Dead Woods by Maria C Poets Read Free Book Online Page A

description that matches one of the three we have.”
    Lina collapsed in her chair. Calling people on any kind of list usually had as much success as playing the lottery, but it took much more work. “There’re more than forty numbers,” she mumbled, but nobody volunteered to help her.
    Max looked at his watch. “The public relations office will make a statement to the press in an hour. Should we mention the witness and ask her to contact us?”
    Hanno thought it over quickly and then shook his head. “If she really is a witness, let’s hope she contacts us when she hears that someone died. Maybe she hasn’t found out yet. If she’s involved in the crime, our request to come forward won’t help.” He paused. “We’ve got to check the subway stations in the vicinity. Maybe the videotapes show some flipped-out adolescents.” He looked at the large map of the city on the wall opposite his desk. “Niendorf Markt and Hagendeel. I’ll arrange for us to get hold of the surveillance tapes. As soon as they arrive, you check them out, Sebastian. In the meantime, contact the beat cops and find out whether they noticed anything. Give them a description of the witness, too.” He continued studying the city map.
    “And there’s also the matter of the plant. It’s strange. I’ve never come across such a thing.” He scratched his head. “There must be a forest ranger for a place like the Niendorfer Gehege. Max, find out who’s in charge and talk to that person. Maybe things like that are more common than we know.”
    Hanno looked at his colleagues over the rims of his glasses. “How about the victim’s milieu? It seems obvious that he cheated on his domestic partner. Does she know about it?” He turned to Lina and Max. “What’s your impression of Frau Ansmann?”
    Lina and Max looked at each other. “She was slightly underwhelmed by the death of Birkner, if you ask me,” Lina said. “I mean, he’s her partner and the father of her son.” She shrugged. “And if he cheated on her, she’d also have a motive.”
    Hanno scratched his head. “Only if she knew about it.”
    “I know, but nevertheless . . . ,” Lina replied.
    “Did you check out her alibi?” Hanno asked.
    “Not yet. But I have a funny feeling about that woman. Something isn’t right.”
    “Yes, yes, your famous gut feeling,” Sebastian mumbled and Lina rolled her eyes. True, every investigator had a strange feeling every now and then. Sometimes it meant something, sometimes it turned out wrong, but Sebastian acted as if it were just one of her quirks.
    Hanno ended the discussion. “Lina, if you feel that strongly, why don’t you pursue the matter? Check her alibi.” He grinned. “And your gut feeling.”
    “Yes, my lord and master,” she mumbled, but so quietly that only Max could hear it. He grinned.
    “How about personal enemies . . . old debts . . . unpaid bills?” their boss asked.
    “Frau Ansmann suggested that we take a look at one of Birkner’s former employees, a Frank Jensen.” Max briefly reported what he had found out so far about the end of Birkner’s company. “In her opinion, Jensen was responsible for the bankruptcy. Birkner gave him a bad exit report, and he’s unemployed because of it.”
    Hanno looked at him with a frown. “And that’s a legitimate motive for murder?” he asked.
    Max shrugged. “You asked for open accounts. That seems to be one.”
    Hanno groaned quietly. “Be careful with what you wish for. Sometimes you just might get it.”

Chapter 5

    “Why is it always me who gets the shitty end of the stick?” Lina asked without looking up when Max sat down at his desk with a cup of tea. The chair was squeaking.
    “Because you’re the youngest. Besides, Sebastian is hardly better off: he has to talk with the beat cops and watch videos. You, at least, can investigate your favorite enemy.” He blew on his steaming tea to cool it.
    “She isn’t my favorite enemy.”
    “But you’d be