“I used to try criminal cases, Gage. Stepping on a few toes goes with the territory.”
“I appreciate your understanding.”
There was a brief gulf in the conversation.
“Gage, about Karl’s death…or murder…and I should’ve told you this before...”
“Yes?”
“Katja always claimed her father had abused her and her sister.” Boden took a loud breath and blew it out. “Abused them…sexually.”
“I know. And I’m afraid it’s true.” Narrowing his eyes, Gage pondered how far he should take the deception. After just a moment’s deliberation—screw it—he decided to go all the way. “In fact, sir, it was after I learned about his twisted nature that I discovered who actually killed Karl Vogel.”
“You did?” Boden asked, incredulous.
“Yes, sir. I can’t reveal who did it, but this person’s family member was also abused by Vogel.”
“Was it a man?”
“I really can’t say, sir. And I’d ask you not to pursue prosecution. In fact, I’d appreciate it if you’ll forget I ever told you…”
“I don’t even know what you’re referring to,” Boden said in a practiced politician’s manner. “But you really found out, and you’re sure?”
“Oh, yes. The person confessed, and demonstrated evidence backing it up.”
“And this was done in revenge?”
“That…or perhaps they felt the duty to eradicate a monster.”
“Holy shit,” Boden lamented. “I’m pleased that there’s some closure surrounding this, but I’m surprised.”
“Oh?”
“Well…I…hate to say this, but I thought it might have actually been…”
“Ina or Katja?”
Then came the bombshell…
“Yes, I’m afraid so,” Boden said gravely. “When Claudia told me Karl’s penis had been sliced off, I knew his murder was somehow related to sexual abuse. It’s a classic M.O. I remember similar things from my days as a prosecutor. That sort of mutilation typically heralds deep anger or resentment.”
Gage’s head snapped up. “Say that again?”
“Karl’s penis was cut off…you did know about that?”
Gage was a statue.
His eyes were wide. His breaths were shallow. How could Boden know?
“Gage?”
“I’m here,” Gage croaked, mustering all his self-control to remain calm.
“You did know about that?”
“Sure. Sorry…you broke up for a few seconds.”
“Can you hear me now?”
Squeezing his eyes shut, Gage forced himself to sound nonchalant. “Much better.”
“Despite the abuse,” Boden continued, “I could never imagine a daughter doing that. But another part of me couldn’t envision all they’ve dealt with. I don’t know—I guess it never made total sense.”
“Agreed. That was why I wanted to keep looking,” Gage answered. He touched his fingers to his carotid pulse. It was throbbing. He kept talking. “Anyway, after learning who killed him, I decided that my work here is done, sir. I’m going to make sure Ina is settled and then I’ll be leaving. I wish I could say I enjoyed it, but that’d be a lie.”
“I understand, Gage…” The Ministerpräsident began blathering on.
As he did, Gage’s hands clawed the leather-wrapped steering wheel.
There was only one way Boden could have known about the severed penis: Katja told him, and then he tried to kill her.
This lying, murdering, criminal sonofabitch…I’m going to make him beg…it’ll be slow, and enjoyable…sick bastard…
“Gage, you there?”
“I’m here, sir. Signal keeps going in and out.”
“Well, to sum up, I’m literally sick over this news.”
“Me, too.”
Boden’s voice changed pitch. “And did you hear about Rainer Schulz?”
“I did. Is he going to prison?”
“They wouldn’t arrest him if they didn’t have something. I also found it rather amazing that his indictment occurred right after you met with him.”
“I didn’t have anything to do with that. Did you?”
Boden’s chuckle was without humor. “I’m a lowly Ministerpräsident. I have nothing to do with high federal crimes.”
“I know for certain he was involved with Karl. And remember Il Magnifico, the drug baron who was also working with Karl?”
“Yes.”
“Dead. Drowning.”
“When?”
“Just a few days ago. Something’s going on,” Gage said, perhaps a bit too sharply. Before Boden could respond, Gage added, “And that’s why I’m washing my hands of it and leaving. Karl was obviously mixed up with the wrong people. That’s not my affair.”
“Seems that way. One thing I will tell you, sometimes when there are large cases being built against someone, such as the one against Schulz, the prosecutors will quickly plow forward if there’s a critical related event, like the possible murder of Il Magnifico. That might be what happened here.”
“Interesting.” Gage was quite ready to get off the phone. “It’s been good knowing you, sir. I better run so I can start making preparations to leave.”
“When will you depart?”
“Not today. My plan is to meet with Ina, settle things, and hopefully get out of here tomorrow morning.”
“You’re not staying for the funeral?”
“I don’t think so, sir. My presence isn’t necessary.”
“Well, it was good meeting you, Gage. I’m sorry we met under such circumstances.”
“I am too, sir.”
Once they’d hung up the phone, Gage sat in the Audi and eyed himself in the mirror. His breathing was shallow and his mouth was parched. He was stricken because every instinct in Gage’s body told him that Ministerpräsident Michael Boden was behind the death of Il Magnifico.
He orchestrated Rainer Schulz’s indictment.
And he tried to murder both Gage and Katja.
But Gage had to be sure.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Two hours later, a man with a slight limp made his way into the neurological unit of the St. Vincenz Krankenhaus in Limburg. He wore a long navy jacket and a pair of tan slacks. He also wore thick-rimmed black glasses underneath a mop of gray hair. The man’s right foot was canted inward, as if he’d broken his ankle decades before without having it properly set. Sunspots dotted his face. The man appeared to be in his mid-sixties.
This gentleman looked
