Murder on the Thirty-First Floor Read Online Free PDF

Now, its design and content are designed solely for its readers’ benefit.’
    He glanced into his file again and turned a page.
    ‘… and enjoyment. The publications are aimed at the family, at being something they can all read, at not creating aggression, dissatisfaction or anxiety. They satisfy ordinarypeople’s natural need for escapism. In short, they are in the service of the Accord.’
    ‘I understand.’
    ‘Before the Accord came up with this definitive solution, newspaper and magazine publishing was much more fractured than it is now. The political parties and trade unions all had their own publishing arms. But as their publications gradually got into financial difficulties, they were closed down or taken over by the group. Many of them were rescued thanks to …’
    ‘Yes?’
    ‘Well, thanks to the principles I have just been talking about. Thanks to their capacity for giving their readers peace of mind and security. Their capacity for being uncomplicated, easy to understand, and in tune with the tastes and concentration spans of people today.’
    Jensen nodded.
    ‘I don’t think it’s any exaggeration to claim that this united front on the part of the press has contributed more than anything else to consolidating the Accord. To bridging the gaps between political parties, between monarchy and republic, between the so-called upper classes and …’
    He tailed off and looked out of the window before going on:
    ‘It’s no exaggeration, either, when they say that the credit must go to the group’s management, those at the very top. Exceptional men, with great moral fibre. Completely without vanity, seeking neither titles nor power, nor …’
    ‘Wealth?’
    The Secretary of State turned a quick, questioning eye on the man in the visitor’s armchair.
    ‘Exactly so,’ he said.
    ‘Which other companies does the group control?’
    ‘I couldn’t really say,’ said the Secretary of State vaguely. ‘Distribution companies, packaging manufacturers, shipping companies, furniture producers … the paper industry, of course, and it’s not my department.’
    He fixed Jensen with a look.
    ‘I don’t really think there’s any more information of any value that I can give you,’ he said. ‘Incidentally, why the interest?’
    ‘Orders,’ said Jensen.
    ‘To change the subject, what effect have the new police powers had on the figures?’
    ‘You mean the suicide rate statistics?’
    ‘Yes I do.’
    ‘Positive.’
    ‘Very pleased to hear it.’
    Inspector Jensen asked four further questions.
    ‘Doesn’t the group’s business activities run counter to the antitrust law?’
    ‘I’m not a lawyer.’
    ‘What’s the group’s turnover?’
    ‘That’s a technical tax matter.’
    ‘And the owners’ personal fortunes?’
    ‘Almost impossible to estimate.’
    ‘Have you yourself ever been employed by the group?’
    ‘Yes.’
    On the way back he stopped at a snack bar, drank a cup of tea and ate two rye rusks. As he ate, he thought about the suicide rate, which had improved considerably since the imposition of the new alcohol abuse laws. The drying-out clinics didn’t issue any statistics, and suicide on police property was always recorded as sudden death. Despite the very thoroughbody searches, these were unfortunately quite common nowadays.
    By the time he got back to the Sixteenth District it was already two and the processing of the drunks was in full swing. The only reason it didn’t start even earlier was that they tried to avoid making arrests before noon. It was a decision that seemed to have been arrived at for reasons of hygiene, so there would be time to disinfect the cell areas.
    The police doctor stood at the duty desk smoking, with one elbow propped on the wooden counter. His coat was crumpled and bloodstained, and Inspector Jensen gave it a critical look. The other man saw it and said:
    ‘Nothing to worry about. Just some poor bloke who … He’s dead now. I was too