The Checkpoint, Berlin Detective Series Box Set

by Michele E. Gwynn

  Heinz chuckled. “Sounds good, Keller. I look forward to it.” They hung up. He looked at Mahler and shrugged. “She signed out for the day around the same time Anno last heard from her.”

  “Maybe she went to see her new beau?” Mahler offered, although she knew Elsa to be more responsible than to just go off without letting her brother know exactly where she was and when she’d be home. She’d been like that ever since the incident. Still, she also hadn’t dated anyone that she knew of in all this time. A new love can make a woman a little crazy.

  “Maybe.” The fax machine rang and began printing out papers. Joseph walked over to the machine and picked them up. He stood reading them for some time, his expression getting darker.

  “Mahler. We got part of the analysis back from Dr. Menghala.”

  “Well? What does it say?” She stood up and stretched her arms over her head. The action tightened her shirt across her breasts. Heinz didn’t mean to stare, but it was difficult not to notice. He shook his head and scowled before reading the report out loud.

  “The fibers from the deceased’s wrists and ankles were polyamide filaments from rope, and the chemicals found therein showed to be high concentrations of DDT and HCB above 200 kilograms per unit. Menghala reports that there is only one port nearby that shows this level of contamination in the sediments.” He looked up at Mahler. “The Port of Hamburg.”

  She blew out a breath. “Sailor’s rope?”

  “Yes. So it would seem.”

  And Greg Koslov said he is a sailor”

  “A sailor who says Yuri Ivchencko is his uncle. An uncle who’s major shipping enterprise is based in Hamburg.” Heinz looked like he just won a prize.

  “And what about Elsa?”

  “I think we need to pay a visit to her new boyfriend.” He picked up his coat and put it on.

  “For Anno?”

  “Yes, and also because his gallery just made a delivery there. Someone was inside that house today and can give us some intel. I don’t know if there’s a link, but we need to find out. And if not, maybe we can use the gallery to our advantage somehow.”

  “But we don’t know his home address.” She grabbed her own coat.

  “Of course we do.” He grabbed a folder off his desk separate from the stack given him by Faust.

  “Joseph! Is that his file?” She caught up to him as he walked out of the office.

  “It is. Are you going to fuss at me again about spying on her new boyfriend?”

  “No. I’m going to read it. Now hand it over. And don’t forget to call Anno.” She pulled the file out of his hand and walked ahead flipping the pages.

  “You’re getting to be as bad as me, Mahler.” He hit REDIAL on his mobile.

  She didn’t even look up. “I learned from the best.”

  Heinz smiled. “We’ll need to call Faust next. I’ll have him run a check on the Gregor Koslov we found and see if there’s any connection to the Khlysty commune. If so, we have a point of origin. As it is, I think we have enough to get a warrant to search Ivchencko’s home.”

  Mahler reached down to open the door and get into the car. “It’s all circumstantial, but it does add up. I’m going to run a criminal check on our friend, Ivchencko. I don’t care if it’s just traffic tickets. I want no excuses when we contact the judge. I have a feeling about this.”

  Joseph closed her door as he passed and walked around to get in. “So do I.” He thought about the last time he encountered anything to do with Ivchencko Enterprises. His gut was telling him there was far more to this than a few missing girls. And his gut was never wrong.

  THE LOUD POUNDING ON Lukas’ front door interrupted his arm curls. He set the fifty-pound hand weights down, grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat off his forehead as he went to answer the insistent knocking. A smile crept across his handsome face as he thought it might be Elsa. Who else could it be?

  He flung the door open without looking through the spy hole and his smile died. A tall gentleman with graying hair and a very serious visage stood on the threshold next to a petite dark-haired woman. “Can I help you?” A badge flashed in front of his face

  “Lukas Trommler?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m Kommissar Heinz, and this is Detective Mahler. Do you mind if we come in?” Heinz cast a look over Lukas’s shoulder glancing around the interior of his apartment.

  “What’s this about, Kommissar?” He didn’t move from the doorway.

  “Officer Elsa Kreiss.”

