1
It is early morning in a small town in the middle of Norway. By the river meandering from the ‘Leirfossen’ waterfall all the way through town and into the Fjord of Trondheim four apartment blocks were perched.
On the fourth floor of the block closest to the river a middle-aged man is living with his seventeen year old daughter.
She isn’t his real daughter, but the only child of his ex-girlfriend who died in a climbing accident when the girl was nine years old.
Since then she has lived with Frank Paul as if he was her father. She has taken his family name, but is not adopted by him.
They go along pretty well as they have been living together since she was a kid of only six…
This morning he woke up very early. He was awoken by some horrible screams coming from the floors above somewhere…
He was a curious man.
He put on his Moroccan Koftan and slippers and went out into the corridor.
He couldn’t hear the screaming now, but he heard someone coming down the stairs
He stood still on the landing until he could see a young man dressed immaculately in the latest style of fashion.
He looked clean and his shoes were so thoroughly brushed that he could use them as mirrors.
Frank looked at him and asked him if he’d heard the terrible screams? The man had a faint smile on his face.
He looked friendly and nodded his head; “Yes I noticed”, he said, “and as you say: “it sounded horrible!”
Frank watched him as he was talking and didn’t believe a word of what he was saying.
Before he ventured further down the stairs he asked him,:
”do you live here? I cannot remember seeing you before.” “No, I do not. I was just sleeping over with a friend.”
“And what is your friend’s name”, Frank asked, ever so politely.
“The man looked at him with a smile and said:
”I don’t want to give out his name; we may all be in trouble if I do. We have to take care of our friends, when needed, don’t you think?”
Frank just looked at him and said: “I guess I do, in my way.”
Then he said good morning and turned to go into his own apartment; he could hear the mild voice of the man saying: “and the same to you, Frank Paul!”
Frank turned and looked down the stairs where he could hear the steady steps of the night guest.
The man looked up and flashed a white smile at him.
Frank went inside and waited for a while.
He anticipated the time the intruder would use to walk all the way down the stairs to the ground floor.
He calculated it to be five-six minutes.
He waited ten minutes to be sure and then he went out into the corridor again and up the stairs to the next floor.
There were three flats on each floor, but everything seemed to be quiet and in order on the first one he visited.
So he kept on walking up the stairs to the next floor, but it was all tidy and quiet there too.
Finally he reached the sixth floor and could hear the sound of flowing water from one of the flats.
He went over there and noticed that the door had been splintered where the door handle had been; now it was lying scattered on the floor
Water was seeping out underneath the door. The woman who lived there was one of the few persons he was talking with in the block.
She was beautiful, but most of all she seemed to have a brilliant mind and some kind of wisdom.
Frank didn’t know what she was earning her living from.
Sometimes he met her late at night and then she looked very tacky…
He rapped his knuckles at the door, but there was no other sound in there than the flowing water. He pushed the door wide open and went inside.
Out from the bathroom there was a steady flow of water mixed with blood.
He opened the bathroom door and froze on the spot just inside when he saw his neighbour lying in the bath tub, most probably dead.
He turned and left the flat after having turned off the water. He tried to close the outer door by jamming a pair of shoes underneath it…
He ran down the stairs and into his own apartment.
Carla had just got out of bed and now she was standing in the hall; paralyzed.
She looked at him and asked him where he had been?
“Just upstairs to have a look at things”, he said
“What things?” she asked. Then she looked down at his slippers and saw that they were colored red.
“Frank; what’s happened?!” He looked at her and said: “let me have a cup of coffee first.”
She turned to him again and said: “There was a man here asking for you”
He spun around and looked at her. “What did he look like?”
She looked at him and said: “he looked like a lawyer or a business man and he was very well dressed!”
“Ok, let’s calm down a little first and I’ll tell you what happened here today while you were still asleep.
They sat down by the kitchen table and he told her what had happened the last fifteen minutes.
When he was finished she just sat there with her mouth wide open…
“Oh, Frank, what are you going to do? He might be coming for you too!”
“Actually I don’t think so; this man has something else on his mind.”
“I have to call the police, or better; a friend of mine who is into this line of work. Do you remember Ole who used to visit us some years ago?”
“Yes”, she said.
“He has written many books about this kind of criminality.”
“Oh, I am forgetting; I have to call the police to report this nasty incidence.”
He drank his coffee in one gulp and went out into the hall to call. Ten minutes later he came back into the kitchen looking at his watch.
“I guess you’re off to school soon?”
“Yes”, she said, “but I am a little afraid to leave you.”
“Nice of you, but have no fear, Carla, I can take care of myself, but I am not sure of you. Do you have some friends you can stay with a few days?”
“Do you think I am in danger?” she said with her eyes wide open, staring at him.
“I don’t know, but this man is dangerous for anyone, including himself.”
“Do it please, just for your own sake - and mine”, he said.
Carla came up to him and gave him a hug.
“I have many friends, and I am going to ask them today.”
“Ok, keep in touch, will you.”
“You too!” she said. She prepared her breakfast and her lunch for school.
Fifteen minutes later she left with a worried look on her face.
Frank wasn’t in a good mood himself after she was gone.
He knew from experience that people with a mild voice and a nice face and an impeccable appearance was not what they appeared to be.
On the contrary; in his experience they were hiding something; what they mostly were hiding would be of the deep and murky kind of emotions and actions…
He sat down and poured himself another cup of coffee while he looked out of the kitchen window.
Ten minutes later someone were pushing his doorbell by the entrance downstairs.
A man’s voice said that he came from the police station to investigate what he had reported this morning; the nearest police office was just across the river.
He opened the door and waited for the Officer…
He arrived after 2 minutes and knocked at the door. Frank went out into the hall and bid him to come right in.
The Officer introduced himself as Trond Melhus.
Frank liked him immediately; he had this ability to see through people.
He had learned it throughout his many years of training and studying Gestalt Therapy and from many years of intense meditation.
He asked Melhus if he wanted a cup of coffee and the policeman was smart enough to say yes.
They sat down and chatted a little and then Melhus asked where the incidence had happened.
Frank took him to the fifth floor.
He showed him the splintered door and said it’s still open…
It was still wet on the landing outside the door.
Frank pulled out the shoes and they entered.
Melhus went into the bathroom. He looked at the scene and said: “mm Paul; I’ve seen this kind of scene before. You see the throat; it’s cut open and so are her wrists. If I am right I think we will find another sign on the body to indicate who did this.
We haven’t got the identity of the murderer, but he or she is leaving us clues all the time. Have a look at her left breast.”
Frank bent over and could see a small silver brooch pinned through her left nipple
“It looks like an angel”, Frank said.
“Exactly!” Melhus said, “This is the third victim of this monster!” he said with disgust.
“Ok, I will call up the station and tell the forensics to come and evaluate the scene. Meanwhile we can have another coffee and you tell me what happened, ok?”
“Yes, sure.” Frank replied.
“Your coffee was of the best class you know! Much better than my wife’s!” Melhus said as they walked down the stairs.
Frank smiled a little, but he was trembling inside.
They went into Frank’s apartment and sat down by the kitchen table. Frank poured two cups of coffee.
Melhus produced a notebook from his coat’s inner pockets and started writing the date and the name of the witness.
Then Frank explained in detail what had happened since he woke up this morning. Melhus wrote it down and closed the book; then he emptied his cup
“Very good Mr. Paul”, he said, “It’s not often we have such good statements as you have given me here.” He touched his notebook and pocketed it again.
“So”, he said, “anything else to tell me?” Frank had been thinking about that and told him about the impression the ‘stair man’ had induced in him, and about the Gestalt Therapeutic way of seeing people and their inner mandates.
Melhus looked at him and said; “You know, Frank, you could be valuable for us down at the station. I wonder if you could pop in one day and tell us more about your abilities.”
Frank wasn’t keen on this, but he nodded and told Melhus to call him.
With that he rose and thanked Frank for his frank report on the morning’s events.
