On the way to the parking lot Daphne and Nikki passed a number of outdoor places beginning to fill up with the passing tourists. The aromas made them want to eat even although they weren’t hungry. A hysterical scream of a woman made them both react quickly. While turning around and beginning to run toward the noise they saw how Linn threw a wineglass at wildly gesticulating waiter. The glass crushed against the tarmac while the waiter hid behind the bar counter with both of his hands over his head. Nikki probably beat her own record when she ran zigzag and passed all the lightly clad tourists. She didn’t stop until she was standing panting opposite her childhood friend.
”Arrest him Nikki. Tell him you’re a bloody cop.” Linn was slurring and couldn’t talk coherently. ”He refuses to take my order although I can pay.”
Nikki looked apologetically at the waiter and asked for the bill. When she had paid for two bottles of rose’ Nikki and Daphne took Linn in between them and dragged her to the police car. Linn immediately fell asleep in the back and snored loudly all the way to where Nikki was renting her house. Once inside the flat Nikki thanked her colleague for her help and once again put her friend to bed. Tired she had a look at the kitchen clock, noticed it was only a quarter to six and suddenly knew she would have a peaceful evening at home by herself. Nikki pulled her dress over her head and lay back on the lounge chair on the balcony with only her underwear on. She looked out over the sea while her thoughts were rolled around Linn and the alcohol. Did she need to keep an eye on her friend every minute from now on? The situation had really got out of hand. A roaring noise under the balcony interrupted her thoughts. Curiously she looked out over the fence and met a searching look from a person dressed in black on a motorbike. Nikki sank back in the lounge chair and fell asleep for a while, but woke up after a short while as she felt cold. Feeling chilly she pulled the sarong around her body and went inside again but when she turned around and looked out she became apprehensive.
”What the hell, is he still here?” Her pulse increased slightly when she saw the mc-guy with black clothes standing in the same place as before, still looking intently up at her balcony. Had the Mafia already fulfilled their threat? She tried seeing if the motorcycle had any registration plates but she couldn’t see any as it was parked the wrong way round, otherwise she could have looked up the number in the police records to see who owned it. Maybe the Mafia wants me after all. Nikki got goose-bumps just thinking about it. First she called Charlie to take her mind off the man down below her balcony and then she called David on Skype. When she saw his firm smile she suddenly longed for him.
”David”, Nikki almost whispered his name and felt warm inside as she looked at him. ”Can’t we meet? It’s been ages….” David’s eyes shone when she asked and he nodded his agreement.
”Come over to Tel Aviv when you’re done in Cyprus. There is a direct flight which takes less than an hour.”
Nikki felt tempted and felt excitement in her stomach. ”I’ll think about it but you know that I have my children waiting for me at home. In addition Axel is by himself.
David smiled and showed a perfect row of teeth. ”He’s 20. If you return home three days later his world won’t collapse. You don’t think he’s sitting at home longing for you?”
”Yes”, Nikki said and laughed out loud. ”Please, let me save that picture before you say anything else.”
”You are too sweet and naïve.” David sent her a kiss over the net before changing the subject. ”Speaking about other things, sweetie. I’ve just finished with Olof’s mobile but unfortunately I didn’t find anything in particular.”
”Nothing?” Nikki asked disappointed and felt deflated.
”No, nothing. He’s been moving between a few 3G masts in Kathikas the last 24 hours and sent a few messages, that’s all.”
”Damn it. He works and lives in Kathikas so it’s not strange that you found him there.”
”He doesn’t seem to be a bad guy exactly. I got the impression that you don’t like him.”
”What do you mean?” Nikki crossed her legs and looked at the shimmering sea but was disturbed by the fact that she felt watched.
”He sends romantic messages all day long to his wife.”
”He does?” Now Nikki was surprised and raised her eye-brows.
”I didn’t get that impression of him.” She scratched her head and felt that this information wasn’t correct.
”Yes, it’s Barbro this and Barbro that. He seems to have just fallen in love”, David said convincingly.