  Lukas was immediately alarmed. “Elsa? Is she okay? What happened?” He stepped back and let the two investigators enter.

  “That’s what we’re here to find out,” said Mahler. “Her brother called in saying she’d failed to come home after work. He thought maybe she might be with you.”

  Lukas put his hands on his hips, perplexed. “That was only a few hours ago. I thought a person had to be missing for over twenty-four hours before polizei were called in?”

  “So she’s missing?” Heinz eyed him sternly.

  “No. Not as far as I know. That’s not what I said. I’m just surprised that you’re looking for her here. Last I heard from her, she said she was going home to sleep.”

  Mahler walked further inside the living room, scoping out the apartment. “And when was this?”

  Lukas walked over to the side table and picked up his mobile. He tapped the screen and then handed it over to Mahler. “Around lunch. I invited her over, but she declined as you can see.”

  “And this made you angry?” Heinz stood with his hands behind his back and feet apart interrogating Lukas without shame.

  “What? No! I was disappointed, sure. But not angry. Why would I be angry?”

  “So you have no idea where she might be?” Mahler handed back the phone.

  “I assumed she was home. It’s only been a few hours since she got off work. She probably just went shopping or something banal like that. Why would her brother call the police?”

  “He didn’t,” said Heinz.

  Lukas looked even more confused. “But you just said...and you flashed your badge!”

  “Anno didn’t call the police. He called his family friend,” Mahler filled in.

  Lukas registered this information, and then his face relaxed. “Oh, I see. This is unofficial.” He walked to his chair and then indicated they should take a seat on the couch.

  Mahler sat first, then Lukas, and finally Heinz who continued to glare at him. “Tell me what you know about Yuri Ivchencko.”

  Lukas’s eyes grew wide. The question stunned him. “Herr Ivchencko? Why would you ask me about him? What does he have to do with Elsa? This is all very strange.” He sat back with his hands on his knees.

  “It doesn’t have anything to do with Elsa, but everything to do with why you were at his home today.” Heinz spoke casually, but his eyes watched Lukas like a hawk taking in every response.

  Trommler’s face grew even more perplexed and his mouth hung open just a little as he digested the statement that sounded more like an accusation, but for what, he couldn’t fathom. “I wasn’t at Herr Ivchencko’s home today. Why would you say that? I’ve been home all day.”

  “Come now. Your gallery’s delivery truck was parked there early this afternoon.” Heinz turned to look at Mahler. “About two, wasn’t it?”

  Mahler flipped through her notebook. “Yes, that’s accurate.”

  Lukas went from confused to tense, and he didn’t like it. “I’m sure you’re right. It would have been my gallery’s delivery truck, but I was not the one making a delivery. I don’t make deliveries. I set up exhibitions and handle all the public relations for Galerie George Nothelfer. I also, on occasion, am a buyer, but deliveries? No. That would have been Otto and Imani Bishop. She was to ensure delivery and setup today. Now can you please clue me in on what the hell it is that’s going on?”

  Heinz stared at Lukas a few seconds longer weighing just how much he would reveal. It was obvious Trommler was telling the truth
. It was also obvious that the man was vain, cocky, and not good enough for Elsa. But that was another matter.

  “We’re investigating a missing person. Not Elsa, but another young lady, actually, three young women. A gentleman staying with Ivchencko is a person of interest in this case.” Heinz left out that Ivchencko was also on his list. The less information, the better. “However, we don’t have enough evidence yet for a warrant. What we really need is to get inside that house and have a look around.”

  Mahler picked up the conversation. “We were hoping you had access, knew the layout.”

  “Imani would know after today.” Lukas stated.

  Heinz’s phone rang. He whipped it out and walked toward the tall, marble fireplace mantle. “Heinz,” he answered. He looked at the pictures in the frames. “No. We haven’t heard back from her yet. Yes, we’ve checked with the new boyfriend.” He looked over at Lukas. He returned Heinz’s stare. “No replies to your texts still?” He waited. “Hold on. We’re going to try something.” He walked over and stood in front of Trommler. “Have you tried texting Elsa since lunch?”

