The Exception: A Novel Part 50

She listened to Rasmus talk about his program, but then what happened? Did I take some cycling gear downstairs? A can of oil without a stopper? Did I spill some oil on the steps, just in front of the only window without a guardrail? Did I tell myself to wipe it up and warn Rasmus? Did I carefully skirt around the oily spot instead? And fail to warn Rasmus? Did I look at my greasy hands and think: Oh, Id better wash my hands before I carry anything else down why am I so filthy? Did I drop something?

Malene looks down at Iben. It feels so good that I can take care of you, just for once.

Malene, I feel so confused.

Youre to rest now. Relax. Well sit here with you and open Rasmuss files.

Iben gags again but her stomach is empty.

Malene double-clicks on the file attached to the return e-mail from revenge_is_near. It doesnt open. A dialog box asks about the correct application for this unknown file type.

I havent the faintest. Rasmus created the file type himself. What am I supposed to do now?

Gunnar makes a few suggestions, but nothing works.

Malene is becoming irritated. Why is it messing with us? When were so close to finding out who sent those f.u.c.king e-mails that started everything!

Gunnar has another suggestion: Maybe Rasmus wrote a special file-opening program as part of his spyware.

Maybe its not installed on this computer at all, Iben speaks up.

Malene brightens. Are you feeling better now, Iben? Im so glad.

After exhausting all the possibilities, the file is still closed. Defeated, they sit looking at the little machine on the table in front of them.

Iben drinks a whole pitcher of water. No more smells now. Her thoughts are more coherent and she recalls what a good atmosphere there was between Rasmus and herself when she helped him move out. It makes no sense to think that Rasmus accused her of sending the death threats. She makes up her mind that, like the e-mails, she imagined what had happened in the stairwell. As before, her illness made it all seem real. She glances at her friend. Something has changed. The warmth has returned to Malenes eyes.

Malene, however, sounds let down. What I dont understand is why Rasmus didnt tell me that he had found out who sent the e-mails.

Iben notices that Gunnar seems to withdraw a little every time Malene mentions Rasmus.

Maybe its because you had broken up two days before Zigics data arrived?

But all the same Malene looks at Iben. And you were with him when he moved out. Why didnt he tell you then?

Iben struggles to find an answer. Nothing comes to mind. I dont know. I really dont know.

chapter 51.

its late now. Iben convinces herself that it would be too paranoid to argue that Zigic is still watching the street. She agrees that they should call the police.

Shortly afterward, the intercom buzzes. Police here.

Iben has an urge to warn them: Be on your guard! You might be attacked when the door unlocks, but doesnt want the man to think that shes neurotic.

While Malene and Gunnar go to the hall, Iben looks for a way to defend herself. Zigic mustnt find her knife if he does a body search this time. She runs to Gunnars desk, finds a roll of tape, and quickly tapes the knife underneath the middle of the three armchairs. Zigic wont look there.

She has just enough time to put the tape back and return to the sofa.

Malene screams. The next moment the front door slams and then, with a kind of cracking noise, it is pushed open again.

Ibens heart starts hammering. Driven by an instinct to jump, she runs to the window. They are on the fourth floor, but it doesnt matter. What else can she do? She turns her head to scan the room while she pulls back the handles on the largest window.

Nenad is at her side in an instant. She tries to put up a fight. But he easily throws her to the floor and orders her to lie facedown with her hands behind her neck. It will be so much worse this time. They will take no chances. She chokes on her sobs. Its hard to cough in such an awkward position.

Gunnar and Malene are led in and ordered to lie on the floor in the same position as Iben. They are all searched. The men are much tougher and more efficient this time. Even so, they give Malene lots of attention and search her repeatedly. Denim Suit is so rough that Malene cries out with pain and fear until she is told to shut up.

Zigic jams his hand up hard between her legs, but looks at Iben when he speaks.

You wish you got that, dont you?

She knew it was coming. She knows what he is like. Gunnar and Malene had no idea. I should have acted, Iben tells herself. The phrase sticks. I should have acted. I should have acted.

From somewhere above her she hears Zigic parroting a womans voice, meant to be Ibens. Oh, dear! I think Ill just run away from Mirko Zigic.

She raises her head a little. He brings a heavy boot down on the back of her head.

