Chapter 41
After the funeral
It was nice getting home, and I felt even better when sitting down in the comfortable sofa corner with a cup of freshly brewed tea not too long afterwards.
Even if it had been a good day. A fine event. And everything inside me was working as it should. No more stings. At least they were very rare.
It was a great funeral. Maybe somewhat strange for me to think of it like that. And some people might not believe me to think this way. But they do not know me well enough. Because I do. Funerals are important.
I am impressed by the vicar. I do not know her. But I have been to the local church before. And I remember her from the coming-of-age ceremony. She made a real hit today. I hope there were many of those present taking her words in.
But the other speech was the most important one. I admit I feared it somewhat beforehand. Since there are still things which ought not to be brought to the surface. Which should remain untold. At least for the time being. But it went well. Afterwards in the churchyard several persons were referring to it – commenting on one topic or the other. In a muffled way, so that only those standing most close-by can recognize what is being said. The way people speak at funerals.
I rose up holding my tea cup in one hand and walked over to the big window. It turned southwest, and I could climpse the low autumn sun about to disappear behind the tree tops far up on the hill. Behind the small lake. Doing so It was creating magnificent colours in the evening sky. The sun is the greatest being we got. And it can be stunningly beautiful when it is about to depart.
I liked Peter. I guess many people do not know how much I appreciated him. So I am happy for him to get such a decent leave-taking ceremony. And that so many were present. Almost a full church room.
But he should not have done it. It was foolish. And he must have known it to be dangerous.
Now we have to build from here. I will take part in that work. Contribute so that people notice. Work on for Peter – for the man I believed him to be.
Maybe a sting will come once in a while. But there will be lapses of time between them. And there is no unease any longer.
Conscience? Conceivable. But if so I can argue against it. Inside me. With the very best reasons in the world. I am not to be blamed. There was no other way.
So I switch off the conscience. And get the good feeling. It has turned out as with the kitten after all.
What lies ahead is always what matters.
I perceived the steps in the stairs outside. Coming now. I am looking forward to it. It is going to be a fine evening.
I put my tea cup on the living room tabeltop and walked to the door.
I am safe now. I am free. This is mine.
Chapter 42
School prom
The small sales booth had been erected just beyond the coatroom, and three of the teachers were on duty to operate it. This arrangement was nothing new – it was in fact rather a tradition from several years back.
-It is a practical solution, the principal had commented in the teachers’ lounge. -This way we have grown-ups keeping an eye of the cloakroom, the entrances to the toilets as well as the front door. Not that I expect any excessive behaviour. But it feels safe anyway.
Celia picked a banknote out of the inside pocket of her autumn jacket and went towards the booth. She forgot to take it with her when she first arrived, and up till now she had felt no need to buy anything.
They’re going to bully me for using money. Well, not the teachers. But my mates. I wonder if I’m the only one. It’s all mobiles for the lot of them.
It turned out not to be just her – a boy in the grade below pulled some coins from his pocket to pay for a No Sugar cola. She followed his example, but declined the suggestion from one of the teachers to have a piece of cake. Food is no asset in the early hours of a school prom.
The music hit her as she opened the door to the school hall. A rock song – from fairly long ago, she thought. The school possessed a music sound system of its own and could even boast of having a local DJ. A guy from Simon’s class. Rather weird, but nonetheless well liked. And he was good at handling the music. Even if he might have turned up the volume just a bit too much right now.
It’s nice though. I need the sound waves to pound through my head and body. Making me feel it for real. It’s stimulating ... and relaxing ... at the same time.
The tables were arranged in a horseshoed shape facing the stage, and she sat down where she came from – at a table in the center of one of the sharp shoe turns. Not that it mattered where she was sitting. There were by far no reserved seats, and most of the students visited rather a lot of tables in the course of the evening - as the party and the relations were developing.
The remaining chairs around the table were empty. Beatrice and Mayouri were sitting here when she went out to the cloakroom – now she could glimpse Beatrice some yards onto the dance floor, while Mayouri – being a year younger than them – had found a nearby table with two or three boys from her own grade.
The autumn had reached some days into November, and temperature gauges were well down at the lower part of their range. So it felt good entering the school hall after the walk from home. The outdoor excursion was – after persistent campaigning by the student council and even from some of the teachers – put off until a later date. And in addition to that the principal decided to skip the final class of the day – enabling the prom to start a little earlier in the evening.
-It’s mid week, and we can’t let it go on late into the night.
