Long November: A Constable Petra 'Piitalaat' Jensen novel by Christoffer Petersen

Author:Christoffer Petersen [Petersen, Christoffer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aarluuk Press for Arctic Noir, Action Thrillers and Greenland Crime
Published: 2024-04-09T00:00:00+00:00

15

Schlotter arrived at the hotel earlier than expected, leaving Aagga to entertain the German police sergeant as Petra finished off in the shower. Aagga apologised for not speaking German and Schlotter suggested they speak in English.

“It will be good practice for me,” she said, revealing almost flawless English that left Aagga feeling a little lost for words.

“I don’t expect to get anything out of it,” Aagga said. “I think I just want to make a point, on behalf of people like me.”

“And who are people like you?” Schlotter asked. She sat down on one of two couches in the living area of the modest hotel suite and waited for Aagga to sit opposite her. “Because people like me,” she said, tapping her chest with her thumb, “are worried about the environment. But sometimes we have to remember to worry about it. If you know what I mean?”

“Not really,” Aagga said. She folded her arms across her chest, hugging her ribs as she glanced at the shower door, as if waiting or even hoping that Petra might come out soon and rescue her.

“Then let me explain,” Schlotter said. “Although I think you do know what I mean, and you’re just being polite.”

“I’m just tired, I think.”

“No.” Schlotter shook her head. She pointed at Aagga, and then mimicked her crossed arms. “You’re defensive. And while that makes sense, tomorrow you will be on the stage. You can’t be shy, or defensive.”

“She’s not,” Petra said, towelling her hair as she stepped out of the bathroom. She stopped to hang the towel on the rack just inside the door and then tugged her shirt from her chest. “Still wet,” she said with a shrug of her shoulders. “But I’ll dry on the way.”

“You’re ready then?” Schlotter said.

“Ready for what?” Aagga looked from one police officer to the other and then stood up at the same time as Schlotter. “Where are we going?”

“To see the venue,” Petra said. She nodded at Schlotter, adding, “It was Emilie’s idea.”

“Emilie?”

“That’s me,” Schlotter said, reaching out to shake Aagga’s hand. “Sergeant Emilie Schlotter. I think you were tired, back when we met at the airport.” Schlotter let go of Aagga’s hand and pointed at the door. “But not anymore. I think you’re ready to see where you will be speaking. So…” Schlotter looked at Petra and said, “If you’re ready?”

“We’re ready,” Petra said. She walked across the room and ducked inside her bedroom, appearing half a minute later with her service pistol in her hand. She moved to tuck the pistol into the back of her jeans, only to stop when Schlotter tugged a holster with a clip from the cargo pocket of her dark blue trousers.

“This is better,” she said, tossing the holster to Petra. “More secure.”

“Thank you,” Petra said. She slid the pistol in the holster and clipped it out of sight, pulling the tail of her shirt over the pistol to hide it completely.

Aagga watched, her gaze fixed on Petra’s pistol. And then, at a smile from Petra, the spell was broken, and she nodded that she was ready.

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