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“If I’m not mistaken, it’s a Flobert Grand Power four millimeter,” says Karsten. “Probably drilled out. Or boiled.”
“Boiled?”
“These small-caliber guns are freely tradable in Slovakia. They are smuggled to us and then converted. One method is to simmer the gun in water for half an hour until the glued-in barrel comes loose and then replace it with a nine millimeter barrel.”
“Black market, then,” says Yasira.
“I’d bet on it.”
Yasira is barely back in her own office when Katja Grebe reports that the software has spit out a hit. Unlike Bear, who seems to have no prior convictions, Red Fox is a neo-Nazi with a criminal record, which means he is on file and his picture and data are in the system. In other words, he is easy to find. The man’s name is Martin Riedel.
Yasira compares the photo taken during one of his arrests with the video in which Red Fox declares his allegiance to Active Homeland-Protection. It’s crystal clear. Currently, Riedel lives in Dürrhahnbach in northeastern Saxony.
What a name for a place, Yasira thinks as she enters it into the satnav. Michael is speeding like a madman again. Yasira is determined to get there before the GSG 9 special forces. She knows from experience that the gain in knowledge is significantly higher if one is present at the operation rather than just reading an always somewhat sugarcoated report later. The federal antiterrorism unit also has to travel from Berlin. In the end, they arrive almost simultaneously. While Michael and Yasira are still putting on their bulletproof vests, the heavily armed commando is already taking up position.
“We’re ready,” announces the GSG 9 officer in charge. “Please step back now.”
Unfortunately—or fortunately, depending on who you ask—it is extremely unusual for investigators to take part in such a raid.
“Be careful, the man is very likely armed and dangerous,” says Yasira.
The officer in charge nods. “They always are when we’re called.”
On his command, the police storm Riedel’s house from the front and back simultaneously. Yasira waits a moment, then follows those who have broken down the front door with her gun drawn.
“What are you doing?” hisses Michael behind her.
“I want to see with my own eyes how he reacts and what he’s doing right now. A report isn’t enough for me.”
Michael groans, draws his weapon and follows Yasira.
They find Red Fox in his living room, sitting at a terribly messy desk in front of a computer. He seems surprised to see the barrels of several submachine guns pointed at him.
The head of operations is visibly annoyed that Yasira and Michael turned up, but says nothing.
“Martin Riedel, you’re under arrest,” Yasira announces. “You are strongly suspected of having committed murder.”
It takes Riedel a moment to regain his composure, then he says in his familiar singsong: “There must be some mistake! How dare you break into the house of a law-abiding citizen like that! This is even worse than communism.”
“I must ask you to follow us to the police station without resistance...”
“Like hell I will!” cries Riedel. “I’ve done nothing wrong except express my opinion. Isn’t that allowed anymore in this country...”
The head of operations receives a radio message, then approaches Yasira and interrupts Riedel’s rant. “Chief Inspector, my team found a body in the garage.”
Unbelievable, Yasira thinks. How stupid can you be? How did this guy get through his life so far? And then this self-righteousness. He must have known that they would find the body in the garage. Did he seriously think he could distract them with his feigned indignation? What was his goal?
“Take him away,” says Yasira.
The officer in charge signals two of his men and they advance. Suddenly, Riedel reaches under the magazines on his desk, pulls out a gun, and points it at Yasira. The next moment, the butt of a rifle hits him hard on the head, and he slips off the chair. The second policeman steps on Riedel’s hand with his heavy boot. There is a crack. He kicks the pistol aside. The officer in charge picks it up carefully, so as not to smudge any fingerprints. As if that’s necessary, Yasira thinks. That asshole had the gun pointed at her in front of everyone. It’s the converted Flobert from the video.
Riedel is handcuffed while screaming in pain. Apparently the kick broke his hand. Cursing out loud as he is dragged out of the house. Only then does Yasira realize that this man was ready to shoot her. A police officer! Without the slightest chance of getting away. What is going on in this country?
“Everything all right?” asks Michael.
Yasira nods. She breathes in and out deeply. “On my end, at least.”
She walks around the desk. Riedel had 8kun open in his browser. He must have been reading through the comments under a copy of his execution video. It’s all so sad.
