Thomas chuckled, thinking about the baby. It was a boy. They had seen it on the ultrasound. Ellen had received a picture at the hospital that she could take home. Thomas had found it going through her stuff when she was at work. She thought she could keep it a secret from him, but there were no secrets between them. He always found out somehow. He knew everything.
Thomas looked at Ellen through the binoculars and giggled. He was looking forward to this baby as much as Ellen was. Now he watched her as she walked back into the house. He could see her in the kitchen pouring herself a glass of water. Then she left for a few seconds and returned with a bouquet of flowers in her hand. Thomas chuckled again. They were his flowers. Every day for the past two years, he had sent her flowers. In the beginning, it was just one flower a day that he sent and, later, he placed one on her windscreen every morning for her to find when she drove off to work, but since she became pregnant, he had started sending more and bigger bouquets. She deserved that, he thought. Now that they were having a baby and all. It was important that she knew how much he appreciated her. It was very important in a relationship. Thomas had butterflies in his stomach when she read the card. It said the same thing every day.
Till death parts us.
Thomas giggled while watching her break the flowers and throw them in the trash. Then she sat down and cried. It was the same display every day. It was part of a game they played. She would pretend to be upset about the flowers just to make him send more. If only she knew what he had planned next.
Oh she's going to love it. She's going to be so excited! Thomas could hardly restrain himself. He giggled and moved his feet in excitement. But he was going to wait till the baby had arrived. Then he was going to send toys, lots of toys for him. Oh he was going to be so spoiled.
Thomas put the binoculars down and walked to the kitchen of the apartment he had rented across the road from Ellen's house. He had lost his job at the port since he stopped showing up, but that didn't matter. He had his unemployment benefit from the government, and that was enough for him to pay the rent for this studio and the little else he needed. He had practically no furniture, but he didn't need that either. As long as he could be close to his beloved, he could live on the street for all he cared.
He made himself a sandwich and ate it while looking out the window, keeping an eye on her, in case she left. He looked at his watch while chewing. Her appointment with Dr. Williamsen wasn't until two o'clock. She would probably have to stop for gas on the way, since she was running low, so she would need to go ten minutes before. He still had time to finish his lunch. He picked up the binoculars and watched as Ellen prepared herself to go out. She put on make-up and found a new maternity dress in the closet. After the doctor's appointment she was going to meet up with a friend for a cup of coffee. Thomas was looking forward to seeing the friend again. It had been months since they had last seen her.
Thomas chewed the ham sandwich and flushed it down with a soda. While Ellen went to the bathroom, Thomas ran to the hallway and grabbed his jacket. When he was back in the window, Ellen was putting on her jacket as well. He looked at his watch.
Right on time, sweetheart. As always.
Thomas put the binoculars in the inside pocket of his jacket, then stormed down the stairs and jumped into his car where he waited for Ellen to leave the house and get into hers.
11
November 2013
"I'M RUNNING FOR City Council."
Christian dropped his fork into the spaghetti and meat sauce. "You're what?"
Lisa sat up straight in her chair. Out of the corner of her eye she could still see the small carpet she had put on the kitchen floor to cover up the marks made by the plumber's tools. She felt a breath of satisfaction and looked down at the meat sauce on her plate. He had gotten what he deserved, the bastard. Coming here and ruining her day and her floors. Making her be late for her appointment with her friends. "You heard me," she said.
Christian burst into laughter. "You're kidding, right?"
Lisa didn't laugh. She looked at her husband, sensing the furor rising in her once again. She inhaled deeply. "No, sweetheart. I'm not kidding. I'm dead serious."
Christian's smile froze. "You're serious? But … But Lisa. How? Why? The election is in two weeks. Nobody knows you. Is it even possible to announce your candidacy this late? I don't think it is. You're not even a member of a political party."
"I'll run as non-attached. People will like that. Something different. Someone with new thoughts and ideas."
