Mercy Read Free

majority in favour. It’s going to pass, Marcus. Piv Vestergård is going to get her way.’
    ‘You’re kidding!’
    ‘She stood at the podium and ranted for a good twenty minutes, and the parties in the government supported her, of course, even though the Conservatives were probably squirming.’
    ‘And?’
    ‘Well, what do you think? She brought up four examples of ugly cases that had been shelved. In her opinion, it’s not in the best interests of the public for such cases to remain unsolved. And that wasn’t all she had in her goodie bag, let me tell you.’
    ‘Jesus Christ! Does she think the crime squad puts cases on ice for the fun of it?’
    ‘She insinuated that might actually be what happens with certain types of cases.’
    ‘That’s bullshit! What sort of cases?’
    ‘She mentioned cases in which members of the Denmark Party and Liberal Party have been victims of a crime. We’re talking about cases nationwide.’
    ‘The bitch is off her rocker!’
    The deputy shook his head. ‘You think so? Well, she was just getting warmed up. After that, of course she also mentioned cases involving children who had disappeared and ones in which political organizations have been subjected to terrorist-type attacks. Cases that are especially bestial.’
    ‘OK, OK, she’s fishing for votes, that’s what she’s doing.’
    ‘Yeah, of course she is, otherwise she would have handled it outside the Folketing chamber. But they’re all fishing, because right now all the parties are in negotiations over at the Justice Ministry. The documents will be in the hands of the Finance Committee in no time. We’ll have a decision within two weeks, if you ask me.’
    ‘And what, exactly, will be the gist of it?’
    ‘A new department will be established within the criminal police. She herself suggested it be called “Q”, since that’s the designation of the Denmark Party on the ballot. I don’t know whether that was meant to be a joke, but it’s sure going to end up as one.’ He gave a sarcastic laugh.
    ‘And what’s the objective? Still the same?’
    ‘Yes. The sole purpose is simply to handle what they’re calling “cases deserving special scrutiny”.’
    ‘ “To handle cases deserving special scrutiny.” ’ Marcus nodded. ‘That’s a typical Piv Vestergård expression. Sounds very impressive. And who’s supposed to decide which cases warrant such a label? Did she mention that too?’
    The deputy shrugged.
    ‘OK, she’s asking us to do what we’re already doing. So what? What does it have to do with us?’
    ‘The department will come under the auspices of the National Police Commission, but administratively there is every reason to believe it will be under the homicide division of the Copenhagen Police.’
    At this, Marcus’s mouth fell open. ‘You’ve got to be joking! What do you mean by administratively?’
    ‘We plan the budgets and keep the account books. We provide the office staff. And the office space.’
    ‘I don’t understand. You mean now the Copenhagen Police are also going to have to solve ancient cases that are under the jurisdiction of police districts way out in the sticks? The regional districts will never go along with that. They’re going to demand to have representatives in the department here.’
    ‘Not necessarily. It’s going to be presented as a way of taking some of the burden off the districts. Not as an extra workload.’
    ‘You realize what you’re saying, don’t you? That now our department is also going to have to provide a flying squad for hopeless cases. With my staff providing backup. No way, damn it, no! You can’t be serious.’
    ‘Marcus, try and listen to me. It’s only a matter of a couple of hours here and there for just a few staff members. It’s nothing.’
    ‘It doesn’t sound like nothing.’
    ‘OK, then let me come right out and tell you how I see it. Are you listening?’
    The homicide chief rubbed his forehead. Did he have a