Garry Abson - Motherland - A Gripping Crime Thriller Set in the Dark Heart of Putin's Russia

‘Coffee: black, no sugar. Thank you.’

Daria had been hovering in the background and turned smartly, closing the adjoining door. Natalya took a cappuccino-coloured rocket chair that put her several inches below the lawyer’s, then pulled out her notepad.

‘How can I help?’ Lagunov took up his seat and she noticed the framed portrait of the president adjacent to a wall safe.

‘Are you sure your money is secure next to him?’

He laughed, baring his teeth, then leant forwards and planted his elbows on his desk. ‘Quite secure… I must congratulate you on the resolution of your case.’

‘Thank you. Please pass on my condolences to Mister Dahl, I haven’t spoken to him since the evening we found Zena.’ She edged forwards in the chair. ‘If you don’t mind, there are a few loose ends I need to tidy up.’

Lagunov pressed his hands together. ‘Please, Captain, whatever I can do.’

‘We haven’t been able to speak to Mister Dahl recently so perhaps you can pass on any questions that you are unable to answer?’

He shuffled in his seat. ‘As long as you don’t ask about Zena’s adoption again.’ He gave her a tight smile. ‘That’s a private matter I’d prefer not to be discuss again.’

She maintained a neutral expression. ‘First, I’d like to explain what will happen to Zena’s body. There’s a backlog for autopsies but due to the importance of this case, it’s likely the state pathologist, Doctor Fedyushina, will want to start this week. After that, Zena will be held until the identification process is complete. A dental specialist will be called once we have her records.’

He unclasped his hands. ‘I’ll pass that on and make sure Thorsten expedites your request for her records.’

‘Thank you. I imagine he’ll want to start making funeral arrangements soon.’

‘Yes, he will.’ Lagunov looked flustered and she watched his hands knit together again.

‘Also, I’ll be happy to escort him to Zena’s apartment to retrieve her belongings. In cases like these, I hear it helps family members to accept the reality of the situation.’

‘That is kind. Again, I’ll pass it on.’

‘Thank you.’

Now the niceties were over she asked, ‘Has Thorsten been to Zena’s apartment before?’

‘I don’t believe so.’

‘As I said, I’d be happy to take him there. Unless you want to do it yourself… I assume you know where she lives?’ She glanced at him casually.

‘No… but I have the address somewhere.’

Now she studied his face for the lie; it was impassive as he contradicted Zena’s elderly neighbour. ‘Then perhaps you could accompany Thorsten.’

‘Was there anything else?’

‘How will you get in? I presume someone has a set of her keys?’ Again, she behaved nonchalantly. If Lagunov had been the one inside Zena’s apartment, then he had got her keys from somewhere. Was it possible he had hired the two boys to kill his boss’s daughter?

He shrugged with his mouth. ‘We don’t. Could you arrange for a copy to be made?’

‘I can do that. Incidentally, how will you get hold of Thorsten? We’ve been trying since Monday and it seems all roads to him go via you.’

‘He’s grieving the loss of his daughter and prefers not be disturbed. I will pass the message on.’

‘Mister Lagunov, where is he?’

‘I don’t see what relevance—’

She decided to go in as heavy as a steel pile driver. ‘You can answer the question here or in an interview room. If you remember, on Saturday I said the same. You’re wearing my patience.’

Lagunov’s face blanched. ‘But that was before Zena was found – I assumed that changed everything. Thorsten’s a busy man; he could be anywhere.’

‘Yet a moment ago you said he didn’t want to be disturbed. Which is he – busy or seeking solitude, and how do you know if you’re not in contact with him?’

Daria entered with a coffee. She handed it to Natalya, and Lagunov waited until the door was closed again. ‘Is this another interrogation?’

She shuffled forwards and put the cup on the edge of his desk. ‘There’s always a journalist or two waiting outside headquarters, if I bring you in it will be hard to avoid them. I imagine someone like you must hate to be seen by the press.’

Lagunov bared his little, neat teeth again. ‘I’m cooperating, aren’t I?’

‘I hope so. Tell me, is Thorsten in Sweden?’

‘I don’t know.’

She sipped her coffee. ‘You don’t know which country he’s in?’ She frowned. ‘I thought you were cooperating. Aren’t you supposed to be his right-hand man?’

‘I’m his lawyer which means I don’t have to answer these questions under commercial secrecy.’

‘So the abduction and murder of his daughter is a commercial secret?’

‘Why are you being so difficult, for God’s sake? I’m trying to help you but my hands are tied. I can’t say anything. He’s lost a child. Try to have some sympathy.’

‘No need to be bad tempered. We all want to get to the truth, don’t we? The fact is, I already know Thorsten is somewhere in St. Petersburg. He’s with a man called Felix Axelsson who works as a freelance security advisor. So I have two questions for you – think carefully before you answer: where is he, and what is he up to?’

She watched Lagunov squirm. ‘He’s not doing anything illegal.’

She scribbled in her pad. ‘I’m noting that you refused to answer both questions.’

‘I’m not refusing, I’m not allowed to.’

She nodded as if satisfied with his answer – which was far from the truth. ‘Then whatever he’s doing, ask him to call me. I’m sure you can do that. My sole interest is making sure the case against Zena’s killers is watertight. I have no interest in any minor laws he may have broken. What’s that expression?’

Her question earned a frown from Lagunov.

‘You must have heard it: “The severity of the law is offset by its lack of observance.” In other words, I can be unobservant when I need to be. I my mind, there is a difference between citizens who break minor laws as a matter of necessity and those who commit acts of serious criminality. Removing a child from an orphanage without the requisite paperwork’ – she waved her hand dismissively – ‘doesn’t interest me at all.’

‘I’ll pass your message on.’

‘Thank you.’

Lagunov leaned back in his chair. ‘Honesty is admirable in an honest society but here’ – he snorted – ‘it destroys you. As you say, everyone breaks the law sometimes; it’s a matter of doing what your conscience allows.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I don’t want to open a newspaper and read how those boys burned Zena to destroy the physical evidence of a rape. Journalists pay well for insider knowledge like that: the tragic life and death of a billionaire’s daughter. If I told you Thorsten was willing to protect Zena’s dignity would you be surprised?’

‘He’ll pay me not to talk to the press?’

‘You don’t need to do anything. Honesty ought to be rewarded. The Svens are very big on that kind of thing.’

She took another sip of the coffee. ‘But then I’m compromised. For instance, you could threaten to tell my superiors about your generous gift unless I stop asking difficult questions. Try this one as an example: how did you know Zena was missing before anyone else did?’

Lagunov looked as if he’d been slapped. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’

‘But you do. A witness saw you outside her apartment. Tell me what you were doing between seven and eight on Friday morning.’

‘I was at the office but I should also remind you I have legal privilege.’

‘Not if I determine that you are a suspect.’