“I won’t.” Mahler hung up, and Faust waited by the desk as his men went room to room.
An hour went by. No Ivchencko. He’d come and gone like a ghost. Their witness was dead, and his killer at large. Faust didn’t know what to make of the card. Was it simply to instill fear or was it a direct threat? Either way, he knew that he would have to assign officers to guard Elsa and her brother until Ivchenko was caught. And even then, with his connections, would she ever be safe? How the hell had three missing girls’ cases spiraled so far out of control? He turned and headed down to Elsa’s room. He needed to let her know what transpired. She was sitting up in her bed gripping her Sig Sauer. She smiled when she saw him and put the gun down.
“Well, I have good news, and I have bad news. Which would you like first?” He leaned on the door. Nurse Eichmann stood behind him, afraid of what he was going to say next.
Elsa bit her lip. “Save the good news till last. Let’s have the bad news.” She squared her shoulders.
“Ivchencko was, indeed, here. Seems that pretending to be a hospital chaplain makes people forget to do their jobs.” He glanced sideways at the nurse who looked down, shame-faced. “He killed Koslov, and my officer.”
“What! Faust, I’m so sorry!”
“I also don’t know if he intended to simply scare you or if his stopping in here and leaving his card was a warning, so we’re going to have to put guards on you and your brother until we catch him.”
Suddenly alarmed, Elsa’s eyes grew wide. “Anno! Oh scheisse! She grabbed her phone and began dialing home.”
“I’ve sent two officers over already. They should be arriving shortly.”
Anno answered, grumbling. Elsa launched into speech. “Anno, are you okay?” The panic in her voice cut through the room. Faust could hear only one side of the conversation. “Good. Listen. There are two officers about to knock on the door. Do not open it until they identify themselves. Use the spyhole for once. They’re LKA so no other officers are legitimate. Yes. No. I can’t answer that. But don’t speak to anyone, I don’t care who they say they are.” She stopped and looked at Faust. “Should he still come up to the hospital to pick me up?”
“Nein. Tell him to stay put. I’ll escort you home myself.”
She relayed the message. “Okay. Love you, too. Yeah, I don’t know why this shit keeps happening either. Bye.”
She looked at Faust. “Okay, now, please, give me some good news.”
“Heinz has been shot—"
“What! How is that good news?” She nearly came off the bed.
“...but he’s going to be okay. I think. At least that’s what Mahler said. It wasn’t life-threatening.”
“They found Birgitta?” Her voice rose, caught between being relieved, and anxious.
“Yes. Didn’t I say that already?” Faust looked confused.
“No, you did not! Next time, lead with that, thank you.” She threw her pillow at him.
“I’m sorry. Yes, they rescued Birgitta, and forty girls who were taken from their homes. We also have the ship. It was Ivchencko and one of his men who got away.”
Elsa sat back, sighing. “Okay then. Yes, that’s very good news. But Joseph. Joseph was shot.” A tear slid down her cheek. “When will we know more?”
“When Mahler calls. She promised to do so when he gets out of surgery. They plan to transport him back here once he’s stable.” He walked over, carrying her pillow, and sat down.
“And what are we going to do about Ivchencko?”
He ran his fingers through his hair, spiking it again. “I’ve cast the net. We’re putting guards on you. That’s all we can do right now.”
Elsa thought about it. “He’s going to be desperate; don’t you think?” She looked at him.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, he was supposed to be delivering those girls to St. Petersburg. That’s what Koslov said.”
“Yes. To the Butcher.” Faust steepled his fingers in front of his face.
“Now he’s lost both the shipment and the ship. And who knows what else he was carrying?” She raised an eyebrow, looking at the wall. Her mind was racing. “And by your reaction, I’d say this is a man he wouldn’t want to cross, Ja?”
“No. This would not be the man to piss off. He’s not called ‘The Butcher’ for naught. What are you getting at, Kreiss?”
“I’m thinking that much like my previous career, discretion is the key. The Bratva doesn’t like their business known.”
Faust started to see where she was going with her thoughts. “So, if we shine a light on Ivchencko’s involvement, the bust with the ship, we send him into a panic.”
