”I prefer not taking the lift”, Nikki explained while she went to the echoing staircase.
”Me neither”, Daphne whispered as if she was telling a secret.
They smiled in agreement. Daphne who knew very well where Neo was took the lead. Carefully she knocked on the third white door to the right in the corridor and stepped in.
”So, here you are digging up dead people’s secrets.” Daphne smiled broadly and kissed the white-clad medical examiner on his cheeks.
”Well, well, what a surprise. And who is your delightful companion?” Neo curiously looked her up and down. He saw a pretty dark girl with active dark brown eyes. Nikki looked exotic with high cheek-bones and a heart-shaped face. Her mouth with the clearly marked lip contour was shining and her broad smile was beautiful.
”Hi, my name is Nikki Swahn.”
”Neoklis Fernàndez but please call me Neo, everybody else does”, the examiner said and stretched out his big hand.
”Nikki is from the police in Sweden. She is helping us with the murder investigations of the Swedish men.”
”Ah, and now you’d like to see the bodies of course”, Neo answered with enthusiasm and put his tanned hands in the pockets of the white coat.
”I couldn’t have said it better myself”, Daphne answered and pulled her hand through her fringe.
”Follow me ladies and I’ll show you the gentlemen. They are not as beautiful as you two but you probably realize that.” Neo winked with one eye before he continued:” I’ve finished Karl Hofvenskold’s autopsy report by the way, so you can take it with you when you leave.” Neo’s white clogs were echoing loudly on the tiled floor and after giving them a charming smile he continued down the corridor to the autopsy room.
”How did Karl actually die?” Nikki asked curiously.
”He was tortured to death. But what you need to know is that Karl didn’t have water in his lungs when he died. That means he was dead before being thrown into the pond”, Neo explained.
Nikki memorized this important piece of information while they followed the examiner to the sterile autopsy room. The walls were full of rows of shiny steel-drawers with white numbers. Neo pulled out box number B:17 and carefully pulled down the zip on the black bag so that Karl’s naked body was visible.
”Damn” Nikki made a face and backed off a little when she saw how he looked. Who could be that evil?”
”There is no doubt that his eyes are gone and finding the answer to that puzzle I leave to you.” Neo pushed up his glasses before continuing: ”Bruises around his wrists and ankles are showing that Karl was tied with something like a rope during the torture.”
”Torture?” Daphne whispered in disgust even though she knew very well that both Sten and Karl had been victims of extreme violence. Torture just sounded so horrible to her ears.
Neo cleared his throat and took his hands out of his coat pockets. ”As you can see a few fingers have been broken but otherwise the hands are OK. Several ribs are broken and the burn marks on his torso are most likely from a cigarette or possibly a cigar. Karl has very deep and strong marks around his ankles, which indicates something heavy being bound around his feet.”
”You’re implying that somebody tried to drown him?”
”No, he was already dead when he was thrown into the pond, as I mentioned earlier.”
”Oh, yes of course”, Daphne replied with a blush. She didn’t like being corrected and felt a little hurt
”Most likely the offender wanted the body to sink to the bottom, but something obviously went wrong”, Neo continued.
”Would you say we are dealing with the same offender in both cases. I mean how often do you find two bodies where the eye-sockets are empty?” Nikki reminded herself that she should ask for copies of the autopsy reports so she could read them in peace and quiet later at the hotel.
Neo carefully thought about the question before answering: ”It seems to be the same offender if I refer to the victims’ injuries. As you already know there is a big difference between the gentlemen since Sten Arvidsson was forced to drink concrete. But otherwise the injuries are similar.” He scratched his head and continued to the wall on the other side where similar steel-boxes appeared. He pulled out M:4 and waited for the police.
”Here is Sten Arvidsson.”
Nikki shuddered in the instant cold and put her arms around her body while looking at the corpse. The injuries were almost identical as those of Karl except for the fact that Sten was filled with concrete and had had a finger cut off.
”I forgot to ask, when did Karl die?”
”Let’s have a look.” Neo quietly went through his papers and his face lit up when he found what he was looking for. ”He died Friday June 7th, that is last Friday. The time of death should have been between eight and nine in the evening.”
”Hm, none of them were killed at the place where they were found considering the wide range of injuries”, Daphne stated and bit her white-polished thumbnail. ”If it is the same offender we’re dealing with he must have a place where he can torture his victims in peace and quiet. I mean, they must have been screaming with pain and fear.” She smiled a little when she realized what she had said and looked around.
”I can only agree. They must have been killed at a secluded place and I intend to find that. Do I want to know how the eyes have been removed?” Nikki made a face and folded her arms.
”Definitely a tool has been used but I can’t say with certainty what it was, perhaps pliers”, Neo replied.