"Mom," Amalie said. "What are you even talking about?"
"I'm talking about this city. I walked through it today with Margrethe in the carriage and there is garbage everywhere. I mean people are such disgusting pigs. You wouldn’t believe it. Not to mention how it looks down by the port. Somebody has to do something around here and it might as well be me." Lisa picked up her fork and spoon and swirled the spaghetti into a perfect sized ball and ate it. She had really outdone herself with the sauce this time. Christian had said so himself when they had started eating. The kids had agreed. Lisa told them she had used her secret recipe.
Christian stared at her like she had gone mad.
"Eat your dinner, sweetheart," Lisa chirped. "It's getting cold."
"So you're really doing this, Mom?" Amalie asked.
"Yes. Tomorrow I'm going to city hall and let them know. I sense I can make a big difference."
"But what about Margrethe?" Christian asked.
"I'll bring her with me. I'm thinking I'll have her on the pictures on the poster too. Makes me look trustworthy, don't you think? Appealing to the mothers."
"You're going to be on a poster?" Amalie said with a frown. Then she rolled her eyes. "That is so embarrassing."
"Well if I'm not on a poster, how will people know to vote for me?" Lisa asked. She looked at Jacob who had been quiet during the entire dinner. He had hardly eaten. "Jacob, eat your dinner," she said.
"I called the plumber today," Christian said. "To hear what was going on and when they intended to send someone out here."
Lisa stopped chewing and looked up. "Oh, and what did they say?"
"They said they already sent a guy. They said they sent him this morning. No one was here, right?"
"No. I mean, I was at the movie theater until lunch and then we went to a café to eat, so someone might have come and gone without me knowing it."
"That's what I thought. Typical. Now I have to reschedule. I can't believe this small thing can cause me this much trouble."
"Well, do whatever you need to do, honey," Lisa said and put her hand on top of Christian's. In her mind, she planned on giving him a blowjob when the kids were in bed. It was important to keep him satisfied in order to hold on to him. Intercourse didn't appeal to her lately.
"More sauce?"
"Yes, please. It is really good," he said and tapped his stomach. "I need to watch my weight. I tell you. With your cooking lately, I'm getting fat."
"Oh you're not fat," Lisa said and poured more meat sauce over his spaghetti. "Here."
"Thanks."
Jacob looked up from his plate. "The new freezer arrived today."
"What?" Christian said and looked at Lisa. "You bought another freezer? Do we really need that?"
"It's just for the basement. Mr. Moerch from the farm outside of town, the one on Rindbyvej, has just slaughtered one of his cows and he promised me a lot of meat for practically no money. I couldn't refuse that offer."
Christian looked at Lisa, stunned. "But how much was the freezer? I mean what's the idea of getting a lot of cheap meat if we have to buy an expensive freezer to contain it?"
"It was a bargain," Lisa said with a smile. "Don't worry. More meat sauce?"
12
November 2013
SIMONE WAS RUNNING. The bumpy dirt road made it difficult for her in her high-heeled boots and soon, she stumbled and fell with her face in the mud. Panting, she sprang to her feet again. She turned her head to look
behind her and saw the man standing outside the garage with the rifle still pointed at her. She gasped as she heard it go off. Then she ran faster.
Thinking it would make it more difficult for the man to hit her she started zigzagging. Another shot was fired and Simone felt a pain in her right leg. She screamed and fell to the ground, face first. The pain was excruciating, yet she managed to pull herself up and, with the leg dragging behind her, she moved forward, panting, crying, and whimpering in pain.
"I'm coming Liv. I'm coming home, Tim," she cried.
Simone turned her head and saw the man stare at her. He had lowered the rifle and was watching her like he wanted to see if she would fall again. Simone pulled all of her strength together and forced herself to start running again, forgetting the pain in her leg.
Come on legs, run. Run. Just make it to the end of the road, and you're free. Keep moving. Don't stop and let him hit you again. Keep moving.