She locked eyes with him. “Exactly. He’ll have nowhere to run. He’ll be a wanted man not only by German state police, but also by the Bratva. I wonder which he fears more?”
Faust sat thinking. “But it could put many innocent lives in danger.” He was thinking of her, Heinz, Mahler, and his own officers.
“Not if we frame it right in the media. It all began from the cases of the missing girls. Feed that to the media. Mention Ivchencko’s involvement, but nothing beyond. Don’t let on we know the connection to Brezhnev and the Bratva. To avoid being found out, they’ll come after their own just like Ivchencko did to Koslov. He’ll be desperate, and I’m sure he would consider the LKA the lesser evil. We need to feed a message he’ll understand through news stations that he can turn himself in, cut a deal.”
Faust smiled. “Kreiss, if this works, we’re going to sit down and discuss your next career move.”
Chapter Eighteen
“THE DOCTOR SIGNED YOUR discharge papers, and I’ll have your paperwork ready shortly. You’ll definitely need to follow up with him in two weeks.” Nurse Eichmann, feeling responsible for putting her patient in danger, stayed on after shift change to follow through with her care. She cast a look at Faust, then dropped her eyes, walking out of the room.
“I feel reasonably sure I don’t need to walk on eggshells around her anymore. What do you think?” He sighed and stretched his feet and hands out from the chair.
“Perhaps for now. Not sure about any future run-ins.” Elsa ran a comb through her hair, then twisted it on top of her head securing it with a rubber band.
“I’ll do my best to avoid any. God, I’m tired.” And he did look tired. Dark circles appeared beneath his eyes. Worry marred his brow, and it looked as if the weight of the world stood on his usually burly shoulders.
“Well, you’re no spring chicken, Herr Direktor.”
He lifted his head. “Maybe it’s time you just call me Herman. At least, outside of work. I’d say we’ve earned being on a first-name basis by now, wouldn’t you?” He lifted one bushy eyebrow and smiled.
Elsa chuckled. “Yes, Herman. I think we have.”
A knock on the door was followed by Lukas walking in, trailed by Jager and Kelner. He went straight to her bedside leaning down and wrapping his arms around her. “Are you okay?” he whispered into her hair.
Elsa melted into the embrace. The heat from his body radiated into hers. His familiar scent filled her lungs as she breathed in, and she immediately felt safe and secure. “Yes. I’m okay.”
He sat down on the bed next to her, pulling her close. “We need to get you out of here. When do you go home?”
“As soon as the nurse brings back my paperwork. She’s working on it now.”
He kissed her cheek, aware of the others in the room. He nodded at Faust. “Direktor, this is StabsKapitanLeutnant Kristof Jager, and Korvettankapitan Dieter Kelner. Gentleman, Herr Direktor Faust.”
Faust stood and shook hands with both men. “Take a walk with me.” He indicated the hall. “We’ll leave these two love birds alone for a bit.” He grinned as he walked out.
“I heard that, Herman,” Elsa said. He answered with a backwards wave.
The room was suddenly quiet, and she was fully aware of the man next to her. Elsa looked at Lukas. He was still wearing the black jea
ns, shirt, and boots she saw him in yesterday when he’d rescued her. He still had a weapon holstered at his back. His hair was mussed, and he had five-o-clock shadow growing along his usually clean-cut jaw. He smelled of gunpowder and man. He never looked sexier.
He smiled at her extensive regard. “What are you staring at, Officer Kreiss?”
“A very sexy man, Herr Trommler.”
“Hmmn. I could say the same.”
“I’m a sexy man, too,” she asked, feigning innocence.
He laughed. “The sexiest!” He gazed at her face, devoid of makeup, and her hair piled loosely atop her head. She wasn’t wearing a fancy dress, but rather, police academy sweats. He’d have to ask about that later. Still, he’d never seen a more beautiful woman.
The world ceased to exist when he looked at her like that. Elsa forgot to breathe, and he took advantage, capturing her lips in a scintillating kiss. He took his time, going slow, being gentle and not wanting to hurt her or her tender skin. He kept his hands on her face, caressing her cheeks and kneading her neck. When his tongue swept inside, he tasted her, kissing her as if it were the first time, and he was thorough. She felt warm all over, gooey, and melted. It was wonderful.