E-mail: crnning@gmail.com
Web Site: http://illioscoaching.com
Seealso: http://easywaytowrite.com/magellan/charles_roenning.html my previous novel: The Life Coach
See also my blog: http://danzai-force.blogspot.com
Arthur Rosenborg was an junior partner in F.B. Shipping. The company wasn’t of the biggest ones, but it was conservative enough for young Arthur who wanted to mingle with the elite in the little town. He also ran a Publishing Company called: “Inner Nature of Man;” which focused solely on man’s darkest sides. He was also in cahoots with an establishment called: “Gentlemen’s Club no. 1” This place was nothing but a brothel despite its audacious name.
Inside, on the first floor there was a huge bar and red puffed up sofas covered with purple velvet along the wall. Steel and glass tables were placed along them. Upstairs in the second floor there were twenty compartments of various size and shape and equipment for the love making business. Only the wealthy could afford the prices in this little dump. Rosenborg met some raised eyebrows and problems concerning his involvement with the Gentlemen’s Club no. 1. He didn’t have any problems in fending off these by means of his charming appearance. He was a smug and well-dressed character and seemingly a polite and friendly young man blessed with a white, flashing smile.
Later on in the morning a group of three policemen and a doctor rang his downstairs doorbell and he opened for them. Upon reaching the third floor they knocked on his door and asked him to show them the apartment where the murder had been committed. He took them up to the sixth floor and they found their way in. One of the policemen said he’d be down with him soon to have some more details on the incident…
Frank went down the stairs again and went into his own apartment to relax a little from the busy morning he’d had so far. He went into the living room and sat down in the sofa with his legs on the low coffee table. He sighed and sank down in the soft cushions. He dozed off and dreamt about the elegant man he had seen on the landing just outside his own door. He was looking at Frank while waving his index finger in front of his face, saying: “Careful Frank, something may happen to you one early morning too!” Then he flashed his white smile at him and faded away.
Frank jumped out of the sofa and was very disturbed by this vision. Someone at his door was calling at him; “hello, hello.” Frank went out into the hall where one of the policemen was peeping into his kitchen. “Ah, there you are Mr. Paul. I just wanted to have a quick chat with you before we leave.”
“Ok”, he said, “ask away.” The constable pulled up a notebook like the one Mr. Melhus had processed from his pocket and Frank couldn’t but smile.
“Standard equipment, Frank”, the copper said with a smile on his face.
Then he asked some of the questions Melhus had asked him earlier this morning. Frank went through it again and the policeman nodded. Then he wanted to know how Frank had come upon the murdered woman. Frank told him and described in detail what he had observed in his neighbour’s flat.
The officer said;” thank you, we might have to talk with you again if you don’t mind?”
“Fine with me”, Frank said
So he was finally left alone and the time was soon noon. He went out into the kitchen and made a cup of tea for himself. As he sat down by the kitchen table he was thinking of Carla. He was very anxious about her safety. He had seen such a deep and dark abyss of malice in this well dressed young man. He was convinced that this smug character was a psychopath. No one could have done something as bad as he’d done this morning and still be in control as he seemed to be when Frank first saw him.
He felt sorry for him, thinking of what kind of future he would have to go through. It wouldn’t be easy; he would have to face a lot of obstacles and defeats on the kind of road he had ventured onto. He finished his tea and went into his office, which was the smaller of two bedrooms in the apartment. Inside he had built two desks for him.
He had also built a bed for Carla as it actually was her bedroom where they could search the net, write and talk with friends, although he spent most of the time with the computer by the huge kitchen table.
He wanted to find out about this man showing up in the stairs. He found the number of the police office and asked for Detective Melhus. The receptionist asked him who he was and where he lived and if he was calling from his own phone. Frank told her the truth and nothing but the truth. She asked him why he wanted to talk with Officer Melhus. He briefly told her about what had happened this morning and she said:” Just a minute Mr. Paul.”
A couple of minutes later she was back again. “It’s funny, “she said, “he wanted to see you today too. He will call you in half an hour.”
“Thanks”, Frank replied and hung up.
He sat for a while by the desk and decided to call Ole. He remembered his number and knew that he was staying at home most of the time; so he wasn’t surprised when Ole answered immediately.
“Hello there, Frank!” he said, “long time no see! What’s on your mind today, Doc!” Frank smiled; it felt good to talk with his friend again
. He said: ”Ole, I am going to meet with a policeman today and I wonder if you’d like to join us for a hefty conversation in a coffee shop somewhere. This cop is a good one. His name is Trond Melhus. Are you familiar with that name?”
“Melhus is one of the best in this town, but why do you want to talk with him – and me, for that matter?”
“You see, something terrible has popped up and I would like to invite you into it. I like this policeman and I think we will have a good cooperation with him.”
“We? What is this, Frank? What has happened?”
“It will all be revealed today. Melhus will call me very soon and then I’ll call you back, ok?”
“This sounds as a prologue for a good novel to me; I am in!”
“Thanks, Ole. I am looking forward to see you again.”
He went into the kitchen and looked out at the busy lunch rush. The area he was living in was called “The Sunny Side” and there were lots of restaurants and coffee shops and shopping centers there; very convenient for anyone living in this neighbourhood. People were rushing in for lunch now from nearby offices and companies and schools. The phone rang and he grabbed the one on the wall right in front of him and answered: “Frank Paul here.”
“Hi coffee man!” a jovial voice said, “Do you have time for a chat today in the ‘Blueberry’ or wherever you prefer?”
“Exactly what I was going to ask you. I will bring a friend; Ole Tjern. I guess you know him?”
“The best crime writer in town”, he said, “No problem; just bring him. He might be of help.”
“Your description of him is exactly what he says about you being a policeman.”
“Sounds promising! What time will be convenient for you?”
“Blueberry in half an hour? I have to call Ole.”
“No problem! See you there.”
Frank called Ole again and told him where and when. Ole was eager to meet with them and said he would probably be there before they arrived. He lived in the neighbourhood and could walk over there in ten minutes. Frank went into the bathroom to brush his teeth. While doing that he looked at himself in the mirror.
“Now, what are you getting yourself into, old man?!” Frank shook his index finger at the reflection of his face. He dressed; casually as always and left for the coffee shop and hopefully good company and a pleasant conversation.
As he went down the stairs he thought of this morning’s events. Just a few hours ago a murderer had come into his life and walked down these same stairs! Outside he just had about a hundred meters to walk to the ‘Blueberry.’ The Sunny Side had once been a shipyard and still there were signs of it all around in the area. The old brick houses of the old yard were now rehabilitated for all kinds of shops and coffee shops.
Cranes were still standing immobile along the canals. Two huge anchors were also placed on an open space by the entrance of the shopping mall.
All around the blocks and apartment houses there were canals filled with water. They had once been docks for building ships…
‘Blueberry’ was situated in the old office building of the yard and was a popular place for the younger coffee - shop - crowd, but also for people like Frank who had plenty of time at his disposal as he was on a pension and had been so for twelve years.
He was still having clients who needed to get rid of blockages and difficult relationships, or to repair them.
Otherwise he was also busying himself with painting and drawing. Sometimes he sold some of his collection, but mostly he gave them away. He didn’t want to charge too much for his products as he didn’t see himself as a professional artist
He reached the coffee shop and could see Ole inside with a beer in his hand. Ole wasn’t too amused by all the coffee that was drunk among his friends, so he stubbornly stuck to his pint of dark beer.
Now he became aware of his friend approaching outside and waved at him. Frank waved back and jumped the stairs up to the entrance and went in. He went over to Ole and grabbed his hand and shook it.
Ordinary Norwegians would feel awkward about this kind of procedure. For him and Ole it was common sense; to touch like this was a way of strengthening the relationship and make people feel comfortable.
This had become a habit between them many years ago. Ole smiled at him: “nice to see you again my friend”, he said, “let’s meet more often; hopefully we can have some more to share after this meeting?”
“Who knows? I sure hope so”, Frank said
“Ah, here’s our man of law”, Ole said and pointed out the window. Soon Melhus joined them and announced that he would pay today!”
“What you really mean is that we have already paid you through our taxes and now it’s your time for a payback?” said Ole, “by the way; my name is Ole Tjern.” Melhus looked at him and smiled, “any new novels lately?”
