soon be able to captain the boat.

  “Can’t hardly wait, huh?” Ole said as he strode over. “How’d it go?”

  “Good, I think. Thanks for your help. Without you, that sea chart would have been tough.”

  Ole leaned against the railing and looked out at the sea. Hannes knew he wasn’t one to waste his breath. A seagull landed on the edge of the boat. A moment of peace. Hannes could have stayed there forever. Just then, his phone rang. He looked at Ole, who furrowed his eyebrows, turned, and trudged across the footbridge.

  “What’s up, Clarissa?”

  “Mr. Böhm claims Ursula Meister read too much into his relationship with her brother. She feels sorry for Frank and thinks everyone else does too.”

  “The guy doesn’t exactly pull on your heartstrings.”

  “Don’t fool yourself. He’s well received at the Church of the Creator. Seems he’s quite charismatic. I told Mr. Böhm that we were checking Meister’s phone records. After that, Böhm admitted they had regularly spoken and met from time to time. He had needed someone to talk to, and Meister had helped him through a difficult time.”

  “A model of Christian charity,” Hannes said.

  “Which worked. After a heated debate, Böhm let slip that he had joined the Church of the Creator a few days ago, which I find strange.”

  “Why? He fits right in . . .”

  “Because he knows we’re investigating the church. That was his reason why he kept his relationship with Ursula and Frank Meister a secret. He even admitted he was aware of some of the nonfatal incidents. Frank had told him about them, but blamed Bach. So Böhm assumed we had something against Meister and Bach, that we’d think they might even be involved in his wife’s murder. But he stays friends with Meister and joins the Church of the Creator?”

  “And he said?”

  “The two men are innocent. He sees the Church of the Creator as a place of refuge for true Christians and the people there as above suspicion.”

  “How credible do you think he is?”

  “To the extent that his religious fervor matches that of the Church of the Creator. But he’s also unreadable and could be hiding something. Especially since he admitted today for the first time that he knew about the sexual relationship between his wife and Alexander Kramer.”

  Hannes wandered back inside to find out the results of the written test. Despite three wrong answers, he had passed. The test on the water would take place in an hour. He went back outside and sat by himself. Could Mr. Böhm be behind all this? Hannes wondered. David Bach had admitted to meeting Matthias Böhm, but only a couple of times. Frank Meister was the link between them, and he was now hiding somewhere deep in the Scandinavian winter. At the same time, Hannes couldn’t shake the feeling that the perp was involved in New Way. Or maybe that was just his dislike of the Schweigers talking. He was curious to hear what Elke would have to say.

  He looked up at the sound of a car. Anna had borrowed her friend Tina’s Mini and had pulled into the parking lot. She beamed as she walked over in her thin denim jacket.

  “What a beautiful day. It’s wonderful here.” She waved a small backpack. “I brought some lunch.”

  They sat on two small rocks, and Anna pulled items from her backpack.

  “Shrimp salad,” Hannes said appreciatively and took a giant bite. “Where’d you get it?”

  “From a deli near Tina’s place. Congratulations on the first part of the test. When’s the next part?”

  “In a few minutes. But it’ll take a while.”

  “Doesn’t matter, I’ll watch from here. There are worse places I could be. By the way, guess who e-mailed me?”

  “You got an interview at LightFire?”

  “Awesome, right?” she said and hugged him. “I have to thank Ines. She passed my application on to her friend there. I’m really excited.”

  Hannes was too, and he hoped she’d get the job. It couldn’t get any better—the company was located in the city center, so she’d be close to him.

  “All test takers to the boats!” the examiner shouted in a stern voice, and Hannes raced over to the dock. Contrary to expectations, Ute had decided to participate. The seasickness she had experienced in class hadn’t deterred her. She was also the first one called. She had difficulty navigating by compass, but the examiner turned a blind eye when she took a few turns too hard.

  Next was Hannes’s turn. He performed the five mandatory maneuvers without complaint. Anna had left the spot where she had been sitting and stood beside Ole on the dock. Ole looked cheerful and was engaged in a lively discussion with her while they watched.

  The examiner chose the two elective maneuvers that would take the shortest amount of time to complete.

  “Good,” he said to Hannes. “If you don’t tangle up your knots, you’re done.”

  Hannes leaned back and signaled with a thumbs-up to Anna and Ole that everything had gone well. While Karl grit his teeth and attempted cross bearing for a second time, Hannes’s thoughts turned to David Bach. There was no questioning his inclination toward violence. His extensive criminal record proved that, and his actions on the beach only reinforced the opinion. But would he kill several people in such a sadistic manner? Especially strangers. Had he killed his ex-girlfriend, wounded pride or even heartbreak would have at least explained it. But she had been spared. Why? Was he driven by religious fanaticism? He didn’t give the impression of being especially pious. And he wouldn’t have become a crusader for nothing. This was where Frank Meister came into play. He was a brilliant proselytizer, able to sway others. But Hannes disliked the fact that the investigation hung on a single theory. Of course, it was an obvious one, and no other theory had suggested itself. But what if the Finnish authorities nabbed Meister and the theory turned out to be a flop?