  “No. She made it clear she wasn’t going to come over, so I left her alone. She can be very stubborn.” Lukas looked down.

  Mahler grinned to herself. Heinz reached down and picked up Lukas’s mobile, handing it to him. “Try again.”

  Lukas took the phone and pulled up Elsa’s last text. He hit REPLY and began typing with his thumbs. “What should I say?” He looked up at Heinz.

  “Tell her that her little brother is worried sick and calling all over Berlin to find her. And Heinz is pissed.”

  “Joseph—" Mahler began.

  “She has us chasing down her lover to find her, Birgitta. After what happened with Anno, she should know better.” He sounded every bit like an angry father.

  “I heard about that last night, that her brother had been kidnapped by Christiansen’s uncle. What a sick fuck. She even texted Anno when we got back...” He looked at Mahler, who had one eyebrow raised expectantly, and then to Heinz, who looked like he wanted to smack him if he continued with his sentence, and immediately ended that thought. “Anyway, she made a point of letting her brother know where she was. It really doesn’t sound like her to be so irresponsible. I can’t think why she would not do the same today.”

  Lukas watched his phone for a reply. Mahler and Heinz exchanged looks. They, too, were now beginning to worry that this wasn’t just Elsa forgetting to check in with Anno. She never forgot to check in with him. She was usually compulsive about it.

  “Mahler, call Hummel and ask him to check traffic cameras from Elsa’s station to the nearest tube. Let’s see if we can track where she went. Have him check which train runs to Köthener Straße at the hour when she clocked out. There should be close circuit video we can view.”

  She began dialing as she stood up and walked over to the patio doors that opened onto a large terrace.

  Heinz sat down on the edge of the couch; his expression serious. “I need you to call this Imani Bishop and get her over here as soon as possible.”

  “What should I tell her?”

  “Whatever it takes to get her here, but don’t mention Ivchencko. I don’t want to spook her, and since I don’t know the nature of her connection to him, it’s best to keep that quiet until I can question her.”

  Lukas blew out a breath. “She has no connection to him. Last night was the first night she ever met him. I usually deal with him. Today would’ve been the first day she stepped foot in his home, and that’s only because I sent her with Otto to make sure the canvases were hung properly. Herr Ivchencko is very particular about things.”

  “Get Otto over here as well.” Heinz’s expression never wavered.

  “Well, fuck. I may as well invite Bruce, too, because he helped Otto carry the damn paintings inside.” He began to dial.

  Heinz reached over and patted Lukas on the shoulder. “Now you’re getting it.” He stood up, and paced thinking he needed to call Elsa’s partner, Hugo Beimer, and get him over here too. He was the last person to see Elsa that day, and he was familiar with the habits of his partner. Plus, they would need help. A persistent voice sounded like it was coming from far away, and he looked around the room, then down, and realized he still had Anno on the line. He lifted the phone slowly to his ear, annoyed with himself for forgetting the boy was still practically in the room with them. He was sure he’d just caused him undue panic, especially since they didn’t know anything just yet. “Anno? How much of that did you hear?”

  Chapter Eleven

  A PERSISTENT PAIN THROBBED in her forehead feeling like ten jackhammers trying to pound their way out of her skull. Elsa lifted her hand to rub the spot between her eyes, but nothing happened. Her hand couldn’t get past a certain point. She tried again, but still could do nothing to relieve the pain. She tried opening her eyes, and discovered it was much harder than usual. She’d get one lid slightly open, but the other would remain closed feeling extremely heavy. She moaned and turned her head to the opposite side. Why couldn’t she wake up?

  “Sssh. They’ll hear you.” A low voice sounding far away warned her.

  “Wha...?” Forming words was difficult. Her tongue felt swollen in her mouth.

  “You’re not alone. I’ll be here when you can awaken fully,” the voice whispered.

  Elsa tried to open her eyes again, but her efforts were thwarted as darkness carried her under once more.

  Sounds occasionally penetrated the fog. A door closing. Footsteps. Low talking. A girl crying. A man pleading, shouting, panting. More crying.