Something cracks like when a pair of poultry shears cut through a strong chicken thigh. Pain suddenly shoots into every part of her face. Iben screams in agony. In front of her eyes the pale, mottled surface turns a deep red.

Zigic kicks her in the side. Shut up. I tried to be kind and take it easy on you. You didnt want to cooperate, did you? You forced me to treat you differently.

Nenad has spotted the computer. The open e-mail with its attached file makes him whistle excitedly, which attracts Zigics attention.

Iben raises her head cautiously and turns it sideways to s.h.i.+ft its weight from her broken nose. Now the coffee table is in her line of sight. She can see Nenad is talking and pointing to the screen, and Zigic is smiling, obviously pleased. The new position of her head slows the flow of blood to a steady drip. Iben watches the drops and tries to forget the pain by thinking ahead. Zigic will have to move his prisoners somewhere else, she thinks. Sooner or later Gunnars neighbors will call the police. And besides that, the police station will begin to worry about the lost radio contact with their men, who are probably lying dead downstairs.

Where will Zigic take them? Some secret place where he can hold them indefinitely. He will need to torture them until he knows who might have seen the file or made copies of the disk. He will make the outside world seem utterly distant and meaningless to them. Will he want all three of them? Three prisoners are harder to control than two, or one. Will Zigic pick them out one by one to find out if they know anything, then kill them if they dont? If he decides to get rid of someone right now, who will he choose?

Zigic lifts the laptops keyboard and fiddles with the small hard disk until it comes out. He puts it in the breast pocket of Nenads jacket and addresses him in Serbian.

Then he turns to his three captives. Okay, now I have one copy of the file. Where are the backup copies?

No one answers.

Okay. Listen hard. If there turns out to be any other copies in existence after my visit to Denmark, then things will look bleak for you. Bleaker than you can imagine.

Zigic is in no hurry to leave the apartment. Even if I cant come back to kill you personally, someone else will. And dont think it is just you wholl die. Your families will die too and anyone close to you.

This little speech sounds calm and considered. It is so tempting to think that once he has secured the files, all will be well.

Listen, if you want to get out of this, pray to G.o.d: Dear G.o.d, please, please help us to remember to tell Mirko about every little thing. And please, G.o.d, dont let us make any tiny little mistake in anything we say to Mirko! You get my message? You understand?

Yes.

Zigic has had enough. Right. Wed better get out of here, but before we go, tell me this. Are there any more copies of the file kept anywhere else in this apartment?

No.

Good. Next question. We are going to take you to a place we know. Is there anywhere we should stop off on the way, any other copies hiding elsewhere?

Gunnar speaks up. Yes. I have a copy in my office.

Iben thinks this a very good idea. The reception at Gunnars office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is open around the clock and is well guarded. The building has long corridors, ideal for escape.

Zigic turns to him. Is that so? At your office everyone will stay in the car, except for you and one of my men.

He moves until his boots are immediately in front of Gunnars face. And if you cant produce a file, well kill one of the girls. Immediately. This time, think carefully before answering. Is there a copy of the file in your office?

No, Gunnar cries.

Iben is so disappointed in him. He has fallen into Zigics trap. Its because he doesnt dare not to trust the prison guard. Gunnar needs to believe in the only rea.s.suring option, which is that they might survive if they cooperate.

Denim Suit has done the rounds of the apartment. He returns with a broad grin on his face, waving a used condom, and Nenad joins him in fooling about with it. Denim Suit finally empties the contents over Malenes head.

Iben wants to let Gunnar know he mustnt worry about taking responsibility. I have a backup copy. I left it in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for safekeeping.

Zigic moves toward her and repeats his threat. Well check. And remember, if it isnt as you say, Ill kill one of your friends. So its your turn to think carefully and answer me. Do you have a file copy in the ministry?

Yes.

When Malene hears this, she gasps and shouts at Iben: No you dont!

Iben slips into Danish. Malene, youve just killed me by saying that.

What?

h.e.l.l kill me now. If I havent got a file h.e.l.l kill me here. Youve just told him to.

Ibens outburst makes Malene break down. She starts crying again.

Zigic kicks Iben. Youre not to speak Danish. If you do, Ill have your families killed.