Melhus looked around in the coffee shop and asked them: “Can we move to a quieter corner. I wouldn’t like it if someone with big ears sat too close to us!” So they moved to the adjacent room that wasn’t frequented as much as the main one.
“I hope to have one on the block one of these days!” Ole said as they sat down in the almost empty room.
Melhus looked at him and said:” maybe you will have it up close this time?”
“That would be too close for me I think, but I believe our friend here is grossly annoyed with this killer. He might even go after him.”
“Are you sure it is a he?” Melhus looks at them both. Then he turns back to Frank and says: “can you describe the man you met in your block again, Frank?”
Frank told them how the man looked and what he saw in him and how he behaved and how he actually launched a covert threat against Frank and his daughter.
Ole just looked intensely at Frank when he described the whole event. Then he asked Frank:” the description of this man; are you absolutely sure he looked and behaved like you said?”
“Absolutely!”
“Then I know who he is!” Ole said, eyeing both of the men.
Now Melhus was as intense as Ole. He asked Ole who this guy was and Ole came out with a name after some thinking. He whispered now; “there is only one man in this town that fits into Frank’s description and that’s Arthur Rosenborg!” His voice was barely audible when he spoke the name…
Melhus leaned back in his chair looking out into the air and exhaled heavily.
“Frank, can you tell your friend what you saw in this man?”
Frank told Ole that he didn’t doubt a second that the man he met had to be a psychopath and especially after he had turned up at his door while Clara was alone there.
Ole stared at him. He said: “where is your daughter now?”
“At school, “Frank said, “but I have told her to stay with friends for some time”.
“Good!” Ole said.
Melhus had a worried look on his face.
“Is there something you’d like to share with us Officer?” Frank said.
“I am not sure. I know this man of course. He is in with the high shots in town. We believe he is supported by his father who we suspect is a drug dealer, but he is a veteran who knows all the tricks and we have never got anything on him.”
“Good men, I am also a bit worried about this meeting’s purpose. What did you have in mind when you decided to invite your friend with us, Frank?”
“Frank says: ”Ole is the man who as a civilian knows the most about cons and ex-cons and crooks and crimes in this town. He has been doing thorough research for many years around here. He is a valuable source for anyone who wants to track down any kind of crime!”
“My problem is that I cannot see how I as an Officer of Law can cooperate with two civilians like you; especially in this case. I have to talk with the mighty boss and I guess you both know what that may lead to?”
“He will turn us down on the spot!” Ole says, “But do you have to tell him? Birger Grytvik is the most incapable head of office that has warmed the chief’s chair in your department, ever!” said Ole
“Anyone knows that!” Melhus says, “But still I have to deal with him. I see you two as a formidable resource for this kind of plot.” He sighed and said:” I‘ll have a talk with him and use all my skills as a negotiator which are not too bad. Ok? I need you to be very quiet about this; understand?” He added:”- and Frank, if you have told your daughter about this, you must tell her the same! It’s very important!”
3
Arthur Rosenborg has just left his office at F.B. Shipping in the Fjord Street and is now on his way to his other occupation; the Publishing Company, which is not too far away from his more respectable office.
The company is run by Arthur and his cousin Peter. They have also hired a Solicitor and a Psychologist.
The first to fend off any complaints about the company’s dirty literature and the latter takes care of both the writers and the psychology used in their products and those of them who have fallen into the trap of their own works; as they dive so deeply into the abysses of darkness and fear.
These employees are obviously of the darker kind themselves.
Arthur went up a narrow alley and reached the ‘Krambu Street’ where he rented a couple of shabby rooms on the second floor in an old wooden house for their tiny company. His cousin hasn’t arrived yet, but Arthur sits down in his swivel chair and picks up a newly arrived manuscript from someone who wrote under the synonym; “Filthy Amanda”
Arthur smiled and licked his lips. “Sounds promising Amanda,” he said and opened the envelope. He picked out the pile of papers and prepared himself to dive into it.
He went over to the kettle to boil some water for a cup of coffee. While waiting for it to finish he looked briefly through the first chapter; “Amanda; your choice of name really fits you!” he said and smiled broadly; almost drooling.
The water was ready and he added a bag of Nescafe to it and went over to his desk again…
He was way into the manuscript when he heard someone coming up the narrow staircase leading from the sidewalk and up to their office. “Peter, is that you?” he said in a loud voice. No answer, but then he saw a middle aged man stick his head into his office. Arthur recognized him at once as Ole Tjern, the well-known local writer. Arthur rose up and went over to him and shook his hand. “Ah, our excellent local crime reporter is here in our humble office,” he said and smiled, “are you here to deliver a manuscript? I would be very happy to publish it for you!”
Ole looked at him and said: “maybe one day I will shock you with one, maybe.”
“Then, what can I do for you?” Arthur said. Ole looked around and noticed there were many files with writers he knew just briefly, but with whom he didn’t socialize.
“Actually I was looking for manuscripts I could look into. I am just into the first steps of a new novel based on crimes committed here in Trondheim. It’s the first time I’ve done that. I have been ‘inspired’ by a series of murders lately and had a chat with Detective Melhus in the central police station in a coffee shop today. He recommended “Inner Nature of Man.” I believe that’s the name of your company?”
Arthur just looked at him. He smiled and just stood there scrutinizing Ole’s appearance.
“I am afraid we haven’t got anything from local writers here for the time being. We receive manuscripts from many places in the country and ever so often from other countries too.”
“Oh, that’s a pity!” Ole said,” have you heard about these murders here in our town?”
Arthur was standing in the same position he had taken a while ago; as he was frozen to the floor. He looked down and said: “yes I have and it’s a devastating experience. Here in this small and peaceful corner of the world! Who would have thought that?”
Ole looked at him and said; “well. I have to find someone else’s manuscript then. Thanks for your help and I might come back to your offer to publish my latest novel. I am following this tragic case here you know.”
He turned around and was about to open the door when he heard Rosenborg soft voice saying:” if you are here for some other reason you better tell me Mr. Tjern. I could be of some help in filling you in with details from these nasty affairs going on here in town. Have a nice day.”
Ole nodded and opened the door. Then Rosenborg obviously had some more to say:” If this investigation leads you here I might be of substantial help for you Mr. Tjern. Don’t forget!” He turned around and sat down in his swivel chair to read again.
Ole went down the steep stairs to the sidewalk. He couldn’t decide if he had been threatened by Rosenborg or not…
“I’ll have to talk with Frank again”, he thought.
4
After they left Blueberry Frank walks over to the shopping mall to buy some food. He thinks of Carla and that he has to call her again.
After buying what he needed he took a stroll around the area; it was a picturesque place. Finishing his wandering he felt well and fresh from the cool air coming from the fjord. He was happy to live here in this peaceful town ‘just underneath the icecap’ as he sometimes tells his foreign friends.
He walks the stairs up to his apartment and opens the door. Before he can enter he hears someone calling him. He turns around and notices the couple from the penthouse apartment on the sixth floor. He has always regarded them as two ‘jolly’ characters. Now they look gravely at him and start asking about this morning’s incident. They had also heard the terrible screams, but didn’t dare to check it.
Frank filled them in and told them that the police had the case safe in hand.
They seemed to be relieved by his statement and put on their smiles again. The woman said: “why don’t you come and visit us some time and have a drink?”
Invitations like this are something that Frank has problems with. He is not happy with party people as this young couple is. He cannot fit in with these shallow customers.
He says, “Yes, why not!” and all three of them know that it’s not going to happen, but as a courtesy call it’s all right. As if they were talking about the weather actually.
He nods and points to his shopping bag and says: “lunch for an old man now.” They smile at him and leave for the stairs.
As soon as he is inside he picks up the phone and calls Carla.
When she answers he is taking aback by her high pitched voice when she says: “Can I come home now?” “Yes, of course my friend, come home. I have bought some nice food just now and if you hurry you can have lunch with your old man.”
“Ok”, she says, “I’ll be there in ten minutes!” She sounds happy.