A short week had passed since Simon showed her the tropical juice bottle and the paper cup in the schoolyard. She waited until the first break before ringing. Mai answered the call at once, and some minutes into the main break Simon and Celia were waiting outside the school gate – the soccer bag on the sidewalk between them – as the light blue el-car slowly closed in on the curb of the street.
No police car today either, even though there might be those considering her choice inappropriate. She came here after all in an official capacity.
But I don’t want to announce my visit to the whole school.
She brought his bag with her after Simon briefly told his story.
-I have to speak some more with you – we’ll do it on the phone, so there’ll be no need for you to come down to our place. But I need your mobile number.
Not more than that.
In the afternoon two days later she called as Celia was about to pack her gear after her own training.
-I think you deserve to be informed – and I wanted to do it talking to you instead of sending a message. But first of all, Celia ...
She seemed to consider which words to use before continuing. A little unusual, Celia thought, since she always appears like knowing exactly what to say.
-I don’t know how you and Simon ... speak. But I want you to feel absolutely secure as to what I’m going to say to you now. I fully and wholly trust – without reserve – what Simon is telling about the bag and the objects he found in it. Someone placed the cup and the bottle there.
It was a clear-cut message. Celia sensed a good feeling somewhere inside her at receiving it.
-Have you told Simon?
A silly question. But the answer surprised her.
-I thought maybe that you could do it for me.
Was she smiling at the other end?
-We got the result from our crime lab today – they found traces of the same poison in the paper cup as the one killing Linda. And something which I have to admit I did not expect.
The tiny pause and the slight change in the tone of her voice underlined her astonishment.
-There was poison in the bottle. Enough to kill off anyone who would have been served from it.
Chapter 43
A dance with Shakir
They are all dressed up. Attempting to be as … attractive as possible. Displaying the finest parts of their bodies. Clothes underlining their best features. Garments fitting each other. Matching colours. Not only the girls. Boys just as much. Maybe in slightly different ways. But their aim is the same.
I tried myself as well. Even though it was turned upside down after a final check with Kelvin.
-You are ravishing as always, Celia. Still I would like to suggest ...
It meant starting from scratch.
Not everyone by the way. A few of them look as if they don’t care. Shabby trousers. Shirts fluttering. And hairstyles absolutely not attended to for the last day or two. But maybe they believe that this is just the way for them to attract. And they might be right.
She let her eyes slide across the dance floor and the tables surrounding it. They are here – almost all of them. Dance. Music. Laughter. Raised voices in order to be heard. To get attention. No homework. No subjects. No training. No ... poisoning? A great escape from everyday chores. From reality. Or the other way round? ... on their way into reality?
-Sitting here on your own? She had not heard or seen him coming until he was seated on the chair sideways opposite to her. -Well then, not any longer. He placed a coke can on the table in front of him.
Celia noticed that he tried to catch her eyes as she turned her head towards him. The dark intense eyes were fascinating – especially below his even darker brows.
And he has a slightly charming smile. Even though the rest of his face does not quite complement his eyes. I think rather few people would call him handsome – but maybe interesting nonetheless.
-I think you need a dance.
It sounded fairly much like a challenge. But she decided to take it. She was faster up from her chair than he had counted on – she smiled down at him as she grabbed his right forearm and halfway pulled him up. -You are right, Shakir – I can need one now.
She brought him with her inwards towards the center of the floor – to a small vacant spot – away from the tables. So that no one can stare. She sensed her body starting to accompany the rhythms of the music and her eyes closing – and opening – in pace with the blinking blue-red light.
I’m not an eager dancer. But a football girl possesses a body coordination good enough to follow a rock tune. A special feeling – two things gliding into each other. Becoming one. The music and the body – joining rhythms. Yes – I needed this.
A couple of tracks later the DJ decided that a slow dance was due – maybe on request. Celia figured it was time to pause, so she brought Shakir back to the table. No one had occupied it in the meantime.
-It’s a good thing we’re well trained. But I still get thirsty from it. Shakir picked a coke from the table touching it with his mouth.
He was swiftly stopped by Celia’s arm. -That can is not yours, Shakir. We were sitting differently before going to the floor.
He moved the can away from his face and held it for a moment with his arm outstreched while staring at it. -Are you sure?
-Yeah – this one is yours. She was on the brink of a half-muted laugh as she pushed the other no-sugar cola across the table.
All of a sudden she sensed her body stiffening. Her eyes left the coke can and the dance partner, as she started to stare straight ahead – towards the pairs on the floor still moving to the DJ’s ballad. But she did not see them either.
