‘I’m not going to beat about the bush, Fabel.’ Van Heiden indicated that Fabel should be seated. ‘You know my feelings about your leaving the Polizei Hamburg. I would rather see you in another department than lose you completely.’

‘I appreciate that, Herr Criminal Director. But my mind is made up.’ Fabel did not try to suppress the weariness in his voice. ‘And, with respect, we’ve been through this before …’

Van Heiden bristled. ‘I didn’t bring you up here just to repeat myself, Fabel. Herr Wagner and I have something specific to discuss with you.’

‘With the greatest respect,’ said Wagner, ‘I don’t agree with Herr van Heiden that an alternative to you resigning from the Polizei Hamburg would be a transfer to another department. I know that you have successfully concluded four serial-murder cases in recent years.’

‘It depends on how you define “successfully”,’ said Fabel. ‘I have lost one officer and another has been so traumatised that she is currently on extended sick leave.’

‘How is Frau Klee?’ asked van Heiden.

‘Maria’s tough,’ said Fabel. ‘Very tough. I suppose in many ways that’s been her problem. She tried to simply work through what happened to her. Didn’t give herself enough time to recover from either her physical or emotional wounds. That’s why she’s crashed now.’

‘Frau Klee was seriously injured in the case in which Herr Fabel lost an officer.’ Van Heiden clearly felt that Wagner needed an explanation.

‘And a local uniformed policeman was killed as well,’ said Fabel.

‘Yes …’ Wagner frowned. ‘The Vitrenko case. Believe me, I am only too well acquainted with the exploits of our Ukrainian friend. Vasyl Vitrenko is at the top of our wanted list.’

‘Added to that, Maria became …’ Fabel struggled for the right word ‘… involved – albeit unknowingly involved – with a killer in another case. I’m afraid it’s all taken its toll on her.’

‘Fabel,’ said van Heiden gently, ‘it’s more than a case of lost confidence and post-traumatic stress. Frau Klee has had a complete breakdown. We all know that otherwise she would be your successor. I hate to say this about an officer of Frau Klee’s ability, but I very much doubt if she has a future in the Murder Commission.’

‘I think that I should have a say in that,’ said Fabel.

‘But you won’t, Chief Commissar,’ van Heiden said. ‘By the time Frau Klee returns from sick leave you will be long gone. Your choice, Fabel. Not mine. Anyway, I’m sure we can put Frau Klee to good use elsewhere in the Polizei Hamburg.’

Fabel said nothing. Eventually Wagner broke the embarrassed silence. ‘Anyway, as I was saying, Herr Fabel, you have a natural talent for complicated murder cases. And your last case was rather … high profile to say the least. Your reputation now extends far beyond Hamburg. Whether you like it or not, you have earned a name within the police community throughout Germany as the most experienced and successful investigator of complex and multiple murder cases.’