He prepares a Cesar Salad and fries sliced and spicy sausages and bacon and fish that he knows that she likes.”
He goes into the living room and looks around. “I like this place.” he says. He sits down in his favourite armchair and takes in what has happened with him today.
“What a day! Where will we go from here?” As he is pondering this he hears someone entering the hall. He rises up to welcome Carla, but he is utterly shocked when he sees Rosenborg standing in front of him. “What is this!? How dare you break into people’s property like this!?
Rosenborg stares coldly at him and says, without a smile this time: “I had a visit from your friend Ole Tjern today and he had some peculiar things to say. I am not stupid and I advise you both to stay at home and stick with the TV in the future!”
Then he smiles and turns around to leave. Before he does he turns around and says: “don’t forget, Paul!”
Then he leaves…
Frank waits a minute and then he goes out into the corridor and sees the lift disappear down to the ground floor. He is anxious that Carla will meet him.
He looks out the window and sees no sign of her or Rosenborg.
Five minutes later she calls him: “I saw this man out here again! Are you ok?” He sighed and answered: “Yes, now I am! Come up here please.”
She comes two minutes later and throws herself around his neck. “I have missed you so much, Frank!” She says.
He holds her tight and tells her the same.
“Let’s have some lunch, Carla,” he says. And they go into the kitchen and Frank takes the sausages and bacon out from the stove and the salad out from the fridge.
Carla looks at him and says: ”Ah, you bought the best sausages!” She rises up and hugs him again.
So, they are ready for their favourite lunch and they both enjoy it thoroughly.
After the meal she says: “Frank, if you’re going to work on this case I would like to help you!” He just looks at her. He is astonished and says: ”no way, Carla! This is a dangerous murderer we are dealing with!”
Carla sits still for a while as if she is contemplating what he has just said.
“Frank, I am seventeen and soon eighteen and I am not a china doll. I have some friends that you wouldn’t believe I had. They are friends that you can call street wanderers. They have bad homes and do not want to live with their parents. They know everything that’s going on in this town. I can bring a couple of them here one day and you can judge yourself.”
Frank just looks at her in silence, a long time. Then he says:”Carla; I am your father if not in flesh, but still I have the responsibility for your welfare. I know that you as your mother are made of hard stuff, but I cannot stand thinking of you and your friends facing up to this monster! My answer is no, no, no!”
“Whatever you say Frank; I have already talked with two of my best friends and they are also of the same material as my mum was. We know the streets, the clubs and places that few people know of here in Trondheim”…
Frank is devastated now. He had been like this himself at a much younger age. He lived dangerously and tried everything bad until he left for sea when he was sixteen years old, but his daughter; he didn’t even dare to think about it.
He said: “can you bring your friends up here one day, so I can have a look at them?” She smiled at him and said: “Of course they would be happy to present themselves to you.”
He told her about the visitor who had popped up in the hall just half an hour ago.
“So you see Carla; he’s very dangerous! I am going to change the lock in our door one of these days and I am also going to call the police about this incident. We need protection from this villain.”
“Can I stay here with you some days Frank?”
“Yes,” he said, “but not before I have changed the lock.”
“That’s ok”, she said,” I’ll pop over to my friends today and tell them”.
5
Rosenborg leaves ‘The Sunny side’ or ‘Solsiden’ as it is called in Norwegian…
He is furious, but still has some respect for this man; Frank Paul. He seems fearless and balanced; that’s something he admires.
He was put aback by his appearance and that’s something he definitely doesn’t like! He doesn’t want that to happen. It reminds him of all the losses he has experienced with his own parents, especially his mother.
His father is ok, to a certain limit. He is depending on him to help him out economically. He doesn’t mind where the money comes from as long as he is the main recipient.
He has hated his mother as long as he can remember. She was a slut and an alcoholic and a whore as he saw her. She never acknowledged her son at all and left him to find out, from an early age what to do with his life…
“It’s your life.” She said and then left him; either for her own bedroom or for the nearest bar or to buy two or three bottles of red wine from the liquor store.
When she came back home she drank the wine and fell asleep. He hated to hear her snoring away in her room.
Some nights she brought men home and told him to get out and play with his friends.
Usually this was the time he left the apartment and searched the streets to find friends who were in the same situation as he was. He stayed out all night from he was ten years old. No one took care of him.
From he was thirteen he started to drink beer in some of the most sordid pubs down by the harbour, where drunken sailors were having fun with the girls and drinking beer.
No one asked for his age. They just looked into his black, cold eyes and gave him what he asked for. They were afraid of him as they had seen him and his friends’ behaviour towards people they didn’t like. Sometimes they beat up sailors and recorded it on their mobile phones.
They were merciless and all of them very angry… Middleclass citizens of the town never knew about these children and how they behaved in the streets; committing violence and creating havoc wherever they went.
In shopping malls they were a nuisance. They stole anything they could get their hands on and harassed customers. Sometimes they were caught by the security guards and beaten up down in the garages in the basement; which didn’t help of course.
They were all immune to beating and spanking; it made them harder and they boasted about it afterwards.
He was angry with Paul because he could see that he was a good man. He envied the girl he had met when he called upon her in their apartment.
He was not sure of how to judge the situation he was in now. In some way it was better to deal with bastards and pimps and drug dealers.
6
Rosenborg is confused. He compares Paul with his father and the greedy, fat rich men he is acquainted with from the Club.
The so called Writers he is doing business with annoys him too.
Their products are of such a low standard and he hates them and what they’re writing, although he reads some of it that has an erotic angle to it.
He and his cousin are running a rip off pricing of these poor creatures. They have to pay all the promotion from their own pockets and none of them have ever seen any of the campaigning anywhere…
They seem to believe in the idea that life as an ‘artist’ is supposed to be frugal.
They are happy to be ‘Bohemians’ and they boast of the little money left after the sales and campaigns.
He’s had another problem lately; his senior partners in F.B. Shipping are asking questions about his engagement with the Gentleman’s Club.
They would like to know what his role is and why he is frequenting this kind of establishment at all.
He realized that he had to take this up with F.B.’s leader and owner.
He is not holding anything back when he tells the Chief Director that 3 of his department- chiefs are regular customers in the club.
He recommends the C.E O. to be quiet about it or he will be caught with ‘dirty hands’.
Rosenborg ensured him that this wasn’t meant as a threat, just as an explanation as to what his directors were doing at night.
The C.E.O. didn’t buy this threat as he called it and gave Rosenborg his vision of the establishment.
Rosenborg panicked and took on a humble attitude when he started talking about his job in the F.B. Shipping and The C.E.O. admitted that he was satisfied with his efforts, but he wasn’t sure about his moral status.
Rosenborg ended the conversation by telling the C.E.O. that his sole job in the club was as an accountant, nothing else.
He was a lot more, but what he did was never revealed.
7
He was thinking a lot about his destiny in life nowadays.
Deep inside he had this great wish of getting rid of his Nemesis in life; the curse that he had inherited from his parents.
He had no idea of what to do or who to address in these matters and this bothered him.
He had also found out that this man; Frank Paul was some kind of psychological therapist; this made him angry!
The quandary was that he really wanted to talk with him, but as the situation had turned out, he didn’t know how that could happen…
The thing was that he liked Frank Paul as he had seen him in the block and in his apartment.
He was furious!
What to do!?
8
As he saw it; it was either to kill or surrender…
Killing Frank Paul was not on his agenda; in some way had sympathy for the man.
He was thinking of his old mother who was fifty six years old now and living in the same apartment as he did as a child. His hate for her and his father had grown to immeasurable proportions.
He had to do something that would release his hate and fear; his parents had to suffer…
He was in great despair now.
9
He was on his way to his luxurious apartment on top of a new building containing only luxury condos. The building was wrapped inside an area of tall buildings and was almost invisible from outside except for the two upper floors, where he lived.
There was a narrow lane leading into the closer facilities of the building.
To use this road you had to possess a code card to open the steel gates.
On the ground floor there was a luxury super market, which was convenient for the rich and semi rich inhabitants of the building as the lifts went all the way down to the market.