Malene tries to speak in English but is crying so hard she is incomprehensible.

But what else Iben, oh, Iben when they dont find it, itll be me who Zigic laughs. He walks toward Iben. Somehow he draws his handgun. It is suddenly there, in his hand. It is the first time she has seen it. A little click as he releases the catch.

Gunnar speaks quickly. Iben. That copy I gave you. Is that what you did? Deposited it in the Foreign Affairs Ministry?

Yes.

Zigic addresses Gunnar with condescending sarcasm. Listen to you, No-b.a.l.l.s. How interesting. I think I believe you.

He bends over Iben, pushes the muzzle of the gun against the back of her head, and slides it down until it digs into the hollow where the cranium meets the neck.

I believe you, Mister No-b.a.l.l.s. And he presses the trigger.

Her mind explodes. Gunnar. Malene. Evil. A future. A life. Omoro, who died. Rasmus, who died. Father, who died. A moment in Africa, when she stood on the back of a white pickup truck and decided that everything should be different from now on.

The blood under her cheek. The pool of blackening red is about to seep into her ear. She realizes that there was no shot, no bullet in the chamber.

She looks up at Zigic. Hes still standing over her. Shes still lying at his feet.

Malene screams, a long howl, with her face pressed into the floorboards.

Zigic speaks quietly to Iben. No such luck. Not this time. Maybe it will be second time lucky.

Zigic orders them to get up.

Nenad turns to Iben, explains that he is going to clean the blood off her face. Of course her b.l.o.o.d.y face would make driving through central Copenhagen unnoticed quite a bit more difficult.

Nenad goes off to fetch a roll of paper towels and, in the meantime, Iben collapses on the middle of the three armchairs. He returns, cleans her nose and cheeks, twists the paper up her nostrils and pushes. It hurts like h.e.l.l, but Iben thinks how careful he is being. Its a little like being a piece of fillet, lovingly marinated by a top chef, but knowing that seconds later, he might decide to carve you up or tenderize you with a mallet.

While he concentrates on her nose, Iben fumbles a little under the chair. And then she too is ready to leave.

The three Serbs stroll downstairs with the prisoners between them. Zigic is at their side, with Denim Suit scouting in front of them and Nenad following behind, keeping watch up the stairwell. They have been told to be silent, and when Gunnar tries to catch Ibens eye, Zigic knees him in the groin.

It has snowed. A thin powdery layer covers the dark, abandoned street.

An empty police car is pulled up on the white pavement outside Gunnars front door. Iben looks around for the bodies, but they are nowhere to be seen.

Zigic orders them to climb into a silver car parked nearby, Iben first. She is to sit in the back, with Malene on her lap. Gunnar is told to sit on the bulge in the middle of the back seat and direct the driver. Denim Suit sits next to him. Zigic gets into the drivers seat and Nenad into the front pa.s.senger seat, so he can keep his gun trained on the prisoners.

Ibens broken nose means that she cannot smell her friend, but they are so close that it seems she can taste her. The sweet iron flavor of blood blends with the warm pressure of Malenes body. It is the same familiar body she has hugged so many times, when they met or when something important happened.

Iben realizes that Malenes hand is trying to find hers. She responds, reaches out, despite all that has pa.s.sed between them. The cars movements press Gunnars thigh against Ibens, making her sense every slight vibration.

They cross the harbor ca.n.a.l on Knippel Bridge. One left turn to go. Zigic directs a question toward the backseat: Tell me again. Is there a backup copy at the ministry?

Gunnar and Iben both answer him: There is.

Okay. And you know what happens if we dont find it.

Yes.

The thin layer of fresh snow makes the streets and buildings look delicate. Ibens face is close to her friends back. Once, when the car b.u.mps, her nose hits Malenes spine and it feels like being knocked out. The blood must have soaked through the paper twists, because now a red blob stains the pale blue material of Malenes blouse.

Malenes body is trembling and she is crying silently.

They park in the lot in front of the ministry, a grand building that is almost completely dark. Two rows of street lamps cast a faint light on the snowy cobbled yard.

Zigic turns to Iben. You. Are you ready to come in with me?

Iben answers at once: Yes.

Maybe she sounded too eager. Zigic turns to Gunnar. You know where it is too, right?