The Inspector and Silence by Håkan Nesser & Laurie Thompson

Author:Håkan Nesser & Laurie Thompson [Nesser, Håkan & Thompson, Laurie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Mystery & Detective, Police Procedural, Murder, Police, Murder - Investigation, Investigation, Mystery Fiction, Van Veeteren; Inspector (Fictitious Character), Crime, Cults, Sweden, Missing Persons
ISBN: 9780375425233
Google: ItkW468qCecC
Amazon: 0307379825
Publisher: Random House Digital, Inc.
Published: 1997-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

21

On Friday, when they met to assess progress on the Clarissa Heerenmacht case, the temperature in Acting Chief of Police Kluuge’s office was ninety-two degrees Fahrenheit. And it was still only morning; it was also the first time the whole investigation team had assembled in the same place.

“We are presumably the only idiots in town who are sitting indoors,” said Suijderbeck.

“Presumably,” said Servinus.

In addition to the officers from Rembork, those present comprised the two female inspectors from Haaldam—Elaine Lauremaa and Anje Tolltse—plus team leader Kluuge and the consultant, Chief Inspector Van Veeteren from the Maardam police. Six individuals in all. The team leader was wearing shorts, but that was not obvious when he was sitting at his desk.

“The media have been making hay with it,” said Suijderbeck, producing a copy of Neuwe Blatt, which devoted its front page and two more full pages inside to developments in the Sorbinowo forests.

And to the Pure Life. Speculation was rife in all the media regarding the absent spiritual leader and goings-on in the sect. The old lawsuit had been dug up, deserters had expressed their opinions with no beating around the bush, and one of the television channels had come close to exceeding its own conventions regarding decency and decorum in a report on one of the girls who had left the camp and returned home—a starkly realistic high-pressure interview with timid, stuttering parents and a red-eyed, tearful thirteen-year-old trying to make their way from their car into their own row house on the outskirts of Stamberg.

“Well, so what, for Christ’s sake?” said Servinus. “Of course they’re going to write about it! What more could they ask for? Summer. Murder. Young girl, crazy priest! If they can’t sell extra copies with a witch’s brew like that, I figure they might as well give up, and start devoting their attention to Country Life instead.”

“When was the ‘wanted’ message for Yellinek first sent out?” the chief inspector asked.

“Yesterday afternoon,” said Kluuge. “We thought we might as well, since his disappearance had become public knowledge.”

“Quite right,” said Suijderbeck. “As a matter of fact, I threatened the Three Sisters with Armageddon yesterday, if they failed to produce him by noon today. But they don’t read any newspapers, so my conscience is clear.”

“What’s all this about a condom clue?” Tolltse wondered. “What’s going on?”

“Hmph,” said Kluuge. “Perhaps we ought to take matters in turn. The situation out at the summer camp—I take it that’s all over and done with now?”

Anja Tolltse checked her watch.

“One girl and one psychologist left. And two constables on guard. The girl will be collected in half an hour, assuming her parents are punctual. And I suppose we’ll be able to sum up our efforts out there once that’s done.”

“Lots of journalists?” Servinus asked.

Tolltse nodded.

“There were still a few cars there when I left. They generally sneak around and take photos. They don’t approach the girl—although of course there’s nothing to stop them tagging along when the parents come to collect her. If they want another smutty scoop—I mean, a few of the others have been targeted.

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