While driving, he was talking to himself about the method of killing…
He reached the apartment block and produced his card to open the gate. The building had sixteen floors; which was regarded to be a skyscraper in the little town.
There were laws against building taller blocks…
He drove his car down in to the basement and parked on his private lot.
His brain was still working on how to transfer his parents on to a better place. He didn’t believe in Heaven or Hell, but he had a belief that told him that souls would pass on into a ‘heavenly’ resort where they could attain a better kind of life in peace.
He longed for this himself…
He felt that this was a good thing to do. His mother would not suffer and his father would not ruin any junkies’ lives anymore. “Two more rats out of the system!” He thought, while he was standing in the lift up to the sixteenth floor.
He congratulated himself with this plan and felt more relieved than he had ever done; “if I’ve ever felt relief at all!” he thought…
The lift came to a stand and the doors opened.
10
He went into the corridor. His apartment was the only one in this part of the block. It took up almost the whole space of the entire floor.
He had a nice view of the surroundings.
He could view the Nidelv River on its way through the town and into the fjord. He saw the fishermen along the river trying to catch the biggest salmon coming up to fight its way up the waterfall.
It wasn’t too far away from where he lived.
On the other side of the flat he had a view to the forested areas reaching far out to the east. He could also see the water reservoir for the whole county…
He liked it here and was happy to get away from his parents. His father visited him now and then, but he left money and Arthur didn’t say no at any time; to drug - or blood money…
He missed to have friends. His older friends from the childhood and early adulthood were either in prison or dead or in institutionalized, but he wasn’t keen on meeting any of them.
His thoughts went back to Frank Paul. He felt annoyed by this; the man seemed to have hypnotized him!
He sat down in the sofa and turned on the TV.
Nothing to watch there, so he injected a CD into the player. It was one of his numerous porn videos.
He watched for a while, but soon got tired and bored by it. He asked himself: “Why am I doing this, I have seen the same scenes for the last ten years and I hate it!”
He turned it off and switched to the latest news.
The reporter on the screen was heading several cases of murder in Trondheim…
He came up with a résumé of the progress. So far there were no witnesses and very little to go on in the further investigations
Arthur smiled. “It’s time for a new adventure into death! This time for someone I know very well – too well actually!”
He knew that this would probably be one of the last killings he would do, but this one was the most significant for him…
He couldn’t do it the way he had done with the whores. He didn’t even want to touch his mother.
“It has to be from some distance”, he thought.
He had to take care of his father later, but would he understand that his wife was killed by his son?
Or would he even care?
“Well, I don’t care who cares, but I do, because it’s a deed of necessity for me!” he told himself
It was Saturday and his mother would be drunk at this time of the day.
He went into the locked storeroom just behind the kitchen. He opened the door and went in. The walls were covered with photos of murdered women; all in blood and all in bath tubs.
There was a table staying by the window with a glass cube looking like a display in a gallery. Inside it there was a stretched cloth of purple velvet with a number of brooches looking like the angel Frank Paul had observed a couple of days ago.
“You don’t deserve an angel whore mother! For you I have something very special tonight. Something that will please your son; for once.” He said.
He left the glass cube and opened a small door and switched on a light from inside a tiny and low roofed room. The room was full of weapons and strange artifacts of all kinds. He crept inside and pulled out a box. He placed it on a newspaper on the floor. He opened the lid and looked inside. It was full of liquid tar.
He closed and locked the small door and went out of the “Gallery Macabre”. He closed the door and locked it thoroughly with bolts and padlocks and pulled a black curtain to cover it…
He swore: “Bloody, I forgot the cane! Couldn’t do without it, Mum. “
He opened the door again and crawled in to fetch the cane. He locked the door again and pulled the curtain again. Then he left the room and went into the kitchen
He put the box on the desk by the sink and the cane against the wall. He pulled out a drawer with only knives in it. He picked one and put it on the desk. He opened another drawer and found what he was looking for; a roll of black strong tape. He brought the cane up on the desk and pulled off the rubber support at the bottom of it. It was hollowed, but just about fifteen centimeters.
He took the knife and pushed the shaft inside the cane. He taped the remaining length of it and continued to do so up the cane.
He covered it in a golf bag along with the tape roll and the box of tar.
“That’ll do Mum”, he mumbled.
Then he was ready for tonight’s event.
He put on a black jacket and brought all of the equipment out in the corridor where he pushed the button for the lift. On the ground floor he went down the stairs to the garage.
He was driving a Honda CRV and liked both the looks of it and to drive it.
He put his bag in the boot and started for his venture to his old home.
He whistled while he was driving. Not too much traffic in these areas before nine pm. He stopped at a coffee shop and ordered a Café Cortado to take with him.
In the car he put on Beethoven’s ninth and sipped his coffee. When he got closer to his old neighbourhood he stopped and finished the coffee and threw the empty cup in a garbage container on the sidewalk.
He started the car again and drove slowly up to a little square where he parked. He picked up his gear in the boot and went into the narrow streets of his childhood…
He looked around and saw no one. He arrived at the old block where he had lived his miserable childhood years and felt the anger rise in his chest.
“I am coming for you, Mum! I hope you have a visitor or two in bed. I would be happy to get rid of them for you.”
He searched in the compartment on the dashboard and found his leather gloves. He put them on and left the car. He slammed the door shut.
He went steadily step by step up the stairs and stopped to listen for people coming up or down the stairs.
Finally he arrived at the landing in front of the two apartments on the 2nd floor. He noticed his mother’s sign on the door and found his spare key in his pocket.
As soon he was inside he closed the door very carefully. There were no lights turned on and he couldn’t hear sound. He had to go through the living room to reach the bedrooms. While he passed the kitchen he looked inside. There were a couple of wine bottles on the desk and two glasses in the sink.
“She has guests; good!”
He took the cane out of the golf bag and put the bag by the entrance… He also brought the box of tar and was ready for the kill. Holding the cane in his right hand and the tar in his left he slowly approached his mother’s bedroom. He stopped by the door and listened. No sounds but her snoring could be heard.
“Ah, she’s alone. OK, that makes matters easier.”
He opened the door carefully and peeped inside. There she was, as he had seen her so many times before.
Her snoring was very loud and her mouth wide open. He had a strip of tape in his hand and now he took the box with tar in the other, he screwed off the top and went over to her bed. He lifted the box up to her face and aimed at her gaping mouth and then poured it all into her mouth. He put a strip of tape over her mouth, but she didn’t react to it.
She was so drunk that she was almost unconscious. After a while there came squeaky sounds from her. She opened her eyes and looked at him. Then the eyelids slid over her eyes again.
He was amazed by the fact that she didn’t seem to react to all the tar he had emptied into her stinking mouth
To fulfill the kill he raised the cane with the knife pointing down to her lower abdomen. He aimed it at her genitals and stabbed real hard. Then he made a cut from her groin and all the way up to her breasts. Instead of pinning a brooch to her breast he just cut it off …
He could hear some gargling sounds from her belly as he pulled out the knife from her chest…
“That’s it Mum, bye - bye.” he whispers in her ear.
He brought his killing devices out into the corridor and went back towards the hall. He has a feeling that there are someone in the apartment and stops for a couple of seconds, but no sounds to be heard.
Before he left he went into the kitchen and took both of the wine bottles and put them in the golf bag. “You want need these tonight, Mum.”
He turned on the lights in the little hall and looked around. “What a sordid place this is.” he whispered. He turned off the lights and went outside.
Down in the street he opened the boot and put the bag inside.
He opened the door and started the car…
Fifteen minutes later it was parked in his garage.
He climbed out of the car and looked around in the garage. No people to be spotted.
He went over to the lift and pushed the UP - button. He felt happy and relieved. Finally his worst tormenter was gone! He smiled all the way up to the sixteenth floor...
11
Carla and her classmates Ann and Marianne are having lunch at school.
