Thirteen, Fourteen ... Little boy unseen (Rebekka Franck Book 7)

  Tears rolled across Leonora’s cheeks as she hung up the phone. In many ways, she didn’t have anything in common with the famous princess from the seventeenth century, but she did have one thing in common besides the name. They both ended up living their life in a prison because of a man.

  While wiping her eyes with a tissue, she was interrupted by the sound of someone actually knocking on the door. Thinking it might be him, Leonora corrected her shirt and make-up in the mirror before she went to open the door. She peeked through the peephole before she opened the door, and was disappointed to find it wasn’t Morten stopping by after work.

  It was just a police officer.

  38

  “WHAT CAN I do for you, Officer?”

  The man looked at the girl and smiled. He couldn’t quite figure out how he was feeling, standing in front of her again…a mixture of sadness, excitement and fury. How he loathed her. She was still as beautiful as back then. He understood why Alex had loved her so deeply. But he also remembered how his sister had cried, devastated by what she had done to her. He could still hear her crying when going to sleep at night, thinking no one would ever be able to love her. Thinking she was incapable of making anyone love her.

  Leonora shook her head. “Officer? Is everything alright?”

  The man smiled. “Oh, yes, yes. Sorry about that. I’m just going around the neighborhood. We have had a series of robberies in this complex. Have you seen anything suspicious around here?”

  Leonora shook her head with a sniffle. Had she been crying? She seemed sad, almost hurt. It pleased the man.

  “No, Officer. I haven’t. You say someone broke into our complex? Did they steal anything?”

  “Yes, last night someone broke into the apartment above yours. The owners came home while he was still there, and he ran to the balcony and climbed down. We suspect he must have landed on your balcony before he jumped to the ground. Could I take a look?”

  Leonora stepped aside. “Of course, Officer. I haven’t seen anything. But that is very upsetting news. I mean, I was home all night last night and didn’t hear anything.”

  The man walked inside the apartment and Leonora closed the door behind him. He smiled gently to make her feel comfortable in his presence.

  “Have I seen you before?” she asked, while he followed her through the hallway. It was a huge apartment. Beautiful high ceilings with stucco. The floors, old and wooden, creaked as they walked across them.

  “You might have seen me around,” the man answered.

  “Well, I see a lot of officers around in my line of work,” she said.

  They entered the living room. The man took a thorough look around. Just as he suspected. It was nicely decorated with expensive designer furniture. Everything was white and light.

  “So, were you alone last night?” he asked.

  Leonora paused. She looked like she was thinking about the answer. Then she shook her head. “No. Someone was here with me. But he left at nine.”

  “About the time when the burglary took place. I might need the name of this guy that visited.”

  “Of course, Officer,” she said, sounding concerned. “The balcony is right out here.” She pointed at the sliding glass doors. She had teak patio furniture. Everything was just so perfect.

  “It’s funny,” she said. “I really feel like I know you from somewhere. Did we go to school together? We’re about the same age, I think.”

  The man shook his head. “I’m not from around here.”

  “That’s so strange. I could have sworn…you look just like…those eyes…are you sure you didn’t used to go to Karrebaek Elementary? No, maybe I’m just confusing you with someone else. It was such a long time ago.”

  “Fourteen years to be exact,” the man said.

  Leonora froze. “So, it is you? But…”

  “I’m her brother,” the man said. “Her twin brother.”

  Leonora snapped her fingers. “That’s right. Alex had a twin brother. I had completely forgotten. I’m so sorry for what happened to her. It’s so sad.”

  The man tilted his head, then smiled. He could tell it confused Leonora. A flinch of fear appeared in her eyes.

  “Wait. Why did you say you weren’t from around here just before?” she asked. “And why are you looking at me like that?”

  The man grabbed his baton and pulled it out of his belt. The fear grew in Leonora’s eyes.

  “What is this?” Leonora asked. “What do you want from me? We were nothing but kids back then. You must know that. It was just a prank. We were just joking around with her…”

  “Oh, it was just a joke, was it?”

  “Y…yes.”

  “Really? ‘Cause I could have sworn it almost killed my sister. I could have sworn it felt like she was falling and falling into a deep darkness she never escaped from again. But, maybe I was wrong? After all, it was just a JOKE!”

  The man laughed out loud. Leonora jumped at the sound of his laughter.

  “What’s so funny? Why are you laughing?” she asked with a trembling voice.

  “I just thought of another joke,” he said, swinging the baton till it slammed into her face, breaking her nose and cracking her lip. Blood spurted into the man’s face and onto his white teeth.

  “You will simply loooove its punch line.”

  39

  “THEY WERE the nicest couple. I was petrified when I heard what happened. I simply couldn’t believe it. And now they say it might be a police officer who did this awful thing to them?”

  The woman living next door to the Toft couple had invited us inside of her house and served us coffee and cookies.

  “Did you know them well?” I asked, while David took a couple of pictures of her as she spoke.

  “As well as neighbors do around here, I guess,” she said with a sigh. “I mean, we spoke mostly in the summer when we could spend time in the yard and talk over the hedge, but other than that, we didn’t associate much. They kept mostly to themselves.”

