The vehicle on the driveway next to the Mercedes was not a police car but a light-colored Fiat 500. The mother had come home. Too early. And Brian was still inside.

Ralf drew a few deep breaths. He laced his fingers together and pushed his palms out until he heard a cracking sound. Did it again. He felt like a coward for running away, but there wasn’t much he could do other than wait. Whatever was happening in there, Brian would find a solution. He was so wired and coked up, not even four grown men would be able to restrain him. Any second now, he’d come storming out and they could get away from here. Then it would all be over. Brian had said he didn’t know exactly how much cash there was in the house, but it would be at least five grand. Twenty percent of the haul was for Ralf. Easy money. A hesitant smile played over his lips.

His thoughts went to his father, who had drummed into him the idea that there was no such thing as a quick buck. Everything has its price, Son. Even when something looks like easy money, the truth is always different. Remember that. Behind every success story, you’ll find thousands of failures. Ralf had taken the lesson with a pinch of salt. His father had spent his entire life working in the same warehouse, starting out as an assistant, before becoming a forklift driver and ultimately ending up in the planning department. That was it, then—his father’s glittering career. Not once had he tried to make a success of himself. And he insisted on calling his boss “the big cheese”—like some kind of goddamn rat.

Ralf watched the house. From this distance, it looked calm. Peaceful.

Soon, the place would be crawling with cops, but he and Brian would be long gone.

14

14

Werner wasn’t in the kitchen. His newspaper was folded on the counter, and the TV was tuned to National Geographic. Helen put her bag on the dining table and crossed into the living room. It was shadowy and silent. A few spotlights illuminated the white walls and the large modern paintings. Werner sometimes fell asleep on the couch, but the red leather sofa was empty. She opened the door to his office but didn’t have to turn on the light to see that nobody was there.

Suddenly, she heard a thud from upstairs. Helen looked at the ceiling. Was Werner taking a shower? No, she couldn’t hear any water running. It sounded like something had fallen over up there. Then another thud. As though somebody were moving furniture around.