They have found a table far from the rest of the students. Now they are sticking their heads together to follow up on their investigation about Rosenborg’s whereabouts and actions. They have been cautioned by Carla that he is a dangerous man although he may look very smart and innocent…
Carla has a plan that concerns her two friends: they are to befriend a couple of the girls who work in the club, both those who are just working in the bar and the regular prostitutes…
Ann and Marianne will have to take a trip to the ‘Tordenskjolds Street’ in the area where the Gentleman’s Club is situated. There’s a small coffee shop on the opposite side of it.
Now they are watching who goes in and out of the house. The barmaids are starting their day at six pm and Ann and Marianne are having a coffee while waiting…
Carla comes in and sits down with them. She says:”I have been talking with people in the neighbourhood and they have pointed out houses where some of the girls from the club are living…
She has the addresses of the houses and pass them on to her friends. You should go over there and have a look and just hang around for a while. When you see them come out, just approach them and ask where they come from and what their job is…
“Remember”, she says, “You are just going to befriend them. Later when and if you get to know them better you can be real friends and then ask them first and foremost about Rosenborg and his role in the establishment.”
The girls nod and cross the street to venture into the wooden house conglomerates.
12
Frank is at home and feels that he has to start doing something in this case. He hasn’t heard anything from Melhus and he is impatient and restless. Then his mobile rings and he picks it out of his pocket. “Hi, Paul!” a familiar voice said, “How are things going?”
It’s Melh They cross the heavy traffic between the cars and had a laugh about it; like two naughty boys.
They went up Krambugt and after twenty meters they were standing at the corner where the entrance was. They entered and saw that the place was full, but at one table there was some space for them. They went over there and found Melhus sitting there with a sign in front of him, saying: RESERVED for Trondheim Police Office. He was grateful when the two friends came over; finally he could relax and just tend to his beer. Frank and Ole ordered a pint of lager each. Melhus looked at them and said: “would you like something to eat? They have a terrific “Chili con Car They cross the heavy traffic between the cars and had a laugh about it; like two naughty boys.
They went up Krambugt and after twenty meters they were standing at the corner where the entrance was. They entered and saw that the place was full, but at one table there was some space for them. They went over there and found Melhus sitting there with a sign in front of him, saying: RESERVED for Trondheim Police Office. He was grateful when the two friends came over; finally he could relax and just tend to his beer. Frank and Ole ordered a pint of lager each. Melhus looked at them and said: “would you like something to eat? They have a terrific “Chili con Carne” here! They all agreed that it would be the best dish to go with the beer.
They settled down and waited for the food to arrive. It would probably take some time as the pub was filled to the brim with party-goers and beer-lovers and people who sought for company a Friday night. Melhus looked at them and said: “so, brave men, I have had many consultations with “Gryta” (the caldron) as we call the man. He finally gave in to my persuasions and gave a green light, but he wants to monitor the investigation, so he’ll be around.” They looked at each other as if they wanted to read how this piece of news would concern them. Frank said:” Then we need a mutual plan I would guess?”
Melhus looked at him and then at Ole. “Maybe or maybe not. I think we will attack from different angles. I will have to follow protocol as a Police Man and I will keep you informed about our progress as you will have to do with me. That’s the only plan I can see ahead at this moment.” As soon as he had uttered these words; the waiter came by with their food. They dug in and for some time silence fell upon the ensemble.
After finishing the meal Ole said: “I am not sure if we will be able to have serious conversation about the investigation after this meal and beer!” Frank looked up at him and said: “Now I can really dive into the matter!” Melhus just laughed at them both. “Guys”, he said, “Do you see the old woman sitting on the next table?” Ole and Frank turned around and looked. The woman seemed to be aware of them and waved her hand at them.
“Who’s she?” Frank asked Melhus. The Detective downed the rest of his beer and said: “she is a very intelligent lady and I have used her many times in my job. She is psychic and I asked her if she wanted to join us tonight.” As he was saying this, the woman came over to their table and asked if she could sit down with them.”
“Of course, Elsa, you know that you can. You were invited here to be one of the team.” Melhus said. “Of course I know, but I still have some politeness in me, but I will soon throw it overboard as it doesn’t seem to be respected by anyone anymore.”
She stretched out her hand to Tjern and Paul. She kept Paul’s hand for a long time. “We have a good one here! “ She said to Melhus. He smiled and said: “thank you, Elsa. I knew that the first time I met him, because his coffee was of the very best kind. To do that you have to be focused and have a passion for what you’re doing. This man cares about how things are done.”
Elsa looked at them all and said: “I am happy to be a member of the group.” Ole, Frank and Trond smiled at her and raised their glasses.
She smiled back. She said: “Gentlemen, a Lady like me needs red wine, not the bitter beer you are filling your bellies with. If there are any gentlemen here, he’d jump up from his chair and go the bar disk and order a Bottle of the best Rioja Wine they might have in this dump, but I cannot imagine they would even know of labels like that.”
She looked around at them. Finally Melhus as the Civil servant he was went up to the disk and asked for the wine. The bartender said that they had one bottle of Rioja, but that it was already opened. The Lady could have a glass or two.
Melhus went back to the table and told Elsa what the bartender had told him. She said it was ok; she only needed one glass anyway. “It’s just meant to fire up my spirit anyway.” Ole and Frank just looked at her and she smiled at them again. “Don’t worry boys, I am not a drunkard. I am here to assist and advise you through the process you are going through. I have worked a lot with Melhus and we have a good cooperation in between us. I hope you two can manage that too.”
Melhus came over with a glass filled to the brim with red wine and put it in front of Elsa. “The tax payers give you their complements, Elsa. Drink and be happy.” He waived at the waiter and asked for three more beers. People started to leave the pub, especially the young ones. There were parties to attend to and this was just the first stop for a beer or three to boost their party energy.
Melhus was satisfied with this and said: “easier to talk now my friends. Let’s find out where we are standing for the moment.” Frank said: “well I am a little bored, but maybe that’s the name of the game with this kind of work?” Ole sipped his beer and nodded in agreement. “I would really like to get to the bottom of this horrible story, but it seems like this guy is hard to catch. Yesterday I got a tip though. It was from a friend of mine who lives in the area where the monster’s mother still lives. He said that she was found killed in her bed and this exact case was the most devastating one until now. She was cut up from the groin and all the way up to her chest!”
“Okay Melhus said, “I know this story and it was even worse than you are telling us, Ole. I am not going to tell you. It’s bad enough as it is. There was a man arrested for the murder. He was a friend of the victim, or should I call them drinking partners. He was found in the adjacent bedroom from the victim’s.” Our man is the murderer, I am quite sure, but this guy is cunning and on top of that, he’s lucky too.” Frank hadn’t uttered a word while the others were telling their stories. He just sat there feeling angry and sad for the culprit. Elsa looked at him and asked: “what’s on your mind, my friend?” “I guess you already know, Elsa.” Frank replied. “She smiled at him and said, “I guess so too.” Melhus had been listening to their short exchange of something he didn’t understand. “What are you two up to now? I’d like you share it with me, Frank, you tell me first, please.” Frank looked over to Elsa again and she nodded.
“Trond, I have told you about the ability I have to read peoples’ minds. Our young man is a very troubled person and he is fighting with himself. He doesn’t want to go on as he has done, but he cannot get rid of his anger and hate. He feels he has to hit back on society. His parents have been living in fear ever so long. I fear that his father is going to be the next victim. Rosenborg still believes that he will be relieved from his pain as soon as he can get them out of his life. That’s where he is very wrong. Unless he gets treatment his life will be much worse than it already is.” “Says the Therapist.” Melhus said. “I appreciate your views and insight, but as a police man I have to bring in the culprit and put him in a place where he cannot hurt people around him anymore.”
Frank just stared down onto the table and said, “I see. You are doing your job and I do mine, contradictory to yours in some ways, but we both work to make this world a little safer for us all. We should join forces and see what we can come up with. You invited me for a talk some days ago and I think I am ready to yes to that invitation now.” Elsa nodded to what Frank had just said. “Thank you Frank!” she said.
Frank smiled and then he turned to Melhus saying: “So, Trond, when have you got time for a consultation in the near future?” Melhus laughed: “my friend, Mr. Paul, I am happy to have you across the river at any time, but I’ll call you first, OK? Our Boss would certainly have a say in this, even though he has already agreed upon taking the job as an assistant for me, the same goes for you Mr. Tjern, of course.”
