Private Berlin (Private 5)

“Not how we heard it,” Dietrich said. “She was staying.”

Krüger shook his head. “She was leaving me.”

“Your stepson says otherwise,” Dietrich replied.

“My stepson is a jackass, High Commissar,” Krüger snapped. “In the meantime, I’ve got pressing things to attend to and unless you plan to arrest me, I must leave now. Herr Richter will provide you with Herr Larsson’s private number. He and several of his aides and the staff at the lodge will attest to my whereabouts. Remember, you are sworn to secrecy until four.”

Krüger got to his feet as if the meeting were over. Dietrich did as well, and Mattie could see he looked bewildered at the sudden turn of events.

But then he regained his footing. “Do you own a Chokwe mask?”

That startled him. “Yes. Why?”

“Have you ever been to the Paradise FKK in Bad Homburg?”

He shrugged. “Once, perhaps. I don’t know.”

“We found the murder weapon in one of your vehicles,” the high commissar said. “I can place you under arrest based solely on that.”

“The weapon is an obvious attempt to frame Herr Krüger,” the attorney said. “And I don’t see any connection between a Chokwe mask and an FKK in Bad Homburg. If you’re sure of yourself, arrest Herr Krüger, but rest assured we will sue for damages. Otherwise, we’re leaving.”

Dietrich hesitated but then said, “I’ll need to know where you’re going, whether you intend to leave the country again.”

“I need to attend to Agnes’s funeral arrangements,” Krüger replied, imperious once more. “Right after I place orders to buy more shares in my company. With all this talk of murder and takeover, Krüger Industries is undervalued now but will most certainly jump in price once word of the deal gets out. You should buy, too, High Commissar. I promise you’ll make a killing.”

Mattie watched as the billionaire left the room. His lawyer placed a piece of paper in front of Dietrich and followed.

Inspector Weigel looked at Mattie and sighed. “You were right. Do we do this now or do we wait a little bit?”

“Sooner the better,” Mattie said. “You want him on the defensive.”

Katharina had been silent during the entire interrogation, but now she said, “I just thought of something else.” She headed toward the door.

“What?” Mattie said. “Where are you going?”

“I have a follow-up question. I’ve got to catch Krüger before he leaves the building.”

CHAPTER 104

“Hauptkommissar?” Inspector Weigel said. She stood uneasily at the door to the interrogation room where Dietrich was sitting at the table, looking like he’d lost a crucial game.

“Go away, Weigel,” he said. “I have to think.”

“Sir, if you please—” she began.

“I’m not pleased,” the high commissar snapped.

Inspector Weigel stood straighter and with a firm voice said, “Sir, I believe that with the help of Private Berlin I’ve made a major break in the case.”

Dietrich’s brow knitted and he looked up at her. “With Private Berlin?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You mean, you’ve been cooperating with them without my knowledge?”

“Sir, you have not been yourself lately, and you placed me in charge while you dealt with your father’s—”

The high commissar slammed his hand on the table. “Don’t tell me who I’ve been, Weigel! I could destroy your career for this. You’ll have to leave Kripo. You’ll be lucky to find a spot with city police, a meter maid, a traffic cop.”