Böhm snapped it open and took the photograph from the file. ‘We should show this to Constable Scholz, from the traffic tower. Perhaps he’ll recognise his attacker.’
Gennat nodded, and Böhm disappeared with the photo.
‘Now that we’re alone,’ Buddha said. ‘I’m aware of your issues with Böhm, but the fact that you didn’t even contact your fiancée… I’m afraid that I simply can’t let slide. You need to apologise to Charly, and make sure you never treat her like that again, otherwise you’ll have me to deal with and, believe me, that’s a road you take at your peril.’
Rath felt almost moved that Buddha was so concerned for Charly’s well-being. ‘Beg to report: I have already apologised, and it won’t happen again.’
‘Good. Now eat your nutcake.’ With Gennat, that, too, was an order it paid to obey. ‘What I’m wondering is,’ Buddha continued, ‘if you’re right, and everything up to this point has been a prelude to the killing of Gustav Wengler, then why hasn’t Polakowski done the deed by now? The man was in Berlin for more than a week.’
Rath had his mouth full. He swallowed before answering. ‘Wengler was under surveillance the whole time, wasn’t he?’
‘He still is. Danzig CID Chief Muhl called me last night. Wengler’s staying at the Hotel Eden. Two of Muhl’s men are stationed in a car outside.’
‘They should stay on him. Polakowski might fall into their hands.’
‘Our priority is to warn Wengler about Polakowski.’
‘So that he smells a rat, and discovers we’ve been digging up these old stories? Wengler knows that Polakowski is after him, because that’s how Polakowski wanted it. Think of the death notices, the whole rigmarole. With respect, Sir, if we warn Wengler – about something he’s probably already aware of – then all we’ll be doing is giving him the chance to get rid of incriminating evidence. It’s hard enough to pin Anna von Mathée’s murder on him as it is.’
‘In my view it’s more important to prevent a murder than solve one that’s already occurred,’ Gennat said seriously. ‘Wengler is the victim here, or at least potential victim. It’s Polakowski who’s the suspect.’
‘My fear is that Wengler will stop at nothing to conceal his own guilt. He had the Treuburg librarian killed when he learned she was in contact with Radlewski.’
‘What?’ Gennat raised his eyebrows. ‘You’re certain about that?’
‘More or less. I think he roped in the local SA to do his dirty work. Its members are in thrall to him somehow.’
‘Wengler’s a Nazi?’
‘He doesn’t hawk it about,’ said Rath, ‘but I suspect if he ever officially entered politics, you’d find one of those swastika pins on his lapel.’ He replaced his cake fork on the table, and lit an Overstolz in the hope that Gennat wouldn’t offer him seconds. It seemed to work. ‘I think Wengler has Assmann on his conscience too, and is trying to frame me.’
‘While we’re on the subject.’ Gennat cleared his throat. ‘For my part I don’t believe you’re guilty, but that doesn’t mean we can spare you the routine. Fingerprints, identification parade with the guard personnel. That much at least.’
‘If it’s the only way.’
‘I’m afraid it is,’ Gennat said. ‘We’ve already requested a comparison of signatures. Whoever broke into Dietrich Assmann’s cell made a pretty decent fist of yours.’
Rath wondered who might have provided Wengler with his signature. Hella Rickert? Her father, perhaps? The corrupt small-town policeman, Grigat? There were various possibilities.
The door opened and a black dog entered. A woman stood in the door looking angry.
‘Fräulein Ritter. What are you doing here?’ Gennat asked.
‘I thought I might stop by and see what was happening, after Detective Chief Inspector Böhm snatched my fiancé away without so much as a word. You’re not seriously arresting him as a suspect in the Assmann case? If you even think about putting him in a cell, I tell you this now. I’ll be baking a file in his cake.’
Rath could scarcely conceal his pride.
‘As for you,’ she shouted. ‘Wipe that grin off your face. If you just played things by the book for once, we’d have been spared all this fuss.’
‘I’ve already explained that much, Fräulein Ritter.’ Gennat was amused. ‘I think he’s seen the error of his ways.’
‘I should think so too!’
‘Why don’t you join us?’ Gennat clapped the surface of the green armchair next to his. ‘Coffee?’
‘Thank you.’ She sat down, still hopping mad. Rath would have liked to embrace her, but had to make do with ruffling Kirie’s fur.
Gennat poured coffee, while Charly lit a Juno. She was beginning to calm down. ‘Has Kronberg been in touch?’ she asked.
Buddha looked at his watch. ‘Right now Superintendent Kronberg will be eating his breakfast, if he’s up at all.’
‘I mean ED in general. They were planning to work through the night.’
Rath must have had a big question mark on his face.
‘We found a few items in Janke, aka Polakowski’s, flat yesterday,’ Gennat explained. ‘Kronberg promised us the results today.’
Charly stood up to leave with Gereon, but Gennat held her back. ‘Fräulein Ritter, could you stay a moment, please? I need to speak with you, in private.’
‘Certainly, Sir.’
She shrugged at Gereon as he exited the office, wondering what Gennat wanted that couldn’t have been discussed before. Buddha poured more coffee and she lit another cigarette. ‘Would you like some more cake?’
‘No, thank you, Sir.’
‘I wanted to thank you, Fräulein Ritter, for your contribution here. You’ve provided sterling service.’ It sounded like goodbye. She said nothing. ‘It is not least thanks to your efforts that our investigation here will soon be concluded, give or take the odd warrant.’ He looked her in the eye, and she could see he wasn’t finding this easy. ‘Superintendent Wieking wants you back, and I’m afraid I’m running out of reasons to keep you, Charly. From Monday you’ll report to G Division.’ Buddha proffered a hand. ‘It was a pleasure working with you. Think fondly of us.’
She shook his hand. ‘Perhaps there’ll be other opportunities to collaborate.’
‘Perhaps.’ Gennat didn’t sound as if it were likely.
Charly smiled bravely but, in the corridor outside she could have cried. So, it was back to G Division, back to Karin van Almsick and Wedding youth gangs, to neglected children and fallen girls. She had always known her stint in Homicide could be no more than an interlude; that, for women CID officers, day-to-day policing occupied a different plane.
And now, of all times, here came Dettmann! The inspector eyed her suspiciously, but kept a respectful distance. It didn’t stop her from smelling his aftershave as he passed. Pitralon? Whatever it was, it was overpowering. He must have applied it liberally, as if he had just bought himself a new bottle.
She stopped and turned around. Dettmann had disappeared inside his office. An idea flashed through her mind, something so fantastic she could hardly take it seriously. Yet it wouldn’t let go.
90
Rath had difficulty keeping his eyes open. He was lacking in sleep, and motivation, having too little to do with ongoing investigations in the Castle. Somehow he felt he no longer belonged, and Böhm made little effort to disabuse him of the notion. He was more or less a spare part while others went about their work. At his desk he decided to put a call through to Königsberg. ‘Assistant Detective Kowalski, please,’ he said to the switchboard girl.
Kowalski was delighted to hear from him, but inconsolable nonetheless. ‘My uncle told me what happened, Sir. I’m sorry. I thought I had to report to Grigat, and he sent me back to Königsberg. You know how it is: orders are orders.’