”Hang on a minute, did you really say Barbro?” Nikki kept quiet and covered her mouth with her hand when she realized the situation. ”Olof’s wife is definitely not Barbro, just so you know it. Barbro is the widow of one the murdered guys.”
Friday June 14th
The night sky met with the sea along the dark horizon. The pale moon moved in the starry heavens and from the mountains you could hear some dogs howling. From a deep and dreamless sleep Nikki suddenly woke up within seconds. Abruptly she sat up in the bed and wondered what woke her up when she heard the sound again. The bed shook when she quietly rolled out of it with the sheet around her. Then she continued stealthily into the living room where the sound came from. Her mobile was lying on the edge of the sofa , blinking and playing Coldplays’ ”A sky full of stars” while there was a roaring loudly in the mountains. Thunder, Nikki thought tiredly and answered her mobile.
”Sorry for the late hour” a voice whispered. ” But I can hear very strange sounds from a boat here in the harbour.”
”What?” Nikki said sleepily holding up a finger in the air to Linn who stood in the door opening to the toilet.
”It’s Rick. You said to get in touch if I found out anything strange…you showed me a picture of a man you were looking for.”
”Patrik? Do you see Patrik?” Nikki woke up completely and every muscle in her body became tense. She almost shook. Linn also reacted and Nikki could see how she stiffened.
”No, no, no I don’t see Patrik. But I can hear strange sounds coming from a boat. It sounds like somebody in pain. Badly.”
”It’s not a love couple you’re hearing?” Nikki pressed her lips together while her thoughts went on a rampage. She saw how Linn’s eyes grew wide and she stood with one hand over her mouth before slowly sinking to the floor.
”I wouldn’t call that sound love. I thought that it might be Patrik, if you haven’t already found him.”
”No, unfortunately we haven’t found him yet”, Nikki said with the phone stuck between her ear and shoulder while fighting with the buttons of her red shorts.
”Are you by your boat now?”
”Yes”, Rick replied with a new intensity in his voice.
”Stay there. I’ll be with you within fifteen minutes.”Nikki hung up and stared at Linn. Could it be that Patrik was after all in the harbour area all the time without them knowing it?
”Has somebody found Patrik?” Linn asked choking. Her eyes were desperate and she scratched her arm nervously.
”I don’t know Linn.” Nikki fastened her bra and put the vest over her head. ”A guy living on a boat in the harbour called. He says he hears strange sounds from a boat close-by so I have to go and check it out.”
”But wait for me. It’s actually my husband.” Linn immediately ran to the bedroom and changed. She was ready in no time and already stood in the hall with her hand on the handle. ”But come on now, hurry up.”
”Linn you can’t come along”, Nikki tried patiently. ”It could be dangerous.”
”Ah, stop it. If it had been your husband you would never have stayed at home.” Nikki saw in her eyes that she had made up her mind and finally gave in. Linn was right of course.
The lamps lit up the dark night and she saw a hedgehog crossing the street further down; A tense feeling spread in the car, like a rash which won’t stop itching. Nikki held the wheel tighter, afraid that her sweaty hands would make her lose her grip. She looked at the time and stepped on the gas since she knew they didn’t have much time. Already six days had passed since Patrik disappeared and she didn’t even want to think about what condition he might be in. If it was him that Rick had heard.
”Aren’t you going to call for back-up?” Linn asked nervously while twisting her wedding band.
”Not until I know if it’s false alarm or not”, Nikki said tensely and passed a black taxi. She couldn’t stand Carlos’ sarcasm if she called him out unnecessarily.
”But what happens if a dangerous situation occurs?” Linn’s eyes were wide open in the dark and Nikki felt the fear in them.
”I’ll take it as it comes. You stay in the car until I tell you, understand?”
”But…”
”No buts”, Nikki said seriously and Linn realized that there was no point arguing.
It was dark outside and the only thing lighting up the night was the pale moon. The streets were almost empty, apart from a few taxis circulating around town looking for customers. By the new shopping mall Nikki turned right toward the harbour and then followed the street’s pale light. Without hesitating she continued driving on the promenade and parked next to the pier where Rick’s boat was moored. Linn was tense but managed to keep her tears at bay but Nikki could see how her whole body was trembling with worry.
