Traces of Evil

By Angelika Friedemann

Sincere people are much more valuable than hypocrites, no matter how talented they may be. Charles Spurgeon
More by chance than anything else, Martin Kuhlmann, chief detective at the Hamburg LKA, learns of the disappearance of an infant from a baby hatch. He quickly discovers that there have already been similar cases. Although this is not his area of responsibility, he and his colleagues begin to investigate. The first small step they take is when a witness is found completely burnt to death in a solarium.
In addition to the usual work, they have to conduct new investigations into organised crime, the murders of Jo Sehler, Oleg Sokolow, as the trial takes a completely unforeseen turn.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Angelika Friedemann
• Release date: Dec 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215262825

Angelika Friedemann

Die Autorin: Wenn die Menschen nur über das sprächen, was sie begreifen, dann würde es sehr still auf der Welt sein. Albert Einstein Ich versuche, die Aufmerksamkeit der Leser zu fesseln, sie zu unterhalten und zu erfreuen, möglicherweise zu erregen oder tief zu bewegen.

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Angelika Friedemann

Traces of Evil

Published by Kevin Friedemann at Smashwords.

Copyright 2023

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author, Angelika Friedemm.

Picture-Source: piqs.de., Photografer: AL40, Titel:Stuermischer Abend

Chapter Tuesday

Detective Inspector Elke Theodor slammed the file shut and looked at her superior. A shame. Little Jan and that cute Vivian could still be alive if ...

Loud shouting sounded in the hallway. Martin Kuhlmann, first chief detective, put his coffee cup on the desk, yanked open the door. What's going on here?

She wants to report something, a brunette jerked her head slightly higher.

With us? the chief inspector inquired, puzzled.

No, I want to go home.

You will report this now, otherwise we are divorced people. Are you crazy?, the taller of the two very young women became agitated. We want to see a Commissioner Kuhlmann.

Aha. Come in before you screech the whole presidium together, he uttered gruffly, but had to stifle his smile.

Annika is crazy. They've stolen her baby and she's afraid to report it, the woman said in an unmistakable voice.

Sit down, please, and then one after the other. Elke, get some coffee, please. You calm down and tell us everything from the beginning, and at a normal volume. No one is hard of hearing.

"Are you actually Mr Kuhlmann? That's who we wanted to see.

That's me. Sorry, got lost in the hubbub. My colleague, Elke Theodor. Why do you want to see me of all people?

Because I read about you in the newspaper and I thought it was good. You are just the right man to bring Annika's daughter back.

Martin grinned. You have a lot of confidence in me. What's your name?

I'm Lorena and I'm accompanying Annika because she doesn't dare. Because that's the way it is. Her daughter has disappeared. Someone kidnapped her, stole her, lost her or something. They lie and say there was no baby. They're crazy! I saw her myself, she got louder again, looking at him indignantly, as if he had this child.

We have understood that by now. This is actually not a task for the LKA, but for the police station where you live.

Are you a policeman or not? It's about Mia.

We'll start with the particulars. He frowned slightly and gave the inspector a wave to sit down. The young woman seemed unimpressed by everything.

Lorena Grainier, I'm almost twenty, I'll be graduating soon. Never mind, she waved it off.

Martin looked at the teenager while she talked. She was pretty. Long fawn hair, slightly slanted brown eyes, high cheekbones. While she talked, her hands with their not-too-long blue fingernails were constantly in motion. She punctuated her words with gestures.

So on that Monday a week ago, Mia was born, Annika's daughter. We put it in the baby hatch in the evening because she didn't want it. Yesterday afternoon we went there because she wants it back. They told us lies, that no child had been handed in. They're crazy. Someone stole a baby and we want Mia back. You have to go there and pick up the girl. My parents will help Annika and Mia, the woman babbled out the story, fast as a waterfall, getting steadily louder. Can we go? They're all really cracked. Mum helped us decorate Mia's room yesterday and now we want to get her out of there. Let's go, she rose and pulled on her friend's arm. She was a completely different type. Smaller, quieter, a little fuller, which probably still stemmed from her birth. She seemed much more insecure, more shy than the bundle of energy next to her.

Martin had to smile in spite of everything. The little girl had a temper.

Mrs Grainier, it's not that simple. Please sit down and lower your volume. Let's ask your friend first.

Come on Annika, tell them so we can get Mia.

Yes, that's how it was. Do I have to go to prison now? she asked shyly.

Putting a child in a baby hatch is not a punishable offence. You have nothing to fear there, Martin reassured her. When did you give birth to the baby and where?

At home, on Monday.

Why not in a hospital?

I didn't want her. I already have an apprenticeship after graduating from high school and what would I do with a baby?

There are childcare places or something like that. What happened after that?

In the evening we put Mia in the baby hatch. Yesterday we went there and they told us that Mia had never been handed in. That's a lie. Where is my daughter? she asked, barely audible.

That's what we're going to find out. Let's start with your personal details as well.

Elke copied them down from her ID card.

You delivered the child at home. Who helped you with that?

Do I have to say that?

Ms Hellwig, none of these are criminal offences.

Go ahead and say it. Me, she proudly raised her head higher.

What time was that?

About eleven she was there.

What happened to the infant afterwards?

Lorena cleaned her up, dressed her and then she got her bottle and slept. In the evening we took her to the baby hatch.

To which baby drop and what time was it there?

