A Walk Among the Dead

by Fanning, Fred

“Maggie, he is in critical condition. As the two talked, the doctor came out.

  “Deputy Inspector, I am an emergency physician treating Herr von Manntoell.”

  “Nice to meet you, doctor. How is he?”

  “He has been severely beaten, but I think he will survive.”

  “That is good to hear.”

  “I am moving him to ICU in a few minutes where he should remain there overnight. Then he will probably be hospitalized for at least a week maybe two.”

  “We will need an officer with him at all times.”

  “I understand, Deputy Inspector.”

  “Doctor, what about the second person we sent in? The woman?”

  “She just arrived. I haven’t had a chance to examine her yet.”

  “I’ll check back with you then.”

  “Yes, that will be fine.”

  Silke listened over Maggie’s shoulder. When Maggie turned, she saw Silke in tears.

  “He’ll be okay Silke.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “That is a lot more than concern I hear in your voice, isn’t there?”

  “Yes, I care for Johann deeply.”

  “How does he feel about you?”

  “I don’t know; he has to pull through for me to find out.” Silke was 35 years old, probably ten years younger than Johann, but that didn’t matter to her.

  “I wish you luck.”

  “Oh, I almost forgot. I think the money is hidden in one of the empty vaults in the von Manntoell family mausoleum.”

  “What makes you think so?”

  “I was reading the documents and found one for the purchase of the mausoleum. I then went there and found that several were empty, but had bible verses on them. The mausoleum is a property that Johann’s father always owned and knew no one would bother.”

  “Well, I will get a team out there right now and see if you are right.”

  Maggie returned to the police department operations center. She was met by Wagner, who informed her they had made the final connections between Günter Eckersley and Kurt Howler and the shooting of Inspector Albrecht.

  “Maggie, a patrol officer, interviewing businesses near Dahlem found evidence of a gasoline purchase near Albrecht’s home. We also contacted a man walking his dog earlier that evening and he identified the vehicle that they were driving just before shooting Albrecht.”

  “That is great news.”

  “It sure is.”

  “Chief, Silke Mencken thinks the money is in an empty vault at the von Manntoell mausoleum. We have evidence that the treasure was the reason for the Manntoell murders. I have a team on the way to open the vaults and find out.”

  “Well, good luck.”

  Maggie drove back to the clinic to check on Freda Stern. She parked just outside the emergency exit. She walked to the emergency desk.

  “Hello, I’m Deputy Inspector Hoffmann. I want the medical status of Freda Stern.”

  “Yes, Deputy Inspector, just a minute.”

  The nurse went back to the emergency treatment area and returned with the doctor.

  “Hello again. You’ve come to check on the second patient you sent in.”

  “Yes, doctor I did.”

  “Well, Freda Stern is her name. She sustained one bullet wound to her back just below the scapula. The bullet went through her visceral cavity and exited below her left breast. She has a second wound to her right thigh. I have removed the bullet.”

  “What is the diagnosis?”

  “She will make a full recovery.”

  “I have moved her to a room and the police officer is there with her now. That is good news. Thank you, doctor.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Doctor, could you also tell me the latest on Johann von Manntoell?”

  “Yes, I just checked on him about ten minutes ago. He is resting comfortably in the ICU. He remains out of it, probably due to the drugs we gave him.”

  “What is the prognosis for him?”

  “He should be up and around in a few days. He will have to remain in the hospital for at least a week.”

  Maggie walked up the stairs to the ICU. She saw Silke sitting in the waiting room half asleep.

  “Silke, why don’t you go home?”

  “I don’t know; I want to be here when he wakes.”

  “He will be out of it for a day or two.”

  “I will make sure you’re here before he comes around.”

  “Would you Maggie?”

  “Yes, I will have the policeman outside take you home. I want him to stay with you a few more days.”

  “I thought this was over.”

  “Well I think it is, but I want to make sure.”

  “Thanks again Maggie.”

  “Silke, remember your story.”

  “My story, oh right thanks for that too.”

  Maggie walked out of the room and spoke to the police officer outside. He and Silke walked downstairs to his car. Maggie looked in on Johann for a few minutes. She then walked up two floors to the room of Freda Stern.

  “Hello, Deputy Inspector.”

  “Hello, Officer.”

  “Any problems with her?”

  “No ma’am they have her drugged up pretty good.’

  “Keep an eye on her. She is a sneaky one.”

  “I will ma’am, thanks for letting me know.”

  Maggie walked out into the cold night to her car. She had one last stop to make before she called it a day. She drove to the cemetery with the von Manntoell mausoleum. She parked near the office and walked over to the mausoleum. There was a work crew with construction lighting inside. She stopped at the door where a police sergeant stood guard.

  “Sergeant, how’s it going?”

  “They’ve opened one so far. The manager said we could be here until sometime tomorrow morning removing the vault doors.”

  “That is unless you find the money sooner.”

  “Wouldn’t that be lucky?”

