Leseprobe / Extract from "Murder at the Grammar School"
“I would now first like to hear from you what exactly happened last night.”
Alexander looked at her in astonishment.
“Well, I can tell you that quickly. (...)
Monika listened carefully and watched him closely.
“Well, everything went really well. But something else, you haven’t read a newspaper or heard the news this morning?”
“No, I usually read the paper at breakfast, and that was cancelled today because I had a conspiratorial meeting with Ms Zander.” He grinned. “Did your husband have any suspicions about me?”
Monika looked at him with a relaxed expression. “My husband didn’t say anything and he won’t say anything either.”
Alex grimaced. “What do you mean by that?”
“My husband is dead,” said Monika, staring at Alex sharply.
Alexander didn’t seem to understand.
“What do you mean, dead?”
Monika smiled coldly now and couldn’t hide a certain satisfaction.
“He’s dead and you don’t seem to know about it. Then I’m glad I didn’t fall in love with a murderer.”
Alex seemed completely unimpressed on the outside, but enjoyed Monika’s admission of love very much and kissed her.
“Please don’t tell me ghost stories early in the morning. I still don’t know what you mean?”
“My husband was murdered last night.”
Now incredulous astonishment was expressing itself on his face.
“What, that’s not possible!”
“It’s true. But maybe it’s better that way.”
She paused, put her right hand on his left and looked at him tenderly.
“That’s terrible, of course. How did it happen?”
“I don’t know, but when my husband didn’t come home, I got restless and at about eleven I went to the school to get him. Then I found him lying on the floor in a pool of blood. Someone had beaten him to death.”
“That’s horrible. I don’t know what to say. Who could have done such a thing?”
“I don’t know, I’m completely at a loss. But I’m glad that you have nothing to do with it.”
“But I ask you, do you seriously think I could have done that?”
“No, of course not. I know that you are a kind and sweet guy.” There was a pause, they hugged each other.
“My condolences,” said Alex after a while.
“Thank you,” Monika continued in a different tone from which a trace of fear could be heard.
“But there is a problem now. You seem to be one of the last to have been inside the school with my husband until late at night. In principle, you are under suspicion. You will be questioned by the police. You must have an alibi.”
She looked worried and distant at the same time.
“Of course, we cannot say that you spent the evening with Daniel, because that would raise questions, and he is known to be one of Messerschmidt’s employees, so there must be no connection. Can you get an alibi somewhere, Alex?”
He thought for a moment.
“Maybe Ulla. However, we are currently experiencing certain tensions and she distrusts me and fears that I am cheating on her.”
“Try to talk to her and make peace. A watertight alibi is vital for your survival. Otherwise there could be in serious trouble. The police won’t hesitate if there is a suspicion of murder,” said Monika.
Alex looked at her in dismay, and at that moment he realized that he had a real problem and had to solve it alone.
“How can I best reach you if necessary?”
“Definitely not over the phone. My connections and conversations may be monitored because the police will suspect me. After all, I inherit everything. You can send me a letter, if absolutely necessary, but no emails, OK?”
“OK. I hope everything works out.”
“I hope so, too. The police department will interrogate me soon. After all, I will benefit from the death of my husband.” She leaned over to Alex, pulled his head towards her and kissed him long and passionately.
“Give it time and then nothing stands in the way of our future.”
They tenderly said goodbye to repeated vows of love and then parted. Alex was stunned as he watched her drive out of the parking lot.