It has happened again. There is something I must catch. It’s stored like on a harddisk. I just have to retrieve it – and use it. But I can’t get to it.
A swift upper body shake brought her back to the school prom. Shakir had switched the cans of coke and was about to finish the one Celia pushed over to him.
She did not know whether the short time-out was the cause of it, but she recognized the mind activitiy starting inside her head. She looked straight at Samir as he placed the emptied cola can on the tabletap. The DJ was still running soft music, so it was fairly easy to talk.
-At the cup. You refereed the match just before mine. On the same pitch. I stood there looking at you for a while – I was nervous since it was to be my first game – ever. I remember watching you made me calmer.
A start. Maybe some undue flattery. But then again – it is in fact true.
-After you were finished and left the pitch – did you stay around? And did you see anything special?
This is still too imprecise.
-Did you see Linda when she came?
That is more to the point.
She observed the corners of his mouth curving slightly as to suggest a smile, and there no doubt was a tiny twinkle in his intense eyes.
He might have been excessively charming. The eyes – and his mouth as well – that’s a great start. But in between there is something lacking. Cheeks too flat? Cheekbones not properly designed?
-You know there are rumours at school about our little investigator.
She could well go along with his humour, and as his remark was in no way meant to be sarcastic, she took what he said nicely.
-But when you ask. Yes – I saw her. In fact I watched you – and your match – a little as well. From the fence. Then I went to get ... my things. Came back. Just after that she came ...
-Where did she come from? Celia did not intend to interrupt, but the words came kind of by themselves.
-I don’t know for sure. But I spotted her at the top of the club stairs – then she walked towards the cafeteria – and us.
There was one more thing to ask. -Did you see Mariam?
-That’s her girl? Ten-to-twelve? Yes, I think I saw her. Even though many kids were coming and going. But they were not together. The girl came past me a bit earlier, while I was watching you – before I fetched ...
It’s getting clearer – some of what happened. But parts are still missing. The tropical juice bottle with a lot of poison in it. Might kill off who knows how many people. And if someone else had happened to be served from it first ... No – it does not add up.
-I remember your dad.
The change of topic surpised Celia, and he immediately spotted her reaction.
-I’m sorry, Celia – I didn’t mean to ...
-It’s fine.
-Because he stepped in to train us at times. When we were small kids. Not permanent. Even Johnny by the way – you know, the old guy who’s nearly almost around.
-The king of gymnastics.
The few words came after a brief pause.
She was not quite able to follow his thoughts, and he realized that as well.
-It was something Johnny said. To me. I was ... very good ... at the balance exercises. To control my body. Still am by the way – can twist and turn in any direction as much as I want – and keep control.
A short laugh was lurking in Celia’s head, but she settled for a smile. -You know, Shakir – old people are those supposed to look back and talk about bygone days – we who are young are meant just to look ahead.
And who am I to say?
-I’ll capture him from you. You just sit here gibbering anyway.
Tanya had come over to their table. Her arrival remark was directed to Celia – then she turned and grabbed Shakir by his arm. -Come on, then.
She has been working a bit longer with it than I did. Even if Kelvin did a great job. Face, eyes, hair – a perfect match. Fits what she’s wearing as well. Or the other way round.
-Thanks for the dance, Shakir! But he was already a fair distance onto the dance floor – hanging by Tanya’s arm. So he did not hear her.
I thought I knew who placed the bottle and the cup into Simon’s bag. Now I’m not so certain any longer.
She turned her body away from the dance floor and looked in the direction of the other horseshoe bend. Simon was leaning against the small railing at the lower end of the row of tables. His head turned towards her. But he was too far away for her to be able to tell the expression on his face.
The slight movement of his right hand – is he waving?
He is standing there – looking towards me. It’s a habit he’s got.
Chapter 44
A walk in the moonlight
She went out into the hallway a few minutes to half past ten. She guessed there would be a couple of dance tracks remaining, but she liked to find her clothes and get dressed before the lot of them were to leave at the same time.
She was not the first one – as she rounded the corner between two cloakroom rows, she nearly ran into Simon.
-Hi Celia – are you going home? We can walk together ... as long as it lasts. Unless - of course - you have ...
-It doesn’t look like it.
What kind of answer was that? It hardly sounded particularly nice. Like a kid sulking. But I already said it. And I’m glad to get company. Instead of walking the road and hillside on my own.
He did not seem to catch anything wrong. -I’ll wait for you over at the booth. And there was a smile on his lips.
