“The purpose of this press conference is obviously clear to everyone. Today, at 2:20 P.M. a car bomb exploded in the parking lot of the Käpylä ball fields. One person was killed, another critically wounded. Both individuals were agents for the National Bureau of Investigation. The incident is being investigated as a murder and attempted murder. At this time, we will not disclose the names of the victims, nor any details about their assignments,” Honkala began.
“The forensics investigation is still ongoing, and we don’t yet have any information about the type of explosive or the detonation mechanism. The police have several leads on the motive for the explosion, but for reasons pertaining to the investigation, I can’t discuss them at this time. For the same reason, I can’t say why the agents were interested in the car.”
Without a second’s pause, Honkala looked straight into the TV camera in the center, “The police are asking for any leads or observations from the public as well as any information on a 1980s beige Opel Kadett. The license plate found does not belong to the car,” Honkala said, but nevertheless, he recited the number twice.
The captain gave a hotline number to call with information. He announced that he wouldn’t be taking any questions, and that the next briefing was scheduled for noon of the following day at NBI headquarters. Then he marched, unfazed, through the crowd of shouting reporters into the elevator, where an officer stood holding the door.
* * *
“Let’s go,” Salmela said to Ear-Nurminen as the televised press conference came to a close. The picture cut to an anchorwoman’s follow-up, but the Corner Pub’s bartender turned the music back up, drowning out the sound of the TV.
“No work, booze, an axe and the kin. A snowdrift, the cops and the final sin,” crooned Eppu Normaali from the jukebox.
“What’s the hurry?” asked Ear-Nurminen. A single glance at Salmela was all it took to see that the man was serious. Nurminen finished off his beer as Salmela buttoned up his coat.
“Let’s grab a six-pack at the store on the way,” said Salmela. That was fine with Ear-Nurminen, who had offered him a couch for the night. At first he had wondered, but hadn’t asked any questions. Salmela would have done the same if, for some reason, Nurminen had wanted to spend the night on his Salvation Army sofa.
Salmela was pondering the AFR-license plate as they stepped out into the cold air. Damn license plate. That made the situation even more complicated.
* * *
“Fuck!” Larsson hissed. The lanky man on TV had just ruined what should have been a victorious moment at the Skulls’ compound.
He, Steiner, Aronen, Roge and Osku had been watching the press conference on a fifty-inch big-screen in the main room. After the conference, reporter Sanna Römpötti had speculated on the cause of the explosion and the Skulls’ involvement, but that wasn’t the reason for Larsson’s anger.
“What the hell?” he swore again. “Those were NBI agents? How is that possible? This was supposed to be a Helsinki PD operation.”
“Very strange,” Aronen remarked.
“That fucking Suhonen is still alive,” Larsson ranted.
Steiner sat on the sofa and drew a small cigar box from his pocket. He took out a joint, lit it up and took a long drag.
“So what?” he asked, sending forth a stream of smoke.
Larsson scowled at the blond-haired man. “I want that shithead dead, but the fact that the NBI is after us is pretty damned interesting too.”
“You can say that again.”
Aronen’s remark earned him a sharp look from Larsson. Stating the obvious angered him.
Steiner nursed his joint quietly. “The NBI, Helsinki VCU, Espoo PD, the Sheriff of Lapland… Same difference. They’re all packed with the same dickheads.”
Even if he was right, Steiner’s attitude irritated Larsson. “Go get Salmela. I got some questions for him.”
Steiner stared at Larsson. “Only if you drive.”
Larsson fingered the 9mm in the pocket of his leather jacket, but let it be. “Let’s go.”
“I’ll drive,” said Aronen. “The last thing we need is for you to end up in jail for a DUI.”
Larsson waved him off. “The pigs don’t have time to bother with DUIs right now.”
Aronen tried to remember how much Larsson had drunk. A few shots and a beer…sure, he’d stay on the road.
Larsson turned back to Aronen. “You pick up Niko at the harbor. The ship from Tallinn is docking at seven.”
“What’s he doing in Tallinn?” asked Roge.
“Pleasure cruise,” said Larsson as he followed Steiner out. “We’ll take care of this.”
CHAPTER 22
MONDAY, 7:20 P.M.
PASILA POLICE HEADQUARTERS, HELSINKI
“Well, I’ve got a little time now,” said the NBI’s Captain Honkala as he sat down at the table in the VCU break room. Takamäki had stopped into the conference room earlier, but the captain had been busy.
It seemed to Takamäki that the legs of his chair had been cut down as, even while sitting, Honkala’s head hovered well above his own.
“Any progress?” asked Takamäki, gazing up at the other’s face.
“Nothing substantial. Forensics is looking further into the explosives. Apparently, it was stolen construction dynamite or something of that sort.”
“Judging by what little was left of the car, I’d bet there was five, maybe seven pounds of the stuff.”
Honkala nodded. “Round about there. The detonator is a tougher nut to crack, but we should find out within a few weeks, maybe a month.”
“Were you briefed on our undercover case?”
“More or less. There was an ongoing investigation into the Skulls, and you guys planted an informant named Salmiakki.”
Takamäki outlined the conversation he had had in the cafeteria with Nykänen and Suhonen, that this could have been a revenge bombing aimed at the Helsinki VCU.
“It’s an interesting possibility. We should track down Salmiakki.”
Nobody else was around. “We can dispense with the code name game now,” said Takamäki, pausing for a moment. “Suhonen and Nykänen left an hour ago to look for Salmela.”
“Really. I thought…”
Takamäki cut in, “Salmela has been Suhonen’s informant for years and he knows his friends. If the man is still alive, Suhonen will track him down.”
“But…”
“The Skulls are probably after Salmela, so we’ve got to get him under police protection. The best man for the job is Suhonen.”
“Is it possible Salmela is working with the Skulls, perhaps by force?”
“Anything is possible, but it’s not probable. It’s more conceivable that they fed Salmela a false lead.”
“The Skulls will certainly deny any involvement.”
“Of course, but we’ll worry about that then,” said Takamäki. “We’re not going to solve this case on confessions. Somehow, we have to nail the Skulls for this. Of course, the ideal would be some forensic evidence linking them to the bombing.”
Honkala backed off. “Well, let’s see where the investigation takes us. And if your guys find Salmela, tell them to bring him here. If he doesn’t come voluntarily, arrest him on suspicion of accessory to murder.”
* * *
Helsinki Avenue was lively, especially for a Monday evening, and people were loitering on the sidewalks. Suhonen had noticed a few shady characters, which, on any ordinary night, would have captured his attention, but he didn’t have the time for them now. Nykänen was behind the wheel of a dark green Toyota and Suhonen was riding shotgun.