Around eleven, because it was dark then. Doctor Neubert's clinic. It's just around the corner from Lorena's.

He looked at the address. You mean the Eppendorf Clinic?

Yes. Do you know them? A juice shop, where babies are wasted, with zero visibility. We put Mia in, a red light turned and we left, drove to our place, Lorena now again.

Your daughter lived there, Mrs Hellwig?

Horrified, the two women looked at him.

Hey, what are you doing?, Lorena Grainier was indignant. She was fine. I fed her four times, gave her new nappies, creamed her, washed her and everything.

Don't get upset, they are just general questions, he was amused. What was the girl wearing?

She looked so cute. A jumper, trousers, plus a jacket, cap and shoes. Everything was pink. Oh yes, she had a little gold chain around her. She got it from me because I got it from my grandma as a good luck charm when I was a baby. She rummaged in the big handbag. Look, this is what she looks like. I took a picture of her, she handed him the mobile phone.

He looked at the pictures. She looked alive because her eyes were open at one time and closed at another. Even her arms were slightly different. He had an eye for that. Years of working with the dead had trained his eyes.

Can I tape over these?

Logical, so we can get her to Mia faster.

Martin gave the mobile phone to Elke.

You were at the clinic yesterday as a result? What happened there?

Some old nurse claimed there was no baby and if there was, we'd have to go to the youth welfare office. I nagged her and she called a man. He was Doctor Friedrichs. He wanted to hear again what had happened. I tell the guy and he says there hasn't been a baby in the ward for months. I tell him he's crazy and we wouldn't just let him steal Mia. We tried to go to his boss, but they threw us out. So we go to the youth welfare office. No one there knows Mia. My parents said last night we have to go to the police because something is wrong. Can we go and pick up Mia now?

You go home and we go to the hospital. Then we'll see what happens. It's not going to be as easy as you imagine. The Youth Welfare Office decides what happens to the newborn, but we haven't got that far yet. First we have to find out where she is. We'll come by your house later, Mrs Hellwig.

She's with me, or rather with my parents. But you are doing something, aren't you?

Sure. There's a baby missing.

All right. Come on, Annika, let's go so Mr Kuhlmann can drive to that strange clinic. We'll know where she is. They're all stupid there. In the doorway she turned around again. But if Mia is asleep, don't wake her up.

Certainly not, he had to laugh.

Do you believe that story? inquired Elke as the door closed behind them. I think they're both crazy.

If she had a daughter, the chick must be somewhere. A baby can't disappear without a trace. We will probably have to have Annika Hellwig examined to see if she really gave birth to a child. If so, we'll have to look for the infant.

What if they killed the one or the one that was born already dead?

Then at least it would be a case. Let's go to the clinic. After that we'll see and give it to the colleagues. We have enough work without looking for babies.

Why are you even doing this?

Because I'm curious, and it's something different. It won't take long.

Professor Doktor Neubert received them personally. He had already heard about the incident the day before, he confirmed. A newborn had only been delivered once seven months ago. They had no infant on the ward. The two ladies would talk nonsense.

Martin and Elke looked at the baby hatch, had its function explained and demonstrated.

It was opened by pulling it open by hand. A kind of table with a hollow appeared. He called it a warming bed. The baby was placed there. The flap was either pressed shut or closed automatically. Only then was an electronic alarm activated, which ensured that help appeared immediately. The message that a baby had been put in was sent automatically with only a short delay.

This video camera is recording what?

Only the infant, so that the mother's anonymity is guaranteed. The person, whoever put the infant down, can leave undetected. The baby will receive immediate medical attention afterwards.

There was no defect? inquired Martin as they walked around the building to the entrance.

No. We haven't had a newborn on the ward for weeks. We only have deliveries from Eppendorfers, private patients, and there were none there either.

They said goodbye.

The girls are crazy, Elke noted as they drove to the Grainier family's house.

Mrs Hellwig will have to have herself examined. After all, we have nothing else to do than follow some fairy tales, he grumbled indignantly. He was annoyed that he had gotten involved in the nonsense in the first place. Stuff like that did not fall under their jurisdiction.

Since the gate was open, he drove right up to the front door. Noble, he thought. Two large green areas with umpteen flowerbeds were to the right and left of the paved path. All around were tall bushes that blocked the view outside in summer. Now everything looked grey-green, bare and desolate. Only a few colourful leaves that had not yet been carried away by the wind adorned the dense bushes.

They got out and walked up the three almost white stone steps, rang the bell and a little later a woman opened the door.

Yes please?

Mrs Grainier?

Yes.

Chief Inspector Martin Kuhlmann from the LKA, my colleague, Commissioner Elke Theodor. We've come about the missing infant.

Oh, have you found Mia? Come in, please. She took off her yellow gardening gloves as she walked ahead of them through a bright hallway towards the living room.

Martin looked at the petite woman from behind. Nice sight, he thought, as she was wearing stretch jeans and a shirt, walking barefoot.

She too had long, dark brown hair that was braided into a thick plait. Exactly his type.

Please take a seat.

Mrs Grainier, when did you find out about the baby?

I knew that Annika was pregnant, of course. That she had put the child in a baby hatch since the night before last.

You are sure that there was this pregnancy?

Irritated, she looked at him. What do you mean? Of course there was a pregnancy. Does that mean you didn't find Mia?

Not so far, because they don't know anything about a newborn at the clinic. You vehemently deny that there was an infant in the baby hatch in the last months, days. When did you know Mrs Hellwig was pregnant?

