The Inspector and Silence Read Online Free PDF

people. Shortly after half past two this morning – they close at three – an unknown person threw a hand grenade in through an open window. The explosion was audible all over the centre of town, but as I said, the damage was limited because it went off under the stage. The band that had been playing there ten minutes previously were still there, but they’re not feeling too good.’
    The door opened and Van Veeteren came in.
    ‘Carry on,’ he said, flopping down onto a chair. The chief of police looked at the clock. Reinhart raised an eyebrow before continuing.
    ‘Eight people injured, but none of the injuries life-threatening. Twenty or so with minor wounds were admitted to the Rumford and Gemejnte hospitals, but most of them will be allowed home today. There are a few witnesses who saw a man running away from the scene.’
    ‘Not a lot to go on,’ said Jung. ‘It was dark, and they only saw him from quite a long way off. But all were sure that it was a male person though.’
    ‘Women don’t behave like that,’ said Rooth. ‘Not the ones I know, at least.’
    ‘Typical male behaviour,’ said Moreno. ‘I agree.’
    Chief of Police Hiller tapped his desk with his Ballograf in irritation.
    ‘And then what?’ asked Münster. ‘You mentioned cars.’
    Reinhart sighed.
    ‘About half an hour later, somebody – let’s hope it was the same idiot, or we’re dealing with two of them – started shooting at parked cars outside the Keymer church. Probably from somewhere in Weivers Park. That could be heard all over town as well. It only lasted for about fifteen to twenty seconds, and nobody saw a damned thing. An automatic weapon. Two to three salvoes. About thirty shots, at a guess.’
    ‘Klempje, Stauff and Joensuu are busy crawling around among the cars,’Jung explained. ‘And Krause is taking care of the car owners.’
    ‘A fun job,’ said deBries.
    ‘No doubt,’ said Reinhart. ‘Krause could probably do with some help. There are twelve owners concerned, including two German families in transit.’
    ‘White Mercs,’ elaborated Jung.
    Van Veeteren stood up.
    ‘Excuse me,’ he said. ‘I’ve forgotten my toothpicks downstairs in my office. I won’t be long.’
    He left the room, and silence reigned.
    ‘Ah well,’ said Hiller after a while. ‘This is most annoying. What with it being the holiday period and all that.’
    Nobody present reacted at all. Jung held his breath.
    ‘Ah well,’ repeated Hiller. ‘We obviously need to set a few officers to work on this. All available resources. It’s clearly a lunatic who could well strike again. At any moment. Well? Who’s available?’
    Reinhart closed his eyes and Münster studied his fingernails. DeBries left for the lavatory.
    ‘Satan’s shit,’ said Rooth.
    ‘Okay,’ said Reinhart twenty minutes later, stirring his coffee gloomily. ‘I’ll take care of it. I’ll have Jung and Rooth to help me in any case. And Münster, to start with at least.’
    ‘Good,’ said Van Veeteren. ‘You’ll soon sort it all out.’
    Reinhart snorted.
    ‘What did the gardener have for you? I heard a rumour.’
    Van Veeteren shrugged.
    ‘Dunno.’
    ‘Dunno?’
    ‘No. I thought I’d have lunch before confronting him.’
    ‘Lunch?’ said Reinhart. ‘What’s that?’
    Van Veeteren examined a chewed-up toothpick and dropped it into the empty plastic mug.
    ‘Do you know Major Greubner?’
    Reinhart thought that one over.
    ‘No. Should I?’
    ‘I play him at chess occasionally. Sensible fellow. It might be an idea to pick his brains.’
    ‘About this madman, you mean?’
    Van Veeteren nodded.
    ‘There’s only one regiment based in this town, after all. I don’t think they’ve started selling hand grenades in the supermarkets yet.’
    Reinhart stared at the dregs in his coffee mug for a while.
    ‘But perhaps I’ve got that wrong?’
    ‘You never know,’ said Reinhart. ‘Do you have his number?’
    Van Veeteren looked it up and wrote it down on