  Finally, her lids fluttered and opened. The room was dark except for an amber light coming from one corner. A lamp, perhaps. Elsa realized she was lying on a flat surface covered by a cushioned mat. She couldn’t quite grasp where she was, what time it was, or even what day. For a moment, she had no idea where she was supposed to be. It was that strange thing that happens when a person awakens somewhere that is not their own bedroom.

  She lifted her hand to rub her eyes and found she couldn’t. She tried the other hand, and it, too, was immobile. Elsa then tried to sit up but couldn’t move much. Her feet and hands were strapped down. Panic set in.

  “Hey! What the fuck is this?” She tugged at the straps.

  “Sssh! Keep quiet or they’ll come down here!” A voice whispered just loud enough to be heard.

  Elsa twisted her head trying to find the source of the voice. It came from behind her somewhere.

  “Who is that? Where are you?”

  “I’m back here behind you in this.” Metal rattled indicating some kind of gate or cage. “You need to stay quiet or else they’ll know you’re awake and come down.”

  “Who is “they”?” Elsa’s voice dropped down to a whisper.

  “Greg and the other man.”

  Elsa heard fear as the name passed her lips. “Who are you?”

  “I’m Liliya. Liliya Avilova.”

  “Why are you down here? Are you tied up, too?”

  “No. I’m in this cage.” The despair was heartbreaking.

  “How did you get here, Liliya?” Elsa asked while feeling around the bed as much as she could with her fingers.

  “I was on my way home from school. A boy I knew from my church pulled up and offered me a ride the rest of the way. I didn’t know.” Her voice choked up as tears began to fall. “I didn’t know he would hurt me. He seemed so nice before.”

  “Hey, now. Don’t cry. It’s going to be okay. I’m a cop. People will be looking for me.” She tried to reassure the girl, and herself.

  “You’re a cop?” The hope in her voice was high. “But how did you end up down here?”

  “Ivchencko. I came here to see him. The bastard was threatening me.” The anger in her words sizzled. “I was leaving when I...” She had to think a moment. Her memory was still a bit fuzzy. “I saw a young man with dark hair.”

  “Greg! His name is Greg.” Hatred seeped into Liliya’s voice when she s
aid his name. Hatred and fear.

  “The sonofabitch pricked me with a needle, and that’s the last thing I remember.”

  “That’s what happened to me, but I was in the car. When he went past the exit to my house, I asked where he was going and that’s when he reached out. I felt something sharp in my arm and then I passed out.”

  “When was that?

  She sighed. “I’m not sure. Maybe three or four weeks ago now. I kept thinking papa and mama will be looking for me. They’ll find me. But each day, no one came to rescue me. Each day, it was only him. Sometimes, the older man would come down and watch me, but he hasn’t touched me. He says I’m Greg’s reward for his hard work. I don’t know what that means. I just know I want him to stop touching me. I can’t take it anymore.” She dissolved into tears again.

  Elsa’s heart broke. What was happening to this girl could have happened to her brother three years ago. Anno was lucky, but this poor young woman was not. She remembered the sounds she heard while she was still drugged and put two and two together. “He was down here earlier, wasn’t he?” She gently asked.

  Liliya sniffed. “Yes. They both were.”

  “Both?”

  “The older one sat next to you.”

  “What was he doing?”

  “Watching.”

  “Watching me sleep?”

  “No. Watching Greg...rape me.”

  “What?” The outrage flew past Elsa’s lips.

  “Sssh! Keep it down. Please!”

  Elsa craned her head around trying to look at Liliya. She could only see a bit of her out of her peripheral vision. “That dirty, sick fucker! Liliya. I’m going to get us out of this. I don’t know how just yet. But please trust me. There are people who will be looking for me. Other cops. Do you believe me?”

  There was a pause, and then she could hear the girl pulling herself up to standing. “Yes. But please...what’s your name?”

  “It’s Elsa. Elsa Kreiss.”

  “I’m glad to meet you.”

  “And I, you.” The words were softly spoken. Both women knew they were in the worst possible predicament. The only consolation was in the fact that they were not alone.