Since July. She told us because you could already see it then. May I offer you something to drink? Coffee, tea, orange juice, seltzer?

Juice. Thank you.

She stood up, fetched a carafe of juice from the terrace and glasses from the kitchen while he looked around. Nicely furnished, not ostentatious, but somehow simple, but noble, beautiful and cosy. A mixture of modern and antique elements, but perfectly coordinated.

She poured, sat down.

Did Mrs Hellwig tell you what should happen to her child after birth?

"The baby was a breakdown. She lives with her mother, together with three siblings. Conditions are rather cramped, and there is a permanent lack of money. My husband and I explained various options to her and advised her to contact the youth welfare office.

What possibilities? The juice tastes very good, fresh.

That's what the limes I mix in do. Once there is assisted living for mother and child, adoption, shared flats or that she could move into two rooms with us with the child. My mother-in-law and I would have looked after the baby during the day when she starts her apprenticeship soon. She wanted to think about it.

What happened after that?

We haven't seen Annika for a long time. The day before yesterday she was here and of course we asked about the child. Lorena told us that Annika had given birth to the child in our annexe on Monday. In the evening they put the baby in the baby hatch. Annika cried because that had been a mistake. My husband advised her to go to the youth welfare office and talk to the staff there. If the environment was right, she could probably get the girl back. We might have to apply for guardianship, or whatever it's called, temporarily.

Didn't you notice anything about the birth?

No. My husband and I were at my parents' for a few days. We only came back on Tuesday evening. Lorena was able to steal my car because of that.

She has a driving licence though?

Sure they do. Still, it's off limits for them, she smiled. You have to work to own a car. Now where is Mia?

We would like to know that too. In any case, she was not handed in at the baby hatch, as we were assured.

She pulled up her long dark brown hair, twisted the braid and tied it into a knot, seeming to think. I don't understand. Surely an infant can't disappear?

That's why we asked if she was really pregnant.

Yes, she was one hundred percent. She was at these check-ups. There were ultrasound pictures.

Mrs Grainier, we would have to talk to your daughter and Mrs Hellwig again.

She stood up. Please come with me. I'll take you there.

The two young women were sitting on an old couch, engrossed in books, each with a notepad on her lap. Lorena was chewing on a pencil. They jumped up when they saw the three people.

Where's Mia?

Lorena, what happened here? she inquired sternly.

What do you think, Mum?

They did not find an infant there.

Where is my daughter?, Annika Hellwig's tears rolled.

Mrs Hellwig, that's what we want to know from you. You will have to accompany us, because an examination must determine whether this birth took place.

Of course there was Mia and they stole her, lost her, Lorena indignantly, already getting louder again.

Mrs Hellwig, my colleague is lecturing you. Martin nodded to Elke while he excused himself briefly. Outside, he told the colleague to check on the Hellwig and Grainier families. The young women's data was on Elke's desk.

He sauntered back.

You see, that's where Mia was born and that's where I changed her, dressed her, he heard Lorena's voice. We're not going crazy and inventing a baby.

No one is saying that, only it could possibly be that the baby died and you are now afraid that you will be prosecuted for it, Elke in a calm tone.

Mia lived, screamed, wriggled, was hungry and wet her nappy. This clinic has lost something and they want to foist it on us. Mum, say something. You know I never lie. You saw Annika was pregnant.

Please calm down, Martin intervened. These are normal procedures and no one is accusing anyone. First we have to establish the birth so that we can look for a girl. Subsequently, we will take your statements, secure traces here and in the Neubert Clinic, inform the media, thus find potential witnesses. An infant can easily disappear without a trace. If she was born dead, say so. That would not be a criminal offence. However, if you have buried the baby illegally and are now silent, you are liable to prosecution.

Mia ... has ... lived, Lorena repeated, tears now in her eyes. Doesn't anyone understand us? We put her in the baby hatch, alive. Annika was right, no one believes us. Not even you. Everything that was in the papers about you, just lies.

Lorena, please, the mother admonished.

Mum, it's true. They're stealing or slutting up Annika's daughter and now they want to blame us for it. That's mean. The police still believe them.

"Here's what we're going to do. The two ladies will accompany us to the police station. There we will take your statement and you will give us the photos of the missing baby as well as the mother's passport and any ultrasound pictures. Tomorrow after school you'll go to our doctor, Mrs Hellwig, and have a short check-up. Our colleagues will investigate and talk to the person in charge at the Youth Welfare Office.

In the police station, the two young women separately testified the same as before. They described the baby, the clothes, what food she had been given.

Martin was on the phone with the prosecutor because he wanted to know to which commissioner's office he should direct this. This was not an offence for his department. To his astonishment, but also annoyance, prosecutor Ingo Siegfried, despite all protests, imposed further investigations on him.

Shit! he cursed loudly. I should have kept my hands off it.

He yanked open the door from his office, saw his son staring at Lorena. Gero, I'll be done in a minute. Please go to my office.

Bye, he grinned at the girl.

You'll be driven home by a police car, Martin turned to her. Ms Hellwig, you'll come for a check-up tomorrow at 3 p.m., he handed her a card. As soon as we know more, we'll be in touch. He shook hands with both of them and went back to his office.

Hey dad. Who is she?

It doesn't matter to you. Gero, we're a police station, not a disco where you pick up girls. I thought you were dating?