The teachers had finished the sales and were about to pack. But there were some leftovers – among them several slices of cake - now placed on the booth desk for the taking by whoever wanted to - without payment. Better get rid of as much as possible.
So Simon accepted. And had his mouth covered by a big piece of cake as Celia came out from the cloakroom towards him. Her laughter was spontaneous.
-That’s good – now you will not be able to say anything for a couple of minutes. Then I can ask you for whatever I wish without you protesting.
-I usually … don’t … protest? He partly succeeded at proving her assertion wrong.
He may be right about that. Or else I have not asked him for the right things.
They were out in the schoolyard when a well-known voice caught up with them.
-Wait for me! I don’t like to walk home alone.
Beatrice swiftly overtook her school mates. -And three of us keep easier warm than two. It’s freezing cold.
She slid strategically in between them – her shoulder almost shoving Simon into one of the gate posts on their way out to the sidewalk.
She is right. It must be several degrees below zero. Unusually low for early November? But clear and still. I love the cool air touching my face. As long as my half-sweated body does not start getting cold. We have to walk fast.
-I have been waiting for you not coming to school. These last days. After that police woman came to interrogate you. Outside here by the gate.
What she does not pick up does not amount to much.
-I counted on at least one of you being locked up. For a while. But then I guess they lack proof.
She is fishing. And she is rather good at it. The question is whether we’ll strike the baited hook.
Simon was unable to refrain. -It was me. But they released me – on parole. Bail - huge amount.
His lips – not the slightest indication of a smile. Well done.
-Okay – good for me. Otherwise you would not have been here to warm me.
She put her left forearm in behind his elbow. -Warm jacket. And stylish. New one? – I can’t remember seeing you with it before.
It had been up there for a while, but when they made a turn after climbing the first short hill, it dominated the sky in front of them.
-It’s making shadows – almost like the sun. The remark came from Celia. Just silly talk, she thought at once, but nonetheless continued. -There’s something special about the full moon.
Beatrice picked up the thread immediately. -Is it at its ... fullest?
Simon turned his head towards her. -Twelve minutes past five tomorow morning.
I knew it as well. But why does it irritate me a little that he is the one answering?
-And it’s in fact somewhat bigger than usual. Since it’s closer to us this time compared to most full moons.
Celia turned her head to check loud voices behind them. Mixed laughing and shouting. More students on their way home. Obviously in a good mood. But they were so far behind that the three in front would not be overtaken.
-I agree with you, Celia. It’s special. Everyone is looking at it. You’re bound to notice it. And it lights up well in the night. Quite different from the sun – the sun is only out during daytime, and then there is light anyway. No one cares about the sun.
Interesting logic, Celia thought. I’ll try that one out if the right occasion pops up. Say what you want about Beatrice, but she can come up with some striking ideas at times.
-Imagine being like that – I mean everybody watching you. Beatrice continued to share her streams of thought. -I so much want to do something – be something – so that people see me. And I don’t think I’ll be good enough as a football player. Maybe I’ll start singing in Oscar’s group – you know our DJ today – he’s got a rock band as well, and they’ll be recording soon. May get famous. I talked to him a couple of times. I’m good at singing. What do you think, Simon?
She received a small smile in return and seemed to be content with that. -Because you know – if you do something when you’re young – really great I mean – making lots of folks pay attention to you ... watch you ... talk about you – the whole world will open up for you, and you can live on that for the rest of your life.
Another philosopher? Maybe she is right?
Beatrice released her soft forearm grip from behind Simon’s elbow when they approached the crossing marking the start of the birch street. The small trees were planted tightly along one of the sidewalks close to the curb. Celia could not spot a single leaf left on any of them. The cold weather had however created a rather thick layer of rime ice veiling the empty branches, and especially on the small multi-shaped twigs farthest out from the stems the ice crystals were reflecting the moon light in all directions.
It is fascinating to watch. The birches are using the moonbeams to create their own light – in their own way – for me to admire and relish.
Simon had already said thanks for keeping him company and was on his way down the street. The moon cast a shadow from his body – it was partly gone, then reappeared only to get even less visible as increasingly more of the small twinkling birch branches came between his back and the two girls.
-He’s rather ... cute. She might be perceived to talk mostly to herself – Beatrice remained standing on the sidewalk looking down Simon’s street.
Celia was on her part starting to head up towards the terraced house street – when she heard the «wait for me» call from Beatrice once more. A few seconds of running effort closed the gap between them, and Beatrice was back beside her school mate.