  ‘A flop’ perfectly described Karl’s performance. His seasick wife Ute had passed the test, while he had to take it again. The group had gathered on the quay. He stood there sulking as Ute demonstrated her knotting skills. Hannes ran into a little trouble with his bowline knot, but he managed to save face.

  The successful graduates returned one more time to the small building where their licenses awaited them. Hannes stepped out into the sunlight and presented Anna and Ole with the turquoise-colored card.

  “Congratulations!” she exclaimed. “I told you not to worry. Here—I got you a gift.”

  Surprised, he watched as she pulled from her backpack a white captain’s hat with a navy visor.

  That evening, the Christmas market in front of city hall was packed with visitors squeezing through the narrow corridors of stalls at the foot of the Gothic building. The old city center was adorned in festive lights and decorations, and everyone was thirsty for mulled wine.

  Hannes sipped on his first cup while his friends were already on their second round. At least it wasn’t cold, which was the first major strike against Christmas markets for Hannes. The second was the crowds. Ben’s dog Socks apparently thought the same. He lay at Hannes’s feet, his tail between his legs. He was, however, intrigued by the diverse smells. He constantly sniffed each passerby, and a little girl quickly pulled her cotton candy out of his reach. Hannes chuckled and patted Socks. The news of Hannes’s passed test had be
en met with enthusiasm, and everyone was eager to know when he would take them out on the water.

  “Doesn’t make sense in the winter,” he said. “There’s not much space in the wheelhouse and cabin, and you’ll just freeze your asses off outside.”

  Secretly, he wanted to embark on his maiden voyage with just Anna. That way, the others wouldn’t see him make some clumsy mistake the first time he cast off.

  “We could celebrate New Year’s Eve on your boat,” suggested Ben. “I don’t know if Socks would come, though. We’d have to see.”

  “That’d certainly be a change from ringing in the new year in some crowded club,” Kalle said.

  “Or sitting in front of some boring raclette grill,” Ines added with a grin.

  Hannes stared at the five expectant faces. Judging by the look on Anna’s face, she too welcomed the idea, so he bit the bullet. After all, it did sound like a good plan.

  Hannes pulled Elke aside to ask about her recent impressions of New Way. Anna was talking with Ines about her job prospects, and Kalle had been roped into a discussion about women with Ben. Evidently, his romance with the Vietnamese girl from the club had its vagaries.

  “How’s the investigation?” Elke asked.

  “We have a prime suspect.”

  “That’s good. Maybe people will finally start relaxing at New Way.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Everyone’s been on edge. There have been some heated exchanges.”

  “About what?”

  “A few people think the group’s being targeted for its excessive tolerance. That that’s what triggered all of this.”

  “They’re blaming the victims?” Hannes was stunned.

  “Of course no one will say that out loud. But it seems that way.”

  “So who holds that opinion?”

  “The group’s split into two camps. The Schweigers head one group. Five or six people have rallied around them. The moderates seem to be leaving. Yesterday, only twelve people came to the meeting.”

  “Who’s on the Schweigers’ side?”

  “The Grafs. They rarely used to attend, but now they’ve been showing up regularly. Then there’s Beatrice Reichert. She’s a little snooty—she’s a former ballerina and thinks she’s hot stuff. The Schweigers have also dragged two new couples with them who seem to be more or less cut from the same cloth.”

  “Who leads the other camp?”

  “Those two clowns, Wolfgang Hartmann and his buddy, Bengt. But if this continues, I won’t be going much longer. I thought it’d be different.”

  “Is the group on the verge of a schism?”

  “Possibly. Mr. Beck is sitting on the fence, trying to keep the two sides together. His wife can’t stand to be there anymore; she hasn’t shown up in a long time, which is a shame, because she used to sing with the choir and has a beautiful voice.”

  “Have Beck’s attempts at mediation been successful?”

  “At least he’s trying. But he’s also part of the problem, because he doesn’t stand up to the Schweigers and Grafs and gives in too fast. He lets himself be forced into the role of chaplain. On the one hand, he wants everyone to stick together, but on the other, he agrees that some things were a little too lax. He says he just wants to prevent someone else from getting hurt. That’s why he’s asked everyone to remember the Ten Commandments and not to make themselves a target.”

  “What’s your opinion?”

  “I don’t know. I’m afraid some might consider me a black sheep for being a lesbian, especially Mrs. Schweiger.”

  “You told her?” Hannes asked, frightened.

  “Of course not. Why would I? Only Rebecca knows.”

  “And she keeps it to herself?”

  “She promised. She’s been looking at me a little strangely, though. I suspect she’s told someone. But I don’t want to make any accusations. I asked her to keep it secret.”

  “Well, just be—”

  “Careful, I know.” She laughed. “You’ve already told me that a hundred times. But you’re close to solving the case. What could happen to me now?”

  “It’s just that . . . Look, just be careful.”

  “I’ll probably stop going. I’ll attend the choir getaway next weekend because I’ve already paid. But if things don’t change by then, I’ll leave.”