”You stay in the car until I give you the green light, OK?” Nikki’s voice was hard and determined. ”Linn, everything will be alright. We’ll find him, I promise. Maybe not here or now but finally.” Linn’s eyes filled up with tears and she just nodded in reply. Nikki jumped out of the car and closed the door as quietly as possible. Carefully she went passed the large rosemary bushes smelling like oven-roasted vegetables. The outdoor restaurants were empty and the only thing you could hear was the loud sound of crickets. Suddenly she saw a shadow moving towards her and Nikki automatically put her hand on the gun she had in her back pocket. She knew very well that she was in big trouble for stealing the gun from the gorilla she knocked out on the Mafia’s boat, but what choice did she really have when Carlos refused to give her one.
”Rick?” Nikki’s voice rang out in the night despite the fact that she was whispering. The silhouette of a large man came closer and she could hear the stranger’s heavy breathing. Nikki squinted and tried to see if it was Rick but the night was too dark. A bad feeling ran through her body. She stopped abruptly and sharpened her senses. The shadow disappeared behind some palm-trees and further down in the light of the street lamp Nikki finally recognized the person. It was the gorilla from Zeus. She wouldn’t quickly forget his mean face. Nikki dashed behind some bushes and slid into invisibility.
She tried pushing away her feelings it wouldn’t help her to be petrified right now. She was here to find Patrik. Her heart beat a little faster and she took a few deep breaths and followed the back of the gorilla when he almost ran to Money Talks. When Nikki was sure she couldn’t be seen she quickly dashed to Rick’s boat. From out of nowhere yet another shadow appeared and gripped her shoulder hard. In response Nikki automatically aimed a blow at the unknown who in turn met it without difficulties.
”Damn it Nikki, it’s me Rick.”
Nikki let down her guard and heard her own heavy breathing when replying:
”Damn it, you never thought of saying something first. I could have hurt you.”
Rick smiled in the dark and Nikki felt stupid.
”Follow me”, he whispered and turned to the pier opposite where the outdoor lightning was on. Moths and other flying insects were frantically swarming toward the light and Nikki started following Rick. The tension was vibrating in the air. She felt something soft by her leg which frightened her and she jumped to the side.
”Ah, that’s only Baloo, he lives here in the harbour. He’s not as dangerous as he looks.” Rick laughed quietly and bent down to pat the big brown mongrel.
”Ah, I’m not scared of dogs at all but I didn’t see him. I did see one of the Mafia’s boys leaving your pier just now. Do you know what he was doing there?”
Rick turned his head and looked with surprise at Nikki. ”No not a clue. Did he see you?”
”I hope not, if he did I’m in deep trouble.” Nikki quickly wondered if he was the man dressed in black outside her flat but dismissed the thought as she was actually here to find Patrik.
Rick stopped and listened. Nikki suddenly thought he looked like a ghost standing there with half his face in the shadow.
”Where did you hear the sound when you called?”
”On this pier. I took a walk out to the end of the pier when coming home from a night out with the boys.”
They were looking out at the boats in the harbour and everything looked eerily peaceful. Although the breeze was light, some of the yachts’ sails were flapping and Nikki remembered the weeks of sailing with the Kroona family. Rick continued listening for a while on the pier and put his hands behind his ears. Nikki also stopped and listened extra carefully but couldn’t hear anything out of the ordinary at all.
”Do you hear anything?” Nikki whispered tensely.
Rick shook his head and continued walking to the very end. They decided to walk back one on each side of the pier so as not to miss anything. After passing a few boats Rick suddenly stopped.
”Did you hear that?” Rick was all tense and put a finger across his mouth. Nikki got his look and slowly shook her head.
”Ssh…there it is again.”