Dad, she just looks nüddelich. Has she done something wrong?

Let's go or your mother will have to wait and I'll get in trouble.

In the evening, at dinner, Gero asked again about the unknown woman.

Stop it, Martin now angrily. Gero, she is off limits for you. We are investigating and I certainly don't need my junior getting involved with a witness or even a suspect. You understand that? Good, subject closed.

What has she done? asked Vicky.

We don't know yet if she has done anything wrong. At the moment we are looking for an infant that her friend put in a baby hatch with her a week ago. Only the clinic said there was no infant. No one knows anything about it.

If she says so, it will be true, Gero chewed.

Young man, you don't talk with your mouth full. So you know her so well that you can judge? Please don't become illogical. If all people who look nice were innocent, we would catch perpetrators much faster, or rather crimes would no longer take place. There aren't that many ugly people walking around.

Dad, you can tell by the look on her face that she certainly didn't murder a baby.

Did I say she killed it?

Otherwise you wouldn't be investigating.

Incorrect. She was screaming in the hallway. I told her to shut up. That's how I got the two girls and the story that the prosecution later pressed on me.

What's her name?

Irrelevant. Gero, once again, she is off-limits to you because we are investigating her. I would not only get in trouble for that, but a lot more inconvenience.

Little brother, what did your flame say about you looking at other girls?

Shut your mouth! he barked at his sister. Do you want me to tell on you, you silly goose?

Quiet!, Martin now slightly threatening. You're behaving like two little children.

Chapter Wednesday

As usual, he stopped at a newsstand, picked up the daily papers, snapped a quick chat with the elderly lady he had known for over ten years. At least there was nothing in the papers about this mysterious case of little Mia.

The colleagues were already all seated at the large table when Martin Kuhlmann entered. He greeted them, threw the file on the table, got a cup of coffee and took a seat.

We have a new case. Mia Hellwig, ten days old - missing. According to the mother's statement, the baby was handed in a week ago, on that Monday, in the baby hatch of the Neubert private clinic, Eppendorf. They deny it there.

What have we got to do with it? inquired Severin Hiller, chief commissioner.

Did she kill the child? inquired his deputy, Chief Inspector Elmar Berg, stroking his brown upper lip beard with his thumb and forefinger.

Elmar, we will have to find out. Annika Hellwig, 19, lives in Dulsberg, Krausestraße together with her mother and three siblings. She is the second oldest. She will soon graduate from high school and then start an apprenticeship as an interior decorator. She already has the contract because she earned some pocket money there during the holidays. She had the baby at lunchtime in Eppendorf, at her friend's house or her parents' house. Lorena Grainier, 19, also graduates from high school soon. She wants to study art afterwards. Her father is an antiques dealer, her mother works part-time as an art expert because that's what she studied. The two girls have been friends for eight years.

But they come from very different backgrounds, noted chief inspector Kai Razioni, holding his hand in front of his mouth, yawning.

Your daughter seems to be keeping you awake? grinned Bircan Weimann, detective superintendent.

Screaming every night. My wife claims our son was no different, but somehow I forgot. She continues to drink and sleep at my wife's breast. Four hours later on the dot, it starts all over again. You can set the clock after that. Wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the nappy. She keeps screaming until they're new and she's dressed. Nino wants to stay with my parents at the weekend because he wants to sleep through the night. She's still a sweetie.

It's only a few more weeks, Martin grinned laconically afterwards. It's good that she at least takes after her mum in appearance, to which Kai countered with a laugh. I'm sure your daughter says so too.

My wife is just better looking than me, Martin laughed. Enough of this nonsense. One girl grew up poorly; the other with rich parents, a perfect family life, as it seems. They met through a theatre group. At the time, Lorena's parents insisted that Annika go to the same grammar school as their daughter. Roughly speaking. Elmar, you go to Annika Hellwig's mother. Anke can go with you. Elke, you get me everything you can about this hospital and talk to the gynaecologist where Annika was treated. Ben, you and I drive to the hospital at noon, two Spusi employees come there and examine the baby hatch. Afterwards we drive to the Grainiers. Kai, you take care of the Jancke case. The reports from the CTI are still missing. If her lover is nowhere to be found today, we'll send out an APB. Prosecutor Strake will be here at two o'clock to question her. Oliver, you're finally going to close the Schneider case. Since Friday they have been waiting at the public prosecutor's office for the final reports. Uwe, Severin and Bircan, you know what you have to do. Have the SEK people been notified?

Yes, we initiated it yesterday so they can coordinate it early.

You all put on your waistcoats like good boys, and no fooling around. Good luck.

He took the coffee mug with him, sat down at his desk, switched on his computer and a short time later found what he was looking for. He read the papers, reached for the phone. Elmar, please come to my office and bring Anke with you.

He turned the laptop, and the two colleagues were already coming in. Read it through. Anke, you get me the Schäfer file from March last year, he handed her a piece of paper.

You think this is connected to the Hellwig?

I don't think anything yet, but there are numerous parallels.

Only at that time it was a baby hatch run by the Alleinerziehend-Kind association in Bramfeld. Nothing was found there.

Please get me a list of employees from the association. The entire year 2012 until today, including all volunteers. If not by choice, then call to get a resolution. If you have time afterwards, check every single person: debts, big cars and so on. Get Anke and Oliver involved in case he finally discovers the documents. His sloppiness is annoying.

You believe the girls' story?