  “How long did they live in the house next door?” I asked.

  “Oh, they’ve been here for many years. I don’t know exactly how long. I bought this house only three years ago.”

  “Have you ever met the son?” David asked, while looking at her through the lens. I could tell he was used to doing this kind of thing on his own.

  She looked up at him, and he shot a series of photos.

  “I didn’t even know they had a son,” she said. “I mean, the other neighbors told me they had one, but I never saw him myself. I don’t think he came around much, and they never spoke of him. Some say they used to have two children. Twins, they say, but I don’t know if it’s true or not. They say something happened to one of them.” The woman gestured with a sigh. “I’m sorry I can’t be of more help. Maybe if you ask Mr. Severinsen on the other side of the street. He might know more. He has been here longer.”

  “We might try that,” I said, and got up. I signaled David to wrap it up. We had enough for the article, and she didn’t seem to know much else.

  We thanked her for her help and the coffee and went across the street and rang the doorbell.

  Mr. Severinsen opened the door. He was an elderly man who looked to be about the same age as my dad.

  “Yes?”

  “Hello, my name is Rebekka Franck, this is David Busck, we work for Zeeland Times and we’re doing a story about Dan and Tina Toft who lived across the street from you.”

  “They’re dead,” he grumbled. “Nothing more to tell.”

  “Well, we believe there is. I mean, they were killed, brutally murdered in their own home. How do you think that has affected the neighborhood?”

  “I ain’t afraid,” Mr. Severinsen said.

  “So, what happened to them doesn’t scare you?” I asked.

  “That’s what I said, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it was.” I noted it on the pad, and then looked up at the old man. “How well did you know them?”

  “Hard
ly ever spoke with them. Nice couple, though. Kept their driveway clean and cut the hedge on time every summer. Nothing much to complain about. Not like all those newcomers around here.”

  “So, you know their son?” I asked.

  “I won’t say I know him.”

  “But you lived here when he still lived at home?” I asked.

  “Yes. They were the strangest kids I have ever met. Something was really off about the girl. You could tell by the way she comported herself. It was just wrong.”

  “So, there were two kids? Were they twins?”

  “Couldn’t tell them apart until they let the girl’s hair grow long and put dresses on her. Poor kid. All she wanted was to be like her brother. All she wanted was to play ball and ride her bike like the boys. But the parents wouldn’t have it. They had her put on those pretty dresses and play with dolls. She wanted to wear pants and play with the boys. I never understood what was so wrong about that? When she became a teenager, she looked terrible. She was only allowed to wear dresses, but to rebel against her parents, all she wore were black dresses, and with her all black hair, she came off a little freakish, like those Satan worshippers or Goth or what they call themselves. And then, the way she moved. It was awkward. She was so masculine. Not feminine and petite like the other girls. She was big for her age. Both in height and size. The kids here on the street were cruel to her. Called her monster or giant. But, when she got older, like fourteen-fifteen, she was so much stronger than the others. She would beat the crap out of them. They still called her names, though. She was probably best known around here as the lesbo. Kids can be so cruel. I mean, so what if she liked girls? But, worst of all, was that the parents never accepted her. Anyway, that’s all I know.”

  “So, you don’t know where they are today?”

  “No. I have no idea.”

  “Thank you so much for all your help,” I said, and was about to leave when the old man stopped us.

  “Wait a minute. I have something.”

  He disappeared for a second, then came back with an old photo. “I want you to give this to them if you ever find them. I tried to look them up to send it, but couldn’t locate them anywhere. I’m getting old. The wife died last year, and I don’t know how long I have myself. I don’t want it to get lost when I die. The twins might like to have it.”

  I nodded and grabbed the picture. I looked at it. It showed a family of four standing in front of their house. The children were twins. A girl and a boy. Both had thick black hair. The girl’s face was almost covered by her long hair, like she was trying to hide from the world.

  “It was taken when the twins were about eight or nine. I took it with my camera at a block party in ‘94. The only one we ever had around here. Anyway, if you could make sure one of them gets it, I would be very pleased.”

  “We’ll do our best,” I said.

  “Thank you. Have a nice day.”

  Mr. Severinsen closed the door, and we started walking back to the car parked in front of Tina and Dan Toft’s house. I realized we had parked right in the spot where the photograph had been taken twenty-one years ago. I couldn’t believe the story I had just heard. In the picture, they seemed like an ordinary happy family. The parents hadn’t wanted to accept her for who she was. Had she returned and killed them because of that?

  “So, at least there seems to be some sort of silver lining here,” David said, while shooting a few pictures of the house that had once contained an entire family with all their expectations for the future.

  “You’re thinking about the homosexual theme?” I asked.

  “Yeah. The daughter was apparently a lesbian. The parents didn’t want to accept her the way she was.”

  “Like the pastor and the therapist. There is definitely a theme here. But, I can’t wrap my mind around the motive.”

  We got back inside the car and I started it, when my phone suddenly rang. It was Sara.

  40

  “SOMETHING IS going on at an address downtown,” she said, sounding agitated.