-Not so fast – You’re not in a hurry?
-I don’t want to stand still getting cold. You shouldn’t either. And now you can no longer keep yourself warm using ... the cute one.
Their eyes met as they briefly glanced sideways at each other. Celia caught the tiny twinkle in the corner of her mate’s eye – and the start of a slightly lopsided smile appearing at one end of her mouth. But the smile was benign – somewhat teasing perhaps – and there was something in her eyes taking Celia with some surprise – which she could not recall seeing before.
I have been aware for a while that she picks up most of what’s going on. But there is something more than that. Behind all the chattering. Behind what she displays. Maybe I misjudge Beatrice.
Chapter 45
Mariam’s dad
Walking to school on Friday morning two days after the school prom she made her decision.
It was still cold, and she wrapped her new winter jacket tightly to her body. It was warm enough, but she was not quite sure it fitted her. Does it suit me? – do I look silly in it? – like a wrapped-up whaler? But they said it looked good on me. In the shop. And that it was new and trending. No on-sale jacket from last winter.
There would in any case be no one else to blame. Since she bought it herself using the credit card mom lent her for the occasion.
-It is cold – you have to get a real winter jacket.
So she went to the mall yesterday evening.
I never was a fashion queen. And will never be able to become one. So why do I think like this?
She passed Linda’s terraced house entrance. It was evidently still empty. She had not observed anyone there since the quarrel between the two men. Not Michael. Nor his father. And not Mariam’s dad either.
But Mai said he was no longer with the police. And Mariam did not stay with him, but they arranged visits.
I saw Mariam at her training earlier in the week. But there was no sign of her dad.
I have to speak with him. There are several things which ... I must hear him telling me himself. What I’m uncertain of – and even the things I’m sure about.
It simply won’t do with a phone call. I have to be there – sit there – watching him when he’s talking to me. Observe how he reacts to what I’m saying – and asking.
The idea had been in her head even since the chat with Sonia and Mai in the cafeteria. And as she cast her eyes upon the dark living room window of the terraced house, she made up her mind.
I must look up his number today. And call. Ask if I can pay him a visit. Or meet him somewhere else. I don’t even know where he lives. Since he is obviously not staying here.
Should I share my thoughts with Sonia first? No – she will definitely advise against it. And Mai is out of the question – from her there would be a blunt no.
It was a rather small apartment some distance away. But not farther than the bus bringing her there within a quarter of an hour. Now she was sitting in a soft sofa chair looking around her. The usual stuff. The TV at a suitable distance from the sofa. A wall unit. A book shelf packed with books, meaning he probably did some reading. Photos. Fairly big speakers for the sound system. And a laptop on a small desk in the far corner.
He has been tidying. No newpapers spread across the floor. No empty cups, mugs or plates. Tablecloth on the table in front of me. Even a vase with fresh cut flowers.
-I bought them today. He read her mind as he was entering the living room from the doorless entrance to the kitchen. -I thought it would be fine with a glass of soda for you – I’ll have a cup of coffee myself. Tell me if I’m wrong.
I guess he knows me better as a somewhat smaller girl than as a grown-up youngster. -Soda is excellent.
-You were not too ... specific on the phone. He had sat down in the sofa right across her – she could see his face slightly clear of the fresh flowers. -But I take it that you want to talk about ... what has happened.
I often met him before. When he stayed with Linda. And the cup was not so many weeks ago. But he seems a little ... different. Older? Possibly looking slightly tired. Well – I guess that’s not so strange.
I still think of him as being kind. Not the most charming of faces. The mouth and the cheeks – a little ... blank? But his eyes look good. Yes – he is kind.
-I never got the chance to thank you for fetching me. He went on talking as Celia was lingering. -It meant terribly much to me. And – I think – to Mariam as well.
-She comes to see you at times? Celia seized the chance to follow up on his last words.
-At least every second day. Not tonight. But they will come here with her tomorrow – that’s to say ... the lady who is mostly in charge. I just hope they will soon be able to ... settle ... things.
The last utterance seemed to be addressed mainly to himself. Then there was quiet – a rather long pause. And this time he did not intend to continue. He was waiting for her.
-I don’t fully know why I’ve come here, she started. And countered immediately. -No, that isn’t true. I know in fact why I’m here. I feel I’ve come so close to all of this ... can’t push it away from me.
She tried to look straight at him, but sensed her eyes sliding slightly in the direction of the flowers. -I don’t believe in the ... suspicion towards you.
