Dirk Lützelberger - Secret doors

The sun was now a little higher in the sky and flashed through the trees. The rays gently warmed his cheek. So early in the morning it was still relatively fresh in the mountains and the sun needed some hours to warm the air.

When the discomfort subsided, he started to walk slowly again. First slowly up the hill and then faster and faster until he finally reached the clearing completely out of breath. Here he paused for a moment to enjoy the beauty of the mountains once again, the cool atmosphere of the early morning and with every breath he took, he sucked the oxygen-saturated air into his lungs. Oh, how nice it was to finally be on the way to a better fitness, he thought. The slight cold he had had in the past few days had gone as quickly as it had come. It didn’t even come to the usual discomfort he usually gets from it. Usually there was a sore throat for a few days, then a coryza and finally a little cough. This time he only noticed a slight scratching in his throat and for two days his nose was a bit congested so he couldn’t breathe properly. But a little nasal spray brought relief and he didn’t even think about going to bed and lazing around. He wanted to hang on and it wouldn’t kill him.

As if in a trance, he continued to run. Expecting the endorphins, he ran faster and faster, but the state of inebriation did not set in today. He had heard that during endurance sports the body always released endorphins at some point and the long-distance runners could run on euphorically. He had never experienced this situation before. Again and again, he had to push himself to get up from the couch and not just stand still afterwards. So, he kept on running at a slow pace, crossing the clearing and following the path further up into the forest. He looked at his watch and noticed that his time had been better before, but those damn stitch had spoiled his time today.

His holiday was coming to an end and the last three weeks were characterized by sports, recreation, long walks and wellness in the spa adjacent to his hotel. He was also looking forward to returning home and to his work. It had been more than necessary to relax again, he thought as he left the forest and turned back onto the country road leading to his holiday home. He wanted to repeat this at all costs. The holiday had been worth it, and he felt how he was looking forward to his work again.

His legs gave way for a moment when he felt that pain in his chest again. This time higher, not so far to the side. Was his spleen out of place? Rubbish, he countered and walked a few steps slower again. He probably just overdid himself and should have left it at the Viennese Schnitzel last night. But his eyes were obviously bigger than his mouth had been, because he absolutely had to have the plum butter dumplings for dessert – with cinnamon crumbs and vanilla sauce. Now he regretted his decision. This dessert was probably still so heavy in his stomach that he had the problems jogging this morning. He should pay even more attention to his diet; he blew his nose again and started to walk slowly. The pain subsided.

Chapter 2

Chief Inspector Gwen Fisher thought back to her last birthday with mixed feelings. Only a few months earlier, she had lost her husband on his own birthday. They had tried to save him and get him to hospital in time, but fate was not kind to them. He died the same night. In the weeks that followed, she got to work, not to be caught by her grief. With success, as Gwen initially believed, and together with her colleague Superintendent Stefan Schick, she solved the tricky case of a serial killer. After the successful conclusion of the case, Gwen and Stefan had formed a delicate bond and now spent more time together. She smiled as she remembered her last birthday.

It was 01 February 2013, when they all met in Gwen’s family home in Felm to toast. Gwen, the kingpin, successively toasted her son Phil, her partner Stefan, the forensic scientist and long-time friend Dr. Michael Peters and last but not least her mother Beth. The group was small, but they were her favorite people, whom Gwen liked to be with. She closed her eyes and relived in her mind the most beautiful moment of the celebration.

"But Mom, you have to explain one thing to me" said Phil, looking at Gwen expectantly at the time.

"Well, what is it, sweetheart?" Gwen asked.

"You’ve always promised to spend more time with me Why would it work out this time?" Phil followed up.

Gwen thought for a moment and then said very seriously, "First you have to part occasionally with your computer and have time for me. Can you do that?"

Phil nodded affirmatively after a short break.

"And then someone will help me to carry out my plan" Gwen heard herself say and still tasted the kiss she exchanged with Stefan at that time.

Dreaming, Gwen lingered in her thoughts until the present caught up with her and Phil came home rumbling.

By now it was Sunday, 07 July 2013, and summer found ways into the hearts of the people of Kiel and the summer holidays were in full swing. Phil enjoyed the days off and had met his school friend Benoît for the first time this year for a swim. They had cycled to the Falckenstein lido, which could be reached in just under forty minutes. It had become warmer these days and the boys had the feeling to enjoy their freedom.

"Hi, Mom, I’m back!"

"You can’t miss it" mumbled Gwen.

"Benoît and I have thought about something. Since the weather is supposed to stay the same for the next days, we have great plans for the coming weekend. You’ll never guess. Guess what?"

Gwen sat up and thought. On the weekends, as it was customary among the Fishers for generations, at least one day should be dedicated to the family. They had always done so, even when Paul was alive. Gwen painfully remembered the time with her beloved husband and hardly noticed that Phil was standing in front of her and still waiting for an answer.

"Come on, tell me, what’s the great idea?" she asked Phil.

"We wanted to go on a bicycle tour to the high ropes course together to test our head for heights. You and Stefan are coming, right?"

"We should discuss this with Grandma and Stefan first."

"Nah, it’s nothing for grandma, but it would be great if Stefan came along" he replied.

Before Gwen could answer, the front door opened, and Stefan stood in the room. Gwen jumped up joyfully and greeted her colleague and meanwhile, very good friend. She had previously avoided introducing him as 'her' friend, as Paul’s death was less than a year ago. She wanted to wait for an appropriate period of mourning, but what was 'appropriate' or 'usual'. She pushed the thought aside and gave Stefan a big kiss on the cheek.

"We were just talking about you, Stefan" Gwen gallantly passed the conversation over.

"Uh-huh, and what was that about? I hope it was something positive."

"Phil already has us booked for next weekend. You know, our family Sundays. He wants us all to go to the high rope course to face our fears of heights." Gwen giggled. "Without Beth, of course, she won’t be able to make it. So? What do you think?"

Stefan only had to think about it for a moment and agreed, "Of course, that’s a great idea!"

As quickly as Phil had come, he nodded and disappeared outside again. "I’ll take Benoît to rove around the neighborhood."

"All right, big boy, but don’t forget dinner later."

The door already fell crashing into the lock and Gwen pulled the still standing Stefan to her on the couch.

"Nice of you to drop by" she smiled at him in love and stroked his ear.

"Yeah, I thought we’d spend Sunday night together and see the murder mystery on TV."

"As if we didn’t have enough detective stories that week" said Gwen and poked him into his side.

"No kidding, but it’s also nice to just consume these totally far-fetched stories."