‘Could this Vitrenko be the one behind the Blood Eagle murders?’ Maria asked.

‘I doubt it. Son of Sven sees himself as some kind of Germanic crusader. Vitrenko is a foreigner. But I do believe that he, or the group that is using his reputation as a terror tool, was the real target of the Klugmann-Kramer operation. The security and anti-detection measures that were put in place suggest they were dealing with a highly organised and professional opponent. If things were different we could bring in Organized Crime Division to run interference for us, but Volker claims this outfit have contacts within the Polizei Hamburg. That’s why I’m keeping this information between the five of us.’

‘Christ, Jan,’ Werner shook his head. ‘You don’t seriously believe that crap?’

‘I’m not prepared to take any risks. According to Volker, these people have some kind of special police background in the Ukraine. And, let’s face it, there are elements within the force here who can’t decide if they’re soldiers or policemen. I can’t even ask Volker for help. He was open enough about the Top Team, but he insisted that the top guy was faceless and nameless. If my contact can put a name to him then I’m damned sure the BND can. And anyway, the file Volker gave me has been edited to minimise the importance of the Top Team. I want us to do a special sweep to establish anyone within the Polizei Hamburg who has had official, semi-official or unofficial contact with the Ukrainian security services. Maria, can you and Werner do that between you? I know you’re both laden with stuff so don’t make it a priority, but make sure it gets done. And for God’s sake be discreet.’

Maria nodded.

Werner said, ‘Discreet is my middle name,’ and all five laughed out loud.

Wednesday 18 June, 7.00 p.m. Blankenese, Hamburg.

Blankenese lies to the west of Hamburg, on the northern bank of the Elbe. The land banks steeply in stepped terraces from the river and is studded with verdant nuggets of broad-leaved woodland. The area is associated with a mix of quaint fishermen’s cottages with large and elegant nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century villas. While the cottages cluster together cosily, the villas avoid any ostentation and maintain their north-German decorum behind modesty screens of trees and vast gardens. Contemporary architecture has made a limited incursion into Blankenese, but in the most selective and tasteful way. For all of these reasons it has become arguably the most desirable suburb of the city. The fishermen and the craftsmen who invested Blankenese with its character and quaintness have long since been displaced by enterpreneurs, media types and the management classes of Hamburg’s multinational corporations.

Werner had called Erika Kessler at her office in the NDR Radio studios in Rothenbaumchaussee, but she had asked specifically if the interview could be held that evening at her home in Blankenese. Although steam-hammers continued to pound at Fabel’s temples, he told Werner that he wanted to come along. Fabel needed to build an image of Angelika Blüm in his head. He had to understand the impulses that had driven her and where they had taken her. The editors and agents who regularly commissioned work from Blüm had all said the same thing: she never disclosed the nature of her investigation until her article was ready for publication. That left Erika Kessler, who had known Angelika Blüm since university and was the closest thing to a friend she had.