Fabel drew a deep breath. ‘That’s it! Damn it. That is exactly where I’ve been heading with this whole bloody thing. Our so-called random serial killer has taken out an undercover federal agent. That is one hell of a coincidence. Now we have to go back to the first murder, the civic lawyer, and see if there is a fact trail between her and this policewoman. And we have to check them both out against Angelika Blüm.’ He turned to Van Heiden. ‘We have some serious ass-kicking to do here, Herr Kriminaldirektor. We are up to our necks in dismembered women and these idiots are playing James Bond. We should have been advised about this girl’s identity as soon as she was killed.’

‘And that,’ interrupted Werner, ‘is what that twelve-minute telephone call to a non-existent number was all about.’

Fabel slammed his hand onto the table. ‘God … you’re right! That must have been Klugmann calling in to get instructions. The poor bastard really was in shock that night. He comes across his contact sliced up like butcher meat and he calls his control to find out what to do. They tell him to phone the police but to stay out in the field and under cover. Bastards!’ He turned back to Van Heiden. ‘This is obstruction and suppression of evidence. I want people behind bars for this. Do I have your support?’

Fabel had expected Van Heiden to be put out by being asked such a question in front of the whole team. Instead Van Heiden’s face was drawn tight and hard and determined. ‘Whatever you need, Herr Kriminalhauptkommissar, I’ll make sure you get it.’

Fabel nodded his thanks. Whatever else he was, Van Heiden was a straight, honest policeman. Fabel turned to his two lieutenants. ‘Good work, Maria, bloody good work. And you too, Werner … on the phone link.’

‘Speaking of which …’ said Van Heiden picking up the conference-room phone and pressing the button for his secretary. ‘Get me Hauptkommissar Wallenstein at BAO …’

Fabel signalled urgently for his boss to stop. Van Heiden cancelled the call and replaced the receiver.

‘What is it you have in mind, Fabel?’

Fabel slipped Klugmann’s cell phone from the evidence bag. He looked questioningly at Van Heiden who gave a curt and serious nod. Fabel switched on the phone and looked at the last number dialled, then keyed it into the conference room phone. The phone at the other end rang three times. Again there was no voice when it was answered.

‘This is Kriminalhauptkommissar Fabel of the Polizei Hamburg Mordkommission. I want you to listen very, very carefully and pass this information on to whoever is in charge. Your operation is totally compromised. We know about Tina Kramer and your other operative.’ Fabel was careful not to mention Klugmann’s name: he was still out there in the field and if Fabel’s hunch about who was on the other end of the phone was wrong, it could be a lethal mistake. ‘I am sitting with Kriminaldirektor Van Heiden of the Polizei Hamburg and we will be making a full report to the Erste Bürgermeister and to the Bundeskriminalamt.’ Fabel paused again. Still no one spoke but he remained connected. Fabel’s voice now developed a harder, sharper edge. ‘Your operative is in danger and his cover is blown. Whatever you hoped to achieve with this operation is now unachievable. All you are doing now is obstructing a major murder inquiry. If you do not co-operate with our investigation with full transparency, I promise you I will make sure criminal charges are brought against those behind this operation.’