“Ole was a little tipsy now and looked around the table: “Anyone for another beer?” Frank said:” A definite no from me, my good author.” Frank said, “I’ll have to find my way across the bridge pretty soon, I am not into the kind of Friday entertainment with beer in abundance all through the night anymore.” Ole nodded his agreement and said: ”OK, my friend, I’ll join you. Your road is my road.” They said good bye to Melhus and Elsa, who still weren’t finished with their beer and wine. They seemed to be entangled in a deep conversation. They both waved at them when they left.
“My guess is that they are talking about us, “Ole said. “Yes, I think you’re deadly right in pointing that out.” Just outside the Pub, Frank noticed a young man who’d been his student some years ago. He approached him and said: “hello there! Nice to see you again. Must be many years ago since we last had a talk now?” The young man gave him a lopsided smile and didn’t say a word, but he looked steadily at him. “How are you doing then?” Frank wouldn’t just let him off the hook that fast. The young man looked shabby, but he was all open when he said:” I am still doing business in the streets you know.” He looked at his old teacher and nodded. He seemed eager to go on with his job, which Frank knew was dealing with drugs. What Frank didn’t know was that his student now was called Max Fix on the street. His former student looked at him again and said: “I am called Max now and it has to do with my business.”
Frank looked closer at him and realized that Max was still in his former occupation that started already from he was fourteen years old. Frank had met him many times. ‘Max’ never looked his way. “Max, “he said, “I think I have another job for you for some time. Would you like to hear me out on that one?” Max remembered the years in contemporary School when he had sought Frank’s help. Max realized that this was a man who was serious and willing to listen to him, though he didn’t talk much himself.
In some way Max recognized that his teacher was different from all the other adults that he met and whom he loathed. He felt good in Frank’s company and for some time he started paying attention to his school work. Now this man was asking him to take on a job for him. Max didn’t know exactly how to handle the question. Frank saw his bewilderment and said: “I’ll give you my phone number so you can call me when you find out about it, but don’t wait too long; I really need your help!” At this Max was taken aback. No one had ever relied upon his help and voicing it the way Frank did now.
“OK, “he said, “give me the number and I’ll call you one of these days.” “Is that a promise?” Frank said. Max lifted his gaze and looked Frank directly in the eyes and said: “You can rely on me.” This time it was Frank’s turn to be surprised. He put his hand on Max’s shoulder and said, “Thanks a lot!” Max wasn’t sure of how to react to this, but he nodded and said: “I’ll see you soon.” Then he went on to do his job.
The two friends are going back the same way they came. They cross the bridge and turn left into the ‘Sunny Side’ Area. Ole was living further east, in the older area of town, called ‘Lademoen’ and thus had a longer distance to cover. During their walk they had a lot to talk about. Ole asked: “this woman; Elsa, what did you see in her? As for me I didn’t quite get why she was there.” “She is a psychic and a damn good one too. I have heard reliable people I know telling me fantastic stories about her ability to read the slightest and most insignificant trail.”
“So, she is one of the crew in ‘our’ case then?” Ole said
“You can say that, my friend.” Frank replied
They finally reached Frank’s block and said good bye and see you to each other
Ole went on through the area and Frank found his key and opened the door. He used the stairs to have some extra exercise. He used to do this any time he could as he wasn’t able to work out to intensely anymore. He reached the fourth floor and unlocked the door to his apartment. In the hall he hung his jacket in the wardrobe and put his shoes in a corner. He could hear Carla talking to herself in the study.
He went into the living room and knocked discretely on the door. She said: “come in, Frank.” He opened the door and went inside. He sat down by his desk and looked over at Carla. “So Carla, what have you been up to lately?”
She smiled at him and said: “A lot! Ann and Marianne have searched the area around the Gentleman’s Club. They met some of the girls who were working there and they had some nasty stories to tell about our suspect, Mr. Rosenborg!” Frank looked at her without returning her smile. He wasn’t quite sure how to take this.
“Ok, Carla. Do you think we can meet with your crew here one of these days? I’d like to have a chat with you all.” “We could meet tomorrow afternoon if you like?” Carla said. “That would be splendid!” Frank said, “Look, I need to go to bed now. We’ll talk tomorrow then, OK?”
“Sure.” Carla said, “Good night and sleep well.” She said.
So Frank left for the bathroom and a shower. Then he crawled into bed and fell asleep like a log, but not for long; the pain and his shivering muscles started what he called: “the snake dance” underneath his skin. His battered body’s signals for help to the Landlord. He was used to it and breathed deeply to reach out for the most tormented areas. This had become his go - to - sleep - ritual many years ago.
They settled down and waited for the food to arrive. It would probably take some time as the pub was filled to the brim with party-goers and beer-lovers and people who sought for company a Friday night. Melhus looked at them and said: “so, brave men, I have had many consultations with “Gryta” (the caldron) as we call the man. He finally gave in to my persuasions and gave a green light, but he wants to monitor the investigation, so he’ll be around.” They looked at each other as if they wanted to read how this piece of news would concern them. Frank said:” Then we need a mutual plan I would guess?”
Melhus looked at him and then at Ole. “Maybe or maybe not. I think we will attack from different angles. I will have to follow protocol as a Police Man and I will keep you informed about our progress as you will have to do with me. That’s the only plan I can see ahead at this moment.” As soon as he had uttered these words; the waiter came by with their food. They dug in and for some time silence fell upon the ensemble.
After finishing the meal Ole said: “I am not sure if we will be able to have serious conversation about the investigation after this meal and beer!” Frank looked up at him and said: “Now I can really dive into the matter!” Melhus just laughed at them both. “Guys”, he said, “Do you see the old woman sitting on the next table?” Ole and Frank turned around and looked. The woman seemed to be aware of them and waved her hand at them.
“Who’s she?” Frank asked Melhus. The Detective downed the rest of his beer and said: “she is a very intelligent lady and I have used her many times in my job. She is psychic and I asked her if she wanted to join us tonight.” As he was saying this, the woman came over to their table and asked if she could sit down with them.”
“Of course, Elsa, you know that you can. You were invited here to be one of the team.” Melhus said. “Of course I know, but I still have some politeness in me, but I will soon throw it overboard as it doesn’t seem to be respected by anyone anymore.”
She stretched out her hand to Tjern and Paul. She kept Paul’s hand for a long time. “We have a good one here! “ She said to Melhus. He smiled and said: “thank you, Elsa. I knew that the first time I met him, because his coffee was of the very best kind. To do that you have to be focused and have a passion for what you’re doing. This man cares about how things are done.”
Elsa looked at them all and said: “I am happy to be a member of the group.” Ole, Frank and Trond smiled at her and raised their glasses.
She smiled back. She said: “Gentlemen, a Lady like me needs red wine, not the bitter beer you are filling your bellies with. If there are any gentlemen here, he’d jump up from his chair and go the bar disk and order a Bottle of the best Rioja Wine they might have in this dump, but I cannot imagine they would even know of labels like that.”
She looked around at them. Finally Melhus as the Civil servant he was went up to the disk and asked for the wine. The bartender said that they had one bottle of Rioja, but that it was already opened. The Lady could have a glass or two.
Melhus went back to the table and told Elsa what the bartender had told him. She said it was ok; she only needed one glass anyway. “It’s just meant to fire up my spirit anyway.” Ole and Frank just looked at her and she smiled at them again. “Don’t worry boys, I am not a drunkard. I am here to assist and advise you through the process you are going through. I have worked a lot with Melhus and we have a good cooperation in between us. I hope you two can manage that too.”
Melhus came over with a glass filled to the brim with red wine and put it in front of Elsa. “The tax payers give you their complements, Elsa. Drink and be happy.” He waived at the waiter and asked for three more beers. People started to leave the pub, especially the young ones. There were parties to attend to and this was just the first stop for a beer or three to boost their party energy.
