The pressure is growing
What happened so far:
Lena Berger, an investigator with the homicide division, receives an anonymous email hinting at imminent danger at a charity event at the Frost & Flamme restaurant. The tip is vague, but the wording and the name Jonas Keller pique Lena's interest. The next evening, an emergency call confirms that someone has died at Frost & Flamme, making the anonymous threat a reality. The deceased is the restaurant's co-owner. Lena begins her investigation, examining the threatening atmosphere of the evening and possible connections to Jonas Keller.
A still image shone on the screen: the "Frost & Flame" in warm gold, in front of it a red carpet, on it the mayor in flashlight. Next to him the dead man, still alive, his hand raised in greeting. A photo from last year.
"We need quick results, Ms. Berger," said her boss. "Before this becomes a Christmas story that no one wants to read."
Lena crossed her arms. Other images ran in her head: the smooth parquet floor, the trace of a shoe in her blood, the fine imprint of glass on the edge of the counter. And Mia, the young waitress, whose hands were shaking so much that she could hardly hold a glass.
The anonymous mail was in her folder as a printout. No one in the room had asked about it. Uncomfortable details disturbed the need for clarity.
"We have a manageable group of people," said the representative from the ministry. "Guests, staff, business partners. A robbery is impossible. What remains is a relationship crime or an internal conflict. Focus on the circle around Jonas Keller."
As if it hadn't been for a long time.
Later, alone in her office, Lena played the restaurant music from the evening of the crime, a recording from the surveillance system. Inconspicuous background sounds, voices, cutlery. Then, at some point, this song changes. A melodic break, another piece, louder, more intrusive. Afterwards: silence.
She rewinded. Once again. Somewhere in between these notes had to be the moment when routine had turned into murder.
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