  “Hey. What are you two chatting about?” Ben walked up from behind Hannes and put his arms around both of them. “Ines suggested we move to another stand. She’s hungry.”

  The group wound its way through the avalanche of people, but their progress was slow because Ines, Anna, and Elke kept stopping to look at different stalls.

  “What a small world.”

  Hannes felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to find Mr. Beck and his wife. With his full beard, the chaplain could have easily been confused for Santa Claus.

  “I thought I saw you,” Hannes said. “So I wasn’t wrong. Out trying to catch some Christmas spirit?”

  “Yeah, but it’s hard in crowds like this,” Mrs. Beck said.

  “Well, we’re here, right?” said Mr. Beck with a grin. “Christmas always brings out the need for community and ceremony in people. Church pews aren’t packed for nothing.”

  “Is it the same at New Way?” Hannes asked.

  “Last year we had to set up extra chairs,” Mrs. Beck said as she eyed Socks and took a step away. “This year . . . well, this year will certainly be different.”

  “We don’t know that for sure,” Mr. Beck said. “Our members are very upset right now, which isn’t surprising. But we can be a wonderful community again. The perpetrator has been arrested, I hear?”

  “The main suspect,” Hannes said. “But the investigation’s ongoing.”

  “At least everything’s on the right track,” Mr. Beck said. “But we don’t want to keep you. Have a lovely evening.”

  “Who was that?” Ben asked as he watched the pair leave.

  “That was New Way’s sort-of chaplain.”

  “Oh, that cult Elke joined?” Kalle said.

  “It’s not a cult,” Elke said as she, Anna, and Ines caught up with the men.

  The group did run the risk of becoming a cultlike community. The five murders had not only cost human lives, but had also sparked further turmoil.

  CHAPTER 25

  Lord, I thank you. I thank you for your strength. I thank you for your counsel. They will not stop me. This I swear. No one will stop me. I am your servant and act according to your will. Eternal damnation awaits those who sin. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

  CHAPTER 26

  On Sunday morning, Anna asked Hannes if he had to work.

  “No, but I don’t see how we’re going to get anywhere with this investigation. One of the suspects disappeared abroad. Arresting him is our only—”

  “Well, in that case, I have something for you. Or actually for both of us.”

  Anna handed him an envelope. Hannes pulled out an online coupon for a day pass to the Beach Spa.

  “So you think I need to relax?” He laughed and pulled her close. “Thank you. That’s the perfect gift to balance out this crazy week.”

  On their way to the spa, Hannes couldn’t help staring at Anna. She hadn’t once complained about his demanding job and the impact it had on his personal life. But was she only holding back because she had just fallen for him and found his job exciting?

  “What are you thinking about?” she asked, noticing his change in mood.

  “Honestly, I’m thinking about how long it will take before you start to find my job annoying. A lot of cops have trouble balancing their work and personal lives.”

  “Well, it hasn’t bothered me yet. It’s more exciting than having an accountant for a boyfriend. Besides, I know how to keep myself busy. And wait until I find a job—I tend to get caught up in my work as well.”

  “Well then, hopefully we’ll still get to see each other,” Hannes said.

 
“There’s a simple solution: we reserve two nights a week for ourselves, so we’re not liable to spend the entire weekend by ourselves and risk neglecting our friends.”

  “Sounds good. We should try it.” But Hannes doubted the practicality of her idea.

  The spa was crowded. The parking lot was so full that Hannes had to park on the side of the road. They were soon sitting in their towels, sweating and watching through a large window as the waves pounded the shore.

  Hannes had left his cell phone in the locker and was enjoying the unexpected getaway. He couldn’t help but admire Anna’s body. Her residual tan shimmered in the warm glow of the sauna. He completely ignored the other women and only looked at her. She kissed him passionately, which surprised him.

  The effects of the sauna had worn off by Monday afternoon. Hannes had spent that morning doing light exercise and found that his body had recovered from his fall. Federsen seemed to have forgotten about Hannes’s injury and was as grumpy and surly as ever. He repeatedly complained about their Finnish counterparts, who had yet to find Frank Meister. Clarissa reminded him that their own hunt for David Bach took a while.

  Fortunately, Federsen took his anger out on interrogating Bach.

  “Fine, I admit it,” Bach said, sweat dripping down his forehead.

  “Be specific,” said Federsen.

  “We attacked that gay guy from New Way sometime in February. But we didn’t really beat him up. We just went after his ponytail. It was disgusting how he just pranced around showing the whole world he was a homo. But it was Frank’s idea.”

  “How did he know Mr. Lück was gay?” Hannes asked.

  “Everyone knew that. You could tell. And besides, he was with some man that night.”

  “So? That doesn’t mean anything.”

  “We saw them kissing in the street. It was disgusting.”

  “What did you do to the other man?”

  “Nothing—he ran off. He was another one of the New Way people. We didn’t see him after that, which was good for him because Frank wanted to jump him too. But that never happened. Probably shit his pants and never came back.”