I never believe, but rely on facts, Anke.

What if they killed the little one? inquired Anke Ilitsch, detective and the youngest in the department.

Do we have to find the body. It's a little Mia. This way we can't prove anything to them, like in the Schäfer case.

Well disposed of.

Anke, you're talking about an infant, not a can of Coke, she was immediately rebuked sharply. He leaned back. I don't know why, but Lorena Grainier, of all people, leaves an absolutely honest impression, besides which she is intelligent. She wouldn't go to the police, get so outraged, if there was nothing to it. They would have told the story of the baby hatch to their parents and that would be the end of it. No one would ever have come across this baby. Nevertheless, CID will look for the little one there. We will question her again.

Martin, this is a posh clinic. Besides, it's not our job to look for babies.

Anke, do you decide? Now that the public prosecutor's office has handed it over to us. You're acting as if only poor people commit crimes. Irrelevant. Get to work. I want that file on my desk when you're done. Thank you. Leave us alone for a moment, please. Martin waited until she closed the door from the outside. Elmar, please make sure that Oliver finally finishes the files for prosecutor Strake. He went on a rampage last night. What's wrong with him now? My patience is wearing thin.

Since Silvia left, he has been lovesick. On Tuesday he got a letter from the youth welfare office, Rita named him as the father. Her husband is clearly not the father of the girl.

"Why girls? She always talked about a boy who had to hold his mummy's hand when he was thirty and wasn't allowed to have a girlfriend.

She probably wished for it. She reckons she'll be free in a few days. She wants to move in with Oliver with the child.

He doesn't have to be afraid of that now. It will sit for a while, Martin says laconically.

If he still has to pay maintenance now, he starves. These debts already leave him with hardly any money.

Shouldn't he have practised sex with her.

Now the child has fallen into the well. He has applied for a paternity test. Martin, I feel sorry for him in spite of everything. Wife gone, house half finished, a mountain of debt, now another child. It's enough to drive you crazy.

Elmar, he has brought the problems on himself. We always take him into consideration, but at some point it's over. Either he grows up slowly or he can leave. I'm not the supervisor of a kindergarten here.

At the clinic, she and the staff of the forensic department were not received in a friendly manner.

We have to solve the disappearance of an infant and we are not interested in any patients. You should also have an interest in this, says Martin, dressing down the doctor, Dr Arno Friedrichs. My colleague and I will now question you about the day of the crime. Then the staff. Is there a room for that?

I have to ...

You have to testify, otherwise we'll take you to the police station, detective superintendent Benjamin Wurt cut it short. Martin briefly gave instructions to the two Spusi employees and they were led to the baby hatch by a nurse.

He walked in front of the two officers, who grinned at each other. They were a well-rehearsed team.

The office stank of smoke and looked chaotic, he thought. There were piles of papers and red folders everywhere. This place urgently needed tidying up. How do you find patient files?

They sat down in a group of upholstered chairs on the side. The armchairs were old-fashioned and had seen better days. Two dirty cups stood on the table, next to it a full ashtray.

Can you please take the ashtray away?, Ben smugly asked the doctor, who looked at him aghast.

It stinks, Martin sent after. Paediatricians who smoke, rather alarming.

It's chaos right now as two offices and our lounge next door are being repainted, getting new cabinets, furniture, he put the ashtray on the desk. He sat down and was lectured.

He testified that he had left the clinic around 4 pm that day. Afterwards, he had been at home all evening. His wife could confirm this. No one would have mentioned an infant the next morning. There was no infant on the ward.

So they interrogated four doctors and twelve nurses. Some of the staff did not show up until the evening and they would be questioned later. The statements were the same: either the person was not on duty that evening, the other part did not know anything about a baby. No one had heard that there had been an access through the baby hatch. A newborn on the ward - no sign. They didn't get anywhere with the caretaker couple either. Mia seemed to be a phantom here.

"The girls lied to us. At least one of the people present must have heard or seen the baby.

Ben, I don't know why, but I believe the girls. Irrelevant. We'll take them with us and question them again separately. Besides, the Spusi must look around there, examine Mrs Grainier's car, take a closer look at the property. It would be manslaughter. The mobile phone pictures of little Mia prove that the little girl lived after birth. The Grainier family is out, as they were demonstrably not on the scene. Half the village can confirm that.

They could have buried the girl anywhere.

Sure, only I don't believe it. You're about to meet Lorena Grainier, let's talk afterwards.

The mother?

Quiet, shy, she is completely overwhelmed by the whole situation. At least, that's the impression she gives me. Nothing is factual. All they say so far is that she gave birth to a child and that this girl has disappeared.

Martin, this is a renowned Nobel clinic. Nobody steals a baby there, do they?

Nevertheless, Mia has disappeared. Only narrow-minded monkeys work there, and they certainly don't take a baby with them. What about any of the staff? Even one of the cleaners could have taken the girl.

That means we have to canvass all the flats?

"We have to check all the alibis while looking for the tiny one. A baby cries, needs some utensils for daily use. You can't hide all that. Maybe the cops will find something. Let's be systematic. Afterwards, we'll check all the people connected with the clinic. Now we have a personnel list. We have to question the employees who weren't present. Tomorrow we'll look at the employees who left. There are only five. There were officially seven people at the clinic that night. We'll deal with them first.

Or we'll get lucky and one of the girls will spill the beans.

Or something, only I think that's wishful thinking. I really believe in her story.

