‘Hi Rikke, it’s me. I’ve just met with the Prime Minister and promised to help with the Kaare Strand affair. Make sure that it won’t derail our election campaign. Couldn’t you be a peach and update me; maybe there is news from the wiretap?’ asked the Foreign Secretary in a tone sweeter than honey.
‘PET has nothing new to report on Holger Berg. Neither whether he is in Russia nor what he has been up to,’ the Justice Minister answered with reticence.
‘I thought you guys were on top of the situation, but if anything fresh comes across your desk, inform me immediately. Anything. And don’t worry, I won’t tell the Prime Minister. That’s your prerogative. Trust me. You know me better than anyone else, right?’ said the Foreign Secretary as he checked his emails.
‘Thank you for the other night,’ said the Justice Minister.
‘Yes, err, yes, that was fantastic. I want to thank you too. My mind was preoccupied with the meeting; I’m so sorry. We must see each other again soon. I can barely wait; having sex with you is amazing. But I’m completely swamped with this election. However, can you imagine having another woman involved in our play? 422Not that I have anyone in particular in mind. It’s just a fantasy. Give it a think,’ he said and ended the call, as an email in his inbox had grabbed his attention: Please ring me ASAP. New information. Possibly linked to an ongoing affair.
The email was from the Ambassador in Moscow. Despite the shorthand text, he had zero doubt that it was the Kaare Strand affair, and he snatched up the receiver:
‘Jette, get me the Ambassador in Moscow. Yes, I’ll hold the line.’
‘It’s the Ambassador,’ a voice rang out soon after.
‘You’ve sent me an email.’
‘Yes, I spoke with the Ministry of Interior earlier today, the Russian one. Although there isn’t any solid proof yet, there is news on Kaare Strand and that lawyer, Holger Berg,’ the Ambassador answered calmly without any inclination to continue.
He was keen to tell the story at his own pace and, in the process, ensure that his efforts were recognised. The awkward break was abnormally protracted, and not until the Foreign Secretary cleared his throat did he pick up where he had left it dangling:
‘Yesterday, a veritable war was fought on a deserted airfield east of St Petersburg. As I understand it, armed members of a security unit were involved in a battle with locals with ties to the antifascist movement. The security guards are associated with a right-wing nationalist party here in Russia. Mother Russia, they’re called. Strangely enough, people from the local mafia were also at the scene. Some rather nefarious types. Well, anyway, the Interior Ministry’s anti-terrorist unit has assessed that it was some sort of a hostage rescue operation going on,’ he said, leaving his words to hang in the air for a moment before continuing:423
‘And early this morning, the officers at the border crossing to Estonia reported that a car driven by two Danish men crashed through the border barrier and fled into Estonia. They managed to cross the River Narva without being apprehended. Almost too much of a coincidence, I think. Thought you’d want to know this right away,’ the Ambassador concluded proudly.
‘Yes, thank you. That certainly sounds like it’s Kaare Strand and Holger Berg. But Estonia? Hmm. I wonder how they intend to go from there?’ answered the Foreign Secretary thoughtfully.
‘There are both air and sea connections. The Russians are already in contact with the Estonian authorities and have requested them to monitor these options until an international arrest warrant can be issued. Their chances of escaping are practically zero, but it isn’t likely that they’ll simply declare themselves to the police. We’ll see. Therefore, I think the Foreign Office might as well prepare the practical details. Everybody wants them home as quickly as possible, and they haven’t broken any laws in Russia, I believe,’ continued the Ambassador like a schoolboy just having passed an exam.
If only you knew, the Foreign Secretary thought as he pondered how to tackle the situation.
‘We will, of course, all help Kaare Strand home; however, this Holger Berg is possibly a rotten apple. He’s been all over the media back here in Denmark for asset-stripping. He is allegedly one of the key players in a big case. And he’s now in cahoots with mafia thugs in St Petersburg; that doesn’t exactly make his case any easier. So maybe, there’s more to Kaare Strand than meets the eye. Yes, I’m not saying that this Jaeger soldier is necessarily involved 424in anything criminal. But it is peculiar that they are on the run together,’ the Foreign Secretary added gravely, allowing this thought to put roots in the Ambassador’s mind.
‘Yes, I can see that. I hadn’t thought of this. It is, of course, possible that there’s a much larger criminal issue at large here. Wasn’t there something about Kaare Strand and some narcotics in Afghanistan? Perhaps he was already involved in something with criminal gangs back then. It could all simply be a question of unpaid narcotics debt. You do read about such situations. Well, what do I know,’ the Ambassador said, slightly embarrassed.
‘It’s impossible to know. But we can’t take any chances. Especially in the middle of the election. I believe that’s blindingly obvious.’
‘Yes, of course, minister.’
‘I suggest that you discuss the narcotics angle with the Russians. Inform them that we will support any action they take against criminals. Even if it’s at the expense of human lives. In these times of terror, one can’t expect the police to take any chances whatsoever. And you did mention that they had used firearms at the border crossing. Assure them that we understand this. And although Estonia hasn’t got the best relations with the Russians, I’m certain we can get them to co-operate. They speak Russian too, so if we ask politely, they should be able to communicate with each other,’
The Foreign Secretary’s tone left no doubt that this was an order, and he continued without waiting for the Ambassador’s response:
‘Good. We’re in agreement, then. And thank you for informing me.’
I believe I’ve hammered a few more nails in the coffin with this conversation, but that’s not something I need to share with the Prime 425Minister. It’s my own re-election I have to secure, he thought as he donned his jacket. And at any rate, if they do succeed in getting home, I’ve only stayed in touch with the Russian authorities. No one can criticise me for that. On the contrary, I’ve only assisted them throughout their escape. I’d better prepare a statement to the press, or two, depending upon whether they – against all odds – should succeed in making it home, he thought as he whistled through the front office towards the elevator. As the doors opened, he turned to face his secretary:
‘I’ll just pop out for a sandwich.’