He pulled back and trailed hot kisses to her ear. “When you’re better, we’ll continue this. But for now, we should probably stop.”
Elsa pouted. “No. I don’t want to.” She smiled, resting her head on his.
“Insatiable woman.” He lifted her hand and kissed her palm. “I can’t chase bad guys down with a hard-on. Have a little mercy on me, sweetheart.”
Elsa opened her eyes and glanced down. Sure enough, his zipper strained. “Just this one time. And only because the situation is dire.” She stretched her neck, peering back at him.
“Elsa the merciful. I bow to you, your highness.” He dropped another kiss on her forehead.
“How was Joseph when you left?”
Lukas sighed. “Still in surgery. He’s going to be okay. The bullet hit on the upper right side of his chest.”
“How did that happen?” She snuggled into his side.
“Visibility was low. The fog had rolled in. Ivchencko was able to get off the ship by a different route than the one we used to get onboard. Mahler said he shot Heinz before they even knew it was him. She took out one of his men. Actually, she took out two. She killed the butler as well.”
“Dutch?”
“Ja. I don’t think she’s ever done that before. She seems to be handling it all right though, but once Heinz is out of the woods, she might experience some problems dealing with nothing else to distract her thoughts.”
Elsa chewed her thumbnail. It was something she did when she was lost in thought.
“Oh, and before Beimer can tell you, you were right.”
“About what?”
“Heinz and Mahler. He’s just dying to tell you, but I’m beating him to it.”
“What happened?” Her eyes lit up.
“Oh, you know, just a kiss. That’s all.” He waited to see her reaction.
“What! He kissed her?” She grinned. “I knew it! Finally!”
“Yep. I’d say he’s got it bad for her, too. He did seem a little surprised by it, but she didn’t.”
“Well, she’s been in love with him for some time now.” Elsa resumed snuggling Lukas. “So, Heinz is in love.”
“Looks like.”
The nurse came in and stopped short staring at Lukas. “Oh! Forgive me.” She looked at Elsa. “I have your paperwork. You can go home now. Just remember to take it easy and stay off your leg for the next six weeks.” Another nurse came in carrying a pair of crutches, handing them off to Eichmann. “And you’ll use these. Come, stand up so I can make sure they’re adjusted to your height.”
Lukas stood, and helped Elsa to her feet. She balanced on her good leg and leaned on his arm while the nurse made adjustments. In a few moments, she was using them, taking a few steps to get the hang of it.
“There’s a prescription for pain meds. Make sure to get it filled and follow the directions on the bottle. Oh, and the doctor’s office number is on the paper. Call to make your follow up.”
“So I can go now?” Elsa was ready to leave the place.
“Yes, but let me get a wheelchair. Hospital policy.” Nurse Eichmann went out into the hall and came back with a chair.
Lukas helped her get settled as Faust came back in.
“So, we’re ready,” he asked.
“Yes, Herman. Very ready.” Elsa held her bag that contained her weapon, shoes, and cellphone. She placed it in her lap and held her crutches.
“I’ll go get the car and meet you downstairs.” He left, leaving Jager and Kelner behind with her and Lukas. The nurse pushed her out, taking her all the way down to the first floor, and out the front door.
Lukas rode with Faust and Elsa. Jager and Kelner left in their own vehicle heading off back to base. On the ride home, Faust filled them in on the plan. By the time they reached Köthener Straße, everyone was up to date. Faust parked as close to her building’s front entrance as possible. “By the way, Mahler called. Heinz is out of surgery and doing well. They got the bullet out without any complications. Apparently, he’s sitting up in bed and demanding bratwurst. We’ve arranged for a medevac to bring him back in the morning.”
Elsa stood on her crutches and looked at Faust. “Again, Herman. Lead with that! You could have said so the whole ride home.”
He chuckled and reached in to grab her bag. She looked at the distance from the car to the building entrance. It never looked so long before. Lukas put a hand up.
“Wait.” He handed one of the crutches to Faust, reached down and lifted her in his arms, and let the man take the other one. Then he proceeded to carry his woman all the way inside, up the elevator to the fourth floor, and down the hall to her flat where her brother waited, guarded by two LKA officers standing outside the door.
