Rubber Band - The HemiHelix Effect Ep 1

Chapter 19

Ch 19

By the time Meziere has finished taking his statement Lukas feels faint with hunger. He looks at Juergen tapping an annoying rhythm on the armrest of his chair with his good hand and rolls his eyes at him. Lukas is as impatient to get out of here as Juergen seems to be.

“If you would just like to sign here, Mr Novak.” Meziere points at the dotted line at the bottom of the document. “You realise you should go to the police back in England and report your burglary and the events you have witnessed at the care home.”

“Yes I do.” Lukas passes the signed document back to the Kommissar.

“We have issued a nationwide warrant for the group and especially for Herr Deevy. I am very concerned for your safety, Herr Novak.”

Lukas sighs. “You really think he’ll still come after me? He must assume that you are looking for him.”

Meziere nods. “That is very true. However, if what we read online is true,” Meziere gestures to a computer monitor, “the man is likely to have delusions of grandeur, although I am not a criminal psychiatrist.” Meziere laughs. “But he has committed crimes in several countries and has got away with it. He probably think he’s untouchable. And his sisters and the Maliks are devoted followers. They believe in his invincibility and further his belief in himself as some sort of Messiah. Remember Charles Manson?”

Juergen shifts in his seat. “I think the Kommissar is right, Lukas. Deevy is got to be raving mad. And he’s come away with nothing.”

“In my opinion he won't give up.” Meziere says. “Would you still consider yourself to be prey, Herr Novak?”

Lukas laughs. “I beg your pardon?”

“I think the inspector means what else does Deevy know about you? You've slept with his sister. What else did you divulge During your throngs of passion?” Juergen says.

“For Pete’s sake, Juergen, do you have to be so bloody indiscrete?” Lukas shifts in his chair.

Juergen laughs a dirty laugh.

“He took some of Tibor’s account details, I think. From the shoebox.”

“You think? And you only mention this now? When was this, during the burglary?” Juergen drums impartiently.

“Either then or when he visited me.” Lukas draws commas in the air. “I wasn't sure if anything was taken. I was confused, drugged. And I certainly didn't bloody expect this to end up in Switzerland with him impersonating me.”

Juergen narrows his eyes. “What about the key? Did he take the key?”

Lukas smiles and opens his bag. “Are you calling Tibor an idiot?” He pulls out the ball of bluetack and throws it at Juergen who catches it with one hand and laughs.

“Gentlemen, would you fill me in please?” Now it is Meziere who drums on his desk.

“Tibor’s belongings were in a shoebox.” Lukas explains. “Mainly trinkets and memorabilia. But there was also some paperwork about his bank accounts.”

“Statements?” Meziere interjects.

“No, account numbers and bank details.”

“Where are the accounts held? I fear Deevy might go after them. He is bound to have made a copy of your passport. With that, a story about losing the original and your Vollmacht letter he could possibly get access. How much is at stake?”

“I am not sure.” Lukas says. “The bank is in Liechtenstein. My own accounts are there too.”

“At the same bank?” Meziere frowns.

“Yes.” Lukas feels sick.

“It sounded like a good idea at the time.” Juergen says.

Meziere gets up. “I believe it's not just Herr Szabo’s estate that is at stake, but also yours, Herr Novak. I shall organise a hit team to attend at the bank immediately. What’s this?” Meziere gestures to the bluetack ball. Juergen passes it to him.

“It contains a key.” Lukas says. “To a safe deposit box.” He watches the Kommissar pull at the bluetack. And he already knows.

“There is no key.” Meziere says. “What's in the deposit box?”

Lukas looks at Juergen. “Tibor’s secret.” Juergen says, quietly.

Lukas pokes at his food, oblivious to the scenery outside. With his hunger undiminished, his appetite is gone. He pushes his plate away and takes a big gulp of his beer.

“Go easy on that, tovarishch.” Juergen says and wipes his mouth.

“Why me?” Lukas asks and signals for a short.

Juergen shakes his head. “No idea. But for once it sounds like it's not your fault. You were just coincidence.”

“Do you think they'll let him in?”

“Hopefully the police team will be there in time to meet him.”

Lukas turns to the waiter who stands next to him holding a tray, reaches for the two shot glasses and places them onto the table. he looks at Juergen and lifts a glass. “Let's drink to that, Na zdrowie!”

“Na zdrowie.” Juergen says and they neck the shots. Juergen slams his empty glass onto the table. “Eat your sausage, big boy. You'll need all the energy you can get.”

Lukas picks the remainder of the Bratwurst up with his fingers and bites into it. The Schnapps has restored some confidence in their plan in him. He gestures at the window waving the wurst about. “Just look at this scenery.”

Juergen grins. “Why do you think I moved here, Hanswurst?”

“No need to be rude, Freundchen. I need to buy some boots when we get there.”

“You recon they've got your size?”

Lukas swallows. “They better had. I'm not going up in bloody loafers.”

Dear Reader, thank you for making it this far. The final eight chapters are available for you to read, but I must ask you to do this by direct download. Please email me at schirmerbea@gmail.com or go to my website at www.beaschirmer.com and sign up in the box at the top right.

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Bea