Today, too, the gate was open and so he drove onto the property. A new Audi SUV and an old Wrangler were parked in front of the garages.

Alexa Grainier opened. Mr Kuhlmann, do you know anything new?

Martin introduced his colleague. Not that yet. We would have to talk to the two young ladies again.

Come in. I'll get her.

In the living room, they were met by a man who introduced himself as Guy Grainier, who immediately asked for Mia.

Guy, I'll get Lorena and Annika. Perhaps the gentlemen would like a drink.

Cherie, hurry up as we have the appointment at noon.

She nodded and Martin watched her for a moment before she left the room. Today she was dressed in a costume, wearing high pumps. Pretty.

Have a seat.

Mr Grainier, we will have to check the property and the house for traces, plus your wife's car.

Excuse me?

Unfortunately, we cannot rule out homicide.

Merde, my daughter never lies. Non. When she says they gave bébé Mia, it is true.

We don't want to accuse her of lying. Only we need facts. At the moment it's statements against statements.

Do you have a warrant or whatever it's called?

We'll get it right away.

My wife's car is at the door and you can search everything except our house because my wife and I have an appointment in a moment. For the house, I want to see a warrant and talk to my lawyer first. Garages and Lorena's realm you may ransack.

Thank you. Do you or your wife happen to know the speedometer reading when you left?

Oui. Almost exactly to ten kilometres, because the Jeep was in the workshop, like almost every month, the man grumbled. She still wants to keep it. But soon everything will be new inside and then hopefully there will be peace. I'll get you the receipt from the garage, he left the room. An interesting and good-looking man from whom the daughter had inherited not only the eyes and the mouth, but also the temperament, including the gestures when speaking.

Mrs Grainier and the young women appeared and once again Martin introduced Ben.

Where is my husband?

He gets the receipt from a garage because of the mileage.

What do you want with that?

Know how many kilometres have been driven in the car.

Can I tell you. Once to the dam and back. Once to the clinic and back. Nothing else, Lorena answered immediately.

Thank you, and you, Mrs Grainier?

Shopping three times, once to the Alsterhaus.

The man handed them the receipt. There it is. 283,578. That's when my wife said the car is almost new.

He has no bump, nothing.

Cherie, you are sweet, he laughed now. It's almost new inside, too. I think only the engine and a few cables are still the old parts. It's polluting, guzzles too much fuel. The gentlemen want to examine it.

Why?

Routine.

Whatever, but don't carry dirt inside.

Oh mum, they're looking in there.

Lorena, they are looking for traces, if you transported the infant with it, if it was driven somewhere because they think you killed Mademoiselle Mia and buried it.

Waaass? Dad, that's not true.

They will look around here, however, they will not come to our house. Comprendre?

Dad, that's silly. We put Mia in the baby hatch.

Mon petit, I believe you. Let them search and answer their questions. Today for the last time, afterwards only in the company of a lawyer. I'll sort it out with Robert later. Cherie, we have to go.

He gave the two girls a kiss on the cheek. They'll find her, we won't rest until they do. Annika, you will get bébé Mia back.

The couple said goodbye.

We will now question you again separately. Mrs Grainier, please go with my colleague to your domicile.

Martin waited until the door was closed, lectured the young woman again.

Ms Hellwig, what did you plan during pregnancy about how you would live with a child?

Nothing. I thought, let it come to me first. My A-levels were more important to me.

How did your family react to that?

I didn't tell them until you could see it anyway. My mother grumbled why I hadn't aborted it immediately, said she wouldn't take it. She told me to leave it on the father's doorstep.

The father knew about it? How did he react?

He was raving and I haven't talked to him since.

He didn't know ergo when it was coming?

No, nothing.

In the days leading up to the birth, you must have been thinking about what to do with Mia?

I hoped my mother would take them when I went to work soon, but she flatly refused. My brothers anyway. No one wanted it because it would only cost money. I should put what I earn into the household and not bring in an extra person. I went to Lorena's and stayed there. She tried to convince me to stay with them, but I didn't want to. They're so sweet to me anyway, partly financing my clothes, the school trip and stuff.

Why didn't you go to a clinic for delivery?

When I went into labour, I knew I would give Mia up. She's better off with adoptive parents because they're usually rich.

Did Mrs Grainier know?

No, she insisted on dragging me to the doctor or calling a midwife. We argued and I pretended to be asleep. Only when it got worse did I call her. I talked her into helping me. She looked up what to do on the internet. She cooked a pair of scissors and a sheet from her mother, put bath water in for Mia, got everything ready. When Mia was there, Lorena washed her, put lotion on her and brought her to me. But I didn't want to see her. Lorena put her in her bed and when she cried, gave her the bottle.

You left in the evening?

Yes. Lorena took her mother's car. She had always looked after Mia alone before, dressed her. Now she was wrapped in a woollen blanket so she wouldn't get sick. In the car I saw her for the first time. She looks so cute. We parked in front of the clinic and then I quickly put her inside. Lorena didn't want it, told me to wait until her parents were back. We both cried, ran away quickly because that light flashed immediately.

Mrs Hellwig, your daughter lived there?

Yes, of course. I would never have done anything to her, I just wanted her to have it better than me for once, tears were rolling now. I should have listened to Lorena, then Mia would be with me now.

Don't blame yourself, these are exceptional situations.

Why are they allowed to just kidnap or steal my daughter there?