”If you think of something important promise to give us a call, regardless of what time it is”, Nikki said and turned her gaze to Neo. She gazed into his chocolate brown velvety eyes and saw how they were glittering under his black square glasses. After a far too long moment Nikki embarrassedly turned away.
”Nikki, wake up.” Daphne chuckled and touched the door handle.
Nikki startled and smiled confused. With blushing cheeks she stretched her hand out to Neo to say thank you and good bye but he took the opportunity to hug her carefully. While he was kissing Nikki on her cheeks he whispered in her ear. ”Maybe I could invite you out for dinner some evening?”
Nikki sucked in his manly scent while giving him a long look. Then she turned around and caught up with her colleague.
”What was that all about?” Daphne giggled and put her elbow in Nikki’s side.
”Ah, what?”
”What did Neo say? Did he invite you out or not?”
”Aren’t we the curious one?” Nikki laughed. She could still feel his lips on her cheek and his warm hands on her shoulders.
Daphne quickly looked at Nikki’s fingers but couldn’t see any proof of whether she was married or engaged. ”Are you happily married?”
”Single with two children.” Nikki answered a little too fast as though Daphne was treading on slippery ground while holding open the door.
”Well, but then you are single. Neo will call you, you can be sure of that”, Daphne said and winked her eye.
”Really, how can you be so sure he will call?”
”He’s my twin brother and I know him too well.”
”Your twin brother? Fraternal twins? Why haven’t you said anything until now?” Nikki exclaimed with surprise.
”Don’t look so shocked.” Daphne smiled and opened the boiling hot police car.
”We try not to mix work and private life and what good would it do if everybody knew that we were siblings?” She put the plastic file with Karl Hofvenskold’s autopsy report on Nikki’s lap and turned the ignition key. The hot air from the air-conditioner soon became cool but Nikki still let her window down. She needed to think clearly.
”What about you? Are you married?” Nikki asked the question while her thoughts went to the dead men.
”Happily married for the past three years. My beloved husband is called Aleksander and together we have a daughter, Penelope, who is almost six months’ old.” Daphne proudly showed her the picture on her iPhone and smiled happily. ”My mother is at home with my daughter during the day, we are almost neighbours.”
Sunday June 9th
Two hours later, just before Daphne turned in toward Coral Bay, Nikki remembered that she didn’t have anywhere to sleep.
”Do you know of a place where I can stay?”
”What did you have in mind? A hotel or would you like to rent a flat?”
”It doesn’t matter, as long as it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. And if it’s a flat I need to be able to rent it by the week.”
”There are so many empty flats and houses in Cyprus so that shouldn’t be any problem. Remind me when we get into the station and I’ll show you a few pages online.”
”Thanks.” Nikki was interrupted by the phone ringing in her handbag. Hogstrom’s face came up on the display and she answered.
”Hi, believe it or not, but I’m sitting here with Karl Hofvenskold’s autopsy report in my hand right now. We’ve just been to Forensics.”
”Good, how did he die?” Kerstin sounded flustered and Nikki presumed she was out and about.
”Both Sten and Karl had been tortured to death.” She sighed when she saw how the traffic was jamming up in front of them. ”Oh yes, Karl’s eyes were missing. The same scenario as Sten’s.”
”What are you saying?” Kerstin said with a gasp. ”Did the gentlemen know each-other considering they were both murdered in Cyprus and the offender has taken their eyes?”
”They were neighbours.” Nikki saw the victims’ abused faces in front of her and felt sick.
”Oh damn. The media is really after us here in Gothenburg. Our press manager is working frantically to handle all the calls so that we can work in peace. Let me see what I need to know for the press conference we’ll be having at four o’clock. Is there anything else I should know?”
”No, not at the moment. I’ll probably know more tonight when I’ve also had time to visit Barbro Hofvenskold.”
”Keep me informed. You know, it’s boiling here in Gothenburg. I have to rush now.”
Daphne stopped at Philippo’s, Coral Bay’s food store and bought a couple of bottles of mineral water and a bag each with mixed nuts. Meanwhile Nikki stayed in the car, her thoughts constantly wandering off to Patrik and Linn. Would she loose them both as friends now after her idiotic mistake? If Linn didn’t know anything Nikki decided not to let her know that she had been involved with her husband over the past year. Maybe it was wrong but right now she valued Linn’s friendship more than being honest. Nikki felt dirty and knew that it would take quite a while to cleanse that feeling. When Daphne returned they continued driving toward the sea and the high end where the Hofvenskold family lived. Nikki’s thoughts changed when a few minutes later Daphne turned left by the luxurious houses.