She had to make a short break in order to phrase another correction. -Again no - I have to be absolutely honest. Ask me to leave if you have to. What I mean is ... I don’t want the allegations against you to be ... correct.
She spotted the somewhat tentative smile appearing next to the flowers. -And when you cannot push it away from you, you have to find ... some answers?
-At the cup – you passed me when I was refereeing. You greeted me. Did you meet Linda before that? She was coming towards the wooden table ... not long afterwards.
She had braced herself now. This question was a direct challenge.
There was a calm reply. He quite understood what the question might mean. -The police asked my the same thing. No – I didn’t. But then I hadn’t been in the area for long either. I came because Mariam was to play a little later. And I wanted to check on which part of the pitch that match was to be.
A shot off target. But nonetheless a clarification.
She let her eyes once more glide halfway through the room, keeping them for a brief moment on a picture at the low end of the bookshelf. The three of them – Linda, Mariam and him.
So he has not totally removed her. They look happy. But – photos can be deceptive.
-Michael – yes, you know … She caught his nod. -They travelled to a cup. Overnight. Rather some distance off. Do you know if ... something happened there? I don’t quite remember the name of the place.
Sonia had been the one to follow up on Mai’s «where-and-when» task from the cafeteria meeting. So the location in question was still just a vague idea in Celia’s head – did Peter mention it? – possibly Michael? She was not sure. She would probably have been unable to pinpoint it anyway.
He gave her a name.
-That’s what the place is called – some would consider it a small town. But I think the club itself is named differently – not quite in my mind – at least not right now.
-A little funny you should ask. The police has not mentioned it. She called me that night. Michael’s father travelled with her there, even though I think he did not stay the night. I’ve got this notion that he’d left when she rang me. What she said – it was a little incoherent – this and that. At least the way I heard it. She talked about trophies – and photos. But the house in particular. And money. What could half of it be worth.
Celia sensed an uneasy feeling commencing somewhere inside her. This was exactly what she’d been afraid of.
-But the strange thing is – the more I think about it ... I’m not certain she wanted me away from the house – it felt more like she was ... digging for ... an amount ... for me to buy her out.
-In any case – things got a little troublesome inside me following the call. I guess I didn’t think clearly. It triggered the stupid message I sent her. Which the police found. It was a foolish thing to do.
He turned his head, and she was positive that he rested his eyes on the image in the bookshelf for a few short seconds. Then he looked straight at her again, and the tone of his voice was slightly altered.
-You heard us that evening, didn’t you? Outside the house.
She just nodded, observing the brief twitching of his upper body – before he shifted slightly along the sofa.
He is not that calm any longer – as when I came here.
There was one more issue she was aching to raise. But it was difficult. Admittedly, Christine was the one to have told her, but the kind of confirmation coming from Mai made it ... Could she confront a man under suspicion with something she had learned ... in confidence? Would that simply be ... illegal?
Once more she made a decision.
-I have one last question ... I have to ... ask you.
She suddenly felt like a reporter about to work her way through a set of interview points.
-I first thought that I would ask you to promise me you will not tell anyone I put this question to you. But I understand that I cannot ... should not ... demand – or ... expect that.
The words were difficult. Her intro had made him sit up straight, and she perceived a slight sharpening of his face – giving away uncertainty and tension as to where she was heading.
-You were in the locker room – that last time? --- when Peter ... died. They found traces ...?
He let his body sink a tiny bit into the sofa – as if relaxing again. -I went there two or three times earlier this autumn – something to do with equipment for Mariam’s team. I told the police.
There was quiet for several seconds.
I think he wants to say something more. But he is uncertain if he should.
He finally decided.
-Celia, I did not tell the police what I’m about to say to you now. And I have no intention to do so unless I have to. I went to the women’s locker room on the afternoon when Peter was killed. Can I ask you not to demand of me to give you the reason for going there?
He opened the front door for her as she had put on her winter jacket and boots. Out in the corridor she turned in order to thank him for accepting – and talking to – her. He beat her to it.
-You are a special girl, Celia. It struck me at times already several years ago – when I saw you and the other kids in our street. Take care of yourself. It may be tough out there.
Then he closed the door. She walked with slow steps down the stairs towards the main exit. Her head was all thoughts.
More stuff has come to stay in there. Rooms with doings and ideas – or even answers. But I don’t find the pathes – I can’t get through. It’s like a maze puzzle in a games book or cell phone game for kids – in which all pathes to the next target are blocked – except one. The one I’m still at loss to find.