No one is allowed to do that, that's why we're investigating. Have you been to or at the clinic before?

No, never. I only knew it because the bus goes past there.

How did you know there was a baby hatch there?

Lorena had told me that because a baby had been delivered there.

When was that?

A long time ago. I don't remember when exactly. I was already pregnant then, though.

Did you or your friend tell anyone about this before?

No. I didn't tell Lorena until Mia was already born. She grumbled, said I was crazy, should talk to her parents. She was right.

Did you notice anyone watching you that night? A car? Did anyone leave the clinic? Anything?

She considered, shaking her head. No. It was dark and I wasn't paying attention.

Were you travelling elsewhere on the day of the birth?

No.

And the following day?

Neither. I've just been lying in bed all this time.

Has Mrs Grainier been away?

No, at least I didn't notice because I was asleep at times.

What about shopping?

No, because that's what her mother always gets beforehand, pre-cooking and stuff.

The things for your daughter were all there, then?

Yes, Mrs. Grainier had bought some things, washed them and packed them in a travel bag. I was supposed to take it with me to the hospital. The rest is at Lorena's.

Did anyone call on Monday or Tuesday?

Yes, she's always on the phone. Grandma, her parents, friends and stuff.

On a landline or a mobile?

Mostly landline. It's cheaper. Only when she didn't call, she called on her mobile. She skipped school for two days, so someone kept calling in the afternoon. Melanie gave her the homework. Mr Kuhlmann, honestly, I didn't do anything to Mia and certainly not to Loretta. She was really in love with Mia. She kept telling me how cute she was. She'd grip so tightly, she'd yawn. She told me to breastfeed her because it was healthier and that she didn't like wet nappies and would scream all the time. I heard her screaming, and Lorena talking to her, singing songs to her.

I believe you, Mrs Hellwig, nevertheless we have to proceed according to the rules. All the people who were in the clinic that evening say the same thing: no baby was put in the flap.

We put Mia in this flap. The light went on and we ran away.

No matter what he asked, she stuck to her statement: Mia was alive and we put her in that baby hatch. It was no different with Loretta. There were no contradictions in her statements.

In the office he read the Schäfer file. An almost similar case. Carola Schäfer, 17 years old, a trainee office clerk, had had the baby at home. In the evening, her boyfriend, Sven Doster, had put it in the baby hatch. After a few days, Carola and Sven went to the Youth Welfare Office. They wanted their son back. Only the baby didn't exist, according to the counsellors there. The two young people had been questioned repeatedly and they always said the same thing: He had brought the baby to the baby drop. The case was passed on to the LKA and there, after further investigations, the couple was arrested. Suspicion of killing a baby. Both were convicted. Their public defender had appealed, his lawyer had swallowed the verdict.

Carola and Sven both came from poor backgrounds. Carola had two siblings, Sven three. However, he had really put in the work at school and was considered the best in the grammar school. He got a super good grade. He wanted to study law after graduating. On the side, he worked here and there, earning a little extra to support the family.

Martin picked up the phone and made an appointment with the lawyer for the next day to talk to the two youths. His gut told him something was wrong. It was such a stupid thing to do, just like with the two girls. If they had murdered the baby, why go to the Youth Welfare Office and demand the baby back? Nobody was that stupid.

He called the department that had first handled the case, then his former colleague Stefan Mann.

Elmar, please come to my office, he ordered his deputy.

The prosecution got the files from Oliver and he cleaned his desk spotless.

Fine. Tomorrow it will look like today. I was just talking to a colleague. He said that at the time he had the feeling that little Julian's parents were telling the truth. They wanted their son back because they had made a mistake when they put him in the baby hatch. They said there was no access in the baby hatch. Doctor Sagebrecht initiated proceedings for joint homicide. They were convicted. Their lawyer appealed.

Tell me, is it possible that this is to get the shepherds and their lover out?

You think the two girls murdered Mia to get Ms Schäfer released? They would have to know each other from somewhere. I don't think so. I think in both cases, the babies live somewhere. Still, check if there's a connection between the four people. I'm going to see the two teenagers tomorrow morning, meet their lawyer.

Why are you actually kneeling into the case like this?

We're stuck with him now and it's not a murder for a change, there are no bodies en masse. Nice and clean. I believe the two teenagers more than the people in the posh clinic. Especially after those two child killings, where all the people jointly responsible have been sleeping, it's a welcome change.

I don't want to have the job of those people at the Youth Welfare Office.

Neither do I. If you think about how many children have to be looked after by one case worker, it's a miracle that there aren't more cases like this. It's not just the woman who should be taken to court, but the federal states. They don't employ enough people to even come close to the workload. They generally don't care if children die because of it. This mother was completely overwhelmed. She worked three jobs to make ends meet with her two children. On top of that, a household, two small children. Now she has to give notice because the flats are to be renovated so that she can collect three times the rent. As a single mother with two children, I can't find an affordable flat. The only help she got was from the neighbour, who at least looked after the two children in the evenings when she was doing job two and three. It is unbelievable that a trained office clerk with a full-time job does not earn enough to support a family. The Youth Welfare Office failed miserably when they did not even advance the father's maintenance payments to the woman and sued the man to make him meet his obligations. The money alone would have helped the woman considerably and she could have done without these two cleaning jobs. But that's not our business.

I have taken a look at the association. So far I couldn't find anything there. Only good citizens. Apart from this incident, there have never been any discrepancies. However, I'm still missing the bank details of some of the people.