Melhus was satisfied with this and said: “easier to talk now my friends. Let’s find out where we are standing for the moment.” Frank said: “well I am a little bored, but maybe that’s the name of the game with this kind of work?” Ole sipped his beer and nodded in agreement. “I would really like to get to the bottom of this horrible story, but it seems like this guy is hard to catch. Yesterday I got a tip though. It was from a friend of mine who lives in the area where the monster’s mother still lives. He said that she was found killed in her bed and this exact case was the most devastating one until now. She was cut up from the groin and all the way up to her chest!”
“Okay Melhus said, “I know this story and it was even worse than you are telling us, Ole. I am not going to tell you. It’s bad enough as it is. There was a man arrested for the murder. He was a friend of the victim, or should I call them drinking partners. He was found in the adjacent bedroom from the victim’s.” Our man is the murderer, I am quite sure, but this guy is cunning and on top of that, he’s lucky too.” Frank hadn’t uttered a word while the others were telling their stories. He just sat there feeling angry and sad for the culprit. Elsa looked at him and asked: “what’s on your mind, my friend?” “I guess you already know, Elsa.” Frank replied. “She smiled at him and said, “I guess so too.” Melhus had been listening to their short exchange of something he didn’t understand. “What are you two up to now? I’d like you share it with me, Frank, you tell me first, please.” Frank looked over to Elsa again and she nodded.
“Trond, I have told you about the ability I have to read peoples’ minds. Our young man is a very troubled person and he is fighting with himself. He doesn’t want to go on as he has done, but he cannot get rid of his anger and hate. He feels he has to hit back on society. His parents have been living in fear ever so long. I fear that his father is going to be the next victim. Rosenborg still believes that he will be relieved from his pain as soon as he can get them out of his life. That’s where he is very wrong. Unless he gets treatment his life will be much worse than it already is.” “Says the Therapist.” Melhus said. “I appreciate your views and insight, but as a police man I have to bring in the culprit and put him in a place where he cannot hurt people around him anymore.”
Frank just stared down onto the table and said, “I see. You are doing your job and I do mine, contradictory to yours in some ways, but we both work to make this world a little safer for us all. We should join forces and see what we can come up with. You invited me for a talk some days ago and I think I am ready to yes to that invitation now.” Elsa nodded to what Frank had just said. “Thank you Frank!” she said.
Frank smiled and then he turned to Melhus saying: “So, Trond, when have you got time for a consultation in the near future?” Melhus laughed: “my friend, Mr. Paul, I am happy to have you across the river at any time, but I’ll call you first, OK? Our Boss would certainly have a say in this, even though he has already agreed upon taking the job as an assistant for me, the same goes for you Mr. Tjern, of course.”
“Ole was a little tipsy now and looked around the table: “Anyone for another beer?” Frank said:” A definite no from me, my good author.” Frank said, “I’ll have to find my way across the bridge pretty soon, I am not into the kind of Friday entertainment with beer in abundance all through the night anymore.” Ole nodded his agreement and said: ”OK, my friend, I’ll join you. Your road is my road.” They said good bye to Melhus and Elsa, who still weren’t finished with their beer and wine. They seemed to be entangled in a deep conversation. They both waved at them when they left.
“My guess is that they are talking about us, “Ole said. “Yes, I think you’re deadly right in pointing that out.” Just outside the Pub, Frank noticed a young man who’d been his student some years ago. He approached him and said: “hello there! Nice to see you again. Must be many years ago since we last had a talk now?” The young man gave him a lopsided smile and didn’t say a word, but he looked steadily at him. “How are you doing then?” Frank wouldn’t just let him off the hook that fast. The young man looked shabby, but he was all open when he said:” I am still doing business in the streets you know.” He looked at his old teacher and nodded. He seemed eager to go on with his job, which Frank knew was dealing with drugs. What Frank didn’t know was that his student now was called Max Fix on the street. His former student looked at him again and said: “I am called Max now and it has to do with my business.”
Frank looked closer at him and realized that Max was still in his former occupation that started already from he was fourteen years old. Frank had met him many times. ‘Max’ never looked his way. “Max, “he said, “I think I have another job for you for some time. Would you like to hear me out on that one?” Max remembered the years in contemporary School when he had sought Frank’s help. Max realized that this was a man who was serious and willing to listen to him, though he didn’t talk much himself.
In some way Max recognized that his teacher was different from all the other adults that he met and whom he loathed. He felt good in Frank’s company and for some time he started paying attention to his school work. Now this man was asking him to take on a job for him. Max didn’t know exactly how to handle the question. Frank saw his bewilderment and said: “I’ll give you my phone number so you can call me when you find out about it, but don’t wait too long; I really need your help!” At this Max was taken aback. No one had ever relied upon his help and voicing it the way Frank did now.
“OK, “he said, “give me the number and I’ll call you one of these days.” “Is that a promise?” Frank said. Max lifted his gaze and looked Frank directly in the eyes and said: “You can rely on me.” This time it was Frank’s turn to be surprised. He put his hand on Max’s shoulder and said, “Thanks a lot!” Max wasn’t sure of how to react to this, but he nodded and said: “I’ll see you soon.” Then he went on to do his job.
The two friends are going back the same way they came. They cross the bridge and turn left into the ‘Sunny Side’ Area. Ole was living further east, in the older area of town, called ‘Lademoen’ and thus had a longer distance to cover. During their walk they had a lot to talk about. Ole asked: “this woman; Elsa, what did you see in her? As for me I didn’t quite get why she was there.” “She is a psychic and a damn good one too. I have heard reliable people I know telling me fantastic stories about her ability to read the slightest and most insignificant trail.”
“So, she is one of the crew in ‘our’ case then?” Ole said
“You can say that, my friend.” Frank replied
They finally reached Frank’s block and said good bye and see you to each other
Ole went on through the area and Frank found his key and opened the door. He used the stairs to have some extra exercise. He used to do this any time he could as he wasn’t able to work out to intensely anymore. He reached the fourth floor and unlocked the door to his apartment. In the hall he hung his jacket in the wardrobe and put his shoes in a corner. He could hear Carla talking to herself in the study.
He went into the living room and knocked discretely on the door. She said: “come in, Frank.” He opened the door and went inside. He sat down by his desk and looked over at Carla. “So Carla, what have you been up to lately?”
She smiled at him and said: “A lot! Ann and Marianne have searched the area around the Gentleman’s Club. They met some of the girls who were working there and they had some nasty stories to tell about our suspect, Mr. Rosenborg!” Frank looked at her without returning her smile. He wasn’t quite sure how to take this.
“Ok, Carla. Do you think we can meet with your crew here one of these days? I’d like to have a chat with you all.” “We could meet tomorrow afternoon if you like?” Carla said. “That would be splendid!” Frank said, “Look, I need to go to bed now. We’ll talk tomorrow then, OK?”
“Sure.” Carla said, “Good night and sleep well.” She said.
“That would be fine. Can you invite the writer to? I have things to tell you. Would ‘Krambua’ be a place to meet?”
“Sure! That’s a place where I go with Ole now and then; I’ll call him. What time can you be there?”
“In half an hour. Call me when you know your time.”
“I will. See you there.”
Frank calls his friend and he’s happy that Frank is contacting him. He has been bored by the slow progress of this case too.
Now he laughs by the opportunity to have a beer and a chat about the matter.
“I’ll see you in thirty then.” He says and hangs up.
Frank calls Carla too, telling her that he’ll be out tonight, but she’s not to worry.
She’s ok and says: “I have things to tell you, but we can share that later.”
He goes into the bedroom and looks for a decent shirt and jacket, for once. He’s not too often out on town these days.
‘Krambua’ is situated in the Krambu Street and Frank just need to cross the Bakke Bridge to reach the place.
Krambua lies just by the Olavshallen and the Hotel Clarion…
It’ll take him ten minutes’ walk, which is fine with him; he needs to exercise now and then.
His disease keeps him in bed or in a state of relaxation many hours of the day.
He has just crossed the bridge when he hears a voice behind him saying: “Good evening, Paul.” He turns and sees Ole coming up to him. They shake hands and keep walking; there’s just a hundred meters left before they reach the pub.