  “Well, keep going until you find it, Sergeant. Seven people have lost their lives for that money.”

  “Have a good night’s sleep, Deputy Inspector. We’ll call you if and when we find it.”

  Maggie drove to her building and walked up the flights of stairs to her flat. She got a beer and sat on the sofa. She was exhausted but had to make one more phone call before she went to bed.

  “Monika, this is Maggie.”

  “Maggie, how’s it going?”

  “Great. We have wrapped most of this up over here. Seven people dead and two injured. An active policeman was working with the criminals. He is now dead. There was also a former policewoman working with them and she is severely wounded.”

  “Wow, what a mess.”

  “Oh and we may have found the money. We won’t know for several hours yet.”

  “Wow, that would be great. What will happen to it?”

  “Johann has said he will release any claim to the money. He has said it should go to the Simon Wiesenthal Center to be returned to those it came from.”

  “Wow, that is great news. Get some rest Maggie, you sound terrible.”

  “I feel awful, Monika. Goodbye for now.”

  Maggie fell asleep on the couch, but this time, the couch was in the comfort of her own flat.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

  Maggie received a call the next day from the St Marienberg Clinic. Käthe Woolwine had passed away from her injuries. Maggie’s hand shook as she set the phone down on the receiver. How would she tell Johann?

  Two days later, Johann came to. He found Silke and Maggie at his bedside.

  “Johann, it is good to have you back with us,” said Silke.

  “It is good to be back. Although I can’t say, I feel good. I feel terrible.”

  “While you were out of it Silke identified a vault in your family’s mausoleum where we found $30,000,000 in gold, silver and currency,” said Maggie.

  “Great work Silke.”

  “It was the least I co
uld do to help,” said Silke. “It was hidden in the vault with the Scripture:

  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal, for where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.”

  “How appropriate,” said Johann. “My parents only spent the money they needed to make sure we were cared for and I was raised properly. They could have spent more, but didn’t. That is heartening to know.”

  He leaned his head against his pillow, his lips twisting upward as he remembered how his parents cared for him growing up.

  “What about the rest of the money?” asked Johann.

  “Well, that is a good question. I wish we had the answer,” said Maggie.

  “Count me out of any more investigations. This one almost killed me,” said Johann. What about the men that kidnapped me?”

  “All but one is dead. A Freda Stern is severely injured and she is going to prison for a long time.”

  “My God, were any police killed?” asked Johann.

  “Yes, Johann, but he was working with the criminals.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Johann, I have a contract for a four-part story with the Berlin Zeitung for a series of three stories. The first about solving the mystery of the missing money, a second about the murder of your family, and a third for the attempted murder of Inspector Albrecht,” said Silke.

  “That is great news, I look forward to reading it,” said Johann. Any news about my aunt, Käthe?”

  “I was notified yesterday that she passed away from her injuries,” said Maggie.

  “That is terrible…I don’t know what I am going to do. My entire family has been murdered,” sobbed Johann.

  “I am sorry, Johann,” said Silke.

  “It may have been for the best, she was badly hurt,” said Johann.

  “You are still alive Johann, and that is important,” said Silke.

  “Yes that is what matters most right now,” said Maggie.

  “Will you investigate the remaining issues?” asked Johann.

  “Actually no, I will turn everything we gathered over at the Simon Wiesenthal Center, which will do that,” said Maggie.

  “It is good to hear the investigation will go on. I would eventually like to know the whole story.”

  “The police will also do an internal investigation to explain how the police were involved. We will also build the case against Freda Stern.”

  “Those both sound crucial.”

  “I have to go, Johann, we’ll talk again soon,” said Maggie.

  “Maggie, I can never thank you enough. You have literally saved my life.”

  “You’re welcome, Johann. I am glad you’re still here with us.”

  Maggie gathered the police in the room and moved them out into the hall. She thanked them for the work on the case and released them back to uniform duty. She turned to see Silke and Johann talking.

  “It is really sweet of you to be here, Silke.”

  “I have been waiting for days.”

  “I have made a couple of decisions I want to share with you,” he said.

  “Really?”

  “I have decided to stay in the flat here in Berlin.”

  “That is a big decision.”

  “I would like to have you over for dinner after the repairs are done.”

  “I would love to come.”

  “The second decision is that I am going to release any claim on the money found in the mausoleum. I hope the Simon Wiesenthal Center can return it to Jewish families it was probably taken from.”

  “I am sure the families would greatly appreciate that.”

  “So tell me about this story contract you have.”

  “It is going to be great. I am going to tell the story from a good versus evil perspective. I want to remind people that there are a lot of bad people in the world and they don’t how much pain and suffering they cause...”

  Johann and Silke talked for hours. Chief Inspector Wagner was also at the clinic. He was there to see Inspector Werner Albrecht.

  “Werner, you look stronger every day. Nice to see you Ute,” said Wagner.

  “Thanks, Chief you’re too kind, we both know I have a long way to go,” said Werner.