In the file there are some of yours that Stefan requested at the time. Nothing conspicuous. Nobody has a lot of money, a big flat, an expensive car. Maybe there's a connection between these people and the Neubert clinic, or we'll be lucky and Spusi will find something there. What happened with Annika's parents?

The mother was actually quite normal. She did complain that the daughter was expecting a baby, but she too would be managed somehow. There would often have been arguments within the family about it. Annika had no clear ideas about how to go on with the baby. She goes to work tomorrow at 6.40 am, is home in the afternoon around 4.20 pm. The two younger children still go to school. They necessarily need the money as she is divorced. There would be no one to look after the girl. She would have finally decided that she would take care of the girl during the day, had already found two cleaning jobs for the late afternoon and the evening. That was the only reason she quit. She would be her granddaughter. She had approached Annika several times about it, but she had always blocked her. When you see the flat, you really wonder how six people can live there. But everything was clean and tidy. In the hallway was an older pram that the eldest son got as a gift from an acquaintance. I phoned her employer, who confirmed that she was leaving on 31 March. She wanted to take the remaining leave from the previous year before that. He regretted her leaving because she worked well for him for 13 years, was always very reliable.

How did she react when she found out the lolly was gone?

She cried, You couldn't do that. They never meant it that way. We should tell Annika that they would take care of the little girl and that she should get her back. It even seemed real. We went to the child's father. A stupid, simple-minded brat. He doesn't want to hear about a child. Let the old lady figure out how to deal with it. The stupid bitch wouldn't get a cent from him. He was just bitching about Annika. Neither mother nor father knew that Mia was already born.

What's wrong? Somehow you seem thoughtful, Vicky put down her cup of cappuccino and sat down next to him. He put his arm around her and, as he usually did, she rested her head on his lap. His hand automatically reached into her long hair, playing with it.

We have a new case.

Tell.

You're starting to get the first grey hairs, he teased her. They've passed on the story about the missing infant to us. A 19-year-old supposedly put her newborn in a baby drop. Now she's disappeared.

Disappeared how?

The clinic said there was no baby.

Did she murder the girl?

I don't think so. At least, she doesn't give that impression. She wanted her daughter back because she realised she had messed up.

And the clinic?

Clean, renowned, good reputation.

And now?

Research.

But that's not why you're so thoughtful. A case like many others. But why was it brought to your department?

Because the prosecutor assumes homicide. I'm thinking about stealing babies from baby drops. There was a similar case a while ago. The young parents were convicted of killing their newborn son. The investigator told me on the phone today that he never believed the boy was dead. Only they couldn't prove the parents had murdered the baby, nor could they prove to the association that the had preserved the infant.

I think you can only put something in, not take anything out? Besides, someone would have to lie in wait there for hours, days, weeks, until a woman came along who ... She turned slightly. You think someone on the hospital staff ... pervert.

Rather rewarding. A lot of money is paid for illegal adoptions.

How are you going to register the child?

Did anyone check whether you were pregnant? That's what the midwife certified at the time and that's the end of it.

That's why babies, she said thoughtfully.

He leaned down, gave her a kiss. I love my intelligent wife, he grinned.

I hope so and I'll test it right away. Why does such a private clinic have a baby hatch anyway?

Supposedly because there are none nearby and yet they are sooo worried about the little ones. In four years, there was only one child who was handed over there. The boy was registered and now lives with foster parents who want to adopt him. Everything was handled correctly. In Bramfeld there were many more babies. The registered ones were logically reported to the Youth Welfare Office.

Just suppose I drop off my baby, go three days later because I want it back, and it's not there, nobody knows where it is, do I go to the police?

Not necessarily. The girls are afraid that they have committed a crime, plus they have a guilty conscience. Now the baby is still gone. No woman will come to us. This Annika would never have reported it because she's afraid they'll put her in prison.

How desperate do you have to be?

The two girls are totally down, they blame themselves terribly. They don't understand what might have happened, they think we'll find little Mia tomorrow. How is such a young thing supposed to cope? First unintentionally pregnant. The father ran away. Nothing but stress at home. It certainly wasn't always easy at school either. Birth only with the girlfriend who has no idea. She gives the baby away because she sees no other option. She comes to her senses, demands her daughter back and she's gone. At least the girlfriend's parents are nice and help the two girls. They took photos of Mia and on them you can see she was alive. If they are unlucky, charges will be brought against them for killing a newborn, as in the Schäfer - Doster case.

Just suppose I have this Mia at my house now and I read about it in the paper, why don't I go and report, here she is.

Vicky, this is how you would handle it. Put yourself in the shoes of these parents. They've been trying to have a child for years. They can't, because ... Now they go to a private placement agency or to a doctor, where they are finally promised the longed-for offspring. You pay a lot of money for it, you know it's certainly not legal. Now you read in the newspaper about the girl you already have at home, probably love, spoil. You don't go to the police. Illegal adoptions, plus the false name, are punishable by law, but more importantly, you don't want to give the baby away. With the purchase of this child, your happiness is finally perfect. You are her mother. Are you interested in some young thing who has deported her newborn?

How do I actually get the baby registered as mine?

"You say I was on holiday in Italy and my daughter was born three weeks early. Forging documents nowadays is almost child's play, thanks to the internet. Maybe a doctor will certify the birth. I assume that a doctor has his fingers in the