Simone burst into a scream as another shot was fired, but missed her and hit a tree not far from her. She cried but didn't stop moving. She forced herself to move forward and soon, fear made her forget the pain, press through it, and start running again. She was panting and moaning, while burning with fear.
Please don't let him hit me again. Please don't. Oh, God, stop him; blur his vision, make him stop, don't let him …
Another shot scattered the icy air and Simone felt a pain in her shoulder. She screamed and fell forward to her knees.
Keep running. You've got to keep moving.
She looked back over her shoulder and saw the man had started moving closer. He was walking with the rifle in his arms. Simone held a hand to her shoulder. Blood was gushing down her arm and painting her shirt.
Come on, Simone. Pull yourself up. He will kill you. Do it for Liv. Do it for Anthony. They need you. You can't let him get to you. You can't let him kill you. Don't let him get any closer. This is it. This is the moment. Run! For Pete's sake, just run.
Moaning heavily in pain, Simone managed to pull herself up from the mud yet another time. She wasn't able to run anymore, but she could still walk, dragging her leg after her.
"You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man," she heard the man say, not far behind her. Then he laughed. "Stop, stop. I want to eat you," he said with a shrill voice.
Another shot scattered through the air and a huge flock of birds took off from a treetop. The shot missed her again. Simone felt relief flood through her body when she suddenly spotted the big road in the distance. She knew this road. It was the road leading to town. She spotted a car in the far distance and screamed.
"HEEEELLLP!"
But the car passed her without even slowing down.
"Please help me?" she cried, reaching out her hand trying to wave and make them come back.
She could hear the man's voice behind her. He was getting closer now. She tried to walk faster.
Come on. Just a few more yards and you're there, Simone. Come on. You can make it. You're so close now. Don't give up, don't give up now.
Simone heard the sound of another car approaching in the distance. She turned and saw it coming towards her. She lifted her arm and waved and screamed.
"HEEEELP! HEEELP ME!"
But the road was still too far away for the driver to see her. She tried to run, but the pain was too excruciating. She cried as she heard another shot go off and felt a pain in her back. The hit made her fall into the mud.
"Please don't … please don't kill me."
She couldn't get up anymore. She heard steps coming up from behind her and saw the man's boots in the dirt next to her face. Then she heard his voice. He was talking like cartoon characters, making different voices.
"You won't eat me, will you? said the gingerbread man. Of course not, said the fox. I just want to help."
The man giggled, then lifted the rifle and pointed it at her face. "I'll save you. Just jump onto my nose and I'll help you get to the other side."
Simone's body was shaking heavily as she stared into the barrel of the rifle. She wanted to speak, to say something, to call him a creep, a bastard, but no words left her mouth. Only spurting and gasping as the blood overflowed her mouth and ran across her lips.
13
November 2013
I COULDN'T STOP thinking about the missing woman all evening and night. I lay awake in my bed for hours thinking about the poor woman and whether she was out there somewhere, wandering around Depressed and suicidal. I didn't like it one bit. Finally, I fell asleep around two o'clock and had a horrible nightmare. I woke up at four to the sound of wailing sirens, a very unusual sound on our small island.
I got up and looked out the window. I spotted one of the island's police cars driving towards the beach, not far from my house. I felt a knot in my stomach and got dressed. In the hallway, I met Maya. She was still half asleep.
"What's going on, Mom?"
"Nothing sweetie. I just saw a police car go down the beach. I'm going down there to see if they need any help. Just go back to bed. It's probably nothing."
"Then why are you going? To see Officer Morten?"
"Just go back to sleep," I said, knowing she was partially right. I knew he was working the night shift and I wanted to see him again. Also I was curious as to what was going on.
I stormed outside and bumped into Jack in the street. He blushed when he saw me. "I … Iii guess yyou're curious too, huh?" he said, stuttering.