  I looked at my watch. I had to pick up the kids in less than an hour, or I would be late.

  “Are you sure it’s important?” I asked.

  “Positive. They’ve called for help from Copenhagen,” Sara continued. “The blue vans are on their way. You know what that means.”

  “Crime scene technicians,” I said, and looked at David, while wondering what to do with the kids. Could I get ahold of Sune? Could I trust him to pick them up and not forget about it? I had to.

  “Text me the address and we’re on it,” I said, and hung up.

  “Another job?” David asked.

  “Yeah. I’m gonna have to ask you to stick around for a little while longer. Can you do that?”

  “I don’t have anything better to do,” he said.

  I found Sune’s number in my phone and called him.

  “Come on, pick up,” I mumbled.

  Luckily, Sune picked up right away. He sounded like he was still sleeping. “What’s up?” he asked.

  What’s up? What is he? Sixteen?

  “I need you to pick up the kids today. Something’s going on downtown, and I have to go and check it out.”

  Sune sighed. “You are, or you and David are?” he asked.

  “Hey,” I snarled, a little more angrily than intended. He just annoyed me so much right now. “That’s your own fault. You were the one who opted out when I called you. If you had said yes earlier, you would have been the one going on this job now.”

  “I wasn’t feeling well. I’m much better now,” he said. “I could be there in ten minutes if I took the bike.”

  “You know it doesn’t work like that. The newspaper already hired David for the entire day. We can’t pay for two photographers. You know how it is. Besides, I really need you to pick up the kids today. Can you do that for me?”

  Sune sighed. “I don’t have a car.”

  “You can walk. It’s not very far. Take the stroller for William and have Julie and Tobias walk. It won’t hurt any of you to get a little exercise. Hopefully, I’ll be home within a couple of hours.”

  Sune paused for a long time. “Okay,” he said. “I’ll take care of it.”

  “Thank you!” I smiled and held the phone close to my ear. I hated this strange thing that had come between us lately. I felt so far away from him. I wanted to tell him I loved him, that I missed him so much, but somehow the words didn’t leave my lips.

  “See you at home,” he said.

  “Yes, see you,” I said and hung up.

  I looked at David, who tilted his head. He looked worried.

  “Is everything alright? I don’t want to come in between the two of you, Rebekka. I enjoy this immensely. I love hanging out with you, and working again makes me feel great, but if it causes any problems between you and Sune, then I’m gone. You just say the word.”

  I sighed.

  “No. It’s not your fault. Besides, one of us needs to pick up the kids anyway.”

  “So, it’s alright?”

  Part of me wanted to say no. Part of me wanted to talk to David and tell him how my stomach was one big knot with worry about Sune and me, but there wasn’t time, and the rest of me didn’t want to involve him any more than he already was. It always made me feel like I was betraying Sune. So, instead of telling him how badly it hurt that I was suddenly unable to talk to my boyfriend, the father of my child, I smiled and swallowed my emotions.

  “Yes. Sune’s picking up the kids, and we’re good to go.”

  41

  LOSING LEONORA in her life was bad for Alex. As a grown man, later in life, he couldn’t escape the feeling of despair that his sister had gone through in the months after the incident in Leonora’s bedroom. People laughed at Alex in school. It was worse than ever.

  The man thought about how much he hated seeing her like this, as he watched another officer set up the red and white tape to block the entrance of Leonora’s building. A crowd had gathered outside, where th
e police cars had parked in the street, and people around him were talking amongst themselves, wondering what was going on. The man told them to stay back. Above them, the sky had turned grey, and he was expecting it to rain sometime soon. That would clear the streets.

  He watched the doctor arrive to declare her dead, and thought with pleasure of the look in her eyes when she had realized what was about to happen. He had dreamt for many years of revenging his sister for what Leonora and those other kids had done to her.

  I’m a freak! I don’t want to live anymore!

  The screaming at night was back, and now Alex was cutting herself with razorblades. She hardly ate anything and became so skinny the doctors had to force-feed her with a tube. As her brother, he knew how bad it was, and how much she just wanted to disappear, to vanish. He was terrified of one day waking up and realizing she wasn’t there anymore.

  She got herself into a lot of trouble at school. In anger, she would attack other students and beat them senseless. And being bigger than most of them, she succeeded in terrifying many of them. It didn’t stop the mocking and name-calling, but now they only did it behind her back and not to her face anymore. She hung out with her brother at school, but he knew she really just wanted to be with Leonora, that she longed to be with her again.

  When they turned sixteen, it started to affect her mental health. Their parents relied on Dr. Korner and Dr. Winter, and the visits to their offices became more and more frequent. But Alex was slipping. It became obvious that she had a hard time staying in reality. She was losing touch, and more and more often she lived in a fantasy world of her own, where she was allowed to be anything she wished. Where she could be the boy she had always believed she was.

  Still, the doctors fought to keep her in reality, in the real world, and kept telling her she was a girl, and soon they started medicating her. She was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and the doctors told their parents that maybe that had been the issue all along. She was depressed, suffered from anxiety attacks, and it was the cause for her growing isolation, they believed. She was suicidal and needed to be under observation.