”Wow, look at these houses.” Nikki was staring at the million dollar villas with big eyes and nodded to herself. Imagine that where ever she went in the world there was always a high end with people who had far too much money.
”This is where those with money live. A lot of money. Most of these villas are owned by Russians but quite a number are unfortunately empty. For some strange reason I think the Russians are laundering their money by buying houses. No sane person would pay eight million Euros for any house on this street.”
”Are you kidding, eight million Euros?” Nikki looked with surprise at her colleague and shook her head at the ridiculous sum.
Daphne pointed at a newly built nougat-coloured house just by the cliff’s edge which was three stories high and at least 500 square metres.
”This house costs more or less eight million Euros. Do you get it, eight million Euros and they don’t even own the land or the house.” Daphne laughed and corrected her sun-glasses.
”What do you mean they don’t own the land or the house?”
”The church owns all the land here on the peninsula and the owner gets to lease the land from the church for 100 years. I think there’s still about 50 years left on all the contracts. What happens next? Are they going to take all the properties back or do you think the church will approve of leasing for another 100 years?”
”You’re joking?” Nikki looked in surprise at Daphne who was gesturing wildly.
”True, cross my heart.”
”Number 16 Anemeon street is our address. That’s where the Hofvenskold’s live and in number 22 there’s Sten Arvidsson’s house.” Nikki read from the note she’d just picked up from one of the pockets in her shorts and at the same time tried to figure out the numbering on the streets.
They parked outside a white-washed house with two store’s and big paned windows and dark shutters. The house had a view over the popular beach of Coral Bay. The sun was burning and the detectives tried staying in the shade while going up to knock on the door. The door was large. About three and a half metres high and two metres wide and made of massive dark wood, possibly walnut.
”Is it OK if I take care of the interview since Barbro is Swedish?” Nikki asked and put a strand of hair behind her ear.
”Good idea. I think she’ll feel safer that way.” Daphne adjusted her light blue uniform blouse which had wet spots of sweat under her breasts. ”Even if it went fine when we last interviewed her, I do think that she’d appreciate you speaking to her in Swedish.”
A minute later Daphne and Nikki heard some shuffling steps approaching. After fighting with the lock for a moment the door was opened and they looked into a woman’s sad eyes. Barbro’s face was filled with pain and her attempt at smiling seemed more like a face in pain. Nikki thought she looked as though she’d aged years.
”Sorry to disturb you. My name is Nikki Swahn and I’m a detective with the police in Gothenburg.” She showed her police ID as she continued talking. ”I’ve also brought Daphne from the police station here in Coral Bay whom you’ve already met. I wondered if we could come in and ask you a few questions about your husband’s death? ”
Shaking, Barbro Hofvenskold breathed deeply while fighting back the tears. ”Of course, if I can help the police to find out who killed my beloved husband I’ll gladly give you my time.” She showed the two police women into the big backyard and asked them to sit down on the garden furniture under the turpentine. ”This is my daughter Therese. We’ve just poured ourselves some coffee, could we offer you a cup?”
They politely greeted her daughter and Nikki noticed how the older woman was fighting to compose herself.
”Neither of us drink coffee”, Nikki replied with a smile.
”But a glass of water would be welcome in this heat.”
Nikki turned around and fascinated looked at the inviting 25-metre long swimming-pool and the large jacuzzi which was situated near the cliff’s edge with a view over the sea. The big tiled terrace was enormous and the large beautiful pots placed here and there as a decoration, were filled with colourful flowers and different green plants. Along one side of the garden there were blossoming bushes in an array of colours and Nikki smelled the sweet scent, which she enjoyed.
”Nice place”, Nikki said while Therese poured fresh water with cucumbers and mint in their glasses.
”Please help yourselves.” Barbro nodded at the plate with biscuits and tried smiling. She anxiously pulled at the diamond studded gold medallion hanging around her neck and finally leaned back on the sofa.
”So how can I help you detectives?”
Nikki had a sip of water before answering. ”You see, we’re as puzzled as you about your husband’s death and we are really sorry for your loss.” She paused and gave both Barbro and Therese a sympathetic look before continuing: ”Since I’m from Gothenburg myself I know what a big heart Karl had and what a fantastic businessman he was. He’s done an immense amount of good things for our city. And that’s why I’m here in Cyprus, to help in the investigation. What happened is horrible and we hope to find the offender as soon as possible.” Nikki put her hand on Barbro’s fragile arm and left it there for a while.
Barbro nodded and clasped her shaking hands in her lap.
”Do you have any idea who might have wanted to hurt Karl?”