Nikki went up to the side of Rick and leaned so close to him that his stubble scratched her cheek. She felt that he was just as tense as she was. They stared out in the dark night and looked at every boat rocking close-by. Nervously Nikki bit her lip and felt the taste of blood in her mouth. Even though she had made up her mind to control her feelings the anguish rose in her chest like a big bloody black balloon. She thought of Linn and hoped that she was still sitting in the car with the doors locked. Then she heard the sound again.
A very low moaning sound. Nikki stiffened. They tried following the sound but it was very weak and hard to localize. A cold shiver spread through her body and Nikki could hardly breathe. Then it came again, a slow moan. Nikki ran up to the motor boat opposite, stopped and put her hands behind her ears again. Her hair stood on end and the thought of Patrik maybe being a prisoner on a boat hurt tremendously.
The moaning got more pronounced and Nikki didn’t hesitate for a second.
”Stay here and keep guard while I go onboard.” Nikki pulled one of the ropes, jumped onboard the stern and made a mental note of the boat’s name, Daniela. With her heart beating she stealthily walked up to the sliding door and touched it. Locked. With the speed of lightning she got her bunch of pick-locks up from her handbag and tried finding the one to use with the help of the moon light. Silently she put it in the lock, turned it as quietly as she could until a metallic click reached her ears.
Silently Nikki pushed the door aside and went into the dark saloon. She stopped on the soft carpet and listened carefully. It was completely silent. The squeaky noise from her own steps made her stop suddenly. The memories from Money Talks made Nikki give priority to her own safety first. She had no idea who was onboard this boat and she’d rather not get caught again. To be sure she turned around to see if Rick was still there. She saw that Linn also stood next to him. I can’t blame her, I would have done exactly the same, Nikki thought. Then she heard the sound again. Was she hearing Patrik or was it something else playing games with her in the darkness of the night. She continued straight but soon realized that she had to use the torch on the mobile to be able to carry on. Suddenly she felt watched and frightened turned around.
”Damn it Rick”, Nikki mimicked with her heart in her throat. ”You almost scared me to death.” Nikki took her hand off the gun which she had hid under the vest in the front and relaxed.
”I didn’t mean to but I can’t let you go onboard by yourself.” Rick sounded worried and she put her index finger in front of her mouth for him to lower his voice.
”And Linn?” Nikki whispered.
”She is waiting on the pier. But I gave her my mobile so she can call if something happens.”
Nikki wasn’t happy with Linn being by herself but left it at that. She didn’t have time to play mother hen because now it was a dangerous situation. The boat wasn’t in a good shape and Nikki thought it smelled stale. She showed Rick with her hand that she would creep down the spiral staircase and then she made a stop sign to Rick telling him to stay and keep guard. Every second step squeaked loudly and Nikki cursed herself for not being able to move more stealthily. Down below she heard the weak sound again. Her nerves were like an electrical fence and without reason she felt trapped.
The claustrophobic feeling couldn’t have come at a worse moment and she fought back the panic she felt. After five deep breaths she opened her eyes again and it felt as if there was no oxygen. The air was stuffy and closed-in and the smell was rancid. She wrinkled up her nose while taking out the gun and continued toward the dark mahogany door straight ahead of her. She tried pushing all her fears aside and act professionally but it was easier said than done. Quickly she put her ear toward to the door and as silently as possibly pushed the handle down. Locked. With concentration she managed to put the gun back in her shorts and hoped the pick-locks wouldn’t make too much noise when she took them out again.
Two minutes later she lowered the light on her mobile, took a deep breath before carefully opening the door. The disgusting stench was so strong she felt like vomiting. What the hell is this? Nikki though at the same time as she saw something on the floor. The memory of the dead dog in the Mafia’s boat quickly came back to her and then she heard the moaning sound again.
She hurried to the thing on the floor and at the same time she felt the boat moving. Several strong shouts and hard hits echoed through the silent night. Damn it. She lost her balance and Nikki hoped that Rick really had it all under control. The moment she activated the lamp on her mobile she recognized the green shorts. He was almost unrecognizable but she knew that it was Patrik. She immediately put her fingers on his pulse, noticed a weak pulse and called for the ambulance.