  “You’ll be back to normal in no time I know it,” said Wagner.

  “I am afraid not. My doctor has recommended that I retire. I am going to take his advice,” said Werner.

  “I am sorry to hear that, Werner. You certainly deserve retirement, but I hate to see you go out injured.”

  “I hate to go out this way too. I would probably have retired in a year or two anyway.”

  “Well, I respect your decision. Ute, I bet you’re glad to hear Werner is done?” asked Wagner.

  “I certainly am. It will be good to have him around the house.”

  “Chief, one last thing, if I may?” asked Werner.

  “Certainly, what is it?”

  “My replacement, I really would appreciate your consideration of Maggie Hoffmann.”

  “You have read my mind. She has done such an excellent job. She has really earned it,” said Wagner.

  Chief Wagner reached out to take Werner’s hand. They shook hands like old friends. The Chief hugged Ute and kissed her on both cheeks. It was an end of the era at the department, but a new one was about to begin.

  Maggie turned the records over to the department’s office of internal affairs to help their investigation into Hammer. She had a second copy sent it to her friends Monika and Stephen at the Simon Wiesenthal Center in California.

  That afternoon Maggie would meet with investigators from the District Attorney’s office to help them proceed with the case against Freda Stern. She felt the vacuum from the case ending. She had been running on adrenaline for days now and would need some time to slow down.

  The forensic laboratory was in overtime processing all the evidence from the various locations. Their job was actually just beginning. It would take weeks.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  Chief Inspector Wagner signed the personnel action promoting Maggie Hoffmann to full Inspector. She was the first woman to hold the grade in Berlin. He completed a list of people he wanted to invite to the ceremony, asked everyone to keep it secret. A few days later he called Maggie to his office.

  “Maggie, this is Chief Wagner. Can you come up and see me?”

  “Sure, Chief, I’ll be right up.”

  Maggie climbed the stairs wondering what the Chief could want. Everything seemed to be going well.

  They exchanged pleasantries and then the Chief motioned to the chair next to his desk. “Maggie, have a seat, I need to speak to you.”

  Maggie sat hesitantly; the Chief had never asked her to sit down before.

  “Inspector Albrecht has decided to retire.”

  “I am sorry to hear that, Chief. I enjoyed working with him.”

  “Well, his doctor recommended it as a result of the shooting.”

  “I thought he was going to be okay?”

  “He will be, but not a 100%.”

  “I understand. We’ll pull together until you select someone to replace him.”

  “That is just it, Maggie. I have decided on his replacement.”

  “Who?”

  “You will be, Maggie.”

  “Chief, I am a young woman.”

  “I know that. Are you trying to talk me out of this decision?”

  “No, but I am very surprised.”

  “Headquarters has approved my choice. I have the signed order here. It is effective immediately.”

  “Sir, I don’t know what to say.”

  “Werner Albrecht and I were hoping you would say yes.”

  “Of course Chief. Yes, I gladly accept. I am speechless.”

  “I would like to do a formal ceremony. Would you like time for you
r mother to come?”

  “Yes, but her age prohibits arduous travel and she won’t be able to.”

  “How about tomorrow at 2:00 pm then?”

  “Yes, sir, that would be perfect.”

  “This will be a small ceremony. Just a few close friends and coworkers.”

  “Thank you again, sir. I am overwhelmed.”

  “Don’t be. You’ve earned it.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  As she walked out, the receptionist said, “See you later Inspector Hoffmann.”

  “Thank you.” Maggie walked out with a big smile on her face.

  At her office, the building manager was overseeing the change on her door from Deputy Inspector to Inspector. He smiled as she walked in. Maggie sat at her desk. She was still in shock.

  She called her mother.

  “How are you dear?” Her mother’s voice was gentle and soft.

  “I am great, Mom. How are you?”

  “I am just fine. What is the matter?”

  “Well I hate to bother you, but I was just promoted to Inspector and I couldn’t wait to tell you.”

  “My God little one! That is fantastic news.”

  Maggie was silent on the other end of the line.

  “Maggie, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing; I just wish Dad was here to see this.”

  “He would be so proud.”

  “I hope so.”

  “My God, Maggie, you’re such a young woman for so much responsibility.”

  “They know Mom.”

  “I am so proud of my little girl.”

  “I will let you go, for now, Mom, I miss and love you.”

  “I love you to little one.”

  Maggie sat at her desk with tears running down her face. She had worked so hard to overcome her father’s death. This was once again her family home here in Berlin. She made another call to her friend Monika.

  “What is wrong Maggie?”

  “Nothing’s wrong.”

  “Why call so early?”

  “I can’t wait to tell you that I was just promoted to Inspector.”

  “Oh my God, Maggie, are you serious?”

  “Yes, I am serious.”

  “That is the best news I have ever heard. I am so happy for you.”

  “I am still in shock myself. I’ll let you get back to sleep. Please, tell Stephen when you see him.”

  “I sure will and congratulations again.”