”No.” Barbro answered quickly and dried her wet eyes with the flowery serviette. ”Of course it’s not possible to please everybody when you are…or were such a big businessman as Karl was. But to go as far as killing, I’ll never understand that nor forgive it. How could you do that to another human being?”
”Yes, it’s unforgivable”, Nikki answered and studied the beautiful daughter. She noticed that Therese had her mother’s beauty but that her eyes were more of an almond shape. ”Is this your house?” Nikki continued while noticing how Daphne filled up her water.
”Yes, it’s one of Karl’s master pieces. He had it built four years ago. It’s a lovely house isn’t?” Barbro gestured with her arm and looked out over the fantastic bay where a couple of catamarans were just anchoring for the day.
”Yes it certainly is”, Nikki nodded in agreement and opened her note-bock.
”How often do you come here to Cyprus?”
”Karl and I are here... or were here as often as possible. Karl was still working a bit and on occasions had to be at the head-office. But at least once a month we came here and always between April and July. ” Barbro looked out over the sea and seemed to be lost in thoughts.
”And how often do you come here, Therese? And your siblings?”
Therese thought about the question and answered in an uninterested way. ”A couple of times a year. Usually during summer.” She pulled up her legs in the big rattan armchair and looked out over the shimmering sea.
”What do you do when you’re here on the island?” Nikki carefully looked at Barbro and Therese.
”Well, what do we actually do?” Barbro looked down at her well manicured nails and thought for a while before answering. ”I love to potter around in the garden and I can tell you that it needs plenty of time to keep it maintained. Mondays we usually play golf…” Barbro quickly looked down on her lap. Her chin was trembling and her mouth was moving. She picked up her serviette, held it in front of her mouth and started crying violently.
Therese went to her mother and put a comforting arm around her shaking, thin shoulders.
”I’m sorry but I miss Karl so much and can’t really fathom that he’s not here with me anymore. You know it’s so empty without him.” Barbro sobbed and blew her little pointed nose.
”Do you really have to disturb us anymore?” Therese looked across at Nikki and looked annoyed. ”You can see how upset my mother is with all your questions.”
”I’m sorry and I truly understand that this isn’t an easy situation for either of you”, Nikki answered sincerely. ”But we need to know all the details around your father’s disappearance and that’s why we need to be a bit hard and ask difficult questions while it’s all fresh in your minds.” Therese didn’t answer but it was obvious from her body language what she felt about it all.
”By the way, did you know Sten Arvidsson who lived here on the street?”
”Of course we do. We associate quite a bit when we’re here. He’s a sweet widower and also loves flowers and gardening. Sten usually joins us for our Monday golf and there are not many who can beat him. What a swing he has.” She lifted the thin coffee cup to her mouth and seemed to be thinking of something. ”But strangely enough I haven’t seen him for a week or so, maybe he’s gone to Gothenburg for a while.”
Nikki fidgeted and felt really bad when she had to inform them both that Sten Arvidsson was dead.
”But dear child, what are you saying? Dead?” Barbro’s hands started shaking again and her face went all pale. Big tears found their way down her sunken cheeks and her eyes were filled with great sorrow. Nikki gave Barbro her serviette before continuing.
”Tragically he died in a similar way to your Karl’s. That’s why it’s so important for us to know as much as possible about what you were doing here in Cyprus and who you were associating with.”
Barbro’s shoulders were shaking. Therese continued holding a protective arm around her mother and whispered comforting words in her ear.
”I don’t know what to say...You’d better ask your questions and I’ll try to answer them as well as possible.”
”Had you been fighting or had any disagreements before Karl disappeared?”
”Damn it, can you stop asking your stupid questions now, or what?” Therese interrupted and gave Nikki a hard look. ”Can’t you see how my mother is suffering. Show some respect, please.”
”You know what Therese, my job is to find your Daddy’s murderer. To be able to do that I need to ask some unpleasant questions. The quicker you let me work, the quicker we’ll be finished.” Nikki tried sounding professional and in a way she understood the daughter wanting to protect her mother.
”But make sure you’re bloody quick”, Therese answered back.
”Therese sweetheart, the police are only doing their job. Let them continue.” Barbro stroked her daughter’s cheek with her hand and smiled weakly. Therese knelt down, getting closer to her mother on the sofa without removing her defiant glance from Nikki. Daphne gave Nikki a questioning look and wondered what was going on but Nikki calmed her by doing a thumbs up on the side. The atmosphere was tense and Nikki once again resumed her serious look and pulled herself together. She turned a leaf in her notebook, put the pen in her mouth and knew that this was a difficult situation for the family. Barbro seemed to have shrunk on the sofa but still looked elegant. She was in a class of her own. Nikki broke the silence with yet another question. She wanted to move on so that they could visit Sten’s house before returning to the station.