Burned

Chapter 28

His supply of batteries is starting to run out, but he has enough to replace the batteries in all eight smoke alarms as he gets home. He goes into his living room. No killers lying in wait for him. He hadn’t really thought so, either, but you never know.

He takes a shower while his computer boots up at a snail’s pace. Fifteen minutes later, he is cleaner than a Johnson’s baby and he loads FireCracker 2.0. He has a question for 6tiermes7. This time Deep Throat is already logged on: MakkaPakka: Turbo.

6tiermes7: Negro.

It didn’t take you long to become a target?

MakkaPakka: In that particular respect, I’m not out of practice.

6tiermes7: Still in one piece?

MakkaPakka: Oh, yes. Just as well I don’t need to sleep at night.

6tiermes7: Count sheep. Have a wank.

MakkaPakka: Too much effort.

6tiermes7::-)

MakkaPakka: I’m thinking of taking a couple of days off, but I’m curious about something.

6tiermes7: Time off? You?

MakkaPakka: Do the Marhoni brothers have anything to do with BBB? Are they members?

6tiermes7: No. We are struggling to find the link.

MakkaPakka: But there is one?

6tiermes7: Don’t you think so?

MakkaPakka: I don’t know. They may just have known each other socially.

6tiermes7: Yeah, right.

MakkaPakka: Will you be carrying out a raid against them soon?

6tiermes7: I don’t know anything about that yet. But I’m guessing they’ll try Yasser Shah’s home first.

MakkaPakka: He has probably gone underground.

6tiermes7: You don’t think he’ll have another go at you?

MakkaPakka: Would you? When all eyes are on him?

6tiermes7: No. Did they offer you protection?

MakkaPakka: Yes.

6tiermes7: Good. But you never know, someone else might want to finish the job.

MakkaPakka: I declined.

6tiermes7: Oh. Did you?

MakkaPakka: Very funny.

6tiermes7: So what happens now?

MakkaPakka: I’m thinking of lying low for a couple of days.

6tiermes7: At least.

MakkaPakka: Okay. I might work from home. I’ll see what happens.

6tiermes7: Okay.

MakkaPakka: Any developments in the investigation?

6tiermes7: A few. They’re hunting high and low for links and clues. Many interviews.

MakkaPakka: Any details you can feed to me?

6tiermes7: Well, they’ve given up on the honour killing theory.

MakkaPakka: Any other excitement?

6tiermes7: Not quite sure. I don’t know if this means anything, but a film company had taken out an option on a screenplay written by Hagerup.

MakkaPakka: How recently?

6tiermes7: A while ago, I think.

MakkaPakka: Student rivalry, perhaps?

6tiermes7: No idea. But they’re talking to all her friends and tutors.

MakkaPakka: Did Hagerup have a tutor?

6tiermes7: Yes. A chap called Yngve Foldvik.

MakkaPakka: That name sounds familiar.

6tiermes7: Means nothing to me.

MakkaPakka: Do you know anything about the tent on Ekeberg Common?

6tiermes7: The college had put it up. They were in the middle of filming.

MakkaPakka: Do you suspect any of her fellow students?

6tiermes7: Not at the moment. I think Mahmoud Marhoni is their prime suspect. They’ve evidence which implicates him.

MakkaPakka: Has he been questioned following the murder of his brother?

6tiermes7: No. His lawyer threw his weight around.

MakkaPakka: Okay. Thank you. See you later.

6tiermes7: Stay healthy.

Stay healthy.

The quote is from the film Heat with Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. Jon Voight’s character sits in the car with De Niro, planning a break-in, and as De Niro gets out of the car, Voight tells him to stay healthy.

6tiermes7 likes Heat. And Voight is on to something. It’s important to stay healthy. And it’s good to know that someone cares about you, even if Henning doesn’t know who that someone is.