She beamed at him as he sat her down on her couch. “When I’m one hundred percent again, you’re going to be rewarded big time, mister,” she whispered in his ear.
“I’ll hold you to that.”
Anno sat next to her and threw his arm around his sister. They held each other close, her brother fighting back tears that threatened to fall. He finally sat back and looked at her. “For fuck’s sake, Elsa. Please tell me what’s going on!”
And she did, or as much of it as she was at liberty to say. Faust stayed long enough to corroborate the information, and warn Anno to stay in the house, and not go out without police escort until they caught Ivchencko. Introductions were made, and her brother and boyfriend became fast friends, playing Xbox while Elsa rested. Faust left after filling her prescription at the pharmacy, promising to return the next day. “As soon as Heinz is back, we’re all going to get into one room, and put this plan into action. Pray it works or we’re fucked.”
THAT EVENING, TAGGESSCHAU News reported the rescue of forty kidnapped women from sex-traffickers discovered operating out of Hamburg. The reporter stated that the SEK, in cooperation with the LKA, working off a tip, captured the ship containing the women who were locked in cages bound for parts unknown. “And now, the LKA is working with the owner of that ship, Yuri Ivchencko of Ivchencko Enterprises, to ferret out those responsible. At this time, it is believed that the men captured on the ship acted independently and are connected with a larger operation outside of Germany.”
In a small flat on the outskirts of Berlin, Yuri Ivchencko sat sipping bad coffee at an old kitchen table that had seen better days. He watched the small television screen while Vitaly dragged the body of the man who lived there into the bathroom where he lifted, pushed, and kicked him into the tub. The man didn’t protest. He was dead, after all. His swollen tongue protruded from his mouth, and his face was blue—a direct result of being choked to death.
“We won’t be able to stay here longer than a day. He’s going to get ripe,” Vitaly said as he walked back out into the kitchen.
“
Yes. But we have bigger problems now.” He sat the chipped China cup down and pointed at the TV.
“Brezhnev will understand—" he began.
“No! He will not. Nor would I if it were me in his place. If we stay here, our days are numbered.” He sat thinking. “We need to get to Switzerland. From there, I can transfer funds to an account I keep on Île de Ré.”
“Where the hell is that?”
“It’s an island off the west coast of France.” He turned his cold, gray eyes on his henchman. “You’ll like it there, Vitaly. Lots of sunshine. Lots of tourists, and most of them are women.”
“I like it already.” He smiled showing a few gaps where teeth were missing. “So when do we leave?”
“As soon as I take care of Trommler and the redheaded bitch. They’ve brought me nothing but problems.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. This fiasco is on the news. It won’t take any time at all for it to reach Brezhnev’s ear.”
“I don’t care!” Ivchencko stood looking down at Vitaly. “In case you hadn’t noticed, it was Trommler who came after us along with the police. He lied, misrepresenting himself. He also sent that filthy animal into my house.” He began to pace. “He brought that Schupo into all of this, too. All of which led to this moment, and I don’t forgive such betrayals. No. We will tie up loose ends, then leave. I need you to stake out Trommler’s home. Follow him and find Elsa. He’ll be sticking close to her now.”
Vitaly kept a straight face, but inside, he cringed. His boss was a strange one, couldn’t see the flaws in his own theories. He took things personally that weren’t personal at all, and he would lead them into danger by pursuing this small revenge. Vitaly was a criminal through and through, his heart black, but even he would’ve let this one go. However, he was loyal to Ivchencko. The man took him in out of prison, and gave him a job on his ship, the first and most beloved of his fleet. He was paid well, protected, and got to do the things he loved, like steal, fight, and murder; all with impunity. Up until this moment, his life had been uncomplicated. He would not bitch or whine. It was not his way. No, he would do as he was told. That’s what a soldier did. He followed orders. If Ivchencko wanted Trommler and the redhead dead, then so be it. He would handle it, and then they would flee to Switzerland, and then south to France. “Consider it done, boss.” He got up and grabbed a coat from the closet, and pulled on a tweed cap.
The Checkpoint, Berlin Detective Series Box Set Page 43