I smiled and gave him a hug. We started walking towards the beach. "The sirens woke me up. I thought I might as well go down and see if they needed any help. I know there is only one man on duty at this time of night, and he might need a hand." I said, trying to explain that I wasn't one of those horrible persons who stopped to look at traffic accidents.
"Me too," Jack said. "Any idea what is going on?"
I shook my head. We passed the small ice cream shop at the entrance to the public access to the beach. It was now closed for the winter and looked old and abandoned. I spotted the police car parked further down and saw officer Morten talking to someone, a young teenager who looked very upset. My heart skipped a beat when officer Morten turned his head to look at us. His eyes lit up, but he remained serious. I knew by the look on his face that this was bad.
He said something to the teenager, then approached us. "What's going on?" I asked.
Officer Morten sighed. "The kid says he saw a car drive into the ocean, but we can't see a damn thing in this darkness. If I had more flashlights, we could all go down there and search."
"I … I have two at my house," Jack said. "I'll go get them."
"Great. I have one in my car too," Officer Morten said.
"What was he even doing down here?" I asked, as we started running towards the ocean.
"Apparently, he has a broken heart and couldn't sleep. He lives right up the street. He was sitting on the sand when the car came driving down the beach and continued into the ocean. It had no lights on, he said."
Officer Morten lit his flashlight and we stopped. I could see nothing but the dark ocean as far as the eye could see. "There doesn't seem to be anything?"
After a few minutes I spotted Jack come running across the wide beach. He handed me a flashlight and we started scanning the area. Still no trace. I turned my flashlight on and lit up the sand.
"Here, guys. Over here," I said.
I pointed the flashlight on the sand. "See here. That looks like it was made by tires, if I'm not mistaken."
"And they continue into the water," Officer Morten said with a moan.
"The kid was right," I said and followed the tracks with my flashlight into the water, then lit up the water. The light hit what looked like the top of a car.
"There it is, Officer Morten said and pulled off his shirt. He jumped into the water and started swimming towards it. With fast-beating hearts, Jack and I made sure our flashlights stayed on the car so he could see. Officer Morten dove into the water and disappeared for a few seconds.
"There’s someone in there!" he yelled, as he emerged from the water again.
Without thinking, Jack pulled off his shirt and jumped in as well.
14
November 2013
JACK AND OFFICER Morten managed to pull a body out of the car and drag it up on the beach. With my heart pounding in my chest, I watched as they placed her lifeless body on the sand. Officer Morten bent over her.
"She’s dead," he said.
"Drowned?" I said, dreading that we had come too late, fearing that we had been close to saving her, if only we had been earlier.
"No," Morten said. He turned her body around. "Look at this," he said and pointed at wounds in her back, shoulder and leg.
"Oh my God. That looks like gunshot? Has she been shot?" I asked and looked at Jack who was sitting in the sand, catching his breath from swimming while carrying the woman's body.
"I'm afraid so," Morten said. "Several times." He sighed and rose to his legs. "Poor Tim. He's gonna be devastated."
"You know her?" I asked.
"Yes. Tim is my colleague."
"He's a police officer?"
"Yes. This is his wife. Simone. They just had a baby nine months ago. Their second child. Simone disappeared yesterday and left her baby in the car. They had been in a fight the night before, he told us. We all thought she would come back, you know?"
My heart dropped. I nodded. "I know. You weren't the only ones."
With another deep sigh, Officer Morten grabbed his phone and looked at me. "I better call for help. We'll need lots of it. The forensic team from Copenhagen, the whole lot. This might be a long night. I'll also have to tell Tim somehow."
I smiled and put a hand on his shoulder.
"You go home and get your sleep," he said to me and Jack. "I'll swing by tomorrow and take your statements for the report.”
“Will you be alright?” I asked, then felt stupid. Of course he would. It was his job. But still. It wasn't something you just got used to, was it? Especially not when it was a colleague who was affected by this.