Grave Intent Read Online Free PDF Page A

society. Instead of allowing you to bask in your success, he goes and fingers you. That can make a guy angry.”
    “Outrageous,” the doctor said, fighting his fury.
    “How did you know it was Bernhard Valburg? His tip-off was anonymous.”
    “It’s a long story.”
    “We have time,” Chandu said. He took a candy from his pocket, unwrapped it slowly, popped it in his mouth, and let the wrapper fall to the floor.
    “Bernhard and I studied together at Berlin University. For him, becoming a doctor was a calling, a duty to alleviate suffering. For me, it was always just a job, an opportunity to earn money, have a nice life. We were at odds from that very first semester on. He couldn’t understand why I’d want to be a cosmetic surgeon. Our studies were barely over before we starting seeing each other at medical conferences . . . and other events.”
    Dr. Ewers folded his hands together, staring at the floor. “The last time we ran into each other was at a reception. I’d bought a round; I was having my best year ever as a doctor and wanted to celebrate. Instead of leaving me to drink with my friends, Bernhard came over and started going on and on about a doctor’s obligation to society. Talking about ethics and bitching about cosmetic surgeons. As drunk as I was, I just laughed at him, comparing my practice to his, making fun of national health-care patients.”
    “The classic competition—my dick’s bigger than yours,” Chandu remarked.
    “Call it what you will, but this time it hit a nerve. Bernhard lunged at me, knocked the champagne glass out of my hand, and blatantly threatened that there would be consequences. A week later, the tax man was at my door.”
    “Which cost you some money?” Jan asked.
    Dr. Ewers nodded.
    “How much?”
    “Too much.”
    “What’s too much?”
    “I had to sell one of my houses and give up my share in a private jet.”
    “Alas, cruel fate,” Chandu said.
    “Where were you last Sunday evening?”
    “At one of those conferences. In a hotel downtown. My assistant can write down the address for you.”
    “On a Sunday?”
    “National conventions are always on weekends.”
    “What was the focus?”
    “It wouldn’t interest you.” Dr. Ewers waved away the thought. “Thoroughly boring stuff. But you have to be seen at these things, keep up appearances. I was actually preparing for another round with Bernhard; I was surprised he wasn’t there.”
    “Did anyone see you at this conference?”
    “I can give you a list of my colleagues who saw me. I spent the evening there, then an old friend from Brazil came to visit me. We drank until the hotel bar closed, around three a.m. I could barely stagger over to the taxi stand after that. Ask the concierge who was on duty then.”
    “Hm,” Jan said. “That’s it for now. We reserve the right to come back if we have further questions. It would be nice to be given a warmer reception next time.”
    Ewers glared at the two men but nodded obediently.
    As Jan and Chandu turned to leave, the doctor called after them.
    “You know something? Bernhard was a pain in the ass, but I’ll miss him.”
    His words seemed genuine.
    “Don’t you worry,” Jan replied. “We’ll find the murderer. We’re just getting warmed up.”
    They left the room.
    “You don’t think he was the murderer,” Chandu said on their way back outside.
    “What makes you say that?”
    “You let him off the hook too quickly.”
    “I can’t say exactly what it is,” Jan began. “Guys like him, they think the world belongs to them. They love exercising their power over others, bullying everyone around them. Dr. Aaron Ewers is quick-tempered and touchy, probably beats up his wife and screams at his staff. But preparing a murder for days on end, digging out a grave, depositing the corpse, gouging the eyes out . . . None of that fits this asshole’s style. I’d trust him to beat someone to death in a fit of rage, but anything beyond that is too